Style File: Double Duty Sunscreen Solutions

I’ve come a long way from my teenage years of frying out in the sun with a mixture of baby oil and iodine (the original “self-tanner” that stained my skin a rusty color I thought looked cool), and thankfully, so has the selection of sunscreens available.

BB_Cream_Light_TextureNot only do today’s products actually provide Sun Protection Factor (SPF)  protection, many of them also do double duty.

For example, Amarte Natural Finish BB Cream is a sheer, moisturizing face tint that works as a moisturizer, gives a light base to even skin tones and also provides SPF 36 protection.

Jane Iredale Powder-Me SPF

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feel like you’re constantly glowing with sweat on these hot summer days? Jane Iredale Powder-Me SPF is a dry sunscreen made of natural clay that can be used on the body, face and scalp with an SPF 30 protection. Not only does it make your skin look great, it’s water resistant for up to 40 minutes, so you can even cool off in the pool and still look good stay protected. Plus, the company also has a very cool refillable loose powder brush called Refill-Me Refillable Loose Powder Brush that is easily portable and bears the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation as an effective UV sunscreen.

 

Sephora's 8-hr mattifying moisturizerAnother way to prevent shine is Sephora’s 8 HR Mattifying Moisturizer Sunscreen. An oil-free moisturizer that prevents the skin from shining for up to eight hours, this formula also contains UVA/UVB filters and antioxidants to help combat the signs of aging.

Amarte Aqua Veil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You’ll get all of the antioxidant and ant-inflammatory properties of Ginkgo biloba nut extract, mesima mushroom, rooibos, tormentil root, skull cap and wild thyme botanical plant extracts with Amarte Ultra Veil ultra light sunscreen with broad spectrum SPF 50+.

Jack Black Double Duty MoisturizerOf course we don’t want to leave the guys out of the double duty sunscreen equation. Jack Black Double Duty Moisturizer SPF 20 is a lightweight daily moisturizer that acts as a broad-spectrum sunscreen and an advanced facial treatment in one-easy product. Plus it’s fragrance free, a big plus for many men.

For acne-prone skin, Murad Oil-Control Mattifier SPF 15 is a great solution. It protects your skin while providing up to eight hours of oil control. The lightweight formula effectively reduces breakouts and dramatically reduces oil production, while willow bark extract helps manage breakouts by fighting bacteria and argan extract keeps skin hydrated.murad

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on July 30, 2014.

Don’t Miss Fiesta’s Wildest Party

Celebracion de la DignatariosAs longtime locals know, Celebración de Los Dignatarios—Fiesta’s wildest party at the Santa Barbara Zoo—is the hot place to dance the night away alongside lions, snow leopards, elephants and elected officials!

With live entertainment, dancing to King Bee (a personal favorite), mariachis, margaritas and tempting treats from more than 20 local restaurants, not to mention loads of lovely señors and señoritas in beautiful costumes, this is without a doubt one of the best places for party animals to strut their stuff.

Need further convincing? Celebración de Los Dignatarios is also a joint fundraiser for Old Spanish Days and Santa Barbara Zoo. And it’s this Thursday night, July 31, from 5–10 p.m. Santa Barbara Zoo, 500 Niños Dr. 805/962-8101, oldspanishdays-fiesta.org.

Courtesy of Old Spanish Days

Courtesy of Old Spanish Days

Buy tickets at local Albertsons, at the Santa Barbara Zoo or online.

You can park at Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort and catch the Dignatarios shuttle in the parking lot.

Hope to see you there!

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on July 30, 2014.

Music Academy of the West Presents “Carmen” in Honor of Opera Great Marilyn Horne

Music Academy of the West "Carmen," photo by David Bazemore.

Music Academy of the West “Carmen,” photo by David Bazemore.

 The Music Academy of the West will present a new, fully staged production of Georges Bizet’s timeless opera Carmen in honor of celebrated mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne’s 80th birthday at Santa Barbara’s historic Granada Theatre. Directed by David Paul and conducted by James Gaffigan, the performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, August 1, and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 3.

In addition to Music Academy Voice and Instrumental Fellows, the Academy’s production will feature dancers from Santa Barbara’s State Street Ballet, choreography by William Soleau, and a chorus that includes local children.

