dressed down beauty essentials we’re loving this summer

Fashion & Beauty

Dressed Down Beauty Essentials We’re Loving This Summer

Drescription

Summer is here, at least in LA. And it’s just as hot as I thought it would be. I’m personally a big fan of extra-long evenings, when the ground is still warm from a day of sunshine and the air heavy with the smell of Jasmine that’s blooming everywhere. But when it comes to summer, I’m switching up my beauty and skincare needs. My skin isn’t as dry as it is in the winter, I’m sweating a whole lot more, and I’m craving light, fresh options in my routine. Anyone else with me?

I have a lot of recommendations, but I know that I’m just one person with a specific set of likes and needs. So I begged the rest of the EHD team to share some of their favorite summer essentials too. I even convinced two beloved EHD alums to share a few picks – Arlyn, my accomplice in skincare obsession (who also happens to be launching a blog of her very own soon, make sure you’re subscribed to her newsletter to stay in the loop), and Veronica, a lady with the best taste in eyeliner this side of the universe.

Let’s get into it . . .

Bath & Body

1. From Sara – LARO Perfume: If you’ve gotten to know me over the years here at EHD then you know I’m a SUCKER for anything olfactory. And perfume is at the top of that list. I love perfume too much to stick to one signature scent. I recently discovered LARO, and immediately ordered their Discovery Set, which comes with mini rollerballs of 11 unique scents (it’s also beautifully packaged, and comes with a 20% coupon for a full-size perfume once you decide what you like). My favorite scents are Stargazer Lily, Chanteuse, and Big Sur.

2. From Caitlin – Fur Body Fuller Frontal Set: Fur is truly for everyone with body hair – whether you shave, wax, or let it grow all-natural. Or maybe, like Sara, you’re a summer shaver and winter grower (her words, not mine, haha). I swear by this 4 piece kit: The scrub and ingrown oil is a lifesaver (and the ingrown oil comes with a little mitt, the size of your finger, to help you scrub off dead skin before you apply!), the lotion keeps your hair growing in soft (not prickly! Or at least, less prickly), and the signature fur oil keeps the body hair you do have feeling soft while moisturizing the skin underneath. This kit is my holy grail product and it lasts forever. It’s been a quarantine lifesaver.

3. From Arlyn – VERB Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner: My hair is both greasy and dry. I’m a medical marvel! I received a sample of this with my Sephora points and let it sit in my shower for weeks until I remembered to use it one day. Then I was mad I hadn’t used it sooner so I could buy the full-size bottles. It left my hair smelling so good, my strands were soft, shiny, and not weighed down. My ends felt hydrated, my scalp didn’t feel greasy. Complicated hair panacea!

4. From Sara – Each & Every Natural Deodorant: I’ve been on the natural deodorant train for a while, and always love trying out a new brand. I came across Each & Every and was super excited to give them a try. BUT they had too many good scents to choose from, so I ordered their “Choose 4 Minis” option and got citrus & vetiver, cedar & spice, sandalwood & black pepper (my favorite so far), and coconut & lime (which is perfect for summer).

Skincare

1. From Emily – PCA Nutrient Toner: I ran out of this a couple of months ago and went 6 weeks without it. The whole time I was trying to figure out why my skin was so unhappy. But once I got my refill and started using it again my skin brightened up pretty quickly and absorbed my moisturizer so much better. I’m a true devotee of this toner. Also ditto on their Hyaluronic Acid Serum.

2. From Arlyn – Saturday Skin Pore Clarifying Toner 10% Glycolic Acid + Pore Control Complex: When I read a product description and it makes big promises about “smoothing and refining your skin’s appearance,” I typically follow with a swift “yeah right.” NOT THIS TIME. This toner has been everything I hoped it would be. I use it every other day, and within the week, I 100% noticed my skin transforming before my eyes. I have big juicy pores that are now tighter and generally, my skin texture is smoother.

