It’s well over 100 degrees in Texas these days so I have to be sure I am wearing a serious sunscreen on my face. DARPHIN has a multi tasking Protective Face Cream with SPF 30 in their collection that is a total skin saver. Not only does this oil free formula protect against UVA and UVB rays, but also it hydrates the skin, protects against wrinkles, age spots and other damaging effects of sun exposure. It also contains a breakthrough antioxidant that increases its potency, as sun exposure gets stronger. You can’t ask for more than that! This is good for all skin types and has a very faint botanical aroma. $50/2.6oz @ neimanmarcus.com. ~Lisa

Someone asked me the other day what my favorite beauty product was. That was a hard one to answer so I got her to narrow it down to makeup and everything else. After thinking a while, I’d have to say eye shadows. All the colors and the formulas have really come a long way! A prime example is VINCENT LONGO’s Trio Eyeshadow in new Trastevere ($30 @ dermstore.com) from the Sex/Lux/Pax Collection of shadows. They are highly pigmented colors so use a light hand at first. There’s the caramel shimmer of Pax, taupe brown where it is embossed Sex and shimmer topaz where Lux is stamped. Each is on the intense pearl side so I would stick with the eves when wearing these. And try each with a wet brush. Stunning!

Lilac is such an underrated scent when it comes to bath products so anytime I see one, I jump to scoop it up. SWEETGRASS FARM Liquid Soap in Fresh Lilac ($8.95/16.9oz @ sweetgrassonline.com) is a very mild soap so it’s good for hands and body and some of their customers have even used it as a shampoo. Now that’s gentle!  

This new to the site line has some really fun products! UPPER CANADA SOAP have created over 2,000 products since they started in 1969 and my pick of the moment is their Fabulous Foaming Hand Wash in Pink Grapefruit Tangelo ($10/13.5oz @ uppercanadasoap.com) from the Fruit Frappe Collection. No lathering up required here since it’s a foam. The added vitamin A, C, E, grape seed and aloe are the only thing serious about this product so have fun next time you wash up.

I have a problem digesting milk so I stick to soy-based products. And what’s good for my insides has to be good for the outside. KIEHL’S new Crème de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish ($27.50/6.8oz @ macys.com) is simply dreamy. Soy milk AND honey? Yum! Medicinal Shea butter, jojoba butters and almond oil top off the skin benefiting ingredients and the exfoliators are ground luffa fruit (from exactly where you are thinking, the Loofah). Such a treat that I could eat.

In this case, having a blemish is a good thing because then you get to experience SIRCUIT SKIN’s new Sircuit Agent ($95/1oz @ dermstore.com). This serum contains all the ingredients proven to calm inflamed skin like D-Cholic Acid to help dry sebum and control oil, Salicylic Acid, and Lactic Acid. It sounds rough but it’s really not. In addition to key acne elements, it also contains anti-aging ones. Yes, you are going to pay a little more for a serum but that’s because the formulas are highly concentrated so you will see the results a lot quicker.
Something to keep in mind when it comes to this line -- because there are no preservatives in their products, each has a shelf life of only 300-400 days, depending on the product.

Even if you haven’t had a chance to get to the beach this year, you can bring the beach to you! And BOBBI BROWN, thank you for this next awesome product. It’s Sunscreen Body Spray with SPF 15, appropriately called Beach from her Beach Collection. I can close my eyes and smell the tropical island beaches when I spray it on. This 6.7 ounces of pure pleasure is lightweight, non greasy and water resistant. And for the past couple of weeks, I’ve been wearing it on my neck and arms every morning when I leave the house. The Texas sun is burning these days but I smell like I’m livin’ at the beach. Yum yum yum. $25 @ bobbibrown.com ~Lisa

Soft summer colors are calling out to me and directing me to the Shades collection of Nail Polish from BARIELLE. If you are looking for salon strength that are long lasting, give high shine, and are virtually chip free, these are your answer. There are 36 colors total and right now I'm preferring neutral and sheer shades for fingernails like Desire, a dusty pink. And then bold on the toes so I’ve been alternating between wearing Mysterious, a light violet, and Amuse, a frosted baby blue. I love so many from this collection so check back with me come fall. $8 @ dermstore.com.

A real zipper on a cardboard box unlocks this soufflé like crème that helps to neutralize and correct. JELLY PONG PONG's Teint Sublime ($30) from the Fabled Dreams & Beautiful Things collection is just that, a sublime complexion enhancer. My two favorite color choices are Pink, which helps brighten your complexion wherever you need it, and Bronze, which is a very natural way to warm up your cheek area or across the nose and forehead. And you only need the tiniest amount to do the trick. The texture is a pillow soft cream and it only takes a minute for the color to adjust. ~Lisa

I love that their Venus Pearls ($20) from the same collection can be used like fingerpaints. Well fingerpaints of powder. So would that be powderpaints? Use these little beads of color to highlight and emphasize your favorite features. Simply swirl your fingertip into the cup o’ colored dots and apply to lids, under the brows, cheeks, anywhere really. My pick is the one shown here, Worship. The outside of the pearls is pure gold and inside is African maroon. Try each of the five shades to create a unique look.

Check 'em out @ jellypongpong.com.

You won’t catch me toting around those round containers with my mineral makeup inside when I need a foundation touch up during the day. They’re just not convenient. Instead, I pack ARCONA’s Sunsations Seychelles Mineral Makeup ($45/7grams @ nordstrom.com) in the brush-on tube. The button’s on the bottom and you just pump the powder into the brush and buff. And this one contains a sun protection SPF 25, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and vitamins C and E. Available in seven shades.

A good quality sunscreen doesn’t have to break the bank especially since you should reapply an ample amount throughout the day. COPPERTONE’s latest collection of sunscreeens has one for every situation. Need to cover Johnny with a high SPF before he goes outside to play? Kids QuickCover Lotion Spray Sunscreen, SPF 50. Need one that’s Oil-Free? Oil-Free QuickCover Lotion Spray Sunscreen. Playing on the local softball team this summer? Continuous Sport Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50. And for those like me who are just plain lazy when it comes to exerting any effort to rub it in, Continuous No-Rub Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50. $6.99-$9.996oz @ walgreens.com amazon.com.