For tickets and information, call 805.969.8787 or visit musicacademy.org.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on July 28, 2014.

Cocktail Corner: Lucky Dogg Winery Opens

Brent Melville and his new Lucky Dogg wines, courtesy photo.

Brent Melville and his new Lucky Dogg wines, courtesy photo.

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg

What’s in a name? For Brent Melville‘s new Lucky Dogg Winery it’s a little bit of kismet and a whole lot of luck.

Searching for the perfect moniker for his winery venture, Melville struck inspiration gold on the golf course.

“My friend, referring to my ‘lucky’ streak, called me a ‘lucky dog.’ And it all clicked. We want to share the good karma of our grapes with others, through the resulting wines that we produce,” says Melville, Lucky Dogg Winery president/owner/winemaker. “I had a good shot and my friend was like ‘hey, you’re a lucky dog. “And I started thinking about it, and I was like, gosh darn it, I am. And I started thinking about karma and positive energy. Everybody has a little lucky dog in them, you know. If I grow really good fruit and make great wine out of it, I will then pass on the good vibrations to the consumer. … Basically our philosophy is it’s all about the goodness from the beginning of growing the plant to the end of the consumer drinking the wine.”

Melville knows a lot about growing good fruit.

His roots run deep in the wine industry, where he has managed farming operations for his family’s vineyards for the past 25 years. Starting in 1989, when his family purchased a vineyard in Calistoga, CA, that would become the original “Melville Vineyards,” he worked grape harvests in that vineyard through 1995, then moved on to the family’s new vineyard purchase of 40 acres in Lompoc in 1996. In 1997, the family bought an adjacent, 55-acre parcel of land, now the existing “Melville Vineyards and Winery” in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA.

Melville now runs the 100-acre Verna’s Vineyard in Los Alamos, giving him particular control over the cultivating methods behind his own label’s wines, as well as strategic farming practices for the four other Central Coast labels who pull grapes from Verna’s Vineyard: Tensley WinesCasa Dumetz WinesConsilience Wines and Frequency Wines.

The tasting room is a casual, family-friendly—and dog-friendly—place to hang out. “We especially encourage families that have children to come in to the tasting room …  we have a kid’s corner. They can do crayons or play games while the mom and dad can have a glass of wine. And we allow dogs in the tasting room as well,” says Melville.

“Usually most tasting rooms are very prim and proper and they’ve got the classical music on. But we wanted to be very family-oriented because we’re not going to be doing a lot of case production at the facility or at the tasting room. We’re going to keep it very small and very intimate. We’re an estate winery, which means we don’t buy fruit from anybody else. It all comes from the ranch named after my Grandma, Grandma Verna,” he continues.

Lucky Dogg’s first five releases include:

2013 Viognier 

“This is a stainless steel Viognier. There was no oak involved and we picked the grapes at the perfect time to do it and it’s a wonderful, wonderful wine, something totally different. Not a lot of people do a stainless Viognier,” says Melville.

Tasting Notes: Aromas of pear, apricot, honeysuckle, maple, crushed rocks and pineapple rind with hints of vanilla, and maple. The mouth feel is lush and soft with crisp tropical and stone fruit flavors, and a long finish. This is a very well balanced wine with good tension that has a very silky mouth feel with a refreshing pop of acidity and vanilla tannin. Pair this wine with any Thai dish, specifically a peanut sa-tay. This would also go well with a spicy shrimp dish, scallops or a brie en croute. 

Vineyard: Verna’s Vineyard, Ryann’s Block (named for Melville’s oldest daughter Ryann, age 12)

Fermentation: Whole cluster pressed, no ML, inoculated in barrel

Aging: 6 months in 100% stainless steel

Production: 118 Cases bottled

2013 Rosè of Pinot Noir

“The Pinot Rosè  is probably the best summer wine and probably one of our best sellers in the tasting room right now,” says Melville. “It is also a very unique wine because a lot of people don’t do Pinot Rosè. It sat on skins for less than 24 hours and then was pressed into a stainless steel tank and then cold fermented for four months and we bottled it in January.” 

