***UPDATE: The Green Goddess Shop has closed, but the products listed are still some of my faves. So read on for spring summer faves.Cheers!***
Depending on the week it’s either very much Spring in D.C. or very decidedly Summer. And since I can’t seem to figure out which is on the docket for any given week, I’ve been thinking about getting summer ready for a while. Ten years ago this would have meant throwing a bikini in my bag and heading to the gym. These days the only things on my mind are sunscreen and cellulite.
Today I’m talking about tackling both. I’m sharing some items I’m using to get summer ready and introducing you to The Green Goddess Shop, which had it all. Before reaching out to Aubrey, the owner, I had already begun thinking about getting “summer ready.” I was pleasantly surprised to find just the items to start my summer prep. If you too are trying to get your whole life together by summer, be sure to read to the end because there is a sweet $150 Gift Card Giveaway- CLOSED.
As always, You know the deal: This post is a collaboration with The Green Goddess Shop. I reached out, and Aubrey graciously sent me these products to try, but all opinions are my own.
Say Hi to the Green Goddess Shop
I was first drawn to the Green Goddess Shop on Instagram because of their savvy “clean” vs. “dirty” swap posts. These make it very clear what options are out there for those seeking to transition their products but don’t know where to begin. I’ve said this before, but it’s worth repeating: I think that, if asked, everyone wants to live a healthier life (& make better-for-them decisions), but often making the change is overwhelming. I love it when shops take the initiative to make those decisions easier. Hell, it’s why I wrote my post on four easy swaps to make ASAP.
Aubrey created the shop because of the green beauty desert that is her Midwest home. She was utterly frustrated with the lack of available clean products and wanted to create a space that could combat this frustration. We all know the inter-webs can be truly fantastic, but it can also be a place of misinformation and can make finding answers confusing if you don’t know where to look. It’s exactly why I often search for peer-reviewed research and link to articles whenever I can. I mean, I hope that, as you get to know me, you’ll learn to trust my commitment to information sharing and research-based decision making, but I get it. Always. Bring. Receipts.
I’m happy to introduce you to the Green Goddess Shop because they carry many products by some of the top brands in green beauty. It’s a one-stop shop where you can stock up on all your favorites (Like OlÍe Biologique, Agent Nateur & Siam Seas) and check in with information on ingredients to avoid.
Get Prepped with a Vegan bristle body brush
My first pick is all about getting summer prepped. I’ve been dry brushing intermittently for years and recently recommitted to a 1-2x weekly practice. In need of a replacement, this dry brush caught my eye and is a perfect addition to anyone’s arsenal. Not sure about the benefits of dry brushing? Here’s the rundown: Dry brushing is best known for the exfoliation of skin, improving lymphatic drainage, and reducing the appearance of cellulite. I mean, it’ll basically fix all of the things… but I’m not ashamed to admit that my re-commitment to dry brushing was to address post-babygirl lumpiness.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with your body changing post-baby. But there is also nothing wrong with wanting to make efforts to combat those changes. Dry brushing has been attributed to reducing skin sagginess via stimulating collagen production, and it has also been associated with reducing stretch marks. I’m so here for it. There is so much to say about dry brushing that I’ll have to dedicate a post just to this.
But for now, here are the basics: Both brush & body should be dry. Best to do this right before getting in the shower. Use light pressure and long strokes on limbs. Use short circular strokes on joints and torso. Always brush towards your heart: from your feet upward, continuing up to your torso; from the hands to the shoulder, don’t forget your back and butt.
Get Protected with Hynt Beauty Sun Prep
You guys, this is the real deal. The Hynt Beauty Sun Prep SPF 25 does all the things they say it does. As a woman of color, having a dermatologist tell me to wear sunscreen on my face daily, especially during the summer months, has been daunting. Often sunscreens are either chemical laden or leave a ghostly white cast. It’s so not a good look. In the past, I had resigned to myself to using BB creams & makeup as a physical shield, but I’m not a fan of looking overdone when I’m at the pool or soccer field with my small children. Sun Prep has been a game changer.
