Beyond Words

Can you believe it’s already May? That means summer is right around the corner, (even though as I write this it is pouring rain outside and it’s probably snowing in Denver and parts of the east coast!) which also means time to stock up on new and re-evaluate your summer wardrobe and all things summer.

I’d like to start with two of my favorite summer products that you can buy at your local drug store and that won’t blow your summer budget:

First of is Jergen’s Natural Glow lotion.

If you’re looking for that “sun-kissed” look but are smart enough not to go to tanning salons or sit out in the sun, this is for you. It really works! I use it on my legs and love the results. Be sure to spread it completely and allow it time to dry before putting on clothes or shoes. It truly is my favorite product!

Next up is Hawaiian Tropic’s Sheer Touch after sun moisturizer.

As hard as we may try, we all get a little too much sun every now and then and this lotion is what we all need after. My sister-in-law turned me on to this lotion in Jamaica and it had me at hello skin care! Not only does it soothe and moisturize, it has a little bit of sparkle and sheen to it too. It’s the perfect product!

I can see you Your brown skin shinin’ in the sun

You got that hair slicked back and those Wayfarers on

I can tell you my love for you will still be strong

After the boys of summer have gone

Sunnies for Every Face

Don Henley’s “Boys of Summer” will forever be a go-to summer tune for me and Ray-Ban Wayfarers remind me of many a summer outing.

Sunglasses in general are a must for me all year long, but especially in the summer. I have to wear prescription sunglasses so I’m not able to walk into any store and buy the latest and greatest trends, which does not make me happy! I tend to lean more toward classic and traditional frames since I don’t want to look “so last year,” but I do have one or two designer pairs that I bring out now and then.

Picking out the ideal sunglasses for your face shape isn’t as easy as you might think. Sunglass Warehouse is the first to admit that there are frames that work to set off your killer features, and there are frames that well, don’t. One of my favorite blogs, The Zoe Report, recently covered sunglasses and how to pick the best style for you face shape. Certain styles fit certain profiles better than others, and while they are considered accessories by many, finding that perfect pair is you’re a fashion must.

To figure out what shape your face is, pull all your hair back, including off your forehead; then stand in front of a mirror and trace the outline of your face with a bar of soap or a dry erase marker. When you step away, you should see what looks like a shape. Easy peasy, right?

If you have a round face like Hayden Panitierre, go for round frames, which actually provide a slimming effect. I know, I know, it seems it would be just the opposite, but try it, it works!

Rectangular frames are best for those of you like Jennifer Aniston with more square faces. In order to complement but not widen, look for lenses that are angular and dip low on the cheeks.

You’ll see everyone wearing aviator-style sunglasses but they work best on Jessica Alba-like oval and Reese Witherspoon-like heart-shaped faces as they work well with wide foreheads and slim chins.

If you are lucky enough to have an oval face, you can pretty much wear any shape, as Alba here demonstrates:

Colors of Summer

Now that we’ve got product and sunnies out of the way, let’s make room for the colors of summer: “Serenity” and “Rose Quartz.” Say what? Yep, those are the colors of the year selected by color guru Pantone and they scream spring and summer. The airy pastels also lend a feeling of slowing down, which was intentional but the fact that the quote at the beginning of this blog boasts the two colors was pure coincidence!

“With our hectic lives and the frenzy around us, there is an increasing demand for tranquility,” Leatrice Eiseman, Pantone Color Institute’s executive director told InStyle magazine. “The combination of a cool and a warm color also brings a sense of balance.”

According to fashion experts, Rose Quartz brings to mind a sunset, budding flower, or flushed cheek, while Serenity conjures an expanse of bleached blue sky. They are lightweight and warming and work well in floral patterns, color blocking, and even stripes. The soft blue and blush pink are a harmonious color pairing but for some will work best in small doses or in prints. If you are pastel shy, try them via accent colors in handbags, jewelry, and cosmetic palletes.

Hmmmm. Okay. I don’t know about you, but the two colors kinda scream the Miami Vice-inspired ‘80s, and not in a good way. In a year of “who is the most powerful” headlines and punchlines, both colors come off as very passive to me and anything but powerful. On the flip-side, they are wonderfully feminine and can stylishly feminize an otherwise too manly ensemble.

Pantone chooses a color of the year annually, which is then considered a trend forecaster that influences both fashion and interior décor. This is the first time it’s picked two colors, which flow seamlessly into each other. Putting aside talk that the colors mimic society’s movements toward gender equality and fluidity (can we just stop already, please?!), let’s look at the two.

Serenity works well on almost all skin tones, brightening up even the muddiest and warming up the lightest. You want to avoid looking like someone off the “Mad Men” set though, so keep it modern and pair it with neutral accessories. Nude, ivory, cream, blush, and even gray are all good options.

For shoes, you can go super casual or sky high as in these examples from Keds, Martiniano, and Ferragamo:

Rose Quartz is a very calming color but you don’t want to go too “pastely.” Think very muted salmon, not pale bubblegum. Add a bit of sparkle to it with silver or whimsy with a fun print.

If you’d rather stay safe, use it in your accessories. Austin jeweler Kendra Scott has a fabulous rose quartz line and your nails are a great place to try it out:

As with Serenity, shoes and bags are great places to add that pop of color. You don’t have to do Louis or Loubs, but here are two examples of each:

Personally I think this little Kate Spade bag, grosgrain-bowed loafers, and rose gold wedges espadrilles are equally adorbs:

Finally, if you wanna go crazy with the colors but in a subtle way, why not wear them both? Just keep it simple and keep it classy:

Have fun with your summer plans, keep cool, and wear sunblock!