emma sumrell

by: emma sumrell

Hiiiii.

My favorite thing to do in the spring? Pretend it’s summer. I don’t know if it’s the fact that winter dragged on for 17 years or that here in New England, spring lasts exactly 2.5 days before it’s 85 degrees and humid. Either way, once March hits, I start shaking off the winter uglies and start preparing for my ~ summer glow up ~

So, if you too are a fellow New England girlie living through seasonal confusion or just in need of a fresh self-care routine, here’s a list of my favorite ways to fake summer until it’s real.

1. Self-Tan Like Your Life Depends On It

Everyone looks better with a tan. I don’t make the rules.

Here’s the drill:

• Exfoliate. Tree Hut or nothing. I love the vanilla scents and the coco colada. 
• Use a CLEAN mitt. If your mitt is crusty, you’re basically mud-painting. Wash it.
• Tanners I swear by: Coco & Eve, b.tan, Loving Tan, and Tan Luxe. For face? St. Tropez mist — but go hard or go home, because yes, it will be orange (in a fun, sun-kissed way).
• After rinsing, I finish with a shimmer body gloss. This summer we are sparkly glazed donuts, ladies. Accept it.
  

2. Spring Cleaning… But Make It Skincare

Open your skincare cabinet. Now toss anything older than the last season of Euphoria. Most products have a shelf life of 6–12 months after opening, and I was hoarding half-empty serums like they were vintage wine. I truly couldn’t believe the amount of CRAP I was holding onto.

Purge the crusty bottles, organize what you actually use (shoutout to you, Good Molecules. you are the MVP.), and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you’re not smearing expired goo on your face anymore.

3. Swap Your Scent

Fragrance is seasonal, and your signature scent should change with the weather.

• Winter = warm, cozy, vanilla-y
• Summer = coconut, beachy, sweet — basically you, if you were a piña colada
  

Favorites:

• Sol De Janeiro Cheirosa ’68 — use it as a body mist or hair perfume and wait for compliments to roll in
• Tree Hut Coco Colada lotion — if it smells like a tropical drink, I own it

4. Coconut Coffee or Bust

Lately, I’ve been obsessed with Starbucks Toasted Coconut Mocha K-Cups. They taste like beach days and bliss, and when my dog, Riggins is ready to rage at 6am, this sh*t saves me. 

I could go on, but let’s not overcomplicate the vibe. If you’re feeling like a sad, pale slug post-winter — this is your sign. It’s time to spring clean your routine, load up on shimmery self tanners, and sip something coconut-flavored.

Unbothered, hot girl summer is approaching, ladies. Prepare accordingly.