Ahh don’t we all just love the summer? Aside from the sometimes unbearable Saudi heat, summer to me is associated strongly with a time of freedom, carelessness, and lots of fun! With that being said, summer comes with its own set of essentials. Although the summer only officially started a week ago, it has most definitely felt like the hot-scorching-August summer for a while now here in good ‘ole Riyadh! So I present to you my June favorites, aka things I’ve been obsessed with this past month 🙂 

First of all, SUNSCREEN SUNSCREEN SUNSCREEN! I am guilty of going 19 years of my life without caring about sunscreen. It was never an essential part of my skincare routine, and it wasn’t until last summer, when I started my Isotretinoin journey to batter my acne, that I realized the importance of sunscreen. To protect myself from cancer, premature aging, and an uneven skin-tone, I have been on the hunt to find the perfect sunscreen for a year! You’re probably wondering why I have two sunscreens in my June favorites, well… IT IS THAT IMPORTANT!! And partly because one can only be found internationally, so I included a Saudi alternative for all my Saudi’s. To start with, the Innisfree Daily UV Defenseis a gem I found around 3 months ago. It is an SPF 36 that a) doesn’t leave a whitecast b) very easy to apply and doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin c) doesn’t feel greasy and doesn’t leave behind a strong SPF smell! I HIGHLY recommend this sunscreen if you can get your hands on it. Added bonus: it’s pretty cheap too 😉 The second SPF is the Eucerin Sensitive Protect , which is the alternative I found here in Saudi. It’s available in both Alnahdi and Whites and it’s a pretty great sunscreen. First of all, it has a liquid consistency, making it incredibly easy to apply. It’s made for especially for sensitive skin, and it mattifies your face, so if you tend to get shiny like I do – this is the product for you. It does have a downside however, it has as very light whitecast which can be annoying. 

Moving on, my next product is the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant . I started using this product around 3-4 years ago and I still swear by it. Someone once coined it “miracle water”, and I have never agreed more! If you struggle with dull skin, black heads, prominent pores, and texture with your skin, boy do I have a product for you :))) This is a salicylic acid leave-on chemical exfoliant, so this will literally leave your skin as tight and as radiant as it gets! It can be used up to twice daily, but I only use it twice or three times a week at night because of my sensitive skin. It’s made for all skin types and has a multitude of benefits. It hydrates, exfoliates dead skin cells, promotes cell growth, clears pores, and prevents and heals breakouts. Honestly, I can’t sell this product more, you’d have to just trust me and try it yourself because it’s THAT GOOD! (It’s carried in the Sephora if you’re in the U.S., and Amazon if you’re in Saudi Arabia)

Next, we have the Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil which is carried in all Sephoras! It never crossed my mind that the sun can cause grave damage to your hair if you expose it to sun for long periods of time. Apparently UVA rays are capable of breaking the outermost cover of your hair, causing brittleness, split ends, dryness, and frizziness, so what better than restore hydration to your hair by using an oil? I only recently bought this, and I’ve been obsessed ever since! You only need a very small amount with every use, and it leaves your hair shiny and healthy looking. As a curly-girl, using this after I’ve diffused my hair to break the shell the hair gel created is honestly the best! If you’re scent-sensitive, I can assure you that the oil doesn’t have a strong scent at all!

Last but not least, we have the Merit Flush Balm in the shade Deep Berry. This is by far my favorite cream blush I have ever tried (and trust me I have tried many). This product quite literally goes on like butter on your face and has a very natural yet buildable pigment. It stays on all day and doesn’t feel heavy nor cakey on your skin, it just melts in perfectly! Added bonus: it makes a great pigmented lip balm!

And that my friends concludes my June Favorites, I’ll see all you beautiful beings next month continuing with my monthly favorites segment 🙂 As always, stay perfectly imperfect and remember that you are incredible! – Danyah