We are officially halfway through Summer and the real heat has yet to hIt New York City. I’ve recently had to make some beauty/lifestyle changes to adjust to these dog days of summer.

MAKE PLAY

We all know I’ve been barefaced most of the summer, slathering nothing but SPF on my face. Just because I’ve been minimal doesn’t mean I’m boring. I do like to play. What I live for is a good base. Lately Fenty Pro Filt’r Foundation has been supreme. just a few dots here and there and blended well. I even use foundations as a tinted moisturizer. The shade 240 just matches my skin perfectly and that is rare. I just want to enhance my natural glow honey. Once you find the perfect base everything else falls into place. For eyes , the Natasha Denona “Camel” palette is an everyday dream, no one’s shadow formula can compete with hers. For fun colors and shimmers I do live for Colourpop, I’m like an OG fan since the days of “Bae” and “Rex”. I’m not really wild with bold color yet I still like to play around with it. With Colourpop I’m not spending major coin but the quality of product is superb!

Curls Curls Curls Curls… Curls I Do Adore

I unexpectedly went natural. I didn’t plan on it, it just happened during a dark time last year. Stress and Depression made my hair falling out in little clumps. I went into hiding for 7 months, just coming out here and there. Since I wasn’t going anywhere except work, I didn’t feel the need to do my hair anymore. I had stopped putting high heat and/or chemicals on my hair and just washing, rinsing and using hair oils and a hair gel that is free of shitty chemicals to slick my hair back and lay down my baby hurrs. I also started cutting it more often which has been aiding in my hair growth. You know how they say you have to fall in order to rise up. Taking those months and having time to myself allowed my hair to be repaired and for the texture to improve and for my strands to become thicker and my curls... well, actually becoming curls again. For The first time ever, I can say that I unapologetically love my hair.

SILKY AF

The struggling battle with my Keratosis Pilaris is ongoing and I’m looking for new products everyday to get it under control. Currently it has been super uncomfortable in this heat. Frank Body came all the way through with their Coconut Body Balm. My Skin Soaks it all up while leaving me with a silky gleam.

The skin on my face has been silky smooth thanks to Drunk Elephant’s T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial. Smoothing out my texture and renewing my skin leaving me with a pretty perfect radiance. I use Glossier’s Solution for daily exfoliation, while using this treatment once a week or bi weekly. IT IS CRUCIAL THAT YOU ALWAYS FOLLOW UP ANY PRODUCT CONTAINING AHA/BHA WITH SUNSCREEN!

Vital Beauty

A good night’s sleep can actually set you up for a much more positive day. It all begins with preparations like investing in the right sheets (Find out if you’re a hot or cold sleeper… it has helped me out in finding the perfect material for me to snooze in). I’m a hot sleeper so cotton percale sheets from Parachute and Brooklinen have been amazing. Plus, the less that I sweat at night, the less breakouts I wake up with. I prefer my sheets in a calming shade and/or clean, uncomplicated prints.

Setting up the perfect nighttime routine, from using a soothing lavender body wash, a dreamy bath bomb, a drop of Sunday Riley’s Luna Sleeping Night Oil to a relaxing cup of té de manzanilla.

Clean, sleek PJs make me so excited for bed. I love bralettes and sleep shorts from Aerie, They are affordable and make me so excited to get ready for bed. Preparing for bed makes me look forward to getting some rest and waking up more positive, motivated and ready to take on the day.

GOALS

I Love Starting fresh. It makes me feel like I can achieve anything. I’m entering a new chapter with a new job and with it I want to just start fresh from the inside out. TRACKING MY WATER INTAKE BECAUSE DEHYDRATION IS REAL EATING CLEAN AND HEALTHY. COMPLETELY CLEANSING MY BODY AND FILLING IT WITH NUTRIENTS. Taking my daily vitamins, being active, even if its the bare minimum. Let me clarify, This isn’t about size. Slender, Pudgy, Plus… You can actually be healthy at any size. You don’t have to be skinny to be considered healthy (Have you seen Ashley Graham, Iskra Lawrence, Jessamyn Stanley?) Just being pro active in your life regardless of the number on the scale or on your jeans. Taking action and making healthier choices that are perfect for YOU, so that YOU can be the best and healthiest that you can be and most importantly… HAPPY.

By: @acevallee

Welcome to the first ever ACE EDIT! Filled with my current obsessions, my top shelf, health and mental guide and goals. A digital seasonal/monthly journey to achieve an outer and inner glow.

Summer is the season when I embrace my most natural state. I put down the blow dryer and opt for a fro or ballerina bun. I’m usually bare faced unless I’m going out on some random evening. I like to go for walks along the river and stop at bench to gather my thoughts and write out my feelings, iced matcha in hand, just taking in the season... and uncomfortable heat.

TAN TIP: Put some Colourpop Loose Highlighter into your bottle of Suntan Oil, You will glow like a mermaid while getting bronzed.

