It’s that time of the year again: the final push before summer break and then three whole months of (keeping our fingers crossed) endless blue skies, strawberries with cream, and wiggling your bare toes in the warm sunshine. Summer is the time for restoring and recharging, both in mind and in body, and to help you prepare for no doubt the best summer yet, we put together a list of essential must-haves and must-dos, with a natural, green twist of course.
1. Bold Lips
From blood-reds to bright oranges, lips are definitely back this summer. Keep yours smooth and soft with a homemade lip scrub (this is a favourite) and top it off with some lip colour from natural cosmetic brands such as Benecos. Their lipsticks aren’t only affordable and moisturising, but best of all, they don’t contain any synthetic colours or fragrances. The colours Just Red and Peach are just perfect with a simple eye-makeup look and no one does it better than Lisa Eldridge:
2. Fruity Smoothie
While keeping your body well-hydrated with lots of H2O is a no-brainer, nothing spells summer more than this delicious smoothie, packed full of flavours and antioxidants. Try this on a sweltering hot day (or why not today just because) – juice the grapefruit, kiwi and pineapple and whizz everything in a blender with the frozen berriers – and you can thank us later.
Ingredients:
150g grapefruit
50g kiwi
175g pineapple
50g frozen raspberries
50g frozen cranberries
3. Luxury Bohemian
Bright citrus colours, flowery prints and jumpsuits are just some of the defining characteristics of this year’s summer fashion trends, and H&M’s Conscious collection and Gina Tricot’s The Good Project, just to name a few, are both currently carrying environmentally sustainable yet eye-catching pieces for revamping your summer wardrobe (loving this and this). For a more budget-friendly solution, mark down Saturday May 23rd in your calendar for the annual Siivouspäivä, when anyone anywhere can set up a temporary pop-up shop to sell or give away unwanted clothes and other goods. Use this opportunity to declutter your closet and make room for potential hidden gems you could get your mitts on; one woman’s trash can be another’s treasure and this summer, experimentation with different styles is the keyword. So a happier wallet and an even better conscience? Now that’s luxury. (Also check out Helsinki’s flea markets and recycling centres here).
4. Delicious Face Masks
Make sure to exfoliate and hydrate your sun-kissed face after a day out with a homemade skin treatment such as this banana-honey face mask, which is rich in natural goodness such as vitamins and antibacteral properties, and requires absolutely minimal effort and time. For a more soothing effect, add rolled oats into the mixture and let sit for a good 10 minutes before applying to clean face. Let the face mask soak for 15-20 minutes before washing off and finish with a natural skin toner such as rose water or distilled apple cider vinegar.
Ingredients*
1 ripe banana1 teaspoon of honey1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice½ dl of rolled oats (optional)
*Apply a smal dosage on your hand before applying to whole face to check for possible allergies.
5. Summer Adventures
You know what’s even more beautiful than a Finnish winter? A Finnish summer with sparkling lakes, dark pine forests, outdoor markets and a diverse range of cultural events to rival those of larger European countries. Instead of travelling abroad this year, why not explore all the summer beauty Finland has to offer and rediscover why it’s been constantly voted as a top tourist destination. But no matter what you do and where you are, remember to take advantage of the long summer days and the naturally happy chemicals in our body triggered by the sun, and be bold and curious. Also stay tuned for HC Helsinki’s very own list of Top 10 things to do in Helsinki!
Bonus: Get in the Summer Groove