10 Summer Fitness Tips

Whether you’re a fitness fanatic or a lazy couch potato (we’ll admit, we’re somewhere in between), working out during the summer can be the last thing on our to-do list. But before you reach for the pint of ice cream, get motivated to improve your fitness routine with these summer workout tips. 

1. If you’re a beginner or don’t really exercise that much, start by walking. It’s the perfect “anywhere, anytime” activity that strengthens the heart and burns calories. All you need is a good pair of walking shoes!
2. Engage in a variety of activities. Who says you need stellar equipment or to buy a gym membership? From walking to running to tennis to cycling, there are multiple activities that don’t require your wallet.
3. Exercise first thing in the morning. Exercising at the beginning of the day will boost your energy.
4. Log your activity. Writing down how much time you spent exercising, how many miles you walked, etc. will keep you motivated.
5. Exercise with a friend. Buddying up with a friend will hold you accountable and will make your work out experience enjoyable.
6. Carry a reusable water bottle. Stay hydrated while helping the environment!
7. When it comes to your diet, eat small meals frequently. Eating in smaller portions will increase your metabolic rate.
8. Get creative with your surroundings. Use a bench, use water bottles as dumbbells and take advantage of other objects that can contribute to your workout.
9. Be patient. Don’t expect results overnight. Focus on what you want to accomplish daily and commit yourself.
10. Have fun (and indulge now and then). Summer is such a fun and relaxing season—take advantage of it and don’t be too hard on yourself!

The Five Best Drugstore Beauty Buys for Summer

Forget expensive trips to the department makeup counter this season and stock up on these must-have beauty products for summer for just a fraction of the price.

Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo ($6). This uber long-lasting eyeshadow has a gel-based formula that can withstand any temperature without it melting off. Smeared makeup no more!

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter ($5.99). Avoid sticky lip gloss and heavy lipsticks this season and opt for a tinted lip balm. We like Revlon’s stash of balms that offer just the slightest bit of color while offering a luminous shine. 

Yes to Cucumbers Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes ($2.99). We’re in love with these quality facial towelettes we discovered in the skincare aisle for less than $3. These soothing pre-moistened clothes are perfect for all skin types. Talk about skincare on a budget!

Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream ($11). A long-time drugstore favorite, we can’t live without this BB cream that minimizes pores and conceals imperfections without melting off your face!

Essie Nail Effects ($10.25). These pre-cured UV appliques mimic gorgeous nail art without the long hand-work. All you’ll need is place, stick and file these nail stickers before hitting the town. 

What are your favorite drugstore beauty buys?

An Alphabet Creams Timeline & The 411 on DD Creams

While the beauty industry is speeding through alphabet creams quicker than a toddler singing their ABC’s, even beauty junkies need to pause and absorb all these new complexion perfection products. Before we dive in to DD creams, let’s recap our ABC’s of moisturizers. 

Before beauty balms, we lived off tinted moisturizers and foundations. For those who don’t like the heavy consistency of foundations, tinted moisturizers offered a much lighter version. While they didn’t really do much in terms of coverage, they were a great alternative when it came to evening out skin tone and sun protection. 

Then the miraculous BB cream arrived. Commonly known as a tinted moisturizer on steroids, beauty balms promised more coverage while leaving a luminous finish. This is ideal for those who don’t like to wear makeup or stick to a simple routine. 

After many had jumped on the BB cream bandwagon, out popped what beauty experts called the next best thing—CC creams. Known as the “color correcting” cream, the next tube sensation offers a lighter version of BB creams while covering dark spots, acne or dull skin. CC creams are a lifesaver for those with acne prone skin or those who have an uneven skin tone. 

Just when we thought alphabet creams had reached their prime, the unthinkable happened—one beauty brand decided to take it one step further with the DD cream. Julep developed the first DD cream, which stand for “dynamic do-all,” a hybrid of the BB and CC cream but pushes it further with ingredients that will prime and protect instantly and over time. While we haven’t tried this new DD cream, we’re certainly curious to see if it lives up to its hype.

What alphabet cream do you prefer best? Are you excited to try the new DD cream? Leave a comment below!

3 Nail Ideas for July 4th

Every Independence Day, we can’t help but want to the greatest holiday of the summer than on our nails. From red and white nail stickers to nail art, we’ve rounded up three of our favorite DIY July 4^th manis! 

Have a 4^th of July mani idea? Leave a comment below! Also, check out our July 4^th fashion and recipe Pinterest board!