Ok, full disclosure here: I shop on Amazon obsessively. As in, when I leave for a few days I generally have a pile of boxes waiting at my front door. I’m pretty sure the UPS driver has my address memorized, and the mailman is tired of trying to shove my packages into a small metal box.

Part of that shopping addiction comes from the fact that I live about 20-30 minutes from any store the average Joe would normally shop at. And I’m lazy. Prime on my dime makes the most sense.

I also live in the blistering heat of the desert, where temperatures reach over 100 degrees every day in the summer. Our summers are generally very long, which I love. But my hair, on the other hand, does not. It’s dry constantly, and by dry, I mean THIRSTY.

Garnier whole blends repaIring hair mask

I’m a huge fan of hair masks and deep conditioners. This stuff is awesome. Not only does it make your hair feel silky smooth, but their products are also free of parabens that can be harmful for your hair, AND their containers are made of recyclable plastic!

This deep conditioner is made with honey, propolis, and royal jelly extracts. Bonus points: since I use a deep conditioner every single time I wash my hair, (thanks desert) this particular Amazon purchase comes in a 2-pack, which makes it last a lot longer! Check it out here.

Xtend Ripped BCAa powder

Speaking of heat, not only is my hair thirsty, but my body too! (Go figure) I’m a self-proclaimed gym-rat, so when I stumbled across this stuff I about lost my mind.

First of all, I’ve always struggled with BCAA’s because most of them contain stimulants. Since I struggle with Anxiety, I have to be careful about adding additional stimulants into my system. This stuff is stimulant free! Praised be.

On top of containing electrolytes to keep you hydrated, this stuff is packed with Leucine for muscles and L-Carnitine to support fat magically turning into energy. What?! My personal preference is the Blueberry Lemonade, because it’s delicious and refreshing. I drink it after the gym and anytime during the day I know I’ll be outside. I first found this product at GNC, but guess what? Amazon has it cheaper. You’re welcome. See product here.

Contigo shake-and-go tumbler

Ok, for real guys. This is a game-changer. I use it for my BCAA powder. I throw some ice cubes in it, some water, add my BCAA powder, take the straw out, and shake. It does NOT leak when shaking. It’s genius.

The secret is the auto-close trap door located under the lid that automatically shuts when the straw is removed. You can use this bad boy for anything you add to your water. Mine is the 16 oz, and you can find it here.

Along the lines of Contigo products, I just want to say I love all of them. I never recommend a product I don’t actually obsess over and use regularly.

Contigo Stainless Steel Water Bottle 

I literally take this thing EVERYWHERE. Hiking, gym, driving around, sitting in front of my computer, laying in bed at night….you get the idea. The reason why this bottle is so amazing is that 1. the size is perfect, not too big, not to small. (I have the 20 oz.) and 2. it’s steel and vacuum insulated, which means when you put ice in it, it actually stays COLD. Take that, desert living. You can see this water bottle here.

Sun bum leave-in conditioning spray

I travel a ton, and when I do, I always travel to the ocean. That salty water + the sun really does a number on your tresses. On top of that, I hike and adventure outdoors multiple times a week in the desert heat. Ouch. This conditioning spray is awesome!

What I love the most about his product is that it has multiple uses. You can spray it on after you shower as a detangling spray, spray it on dry hair for frizz-control and shine, or spray it on right before you head out into the sun. Their line is designed to protect your hair from all the outdoor elements. The UV protection is built right in – like sunscreen for your tresses! And, like the repairing mask, it’s paraben-free!

The best part: it smells like a tropical vacation getaway, or tanning lotion, depending on your nostalgic level. Either way, it smells like a dream. See this amazing product here.

Ponytail Baseball caps

When I was younger, I was stupid. I tanned like a lizard and never thought that I’d have skin problems. I hit my late 20’s and BOOM, sun spots on my forehead. They appeared after my hike through The Grand Canyon, and they’ve been there ever since. I said, “Girl, wash your face”, well…GIRL, SUNBLOCK THAT FACE. The easiest way is to wear a hat.

We’ve all seen these amazing ponytail baseball caps going around. And lets be honest, they are freaking genius. Who says we have to wear a hat that smashes our hair and makes us feel like an ugly, watered-down trucker? You don’t. Protect your face from the sun and look adorable doing it.

I’ve bought many ponytail hats (and beanies!) and I’ll tell you one thing: they are NOT created equal. In my experience, the velcro-adjusting types are horrible. They get caught in your hair. Which means when you take it off, you’re also ripping out your hair with it. No thanks. I’m trying to grow my hair, not rip it out.

This particular one is amazing because it is adjustable WITHOUT velcro. Go buy one. You won’t regret it. You can find my favorite one here.

Girl, wash your face….With burt’s bees

For real. Summer means heat, heat means sweat, and sweat means you get to wipe your face. And often. I’ve been using Burt’s Bees face wipes for YEARS. I love the entire Burt’s Bees line.

All their products are 99.2% natural! That doesn’t mean that you sacrifice the quality of the product. It easily removes all that dirt and makeup from your face. Let’s be honest, who has time to scrub their face with a face wash and towel every single night? Use these on-the-go instead! It also makes packing for travel that much easier!

I also love love love the Burt’s Bees lip line! Their Champagne Lip Shimmer is my fav, and this one is 100% natural! Another example of why I shop on Amazon – they are cheaper than you can get them in-store. Again, you’re welcome. You can find the wipes here.

Oakley Feedback Polarized Aviator Sunglasses

I used to be that person that bought all the cheap-o sunglasses from department stores. I never realized the importance of getting REAL sunglasses until I bought my first pair of these. To say it’s money well spent, would be a complete understatement. The difference in quality is night and day.

I love these sunglasses in particular because they actually fit your face right, blocking the sun from all directions, including the sides. They are polarized! If you haven’t had the pleasure of trying polarized sunglasses, you’re missing out my friend.

These have 100% UV protection coating, so you know you are actually protecting your eyes, not just wearing them for the style. They also have an anti-snag nose piece, so no more getting your sunglasses stuck in your hair! And of course, they are super cute!! So cute, that I bought 2 different pairs.

Click here for the blue aviators (black lenses)

Click here for the purple aviators

And last, but certainly not least, my last recommendation to beat the heat:

icees

Yes, you read that right. As soon as we hit 100+ degree temperatures, I crave them. The blue raspberry or cherry flavor, in particular. I’m not saying this is a healthy option – It’s basically sugar on ice, but it’s delicious. Make sure you get the actual Icee brand, because knock-offs just aren’t the same. It’s the most refreshing thing on the planet and the best way to stick-it to those ridiculously hot summer days.

Happy Summer! Have any of you tried any of these recommendations? What are your favorite summer go-to products?