3. From Sara – Versed Reusable Cotton Pads: I love a toner, and use one every morning and night. Which meant I was going through a lot of cotton pads. But, in an attempt to make small eco-friendly switches in my daily life, I ordered these reusable pads. They come 14 to a set, and I double the length of their use by using both sides. That means one set lasts me a whole month before I have to wash them!

4. From Mallory – Coola Organic Face Sunscreen: I only wear foundation or powder on occasion, but no matter what I’m always slapping this sunscreen on. I’ve been told it’s the most important thing you can do for your skin all year round, but especially during in the summer when we’re spending a little more time outdoors. This formula is super lightweight and smells amazing, but in a really natural way. It’s just the best!

5. From Caitlin – The Volition Must-Haves Set: I’ve asked about skincare before on the site because it’s such a BROAD and confusing topic for me, the kind of person who is only now slowly readjusting to a regular bathing schedule. I discovered Volition while researching for a post and decided to order this kit of 6 products because like, hey, they did all the hard work for me. It had a nearly perfect rating and 1,400 reviews so it must be good, right? IT IS. If you have dry or dull skin (I do), then this is literally everything you need to start a clean skincare routine. I LOVE.

6. From Arlyn – Paula’s Choice Water-Infusing Electrolyte Moisturizer: Paula’s Choice skincare products don’t get the internet fame they deserve. They are solid, affordable, and unfussy. My skin was feeling very dry lately and I read about this moisturizer in several places and decided to try it. I’ve only been using it about two weeks but my face feels so much better already, and no signs of new-product-induced breakouts. It’s really light making it great for summer wear, absorbs quickly, but fully quenches my thirsty skin without a mid-day oil slick in my T-zone.

7. From Sara – Living Libation’s Best Skin Ever Seabuckthorn Oil (as both a cleanser and moisturizer): I bought this oil after Emily’s friend wrote this post, and highly recommended it. And I have to say, I’m equally convinced by this oil. I use it as both a facial cleanser AND moisturizer. It’s light, herb-y, and doesn’t irritate my eyes (which is a huge issue for me). It’s all over my face constantly.

8. From Jess – Shani Darden Texture Reform: Friends, I am in really in love with this gentle retinol serum. I have talked about it before but now that I have been using it for over a month I can give you my full review. I feel like my skin looks brighter and fresher, thus making me feel better overall (I know it’s shallow, but I’m human). I am also relieved that, as someone with fairly sensitive skin, I’ve had zero problems with irritation. YES! I just made sure to follow the gradual use instructions : ) I can’t wait to see more benefits as time goes on. 5 STARS!

9. From Sara – Ayele Pumpkin Vitamin Mask: Now that I’m working from home, a hobby is the workday face mask. If I’m starting to get antsy I’ll pop up and slather one on, do a little dance, set a timer, sit down and work, and then go wash it off. It’s a great mental break, and my skin is loving it. This pumpkin mask is currently a favorite in my rotation. It smells so good, and legit leaves my skin brighter afterwards.

Makeup

1. From Veronica – Steve Laurant Precision Tip Eyeliner: This black eyeliner make it super easy to get a nice cat eye wing, and it’s super smooth!

2. From Sara – 786 Cosmetics Nail Polish in “Chefchaouen”: I’m not a big manicure person, but I always love having polish on my toes. I’ve curated a small selection of polish colors for at-home pedis, and this denim color is summer perfection.

3. From Jess – Tan Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops: Fewer physical things make me feel more confident than a good tan. It’s THE summer/life essential for me personally (blame my mother). I mentioned wanting these tanning face drops in this post (no it didn’t go on sale, I just caved), to avoid needing to lay out in the sun and damage my skin. My review? Another 5 star purchase! Now I will say, that I let my ego get the best of me – I bought the darker shade because in my mind I tan easily and have more of an olive tone (just a really pale olive tone) and that is what the site recommended. I think that the color looks great but since my skin hasn’t seen the sun in practically a year I have to be VERY careful with the amount I use. I’ve decided 1.5 drops is my absolute max for a light natural-looking glow. My greatest fear is looking like a cast member from Jersey Shore. Next time I might try the lighter one just to see the difference.

