Woohoo! It's now officially summer, and the balmy days that are sure to follow bring their own beauty conundrums. Frizz? Check! Stubbly legs? Check! Melting makeup? Check! Here’s a peek in what is already in -or what I am planning to add to- my summer ‘soothe and smooth’ beauty grab bag.

Borghese Acqua Ristorativo Hydrating Concentrate*
Borghese Crema Ristorativo- 24 Continuous Hydration Moisturizer*
This serum and moisturizer duo is truly a wonderful moisturizer for those hot and sticky days…and lasts just as long. It's great to get that dewy-but-not-sweaty glow. The scent is subtle and fresh, it the light formula absorbs into skin quickly. While I think it might be too light to get that super moisture surge after getting some sun at the beach,  it delivers the perfect balance of hydration for everyday wear. What I especially love about it? Two varieties of seaweed plus watermelon extract protect skin against the damage of UV radiation. Now that is summer-approved skincare!

Shiseido Sun Protection Compact Foundation SPF 34

I first bought this in 2007 when I was studying abroad in Italy, and it quickly became part of my beauty routine when I had to actually look halfway pulled together.  This powdery foundation keeps sweat and oil at bay, so you look refreshed – instead of smeary and cakey – for hours. The best part? It protects against damaging UVA/UVB rays with SPF 30+. Hurrah!

I inherited my dad’s fair English skin instead of my mom’s beautiful olive-toned Swedish skin. Battling the burn is de rigueur for me during these sunny months, and this naturally formulated cleanser with aloe vera and chamomile soothes and balances my inevitably red and irritated skin.

Cotton Vantage, a new technology that blends cotton elements to help soothe, smooth, and moisturize skin, is the key ingredient in this body wash…skin is left soft while it sops up excess oil. I haven’t personally tried this wash before in the shower, but it sounds really cool and smells amazeballs.

My poofy naturally wavy/curly hair usually resembles a certain carnival food in the summer. No, it's not a funnel cake. I am a total cotton candy head when the slightest bit of humidity infiltrates the air.While I still had to use a diffuser to get some volume injected into my fine hair, it definitely deflated the poof without weighing my mane down. Plus, I am obsessed with the scent of everything Bumble & bumble, so two thumbs up in that department.

I couldn’t care less about the brand…just bring on the blades! The more the better in my book.  This razor is packing the heat with 5 glorious blades.Yes.

Dr. Lewinn By Kinerase Skin Tone Perfecting Serum XK*

From a line that counts Malin Akerman and Jessica Lowndes as fans, this wonder potion evens skin tone by attacking melanin on three different levels. It goes on smooth, and is a great serum to get your skin in shape when makeup is more of a hassle in the summer...which is probably 5 days of the week in my book.

Dr. Lewinn By Kinerase Lip Resculpt 3D Lip Balm SPF 20*

This glossy balm claims to produce injection-mimicking results that will give you an Adriana Lima-worthy pout. Were my lips puffed to the extreme after I tried it on? Nope. But the SPF 20 in the balm did keep my lips from getting all chapped, which is awesome because ‘flakiness" is only good on pastries.

I recently came across this brand at a Boston gift shop, and I thought her pouches were so pretty. A great size for quick summer getaways!