summer sessions 02: so fucking vain + so damn chic - a guide

Summer Session 02: Dewy, Sexy Summer Skin

Most times when the word vain enters the chat, noses turn and eyes roll and egos are bruised and teeth grind and deep inhales swallow up nearly all the available oxygen around us. Because vain girls, historically, have been deemed useless girls. Troubled girls. Difficult girls. Even dumb girls.

But I beg to differ. Well, not quite beg. I don’t recall begging for anything in my life. It’s rather tasteless, frankly. So, let’s retrace. What I meant was… I disagree.

Snobby.

Conceited.

Selfish.

Haughty.

Unorthodox.

I’d accept those. But I’d also challenge what she’s being compared to or who she’s being compared to. Because history also says that women are meant to be servants caretakers of the home, the husband, the children, and the family structure.

Judging by the parameters history has placed around the idea of what or who a woman is, then the world would like you to believe vain women are useless, troublesome, and difficult. But, truthfully, she’s in tune with the one person she was supposed to forget while continuing to fuel the lifestyle, ego, image, structure, and fire of others.

She’s aware.

Self-aware.

She’s a wanderer.

She’s a wonder.

She’s rare.

And the idea of her existence makes the hairs on the back of necks stand. She rubs most the wrong way. Others want to be her or be next to her or be with her or strip her of the power she possesses.

It’s not her words or her accolades that precede her. Neither is it her position or status or financials. It’s not about where she’s been or what she’s done or what she’s seen. It’s about one thing— One very important thing to her. One that is prioritized day and night and evening and afternoon and wee hours.

It’s her beauty.

And while that might sound senseless, it makes perfect sense. To me.

Without ever saying the words to me, my mother demonstrated one thing that I carry with me like a shield of honor.

How you show up matters more than what you’re saying, how you’re doing, or what you’ve done. If you don’t present yourself well, no one is going to care about anything that comes from your mouth or how much better than the next person you can get the job done. Show up your best self, every time. Everywhere.

That was never said to me, but it was translated through my mother’s actions. And that has led me to believe that vain girls are the best kind of special. They’re a lovely kind of woman. They’re a rare species. While the world wants them to remain endangered, I am doing my part to make sure they aren’t.

So, I dedicate this series to the girls who can’t stand to miss a nail appointment, never ‘throws’ something on, creates her entire schedule around her maintenance appointments, hunts down their estheticians, has a forty-step skincare routine, understands fashion, dresses according to their build, wardrobes are filled with flattering pieces, are always put together, study looks, can put together a killer fit with their eyes partially closed, smell as good as they look, and turn every head in the room when they walk in–unintentionally. Because we don’t do it for everyone else. We actually do it for ourselves.

---

My best friend and I were talking a few weeks ago…

We discovered we were both on a mission to find the perfect ritual that leaves our skin looking like we just stepped out of a sauna—all day.

“My skin soaks everything right up. It doesn’t sit on top of my skin like I want it to,” she told me.

“Same. Same. My skin still looks thoroughly moisturized by midday, but that’s not enough for me. I need over the top.”

The truth is, I don’t want to look moisturized anymore. I want to look like I’ve been dipped in butter and honey and olive oil every forty-five minutes for the better half of my day.

I almost want to resemble a walking piece of chicken, fresh out of the grease. Because there’s something so damn chic and sexy about dewy, glowing skin that I just can’t quiet down about. It’s the main reason this post is separate from the article about the care of our skin (fully). I can get to the logistics later. I’m here for the aesthetics right now. Vol 2 has no place for nonsense. It’s about the luminescence and luxe that your ordinary lotion can’t provide.

Needless to say, my quest began that day… When I realized my best friend and I were secretly searching for the same glow.

And I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t shared this with her yet. I am sharing it with you first.

If you’re reading this, babe, I love you more than them. It’s just that I’m falling headfirst for the summer sessions and want to tell them things I’ve never told anyone else. Here’s the secret. It’s all here. Just promise you won’t call off our wedding in year 20493232. We can work through this.

Warning: this entry is incredibly short, but it is worth reading every word. Get your pen and paper so you can write down the formula to sexy summer skin.

Step One: Water Source

A shower.

A bath.

A spray bottle.

It doesn’t matter (but hopefully it’s a shower or bath). Your skin needs hydration before we begin to seal. Drench your skin in clean (filtered if possible) water and try your best to avoid soaps that dry you completely out on this day (ex., the gold bar from Dial).

Step Two: Exfoliate

While in the shower, use a direct exfoliant or an exfoliating glove to remove dead, unwanted skin and smooth your foundation.

Step Three: Pat, not fully dry.

Don’t slide the towel across your skin, catching every drop of moisture. That hydration will help enhance your final result. Give your skin a light pat all over and ditch the towel. If you can air ‘dry’ then that would be even better. Before the water evaporates completely, begin step four.

Step Four: Sunscreen.

Simple. Clear. Spray on. Future you will thank you for not forgetting this step. And to be honest, this adds a brilliant shine to the skin that lasts all day. Don’t forget your sunscreen. It’s very important during the summer months. The sun is brutal.

Step Five (The Magic): Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion

A freaking game changer. This lotion is ALWAYS around my house. I leave it for the babies with the unbearable allergies and complex skin conditions. My babies. However, it was the closest thing to me one day after we’d had that conversation. I added it to my ritual and my life was never the same. I must add that my skin has never felt or looked better. I mean, repairing while meeting my skin goals is actually skin goals, you know. Another level!

This thick, creamy lotion hydrates, moisturizes, repairs, and alleviates the need to reapply for up to forty-eight hours. Believe me when I say that you will feel it on you all day long.

(A thin layer of sunscreen can enter the chat here, too. Your preference. Step four or five… The choice is yours.)

Step Six: Palmer’s Body Oil

Not only does it smell good, but a little goes a long way. This step is the icing on the cake. This gives you a layer between your finest and your repair lotion. This helps keep everything nice and separated. It is not a necessary step, but it is a necessary step. The girls who get it will know exactly what I mean.

Step Seven: Your favorite fragrance oil

This step—the sprinkles and the candles and the fire. Layer your favorite oil on top. Something fragrant. Something that smells incredible. NOT perfume. Save that for your clothes. Most perfumes contain alcohol, which can reverse the effects of everything I’ve just listed. Alcohol will dry you out. Save it for your fabrics. It last longer on them anyway. Find a good body oil (preferably one from Huffington Fragrance House) and use it as your top coat.

The only optional step:

For the ultimate glow, add shimmer. Golden will always win for me. Huffington Fragrance House offers Stardust parfum oils that will give you a subtle glimmer that shines brighter in the night.

Warning: If you don’t want all eyes on you when you walk into the room, do not follow these steps. And PLEASE DO NOT add the optional step. You won’t know what to do with yourself.

Alright girls, that’s it for Summer Sessions today. Report back once you’ve tried it. Let me know how good your skin looked.