4. From Sara – Ere Perez Rice Powder Blush & Bronzer in “Roma”: Like Jess, I love a little warmth on my skin during the summer. But it can get way too dark, way too fast really quickly for me. This organic bronzer blush hits the perfect balance of warm, but natural for my pinky skin. I prefer my bronzer shimmer-less, but they also have a version with the classic shimmer bronzer.

5. From Mallory – Ilia Limitless Mascara: This is THE ultimate mascara. It has a dual brush with one side that kinda combs through your lashes and the other that volumizes so those puppies (aka your lashes) just end up sky-rocketing and looking longer than ever. 10/10 recommend this!

6. From Veronica – NYX Eye Liner: Colored eyeliner is super fun and I have so many different colors that I can quite literally match my eyeliner to any outfit. Spices up my day a bit! (Trust V on this, her bright and bold eyeliners were always the envy of the office.)

7. From Sara – Glossier Skywash Eyeshadow: My lids are super narrow, and get real oily. Because of that I’ve always really struggled with eye shadow. But these cream-to-powder eyeshadows are like watercolors for your lid. They can be built up or kept super sheer, and they last all day. My favorite shades are Palm, Pool, and Pebble.

8. From Jess – Uoma Beauty Brow-Fro Blow Out: I’m not someone that wears a lot of makeup, but I am someone who loves a good brow. And I really love this brow gel! I like Boy Brow from Glossier, but I always feel like it vanishes off my face halfway through the day. Brow-Fro stays on the whole day! It’s a bit thicker than Boy Brow so you if you want a natural look you should use a lighter touch : )

9. From Mallory – NYX Brow Gel: Speaking of brows, I ended up grabbing this once at the grocery store just out of sheer convenience since I needed some brow stuff. It was a real shot in the dark guess and now I literally can’t live without it. It keeps all those lil pesky eyebrow hairs in place!

10. From Jess – Uoma Beauty Double Take Contour Stick: I am still pretty new to the contouring world (again not a big heavy makeup person) but a little contouring goes a long way if you ask me. I love how simple this double-sided stick is to use and gives me the perfect, slightly more sculpted glow I am always looking for! I say “slightly” because I don’t go full out, but you totally can if you want! I can throw it on and just go.

11. From Sara – NOTO Multi-Bene Stain Stick in Ono Ono: I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS. I got it after Caitlin recommended this brand in this post, and I honestly cannot believe I’ve lived so long without it. This is the perfect brick orange-red color, which is saying a lot because I have super pink skin, and generally have an awful time with red lipsticks. It can be built up for a super saturated look, but also lightly applied for more of a natural “popsicle stain” lewk. Plus, it can be used on both my cheeks and lips. A little CC cream with SPF, some brow gel, and this is all I need for everyday wear.

12. From Emily – Supergoop Glowscreen: So far this summer I’ve mostly just worn this with, a little bit of concealer. It feels super smooth and light, and makes my skin look just a little glow-y. I feel like I’m checking the box of SPF, foundation, and highlighter all at once.

Alright, that’s it for our summer essentials (it’s a long list, I know, but we each have different priorities and ideas about what is “essential”). Now I want to know how all of your beauty routines change when it gets warmer out. Any stand out favorites you’re coveting this summer?

The EHD Portland Team’s Cute But Hardworking Raincoats and Rain Boots Recommendations (And They KNOW Rain)