Tasting Notes: Aromas of plum, strawberry, ripe raspberries and just a hint of anise. Invokes a sensation of sweet acidity on the pallet, with flavors of vibrant strawberry, tannic spice and a mineral finish. This is a perfect summer time wine and pairs great with anything on the BBQ. This is your warm day, front porch relaxing, anytime wine.

Vineyard: Verna’s Vineyard, Pressley’s Block (named for Melville’s younger daughter Pressley, age 10)

Fermentation: 2 days on the skins, no ML, inoculated in barrel

Aging: 6 months in neutral French oak

Production: 123 Cases bottled

2013 Pinot Noir

Tasting Notes: This is a very complex Pinot Noir with scents of wet gravel, sweet tobacco, pomegranate and earth. This is an old world style Pinot Noir that has a classic Burgundian start with smokey tobacco flavors, fresh, ripe fruits in the middle and a long tannic finish with mouth watering acidity. This wine is drinking beautifully now but will also continue to progress with time. Pair this with a roasted pork loin or beef tenderloin but will also work well with a grilled salmon or portobello mushrooms.

Vineyard: Verna’s Vineyard

Fermentation: Destemmed, cold soaked 14 days, punched down 3 times/day

Aging: 9 months in neutral French oak

Production: 196 Cases bottled

2013 Syrah “Brady’s Blend” 

Melville describes this wine, named for his son Braeden, age 8, as, “a very cool climate Syrah, not your big fat jammy or berry Syrah, it’s more of a peppery olive finish to it.”

Tasting Notes: Heavy and inky, this wine embodies everything that is traditionally Syrah. On the nose you will find smoke, dark chocolate, ground white pepper, sweet tobacco, fig, ripe plums, and hints of leather. The wine has great texture, very little acid and a long spicy finish that lingers on the tip of your tongue. Pair this wine with a grilled flank steak, flat iron or hanger steak.

Vineyard: Verna’s Vineyard

Fermentation: 15% Whole cluster pressed, cold soaked 10 days, punched down 3 times/day

Aging: 8 months in neutral French oak

Production: 185 Cases bottled

2013 Reserve Syrah

“Our reserve Syrah is actually a clonal selection and the clone is called 383. It’s just a very unique clone for the Syrah family, and so we bottled it separately from all the rest because we thought it was our best flagship wine,” says Melville.

Tasting Notes:  The most decadent of our wines, the Reserve Syrah has a warm climate texture with cool climate flavors. You will find aromas of cocoa beans, cherries, dark bitter chocolate and a hint of cigar smoke. The mouth feel has a fresh, lush texture with strong minerality, assertive oakiness and a touch of black olive. Pair this wine with a big juicy rib-eye or just drink it on it’s own.

Vineyard: Verna’s Vineyard, clone 383 

Fermentation: 15% Whole cluster pressed, cold soaked 10 days, punched down 3 times/day 

Aging: 8 months in neutral French oak

Production: 100 Cases bottled

Also available at the tasting room is a late harvest Viognier, “which is made specifically for all those sweet tooth people out there. Being in the business somebody always comes into the tasting room and they’re like, ‘hey do you have anything sweet for us?’ And I’m like ‘yeah; we have the perfect wine for you,'” laughs Melville.

This is just the beginning.

“I’m coming out with a bunch of different new wines next year and I’m actually going to come out with a Viognier beer,” he says. “I think it would be really cool to be the only tasting room in Santa Barbara County that does beer and wine. There’s a difference between having beers from other people and making your own. I’m making my own. … And all of this is very, very small production. I don’t want to get into the business of selling my stuff to liquor stores or supermarkets or restaurants or anything like that. I want to keep it very simple.”

Lucky Dogg Winery currently produces about 750 cases, and aims to maintain a boutique winery status, with an eventual total of about 1,500 cases. Melville will leverage Verna’s Vineyard’s reputation for producing Burgundian and Northern Rhone-style Santa Barbara County wines, in his future plans to release a stainless steel Chardonnay, among others.

Lucky Dogg Winery’s tasting room is located at 1607 Mission Dr., Suite 102 (at the corner of Mission Drive and Atterdag Road), Solvang. The tasting room is open from noon-6 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; and from noon-7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday. The label will be launching a Wine Club (called “The Doghouse”) in the coming months. For more information, call 805/691-9774 or visit luckydoggwinery.com.

