Scent of Summer: Parfumerie Tiki Monoï Tiki Tahiti Tiare Review

Summer is technically on its way out, though the weather is still lovely, and I have the perfect product if you are trying to keep your summer vibe going. The Parfumerie Tiki Monoï Tiki Tahiti Tiare is the ultimate body oil to keep your skin soft and smelling like a holiday.

Monoï oil is basically coconut oil infused with tiare flowers (a kind of gardenia) to give it a fragrant scent. The Parfumerie Tiki is 100% made in Tahiti and each bottle comes with its own tiare flower for authenticity. The oil is multipurpose and I love the super short ingredients list. To me monoï is the quintessential summer scent, sweet and slightly floral, much more pleasant than plain coconut oil in my opinion. Honestly, I just bought it because of the scent and I smile every time I use it.

Unlike simple coconut oil, this is much silkier in texture and it absorbs a lot faster as well. It gently moisturises your skin, leaving it silky and lightly fragranced. The oil also leaves a nice sheen (great before going out), but don’t worry there is no oily feeling to the touch. Obviously this is a great summer product, but I think it’s perfect to use year-round especially when you need a little pick-me-up and a boost of hydration.

I found the Parfumerie Tiki Monoï Tiki Tahiti Tiare in my local health food store and you can also purchase it from the company’s website.

Summer Lush Haul

I have shown brilliant resistance when faced with my local Lush store in the past weeks (I had too many body products to finish at home), but my streak ended when I went in just to purchase a gift for someone. Two days later, I was back in the store picking up a few things I needed. The typical “I’m almost out of shower gel” you know… Granted, I didn’t do major damage but I thought you might enjoy a peek at my little haul and read my thoughts on the products.

The Whoosh Shower Jelly was the reason for my visit to Lush, it’s been years since I’ve used one and it seemed like the perfect summer product. Whoosh has a pleasant citrus scent that really wakes you up. I like putting mine in the fridge so it’s extra cooling on the skin when I use it. This is a really fun product to use, it really refreshes your body after a long hot day. I think it would be brilliant went traveling to help keep your head clear from jetlag.

I have been looking for a dry shampoo to bring in my carry-on when I travel and the No Drought Shampoo is perfect! The little bottle is super portable and the dry shampoo works nicely. It absorbs oil well and makes my hair look clean, I can easily see this being an essential after long-haul flights. However, it is quite white so if you have very dark hair you might want to test it out first to make sure it doesn’t leave you with any white residue. I haven’t had any issue with this myself, but many reviews on the Lush website recommend using it at night to avoid this.

The last thing I bought is the Yuzu and Cocoa Shower Cream, the Bubbleroon in this scent is a favorite of mine so when I saw this shower cream I just had to try it. Yuzu and Cocoa is hands down one of my top 3 favorite Lush scents, it smells like a delicious patisserie. This is a lovely creamy body wash and I love the bright yellow color. It actually makes me smile every time I use it.

Before leaving I also picked up the newest edition of the Lush Times (their free magazine) to catch up on all the new releases. All the products mentioned are available in Lush stores and on their website. 

#Teatuesday Løv Organic Wild Berry Fruit Tea

Hello everyone, I thought I kick things off today by sharing my favorite summer drink with you all. Staying hydrated is super important when it gets hot outside and as much as I like good old water, sometimes you just want something a bit more flavorful. So, for today’s Tea Tuesday I am super excited to talk about the amazing Løv Organic WildBerry Fruit Tea.

To put it bluntly, I freaking love this tea, I originally bought a box with teabags but within a week I went back and got the large metal tin. It’s that good.  This is a mix of hibiscus, rosehip along with fruits pieces and natural wildberry flavors. It makes the most perfect iced tea you can ever imagine! Instead of going for sugary juices and flavors enhancers, infusing the tea in a large pitcher of cold water give you a healthy refreshment to enjoy in the summer’s heat. It has a light hibiscus and berry flavor that is very pleasant and not too sweet. A lot of times fruit teas can be either too tart or overly sweet, especially when enjoyed cold, but this one has a perfect balance without being watered-down.

I have been making it every day for the past month and I still can’t get enough. I’m sure both kids and adults will enjoy it. Also I love that it’s organic and caffeine-free. You can the Løv Organic Wild Berry Fruit Tea on their website and in many health food and tea stores. It truly is one of the best teas I have tried this year!

Sam Edelman Lynn Espadrilles in Rich Gold

I don’t talk a lot about fashion or accessories on here, but I got the most perfect pair of espadrilles for the summer and I needed to share them with you. Don’t get me wrong sandals are great in summer, but sometimes it’s nice to have a closed toe shoe to wear no matter what the weather is. Meet my lovely Sam Edelman Lynn Espadrille in rich gold.

Espadrilles have been gaining popularity and it’s easy to understand why, they are super cute and comfortable! That being said I didn’t want to spend a fortune on a pair and honestly all the ones I have tried before were not as comfortable as I thought they should be. Well that all changed when I tried the Lynn espadrilles, they are not too stiff and the color is perfect. The gold shade looks good with everything but it’s not in your face gold either. I think they will also look great both in the early fall and next spring because they have quite a classic shape that makes your feet look nice. That can be hard for flat shoes to do.

These espadrilles also come in tons of other colors and fabrics so you are sure to find a pair that suits your style (see them all here). If you have very sensitive feet, I recommend trying them on first just to make sure the woven sole does not irritate you and that it is bump free (I have seen a few pairs with that defect since it’s not a typical leather sole). That being said, mine are very comfortable and a nice lightweight shoe to where on a daily basis. I am so glad I found them, they are the perfect addition to any summer wardrobe.