Since we needed to make a last-minute change to the calendar, we got to thinking about what people might be looking for. Well, it’s definitely the rainy season… so at least for me, it’s rainwear. So since half of our team lives in the rain for over half of the year, I thought to ask the rain experts, the EHD Portland team. I picked their brains on what their favorite cute but really good raincoats and boots were. Here are my findings… Rains Long Jacket This was the first jacket they sent through. Gretchen says she really likes this brand a lot and it’s easy to see why. Its unisex utilitarian style paired with the fact it’s water and windproof, all while being lightweight is pretty great. The longer length is nice too. What’s also really nice is that it’s not crazy expensive either. Oh, and there are 12 other colors to choose from! They did say it was a good dupe for this next one I’m about to show you. Stockholm Lightweight Raincoat This one though is THE crowd favorite. When Gretchen texted me she said this was both her and Kaitlin’s (photographer) favorite. It’s also the same brand Emily is wearing in the opening image from 2017! Needless to say, it’s a classic. This one is on the pricier side but is a workhorse that will last you a long time. Moss RainCoat This one I found with a little of my own research. The brand is super trusted and who can resist a classic yellow raincoat?! Curious George in the coolest way:) It does come in navy blue too if that’s more your speed. Weatherproof Oversized Rain Jacket Now, this one really grabbed my attention when they sent over the link because of those big utility pockets. So cool, right!? Gretchen said she hadn’t tried this one in person but LOVES her puffer from this same brand and the reviews on the site are really good. This was one of my finds (obviously the Portland gals aren’t buying new jackets every year so I wanted a few more options). The color is awesome (also comes in black), the reviews are even better and if you are someone who likes their jackets to have a slightly defined waist, this one has a cinch on the inside of it. It also goes up to 3x in petite, regular, and tall! Perfect Raincoat For a more fashion-forward option that’s water-resistant, this one reminds me of the one I own and love. Getting to wear it is the only reason I’m ok with rainy days. The gold accents pop in such a fun way and it also has some drawstrings if you like some customizable cinching. BLOCKTECH Half Coat For the final jacket, I chose this modern cutie that’s currently on sale for $50! It’s water-repellent, has a hood and a way for you to tuck in if you don’t want it out, and overall looks very chic. From the reviews, it does run a little big but that’s also great for easy layering! Now, let’s get into a few of our favorite rain boots… ONA™ AVE Chelsea Boot Waterproof These are a pair that Emily has and LOVES. They are Sorel so not a huge surprise that they both look great (that brown tone is so pretty!) and keep her nice and dry. Speaking of Sorel… Em bought these extremely cool Sorel’s a couple of years ago and they are still on a heavy rotation. She’s wearing them in the opening photo on the beach! I remember her raving about how comfortable and cool she felt in them. They don’t seem to have the plain black anymore but I really love this color too. Gretchen sent these ones through because they were really similar to the ones she has and loves/they had great reviews. This is why she loves them: “love a sherpa lined short rain boot, cuz sometimes the rainboot material can make my toes extra cold”. Very good point, Gretch:) Original Short Rain Boot And to end this raingear post, Gretchen of course reminded me that she loves her Hunter rainboots and that they’ve held up really well over the years. It’s nice to make a good purchase once, you know? So that’s it for us. While I was writing this post I got a flashflood warning…whether it’s one of these or pieces you own, stay prepared!

