Sweet, sweet summertime: a season defined by warmth, rejuvenation, impromptu adventures, and lots of SPF! Summer 2020 may look different than we’re used to but don’t worry—there are still plenty of ways to make the most out of the season! Keeping your health in mind, we’ve got some ways you can keep your inspiration flowing, your skin bright, and your fun at a 12 out of 10 this all summer long.
Ready to hear them? Let’s dive in.
How to Create an Inspiration-Filled Mood Board
By definition, mood boards are physical or digital collages of images and/or text that help people develop ideas. Creating a mood board is a beneficial way to brainstorm original concepts and can be crafted by anyone who needs a little inspiration when beginning a project. For instance, a graphic designer may create a mood board when developing branding concepts for a new client while a clean beauty blogger may develop a mood board to plan a collaboration with a major skin care brand. Mood boards help set the tone for any project and serve as inspiration while you work to achieve your specific end goal. Plus, they’re really easy to make!
We’ve created a La Bloom Beauty Summer Essentials board to set the mood for our summertime goals and we’d love to help you create your own! Here’s how:
Where to Begin: Decide on a Mood Board Format
Physical Mood Board: Often made with poster board and magazine image and text cut outs, tangible mood boards are perfect for individuals who like to get hands-on, creative, and funky with their planning.
Digital Mood Boards: Free platforms such as Canva and Pinterest make creating tech-based mood boards simple for individuals who prefer crisp, clean text and imagery, or those who may need to virtually collaborate with others.
For the purpose of this article, we’re going to discuss how to create your own digital mood board using Canva to keep your summer vibes in check.
Create a Digital Mood Board of Your Own (Check Out Ours Below!)
Visit Canva’s website (or app!) + create a free account: Canva has a design for pretty much anything and mood boards are no exception.
Type “mood board photo collage” in Canva’s search bar: This search will lead you to pre-formatted mood board templates provided by the platform.
Choose the design template that speaks to you and your project: Don’t be overwhelmed—there are a bunch to choose from!
Customize your mood board: Canva makes it super easy to customize your creations with a wide variety of fonts, colors, graphics, images, and more! Play around with the options and watch your inspiration become reality.
Share your vision: We’d love to see your mood board creations! Download your mood board to your phone or computer, post on Instagram, and tag us (@labloombeauty) so we can support you in achieving your dreams!
Ways to Keep Your Skin Healthy while You Accomplish Your Summertime Goals
Now that we’re inspired, let’s discuss the importance of staying on top of your health this summer. After all, when you feel like the best version of yourself, you do your best work.
Here are 4 clean-beauty essentials to aid in your summertime glow (and productivity!):
Vitamin C Serum: According to Omer Ibrahim, a board-certified dermatologist and co-director of clinical research at Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology, vitamin C serum is great for use all year round but all the more important in the summer. Vitamin C prevents hyperpigmentation, or skin discoloration improves the appearance of fine lines, and increases collagen production. To use: Layer a vegan vitamin C serum like Cleen Beauty’s Vitamin C Paypaya Glow Serum onto your face between cleansing and moisturizing daily for best results.
SPF Moisturizer: Due to the heat and humidity of summer, it’s important to swap out heavy moisturizers with lightweight formulas. Heavier products can trap sweat and dirt and lead to clogged pores and skin inflammation. To reduce product usage, Dr. Ibraham suggests switching to a dual-purpose moisturizer in the summer to keep your skin moisturized and protected from the sun—as long as the SPF is 30 or higher. During the summer months, try using a dual-moisturizer like Juice Beauty’s Oil Free Moisturizer with SPF 30. It’s certified organic by the USDA, ranked a 1 (highest score possible) by the EWG, and suitable for all skin types. For more organic moisturizers, check out Bustle’s top 5 list.
Dry Brush: The benefits of dry brushing are endless, especially during summer months. To debloat, smooth skin, reduce cellulite, prevent bumps, and keep your skin glowing, invest in an organic dry brush for daily use. To use: Gently brush dry skin in clockwise circular motions, moving from your feet to the top of your body, near your heart.
Drink Water: It’s free, detoxifying, and necessary for overall health. Aim for 8 glasses of water a day, just like your parents always said, to allow your skin to recover from harsh sun exposure and dehydration. Plus, drinking plenty of water keeps you naturally energized on the go.
5. Face Mist: Keeping a travel-sized face mist with you at home or while you’re out and about is a great way to keep your face invigorated and hydrated all day long. For the perfect pick-me-up try La Bloom Beauty’s Bloom Face Mist. Made with all-natural ingredients like Aloe Vera and Witch Hazel as well as Rose, Sweet Orange, and Eucalyptus essential oils, this lightweight mist cleans and refreshes your face with just a few spritzes. To use: Shake gently and spritz your face a few times evenly after cleansing and before applying other products. Bloom Face Mist can also be used as a makeup setting spray and throughout the day as a refreshing face mist.
Social Distant-Friendly Summer Activities
It's no secret that the first half of 2020 was heavy. That’s why we want you to have the healthiest, most fun-filled summer possible. Set your worries aside and get ready to live in the moment with these social-distant-friendly summer activities:
Take a Bike ride: While there are many health benefits to bike riding, cycling is a great way to get out of the house and have some fun while you’re at it! Whether you have your own bicycle or use a bike-sharing program, taking a bike ride is a great way to clear your mind, get some exercise, and breathe fresh air—just don’t forget to wear a helmet! If you don’t have a bike of your own, a simple Google search will help you find a bike-sharing program in your area.
Go Camping (or Glamping!): Harvard published a report detailing a growing scientific field called ecotherapy, which shows a strong connection between time spent in nature and reduced stress, anxiety, and depression. If camping isn’t your thing, even spending 20-30 minutes outside three days a week can be beneficial to your mental health. However, scientists recommend building time for nature into your regular routine. Do some research to discover camp grounds in your area or splurge on a weekend-retreat in the woods by booking an AirBnB. There’s no better time than summer to focus on your mental health needs.
Hit the Beach: Simply put, being at the beach does wonders for your mental health. Beaches are relaxing environments that allow you to put a pause on responsibility while enjoying the calming effects of the sun, sand, and water. If you’re lucky enough to live in a place that is a short car ride to the ocean, take a day off and road trip! Or, research some natural bodies of water like lakes and rivers nearby that you can retreat to when you’re in need of some extra rest and relaxation.
Experiment with Your Skincare Routine: Summer months are perfect for switching up your skincare routine and you can have a lot of fun doing it. We’ve listed a few great summertime skincare options above that can help you give your skin the attention it deserves. For more ways to experiment, check out these summer skincare tips from Vogue.
Make a bucket list: Make the most out of sweet summertime by creating a fun-filled bucket list. You can even tie your bucket list into your summer mood board (see above) to stay inspired to cross every last item off your list. The EveryGirl has a creative summer 2020 bucket list that can help you brainstorm ideas while you make your own. Check it out!
The Bottom Line
Just because summer 2020 looks radically different than summers past does not mean that your health-conscious lifestyle and enjoyment need to be put to the side. To make the most out of this summer, stay inspired by creating a summertime mood board, stay healthy by experimenting with your skincare routine, and stay entertained by packing your schedule full of fun-in-the-sun.
How are you going to make the most of summer 2020? We’d love to hear your plans! Tag us in a post on Instagram @labloombeauty to share. Happy summer!