Cheers!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on July 25, 2014.

Leslie Dinaberg

Leslie Dinaberg

When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”

History + Harvest in the Santa Rita Hills

Hibbits Grove, courtesy Land Trust for Santa Barbara County

Hibbits Grove, courtesy Land Trust for Santa Barbara County

Hosted by the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County on July 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., this excursion starts with a private, docent led tour through the grounds of La Purisima Mission. Founded in 1787, there is much to learn about its history, community, restoration, and preservation—a treasure not to be missed!

After the tour, you’ll go to Hibbits Family Ranch, less than one mile west of the Mission, for a farm to table lunch including a sample of Hibbits’ walnuts and wines and a talk about local walnut harvesting by Ranch owner, Art Hibbits. You will wrap up the afternoon with a casual walk through the orchards and vineyards with exceptional views of the valley.

The Hibbits family, long standing advocates for local agriculture, decided to protect the scenic and agricultural value of their land through a voluntary conservation agreement with the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County. The Hibbits Ranch is the largest single landholding within a 2000-acre block of fertile farmland bordered by the City of Lompoc, La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, the Santa Ynez River and Santa Rosa Hills.

La Purisima Mission is located at 2295 Purisima Rd., Lompoc.

About the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County

Since 1985, The Land Trust has worked with willing landowners, public and private grant agencies and other community organizations to protect, restore and manage open space, wildlife habitat and agricultural land in Santa Barbara County by:

• Acquiring land and conservation easements through negotiation with willing private property owners, through charitable donation and purchase.
• Creating conservation plans, restoration projects and incentives for landowners. Raising private donations and grants from government, foundations and  corporations to support land conservation.
• Promoting the preservation, stewardship and restoration of wildlife habitat and watershed resources on the land we protect.
• Educating both children and adults about ecology, agriculture and conservation through programs and events at Land Trust preserves. To date, The Land Trust has protected 23,000 acres of land and has completed or is underway on close to twenty habitat restoration, open space and trail projects.

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on July 23, 2014.

Opa! Santa Barbara Greek Festival Time!

Santa Barbara Greek Festival, Photograph by Nell Campbell

Santa Barbara Greek Festival, Photograph by Nell Campbell

Go Greek for the weekend of July 26–27 at the Santa Barbara Greek Festival.

Baklava, gyros and moussaka galore! This delicious annual event showcases the best bounty from Greece, including the sights, sounds and tastes of the Mediterranean land. The notes of the bouzouki coupled with the alluring performers dancing throughout the park bring you right into Greek culture.

There’s even free shuttle service from the parking lot of Sansum Clinic at 1317 W. Pueblo St. to take you to the festivities at Oak Park, 300 W. Alamar Ave. The event is Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

For more information call 805/683-4492,  or visit santabarbaragreekfestival.com.

 

Click here to read a 2012 feature about the Santa Barbara Greek Festival by Cheri Rae.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on July 22, 2014.

Marilyn Horne Named “Honorary La Diva of Old Spanish Days”

Marilyn Horne, courtesy photo

Marilyn Horne, courtesy photo

Viva la Fiesta and Viva la Diva!

This summer, The Music Academy of the West presents the 2014 Carmen Celebration; a special series of events in honor of the legendary opera singer Marilyn Horne’s 80th birthday. As part of this series, the Music Academy has partnered with Old Spanish Days to celebrate Horne, director of the Music Academy’s voice program, in conjunction with her 80th birthday, and recognize her with the official title, “Honorary La Diva of Old Spanish Days.”

On July 23, from 5:30–7:30 p.m., the Music Academy hosts a special private event to commemorate this occasion. The program includes performances from the Music Academy’s production of Bizet’s Carmen and the 2014 Spirit of the Fiesta. (The Music Academy will present a new, fully staged production of Carmen, directed by David Paul, conducted by James Gaffigan, and featuring State Street Ballet dancers at Santa Barbara’s Granada Theatre on August 1 and 3.)

“Marilyn Horne embodies the very spirit of our extraordinary performing arts & cultural community in Santa Barbara, and Old Spanish Days is the perfect partner to help us commemorate our Carmen Celebration in honor of her 80th birthday,” says Scott Reed, president of the Music Academy of the West. “We are thrilled to bestow this honor upon a legend, and true legacy of the Music Academy of the West.”