9 Cozy But Extremely Cute Throw-And-Go Jackets That Will Feel Like You’re Wearing A Blanket

Last week, we talked about the new fall jackets we are really eyeing for this fall…and a lot of them are variations of the very trendy (but also extremely classic) barn jacket. Our numbers show that y’all were big fans too! Due to the fall outerwear excitement, today we thought we’d get a little more casual and a lot cozier:) I’d like to think that “coziness” is a part of our EHD ethos. We want to help you create a cozy home and show you comfortable/cozy options to potentially wear on your body (if that’s your preference, of course). So think of these jackets as elevated “throw-on-and-go” soft pieces. Perfect for random errands, school pickup, a fun friend lunch, or any other outing you want to feel comfortable but a little extra cool. Let’s start with my muse! As I was searching all over the internet for fall jackets, I immediately LOVED this one when I saw it. But it really didn’t fit in the more traditional fall jacket category of last week’s post. I decided to pin for potentially a future roundup. Well, that opportunity came much fast than I thought since the other post was so popular. YAY. So for this one, I just love the ease of dressing it up or down. The way it’s styled with the vintage tee and jeans is so fun and fresh! But switch the jeans for wide leg slacks and the vintage tee for a silky top… it’s perfect for your business casual job. Done and done. Personally, I have been pretty obsessed with the bomber jacket look for a couple of years now so when I saw this sherpa blush pink version I shrieked! I adore that color, the look of collar and cuffs, plus that amazing nubby fabric is so cozy. Another great option that will work with a ton of looks. This gal is the “fanciest” on this list but it’s also easy breezy to dress down. I mean look how it’s styled in this photo. I want to be this cool girl! The lack of collar give it edge and how chic are those buttons? When I showed Gretchen this jacket she had the same reaction I did, “OMG I love this one so much!” The pattern of the sherpa fabric is such a fun and cool detail. Then you add that bold pop of blue and baby, we’ve got a cozy jacket star! It’s another one that just looks so cool and you wouldn’t need to do much else with your outfit. Instant statement piece. I also found this one early on in my search and thought about sending the link to Emily! It’s got her name written all over it. But since she likely has something similar, the next people I wanted to share it with was all of you:) The piping really elevated the whole look, I think that blue is perfect, and you can’t tell me that doesn’t look so freaking comfortable to wear. But if you want something a little more understated (and more affordable) this nubby quarter zip is perfect. This incredible, rich merlot color is so pretty and I love that little pop of bright red on the zipper pull for a fun contrast! If you want a little more length then this guy could be a great match for you. Think how warm you’ll be! This was one was Gretchen’s favs and she is highly considering buying it which always makes me feel good when I show the team my finds:) Plus, since it’s from Old Navy it’s currently on sale for under $50. But maybe you want something that feels a little more modern but still is in the cozy fleece world. Well, enter the neoWARM liner. The piping is amazing, love that there’s no collar, and that waist tie brings the whole look home. I can think of so many things to easily wear this too! It’s a no brainer. Last but not least is this Varley fleece (the same company of the quarter zip Em is wearing in the opening photo). Their quality is great but also look at all the details! That oversized collar is amazing (apparently I’m into a big collar or no collar), those double pockets are so good, and who doesn’t love longer fabric to keep that bum warm and dry. It just looks very “effortless” in the best way. Ok, that’s my little roundup that I literally couldn’t wait to show you but I hope this was helpful and that now everyone is fully ready for fall. Love you, mean it.

Only Seeing Flowers, Not Cucumbers in Your Cucumber Plant? This Is What's Missing

If you’ve nursed your cucumber plant into a large, leafy vine, it can be disappointing and confusing when it hardly produces any fruit. Learning about the difference between male vs female cucumber flowers, how to prevent flower drop, and the ideal conditions for pollination can help you maximize your harvest. 5 Clear Ways to Tell Male and Female Cucumber Flowers Apart Most cucumber varieties are monoecious, meaning they have pollen-producing male flowers and fruit-producing female flowers on the same plant. When growing cucumber plants, the healthy ratio of male to female flowers is around 3 to 1. Ways to tell male and female cucumber flowers apart include: The ovary: Female flowers have a tiny, bulbous form at the top of the stem behind the flower which is the ovary. Once the pollinated flower falls off, the fruit will develop from this fertilized pod. The stigma: The pollen is deposited on this cluster of bumps at the center of the female flowers. The anther: This is the long part of the pollen-producing stamen in the center of male flowers. Stem length: Male flowers have longer, slimmer stems than female flowers, which are located closer to the main vine of the plant. Bloom time: Male flowers appear on cucumber plants before the female flowers. Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more! Why Your Cucumber Plants Aren't Producing Cucumbers If you don’t have the right ratio of male to female cucumber flowers and aren’t promoting pollination, your plants won’t produce a lot of fruit. Some reasons for pollination problems and premature flower drop include: Plant stress: Avoid root disturbance when transplanting, under or over-watering, overcrowding, intense heat and sun, and too much nitrogen in fertilizers. Insecticides: Applying broad-spectrum bug sprays can kill off the beneficial pollinators as well as plant pests. Cold and wet weather: There will be fewer bees and other beneficial bugs around to cross-pollinate cucumber flowers if the weather is colder or wetter during the growing season. Where possible, plant your cucumbers so they flower when the weather is drier. What to Do If You Only See Male Flowers Don't panic if you’re only seeing male flowers on your cucumber plant. They always appear first, and female flowers usually appear about one or two weeks later. However, to ensure your plant continues to produce abundant blooms of both sexes, keep soil consistently moist but not soggy, space your plants about 15 to 18 inches apart with 4 to 6 feet between rows, and plant in a sunny but not overly hot spot in your yard; lower light conditions result in fewer female flowers, but higher temperatures (86°F and above) promote male flower production.1 How to Hand-Pollinate Cucumber Flowers If your yard lacks natural pollinators or you have a gynoecious cucumber plant that is bred to bear predominantly female flowers, hand-pollinating from monoecious plants may be helpful or necessary to boost fruit production. Here's how you can hand pollinate your plants: Cucumber flowers only bloom for a few hours. Observing the time they open during the day means you can schedule a pollination session. Use a small paint brush or cotton swab to gather pollen from the central anther of the male flower. Gently dab the brush or the swab into the central section of the female flower to cover in the collected pollen. For best success, repeat this process with as many female flowers as possible, using pollen from multiple male flowers.