SUN PREP shields your skin from UVA/UVB rays utilizing a barrier of protection with a non-nano particle, micronized Titanium Dioxide. There is a ton of geeky research about non-nano particle sunscreens, but here is the gist: They are safe because they cannot penetrate beyond the outermost layer of skin, and they are effective in higher UV absorption and scattering and lower UV transmission. It’s important to note that I only use these formulations in the lotion form because there is research to show that these particles, when inhaled via aerosolization, can be carcinogenic. Further note, most any chemical when inhaled can be carcinogenic… lungs are fickle AF. In addition to being safe and effective, this does not leave a white cast. I repeat, this caramel skin was stillcaramel upon application. Let the chorus sing.
I was drawn to this product because I had heard amazing things about this sunscreen. After a few weeks of using it, I’m sold. It’s now the last step in my morning skincare routine. If you’re putting on makeup for the day, it also serves as an excellent primer. Jackpot.
Get Healed with 8 Faces Beauty Solid Oil
I was intrigued by this product because of the brand ethos. At 8 Faces Beauty, they believe “that ritual self-care can be a transformative experience;” when I read that I was like, “ok… yeah, me too.” And the more I read about the brand, the more I was digging the vibe. After trying the 8 Faces Beauty Boundless Solid Oil for a month, I can tell you they are doing the damn thing.
First of all, you know a solid oil (or balm) is right up my alley. I just can’t quit them. I spent my adolescence plagued with parched skin (ya girl was malnourished) and so the pursuit of hydrated skin is a bit of an obsession. This Boundless Solid oil delivers. I was drawn in by the Amla Berry – A Vitamin C rich superfruit which boosts collagen and fights free radicals – but I’ve fallen in love with its versatility.
Its versatility is really what makes this a summer must have. Sunspots or sunburn? It’s got you. Sand rash or shin scrapes from family hikes? It’s got you. Looking for a face oil? This will work. Flyaways or split ends? Yup, it’ll work for that too. To date, I’ve used this as a pre-poo, on scraped knees, and as a face oil at night when I was too lazy to retrieve my go-to pressed serum. This oil is shea butter and cocoa butter based with extracts of alma berry, tangerine oil, jojoba, baobab, and evening primrose flower oil, to name a few. It’s potent. It’s not greasy. And a little goes a long way.
Because travel & camping can seriously cramp my skincare game. I was pleasantly surprised to find a sample of the Kaia Naturals Juicy Bamboo cleansing cloths (to go). Aubrey must have been sensing my summer vibes because I had been eyeballing these cloths. I’ve been off conventional face wipes for a while because they leave my skin feel stripped, and not particularly clean.
These wipes aren’t like that all. The 100% unbleached bamboo cloths are infused with vitamin C, E, and B12, as well as jojoba & sunflower oil and, are gentle but effective. It only took one use to know that a pack of these needs to be in every summer tote. Perfect for getting rid of hike grime, post-beach sunscreen & sand, or to refresh after a long flight, these have summer written all over them. They also come in a 30 pack for the bedside table. Because let’s face it, some nights that’s all I have the energy to do. They are also biodegradable, which is pretty cool.
Have you checked out The Green Goddess Shop? What products are you eyeballing? Next on my list are the AuNATURALE Lip Stain in ‘Mousse,’ the Hynt Beauty Perfetto Eyeshadow in ‘Sunlit Dune ‘, and the 100% Pure Bright Eyes Mask.
D.C. area mom of three writing about health + wellness + motherhood + green beauty. Let's connect!
I hope that by sharing information and building a community, using my unique voice and commitment to authenticity, I'll empower people to live more mindfully; making green living and green beauty more accessible and inclusive in the process.
I wish we’d get some spring weather here. It’s most definitely summertime in Georgia! 🙂 I’ve been wanting to try dry-brushing, and that brush looks like a winner!
This brand sounds great! I’ve been working to more green beauty products and a few of their items are definitely calling my name! I love dry brushing too! So good for you!
Chelsea
I really want to try Hynt Beauty’s Sun Prep! I’ve heard such good things about it.
Kimberly Felix
It’s sooo good!
Erin
I wish we’d get some spring weather here. It’s most definitely summertime in Georgia! 🙂 I’ve been wanting to try dry-brushing, and that brush looks like a winner!
Amber
This brand sounds great! I’ve been working to more green beauty products and a few of their items are definitely calling my name! I love dry brushing too! So good for you!
Patricia
That body brush looks like something I need!! I’m definitely taking care of my skin as we enter into a new season!
Heather
Yes! Give me all the skin care products for the summer. That brush looks amazing. I bet it is great at exfoliating the skin.