You can find the Sam Edelman Lynn Espadrilles on their website (they are currently on sale) and in department stores that carry the brand. 

RoC Soleil Protection+ Velvet Moisture SPF30

Sunscreen application is something I am religious about all year long, but during the summer months I am especially careful with choosing the right formula. To be honest I have struggled with finding the right facial sunscreen for a long time, they are usual too thick or they clog my pores. That being said, I finally have two products in my routine I can rely on to keep me protect from harmful rays, so let me introduce to you the first one today: the RoC Soleil Protection+ Velvet Moisture SPF30.

This formula is kind of a classic sunscreen texture and scent wise, but it has none of the drawbacks of the old goopy sunscreens from our childhood. This one comes out as kind of a thick cream straight form the tube, but has you rub it in it transforms into a lighter lotion and does not leave any white residues behind.

Now this is targeted towards people with normal skin and I would say that anyone with slightly dry to combination skin would enjoy this. It does offer some moisture and has an emollient texture; however it is not too rich, so you can still use it if you have an oily t-zone. That being said you should note that while it does not have a dewy finish (the name velvet moisture is very appropriate), it does take a little longer to absorb but it still looks great under makeup. It offers an SPF30 protection which is great for daily use and I have not had any sunburn while wearing it. Overall, this is a very solid sunscreen from RoC and one I will gladly repurchase (for the third time) when I finish my tube. With this formula, a little goes a long way and it is also very affordable for such a high-quality product.

I got mine in a local drugstore, but I could not find it anywhere online or on the RoC website. The European site does list different sunscreens but not this particular one. So if you are interested in the RoC Soleil Protection+ Velvet Moisture SPF30 I suggest you go have a look in your local drugstore or RoC retailers. It is certainly worth hunting down. 

Summer Sun Care: L'Oréal Paris Sublime Sun Range

I have always been super diligent with wearing sunscreen on my face every day, rain or shine. However, now that summer is finally here I needed to up my sun protection for the rest of my body. Like most I don’t enjoy slathering on thick sunscreen in sweltering heat, but this summer, the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Sun range has me covered.

To keep my skin protected I purchased a few sunscreens and since my lovely drugstore had a promotion going, I managed to get the after sun lotion for free. I haven’t used these products for long, but I thought I could give you a quick first impressions on them. I also really want to encourage you to go pick up some new sun care products, because after a year they are not really effective anymore. So using last summer’s SPF will not offer you the protection you need to keep sunburns and sun damage at bay.

First I got the Sublime Sun Silky Sheer SPF50 Lotion (here), this was the one thing I originally wanted because lotion and creams offer a much more even coverage than sprays do. I mean, a fine mist usually gets caught in the wind and can leave some spots unprotected. To me this is more of a cream than a lotion but it is not greasy and absorbs really quickly. I love that after a few seconds you can’t feel it on your skin and it doesn’t have a strong fragrance. The tube is small, but personally I never go through bigger bottles and always feel guilty about wasting it. At least with this I don’t think that will happen and if I run out, it is very affordable so I can easily get a new one without breaking the bank.

Next is the Invisible Protect SPF30 Dry Oil Spray (here), now let me say that using an oil in the sun just seems counter intuitive to me. I can still remember everyone at the pool covering themselves in oil before laying out in the sun to cook like turkeys. Now this has a high SPF but I wouldn’t feel comfortable using this as my sole protection all summer long. The reason I did buy it however, is that I think it will be great to use before going for a swim. I’m assuming it will not come off as quickly as a cream and so far I can say that it feels lovely on. It doesn’t leave you feeling oily, dries quickly and it makes your skin look great with a slight sheen.

Lastly I was lucky enough to get the Sublime Sun After Sun (here), this is a light gel cream that you can use to moisturize and sooth your skin after being in the sun all day. The light texture and scent are refreshing, making it great to use to cool down after spending a day outside or by the pool. It leaves no residue behind and offers a nice dose of hydration without feeling heavy. This turned out to be quite lovely and while it is not a must-have for me, I will enjoy using it for sure.

Sun rays are one of the primary causes of signs of age so taking the time to protect your skin against it is an easy way to ensure your skin will stay looking young as the years go by. As far as sun care goes, I think the L’Oréal Sublime Sun range is great and its price makes it accessible to many. Be sun-smart this summer and don’t forget your SPF. You can find all the products mentioned above and more (including mousses and sprays) from most drugstores and L’Oréal retailers. 

The Victoria's Secret Swimsuit

Shopping for swimsuits is not something I enjoy. However, I’ve recently been spending more time by the pool which made me very grateful for having taken the time to get a nice swimsuit I feel comfortable in.

I went to a Victoria’s Secret store last year and after trying on many different styles, I found the one.

The selection at the store is quite impressive and you can mix and match all the different prints and colors in tones of different styles. Another thing I really enjoy is how the sizing for bikini tops is in bra sizes, this takes all the guess work out of shopping and is GREAT if you are making an online purchase.

After wearing mine a few times, I can say the quality is great, the bottom doesn’t expend too much in the water (that’s a concern with lower quality ones) and the top feel very secure. It also washes really 

well and the colors have not faded at all.

At the moment, Victoria’s Secret has an amazing sale going on all their swimwear so you can get a new bikini for less than 50$. Go have a look online or in stores, I’m pretty sure you won’t be disappointed.