Another Design Box Checked – The Kids’ Bath Wallpaper Reveal!

Well, well, well. A year and a half after the “reveal”, I finally did the update that this bathroom always wanted – wallpaper, and it looks so good that even my kids noticed and went out of their way to tell me! There is nothing sweeter than your 11-year-old son saying “Mama, I love the wallpaper” before you even have time to point it out. I always knew that this bathroom wanted wallpaper above the tile and trim, but I needed to shoot it and I hadn’t found the right paper. It was still pretty beforehand, but now it’s just so much better. Before Wallpaper Here’s how we shot it in August of 2023, it really remained the same for the most part. The art fell down off the tile (dumb Command strips) but otherwise, it was sweet and worked. So I kept my eye out for the perfect pattern and colorway… Choosing The Right Paper I fell in love with a few of these from Graham & Brown, ordered some samples, and was delighted that there were many that I loved. While the middle blue one looks so powerful on camera (and I think maybe one on stories?), I went with the green colorway on the right that has hits of blue in it just so it felt a little more timeless and less saturated I guess? I think the intense color on top with the green tile might have been too much, whereas the green obviously spoke to the floor, more in harmony. The Reveal I LOVE IT. The “wood” of the branches speaks to the warmer tones in the room (like the vanity and the gold fixtures) and the green and blue work so well with the green tile and blue accents (like the curtains and the vintage dog painting). I love that the green vintage light fixture still pops off it nicely without getting too lost. And while I was open to changing out the curtains (I mean, it was just yardage that I iron hemmed and hung up) I think this looks so fun and cute. The colors are great together and the scale of the large gingham is offset so nicely with the organic movement of the wallpaper pattern. The bathroom just feels so much more finished, like it was always meant to be this way. The only thing/s that I’m still debating are: Do I add crown molding? My typical answer would be yes, but outside the tub niche, it would end up being just a little sliver. But you could skip the molding on that front part (maybe, unsure about that) and just do the perimeter of the room… I also might add cafe curtains IF I find the right pattern, but I’m not terribly motivated to persist on that one. Like sure, it could look cute but there is a lot happening already – we may have hit our whimsy quota. It’s another box checked and only 3 years after we moved in which I don’t think is THAT bad. I actually am loving adding these layers in a slower (and less stressful way). It’s just so happy and feels appropriate to the house (Scandinavian farmhouse vibes FTW). The organic nature of it contrasts well with the tile, too. With the green floor/wall tile border looking like grass and the wallpaper clearly being a forest, we have a fully executed theme in here :) What do you think??