Keeping the spirit of the season alive year-round...

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TGIS.

(Meaning, Thank God It’s Summer.)

I missed it so. Even its hottest, stickiest bits. It’s all part and parcel of a time spent recharging, exploring, immersing oneself in the year’s fullest bloom. And ensuring that I stay hydrated and moisturized through every bit of the adventure.

Each year, I set my sights on a few new oils/serums to buddy up with for the season. When I stumbled upon the 1809 Collection Surf Glow Body Oil, I thought “well, I’m not the beach babe-type, but maybe I’ll at least look and smell like one?”

Let’s give it a go together, shall we?

OK. I’m sitting in my living room and inspecting the bottle, and am already kind of intrigued. There is shimmering “sand” inside, coincidentally (or not) sitting right below the gold waves that make up the label. And then, oh...that must be the blend of enriching oils sitting on top of it. I feel like someone just handed me a bottle with a tiny magical island inside of it. (And now I have a sudden urge to protect it at all costs.) Without even trying it, I have to say I like the look of Surf Glow. It’s classy and simple and will sit nicely with all of my other products.

So now here comes the real test. I want to make sure that some of that mineralistic luster comes my way, so I’m giving this here Surf Glow a few good shakes and adding two pumps to my arm. I read somewhere that all it takes is some gentle massaging into your skin, but...wait. This smells GREAT?

Yes, it’s my arm!

It’s a subtle smell, but Surf Glow’s throwing off some very clean and bright notes -- of coconut, ylang ylang, lemon and jasmine -- I’m suddenly lost in some sun-drenched memories, especially the one where I’m obsessively collecting seashells only to bag them up and place them in a bedroom drawer with the countless other shells that came before them. (Despite how it may sound, this is a yearly tradition, and I have no intention of stopping.)

I’m taking it up a notch and now doing the shake-and-pump into the rest of my arms and decollete. I’m still wearing t-shirts and jeans these days because, well you know, HOME, so these are the spots where I want to show myself the most love. (Though you can use it anywhere on your body for a touch of radiance, it might be a bit too heavy for the skin on your beautiful face).

I’m taking you with me to the window for better light… yeah, I’m really glistening. Not in a sparkly or glittery way -- think more dewy and fresh-looking. My skin feels like I’ve been taking care of it a lot better than I actually have. Exactly what I was looking for. Being that I’m a low-maintenance kind of person, I’m also appreciative of the fact that I can reapply whenever I want to, to revive that little bit of glow.

I’m curious about the plum, grape and marula oils…What exactly do they do? Grape seed oil -- ideal for summer months! Lightweight and non-comedogenic. Plum is rich in vitamins A & E, which equals no summer dryness. That’s a winner. And marula oil -- I like this bit -- is easily absorbable, and contains essential fatty acids which can help to plump skin.

Since I sat down to write, I’ve probably raised my arms to my face at least 8 times, just to catch a bit of the summeriness that lingers there. And truth be told, I’m excited that it will always be a quick shake and shimmer away, any time of year. Summer, forever.