This year marks the 90th Anniversary of the Fiesta Historical Parade, one of the largest equestrian parades in the United States, which will take place on August 1. As part of the Carmen Celebration festivities, during the parade Horne will ride in an antique carriage sponsored by the Music Academy’s presenting sponsor, Montecito Bank & Trust.

The Granada Theatre will also commemorate the honor of Marilyn Horne’s title “Honorary La Diva of Old Spanish Days” on the theatre’s marquee.

Horne has long been recognized as one of the most influential artists to portray Carmen. Her first major professional engagement was in 1954, when she dubbed the singing voice of Dorothy Dandridge in the film Carmen Jones. Horne went on to sing the title role in Bizet’s Carmen to open the Metropolitan Opera’s 1972-73 season, which featured Leonard Bernstein as conductor, and earned a Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording in 1974. Horne’s distinguished career has garnered her numerous honors, including a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Gramophone magazine. She was named a Kennedy Center Honoree in 1995, received the National Medal of Arts in 1992, and has been inducted into the American Classical Music and Hollywood Bowl halls of fame. Among her worldwide prizes are the Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters from France’s Ministry of Culture. She was named a National Endowment for the Arts Opera Honors recipient in 2009.

Horne, who attended the Music Academy in 1953, has been a member of the Music Academy faculty since 1995, and has directed the Academy’s renowned Voice Program since 1997.

Please also note these upcoming performances.
• Opera Covers Performance in Lehmann Tuesday, Jul 22 at 3:15 p.m.
• Carmen Opera Performances, Friday, August 1 and Sunday, August 3
• Vocal Masterclass with Marilyn Horne, Wednesday, August 6

For more information, visit musicacademy.org.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on July 22, 2014.

Todd Rogers + Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore = An Exclusive Extraordinary Experience

Olympic Gold Medalist Todd Rogers, courtesy Four Seasons The Biltmore Santa Barbara

Olympic Gold Medalist Todd Rogers, courtesy Four Seasons The Biltmore Santa Barbara

Olympic Gold Medalist Todd Rogers, courtesy Four Seasons The Biltmore Santa Barbara

Olympic Gold Medalist Todd Rogers, courtesy Four Seasons The Biltmore Santa Barbara

Looking for the summer adventure of a lifetime (or the perfect gift for the man or woman who has everything)?  Four Seasons has a new collection of exclusive Extraordinary Experiences, one of which takes place right here in our own backyard.

Looking to improve your sky ball and finally master that serve? How about a beach volleyball workshop with USA Olympic gold medalist Todd Rogers as your personal coach? Spend a day on the sand sharpening your beach volleyball skills with the two time Olympian, gold medalist and Santa Barbara native as your personal coach. You’ll meet at East Beach, where Rogers will share the tips he’s picked up in 19 years as a professional player. If you ask nicely, he may even let you touch his gold medals!

Then, when you’re ready to show off your new skills, join Rogers for a friendly match. When the sand settles, sit back and enjoy a delicious beach picnic catered by Four Seasons The Biltmore Santa Barbara, while you recap the morning’s highlights and hear about Roger’s journey to becoming one of the most decorated male American players.

This experience can be tailored to any age, skill level, and interest to include lesson, match play, or advanced training for already skilled players. In addition, to enhance the experience for single players and families, Rogers can also arrange for additional players to participate, whether training partners or his own family (all volleyball players in their own rights).

For reservations call 805/565-8291. The experience may be booked through the resort concierge.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on July 21, 2014.

Cocktail Corner: Happy Anniversary to Uptown Lounge

Uptown Lounge is located on, you guessed it, upper State St. Photo courtesy https://www.facebook.com/uptownsb.

Uptown Lounge is located on, you guessed it, upper State St. Photo courtesy https://www.facebook.com/uptownsb.

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg

Believe it or not, the Uptown Lounge (3126 State St.) is celebrating two years in business tonight. First opened during Fiesta 2012, this fun, friendly place has quickly become a clean, comfortable neighborhood hangout spot for locals and visitors who want to get away from the rambunctious crowds of downtown, with an all-ages clientele that is a refreshing change from many local hot spots.

