It's raining. Let's talk "spritzahs".

  It's that time of year when the sun bestows upon us and heavenly heat breaks that bitter chill of the east coast grime. It's summer my dear friends. Besides the fact that it has been raining for what seems like the entire month of June, we need to start conjuring up a scheme to quickly call back in the line up of mid summer night's dreams. With nearly 8 months of harsh New England weather I can attest you are all eager to fire up those barbeques, take solace over a spit fire from blood sucking mosquitoes and throw back a few ice cold beers.


  UV index is ever increasing with it's "all time high", due to toxic waste created by our negligence and laziness to take the time and observe Mother Nature. (which is why this is clearly an imperative blog!) No longer can we roast like suckling pigs doused in an infusion of oil and iodine. No longer is it social acceptable to baste ourselves in the reflection of tin foiled looking pamphlets. People are lathering up in an SPF like war paint, armed and fearless of little rays of sunshine! Before you go all vampire Bill charging into the daylight,  let's pause and check out some not so outrageous ingredients commercial drug stores are adding in those bottles. 

 Oxybenzone is derived from isopropanol, also found in anti freeze, can irritate the skin and in some people cause an allergic reaction. From vitamin A, which speeds the development of skin lesions and tumors, to fragrances and parabens known to cause health problems and distribute hormones, the complications to summer care are beginning to seem endless. Here is a simple all natural recipe to protect your skin and scalp that you can concoct in the safety of your home:

What you'll need:
Pure grape seed oil
Rose water
Spray bottle

Add a few drops of grape seed oil and about 1/2 pint of rose water in spray bottle. Shake well. Refrigerate.

  So now that you can roam safety under the ultra violet death rays of sun, the second most essential summer must have is a bitchin' bod. Vital survival summer tip #2, put down that beer and loose that gut! (harsh words are a mother's love) Though I will never steer you into a detox from the juice of gods, allow me to introduce to you a new way to incorporate some barley and hops into your locs. For fine, thin and flat hair, or for anyone who needs to add a little oomph, toss one open (not light) beer aside and create this fuzzy lifting tonic!

1 1/2 cups of beer
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon lemon or lime

Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle. Mist at the roots of your hair. The lemon/lime will mask the scent of the beer, however if you still smell like you just hit a campus kegger, try adding a few drops of coconut essential oil!








  
And now for the grand finale, the gold standard of summer sprays, I present to you a "spritzah" unlike any other. So simple and natural, you'll be the Brigitte Bardot of beach waves. 

1 cup of hot water (not boiling)
2 tablespoons epsom salt (more for added texture)
1/2 teaspoon himalayan or sea salt (adds stiffness)
1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
1/2 teaspoon conditioner (may substitute with a few drops of almond or jajoba oil)

*Add essential oils for personalized fragrance

Pour water into spray bottle. Add epsom salt, sea salt, aloe vera gel and oils. Shake for 1-2 minutes until salts are dissolved. Mixture will be last for the entire summer months!