I love summer because I can streamline my shower and beauty routines. Although more leg-shaving is required, I don’t feel like I have to wear as much make-up or do as much to my hair when the weather heats up. Part of that is due to the overall freedom that summer allows in clothing trends and hair styles (hello, waves!) But, another good reason for streamlining is that your hair might not hold up so well in 100% humidity and you certainly don’t want foundation sliding off your face. It doesn’t look good and feels even worse!

I use nearly all these products daily in the summer to keep my beauty and shower routine simple, fun and affordable. You can by all of these things–except for one or two–at your local drugstore, Target or on drugstore.com.

Shower

• Dove Advanced Color Care is a shampoo I tried on a whim and loved. It really softens my very color-treated hair and helps prevent split-ends and frizz. The scent reminds me a bit of Downy fabric softener–in a good way, trust me–and the color of the bottle is about the girliest you can get.
• Aveda Blue Malva conditioner saves my hair. I’m naturally brunette, so when I dye my hair blond, it has a tendency to become quite brassy in the sun. This conditioner zaps those gold tones out and brightens the cool tones in my hair instead.

• I love all Burt’s Bees products, but this Radiance Exfoliating Body Bar takes the cake. It has a sweet–but not overbearing–scent, which is a huge plus. Others soaps can have too timid a scent or one that’s too strong. I like the rich lather of this as well.
• Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Anti-Blemish face scrub is a morning and evening must for my skin. During the summer you sweat more (obviously), so you want to make sure you keep your pores clear of dirt and bacteria to avoid break-outs. This scrub gets my skin clean without irritation and also has anti-wrinkle ingredients in it. Although I’m 21, it’s never too early to prevent early signs of aging.

After-Shower

• Crest Vivid White toothpaste has a fresh, minty taste and really gives my teeth a whiter appearance after only a few uses. There’s also a “Night” formula, but I prefer the normal, any-time use version.
• Ocean Potion was my go-to brand for aloe and after-sun products, but when I discovered they made a gradual sunless tanning lotion, I had to try it. This one gives me a much more intense, yet still natural, color than the more popular gradual tanning lotions. The purely summer scent is also great: think suntan lotion, coconuts and the beach.

Beauty

• I hate wearing foundation or cover-up, so I compensate by using a daily moisturizer. This Clean&Clear version has SPF 15 and doesn’t make face look greasy or shiny.
• I hate blow-drying or straightening my hair in the summer. Why not take advantage of natural waves? Here’s my tip for getting great beachy waves: Shampoo your hair upside down in the shower. Turn off the water and grab a towel–with your head still flipped. Wrap up your hair in the towel and leave it for 5-7 minutes. When you’re ready to do your hair, flip your head upside down, remove the towel, and spray this got2B Curlvacious spray liberally all over. Scrunch a little bit. Spray all over with hairspray. Now flip your back carefully and stand straight up. Make adjustments in the mirror, but don’t apply too much product. I guarantee this method will give even the straightest hair a great wavy texture. Good luck!

• I’ve been using this Sephora brand bronzer for years. It’s gone through a few different incarnations, but the basic formula stays the same. Use a big brush and sweep on your nose, cheeks and in the middle of your forehead.
• Rimmel Eye Magnifier mascara gives me Sophia Loren-like lashes. I’ve had more than one occasion when someone asks me if I’m wearing fake eyelashes, to which I simply point them in the direction of this mascara miracle-worker.
• The limited edition Very Sexy Now fragrance from Victoria’s Secret has a light, beachy, sexy scent.
• Carmex chapstick is a summer must-have. It’s so cheap at less than a $1 at most drugstores and keeps my lips well-moisturized all day.

What are your favorite summer beauty products?