We watched the World Cup finals there last weekend, so I can personally attest that this is a great place for sporting event viewing. They have loads of seating indoors and outside, and multiple flat screen TVs visible from almost every corner. They also recently opened their own kitchen featuring an outdoor pizza oven (very tasty), as well as simple pub food.

See if you can spot our editor at the Uptown Lounge during the World Cup Finals. Photo courtesy https://www.facebook.com/uptownsb.

See if you can spot our editor at the Uptown Lounge during the World Cup Finals. Photo courtesy https://www.facebook.com/uptownsb.

 

The July 18 anniversary celebration theme is “Party Through the Decades,” with guests encouraged to rock the night away in their favorite clothes from their favorite decade. Grab those tie dye tees, spandex neon brights, bell bottoms and go-go boots and get ready for live music from DJ Quizo, who will spin songs from each decade:

9 p.m. – 70’s
10 p.m. – 80’s
11 p.m. – 90’s
midnight – 00’s
1 a.m. – Today’s

The bar at the Uptown Lounge. Photo courtesy https://www.facebook.com/uptownsb.

The bar at the Uptown Lounge. Photo courtesy https://www.facebook.com/uptownsb.

On non-anniversary nights, Uptown Lounge has well-priced strong drinks, pool tables, ping pong tables, and features live music from local pianists on their baby Grand. They run daily drink specials, including  Bloody Mary Sundays, and ladies Thursday night with half off drinks for women They also feature live music from local bands, as well as D.J. nights,  a nice outdoor patio, Monday Night Football/Monday Nigh Trivia, Tuesday Open Mic Night, and once a month Whiskey Wednesday tastings and Wine Tasting Thursdays.

We’ll be back soon. Cheers!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on July 18, 2014.

Leslie Dinaberg

Leslie Dinaberg

When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”

Style File: Sweet Summer Scents

Burberry Summer, FragranceNet.com.

Burberry Summer, FragranceNet.com.

Summer is in full swing and a spritz of a light, fresh scent can feel just as cool and refreshing against your skin as a fabulous blast of air conditioning. Whether your summer dreams include fresh picked fruit, fresh-cut flowers, a day at the beach or a night under the stars, there’s a fragrance for that. Here are a few ideas: 

One of the go-to summer scents we’re loving right now is the aptly named Burberry Summer Perfume (FragranceNet.com), which combines fruity notes of citrus and green apple with light florals like rose, water lilly and freesia.

Ralph Lauren Romance Summer Blossom (nordstorm.com) is a lovely, fresh and fruity scent for all of those summer wedding celebrations.

CK One Summer, Macys.com.

CK One Summer, Macys.com.

Another nice choice for the warm weather season is Gucci Flora Gracious Tuberose (FragranceNet.com), a lovely eau de parfum that combines peach, tuberose, rose, and violet leaf with exotic base notes of African orange flower and French labdanum.

Bobbi’s Brown’s ocean-inspired Beach Fragrance (sephora.com)is almost as refreshing as a dip in the Pacific.  This light, happy, nostalgic scent blends jasmine, sea spray, and mandarin.

For those of us who require fruity umbrella drinks to really make it feel like summertime, CK One Summer (macys.com) is just the ticket, blended with tangerine and lemon to make you feel like you’re sipping a fruity cocktail, seaside.

Santa Barbara’s own Grapeseed Company’s (thegrapeseedcompany.com) Mojito Man Shaving Prep Scrub has a refreshing lime and mint scent that’s great for summer shaving.

Santa Barbara's own Grapeseed Company's (thegrapeseedcompany.com) Mojito Man Shaving Prep Scrub

Santa Barbara’s own Grapeseed Company’s (thegrapeseedcompany.com) Mojito Man Shaving Prep Scrub

We’ve also been loving the cooling refreshing feeling—and scents—of  Jane Iredale’s ECOCERT Hydration Sprays (janeiredale.com), which can be used as moisturizers under makeup or as a quick pick-me-up during the day. We particularly like the smell of the Balance Hydration Spray, made with orange essential oil, orange peel extract, grapefruit peel extract and algae.

—Leslie Dinaberg
Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on July 17, 2014.