SUMMER SKIN

Lately I just really care about protecting my skin and having it naturally glow. Have you seen Ashley Graham’s skin lately? She has been my inspiration. Clean, gleaming, healthy skin. I like to use a simple daily routine using all Glossier. Starting with Milky Jelly Cleanser, then I exfoliate with Solution to balance and even out my skin’s texture as well as preventing and clearing any blemishes. I step in with Priming Moisturizer RICH because I’m a dry ass bish. I finish it off with Invisible Shield. I know, it’s not waterproof but this shit doesn’t break me out which 99.9% of sunscreens do! Plus If you are using any products like Solution that contain AHA, BHA and PHA IT IS CRUCIAL THAT YOU USE SUNSCREEN.

SCRUBBA DUB DUB

I’m really obsessed with exfoliating my body and scrubbing off the layers of sunscreen and sweat from a long hot day. I love Lush’s Ocean Salt, I also scrub my face with it a couple of times a week to give that clean brightening effect. Lush’s RUB RUB RUB works great too and smells so damn divine. I tend to concentrate on the areas where my keratosis pilaris is apparent af. I do love coffee scrubs from FRANK BODY for those areas affected with KP as well, I just don’t love the way it dirties my tub. but they do WONDERS at exfoliating and healing.

SCENTSATIONAL

Lately my scent has actually been Glossier’s Body Hero Oil Wash . I live for the neroli scent in that product, therefore making me indulge in Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino. The scent transports me from sticky, steamy NYC, to Somewhere in Northern Italy.

MAKEUP MANUAL

Makeup has been kept very light this season. For work I’m barefaced. For the evening, if I get pulled out of my cozy bed for a glass of rosé at Sel Rose, I’d opt for NARS Tinted Moisturizer, and Concealer, FENTY Matte Match Stix to try and lightly contour to slenderize my face a bit, Marc Jacobs Bronzer, NYX Brow Pencil, Glossier Boy Brow, Glossier Dusk Cloud Paint. MAC Stripdown lip pencil paired with any of my many shimmery, clear glosses. I usually end with a wing and/or mascara but if I’m feeling it, I’d throw on some shadow and demi wispies. Of course I add some glow, Colourpop Loose Highlighters are a fave at the moment for a pretty subtle iridescence, I love the way the sun reflects off of it.

Did you know that choosing a calming color on your nails can help with anxiety when you glance down at your nail? I find this to be accurate. My favorite color is Periwinkle, which as you know is a super calming shade of blue therefore Floss Gloss’s “95% Angel” is my go-to, signature polish.

MANE TAME

I don’t straighten my hair unless I’m going to the salon for a trim and undercut upkeep. It’s WAY too hot and my edges will curl up in .3 seconds. I simply wash the stress flakes away, bless you ORIBE SERENE SCALP Shampoo and Conditioner for keeping my scalp free of Frosted Flakes. I like to go in with a OUAI Trifecta of Rose Hair & Body Oil, Leave-in Conditioner and a few sprays of "Sun of a Beach" to naturally lighten up my strands to look Sunkissed, I also love to use Kristin Ess Weightless Air Dry Creme. I honestly have no patience for my hair in the summertime, so I keep it as minimal as possible.

VITAL BEAUTY

I am someone who deals with anxiety and depression. I have my moments and with all that is happening in this country, it's not helping. I try my best to aid myself when the lows hit. I find that I must separate myself in order to RECHARGE and FOCUS on MYSELF. Sometimes we care about people so much and want to be there for them that to the point that we exhaust ourselves, sacrificing our inner peace and happiness in the process. It is absolutely vital for me to be pull myself away and take a break. I must do this because if I don’t it makes me resent people and I don’t have it in me to carry around that type of baggage. It does get lonely, especially if you’re like me and don’t have anyone to confide in and/or fear of being a burden to others. You’re on your own and you figure out ways to aid yourself during this time alone. I like to write my thoughts down and sometimes tear up the paper so I can just release all of that bullshit in my head, Keeping shit internalized is a NO for me. Small things help me out so much. Moments like the way the sun creeps through my window and hits my sheets in the morning, make me feel good about taking on the day.

MY SELF CARE TIPS

JOURNALING - Write those thoughts down! Release that negativity lingering in your mind, causing you to overthink.

BULLET JOURNALING - I find that organization and planning calms my anxiety.

SUMMER READING LIST - Getting lost in a fictional story distracts you from your own, like a tiny escape from reality.

BINGE ON A SHOW - There's nothing wrong with binging on entertainment once in a while. May I recommend GLOW?

MAKE A SOOTHING SUMMER PLAYLIST - Believe it or not, Music has healing powers!

GO FOR A POWER WALK - A physical way to release those lingering thoughts on overdrive.

AT HOME SPA - Pair a face mask with that journaling, reading or bingeworthy show.

CALM APP - I recommend this to everyone. I have used mine everyday for the past few years. The sound of rain brings me peace.

LIGHT A CANDLE - I find this to be such a soothing luxury. My favorite candle is ASH from BOY SMELLS.

*Professional Help - Sometimes you reach a point where being there for yourself just isn’t enough and THAT IS OKAY. There is nothing wrong with seeking help from a professional. I’ve done it a few times and I feel so much better afterwards.

Take care of yourself. Until Next time...

Glossy Skin, Glossy Lips, Glossy Life

The Ace Edit - August 2018