Esmeralda's Road

Please note:  NONE of these links are sponsored. I provide them for a visual representation for items. I have not purchased from many linked  brands nor am I affiliated with them. Also, if it’s underlined, it’s a link.

fans

The five things I rely on to survive Florentine summers where temps range between 90 and 100 (only intensified by the Atlanta-levels of  humidity). Now, the first thing on the list is something I get judged for the MOST – ask me if I care.

First up are portable, rechargeable fans! That’s right, plural. I have different sizes depending on what the occasion allows. Certain formal situations call for a smaller, neutrally colored fan while other occasions allow for the more powerful, still pretty compact but decidedly larger than the former. 

I have been relying on these to survive since about 2018 when my mom came to visit for a couple of weeks in August. I was so worried that living in the US with its widely spread rigid air conditioning would cause her to really suffer the scorching temps and hit-you-in-the-face humidity. So I bought us each a little fan and also made a travel sized spray bottle that had a few drops of peppermint oil. Of course, having Salvadorian blood, she wasn’t fazed by the heat. In any case I really loved the fans. Probably because I’m incredibly sensitive to hot weather because I found out later that my blood pressure is on the low side (who knew the correlation!)… ahh the human body. 

Side note! Those fans (that’s the U.S. Amazon link, you’re welcome) lasted me FOUR YEARS and cost me less than $15. The updated version I replaced it with, although lighter and slightly more compact, got kinda janky after a mere handful of drops (lols, I drop things a lot oopsies!). Not to mention the battery life dropped down to about half after the first summer! 

Anywho! I love portable fans and own about five. Three are* truly portable while the other two are for home where I NEED a breeze in my face despite a smaller, cooler apartment with A/C. Now that I checked my order history for all those [italian]** links, I also have another that was supposed to be portable, but not only was it bigger and bulkier than I would have preferred, it was also the loudest of all! Like, I don’t care that people chuckle most times I pull them out, but that doesn’t mean I want to cause more noise pollution. Anyway, that last one lives in the bathroom now. I use it for my face while I am blow drying my hair. Or anytime really. 

sunscreen 

Okay! Next up on the list we have sunscreen sunscreen sunscreen! Yes, I have melanin but I want to reduce cancer risk as well as keep my skin as happy as possible. It also really helps with the natural aging process (which I am NOT against and yet want “good” skin). I’ve tried several brands, a listicle article I will link once it is written. My most favorite are La Roche Posay’s Anthelios UV mune 400 Fluido Invisibile SPF 50+ (and several others) for the face and Biothern’s Water Lovers Sun Milk (spf 50) for the body. 

The former practically absorbs onto your face subito! No greasy feel, no white cast (for me). It’s high protection from a well respected French brand. This one is good for the face year round. The other is nice but definitely leaves enough “dew” that I need to wait to apply makeup.

Yes, the Biotherm one is actually for face and body. It has a hydrating yet light, lotion-like feel that I enjoyed using on both  my face and body on beach days. It’s so nice on the face that I even tried to continue using it throughout the fall/winter. But while I do love its summery scent, I couldn’t make peace with it during the stark cold of winter. As a bonus for this article, dear reader, I’ll also mention its dewy sister spray, the Water Lovers Sun Mist, spf 30. That one gives a good glow, similar to that of tanning oil, with trusted protection.

clothes

Okay! Up next is building a summer wardrobe. Personally, I’ve built a uniform where most things match up. The most important thing here is fabric fabric fabric! Most synthetic materials, if not all idk, are not breathable and will thus cause heat build-up despite sometimes looking light. I have this long, gingham print skirt that looks great but becomes a sauna suit when I wear it. 

I didn’t learn this til I moved to Italy but (light) cotton is not the only breathable fabric. Linen and silk are even more breathable and thus a must so you don’t become a walking sweat fountain. I am a huge fan of linen cus it makes you look fancy – cus people know it’s expensive. Yup, I said it. If you find that phrase tacky and you are judging it… check yourself. Anyway, I’m a big fan of looking fancy and adding  my personal twist, of course. ***Linen dresses, skirts, shorts, pants, jackets, scarves, tops you name it I have it. And thank goodness for that! Silk is even pricier so for those of you thrifting, be sure to check those labels and aim to get as much of these fabrics as possible, they may be a steal at a Goodwill!

stunner shades 

Alright! Up next we have sunglasses. Or as my hip hop generation learned through Lil Jon – stunner shades. And stunner shades I’ve got! I’m so glad Salvatore is also a sunglasses aficionado so we have quite the collection for two people. I won’t get into that now but maybe I will write about it now that I’m saying it! Who knows! Stay tuned. Anyway, the best thing to remember for sunglasses is that polarization is always going to trump non polarized options. That’s right folks, most of those fashion sunglasses, yes even the designer ones, won’t have that so choose wisely. If you’re lucky enough to have a boat day… You’ll thank me later if you compare the two. 

hats and hair

The last two I’ll bundle given that they are both related to your head/hair. I don’t have a summer hat I love, yet. One day I’ll invest in an artisan one or a Borsalino, we’ll see which comes first. In any case, those of you with fairer complections should definitely invest in whatever options suit your wardrobe. As long as it covers your face, even neck if possible, you’re good. The other thing on my list is a hair clip! The claw kind. Whether you choose to wear a hat or not, a hair clip can keep you cool and help messy hair look at least a bit more presentable. 

Alrighty! That’s all for now, folks. I have listicle ideas for more in depth sunscreen reviews and now sunglasses. Let me know if you’d like to read about anything else product/lifestyle!

*The one I currently own was gifted to me by a friend, the one linked broke after one summer! It did work as a battery pack but still.

**Listen if you want those US links ya gotta comment below idc.

*** OKAY most of these are US links, ya happy??