From 2019 to 2021, I fell in love with hiking. After my first experience, I was hooked because of how quickly it allowed me to detach from everyday stressors. Soon enough, I was trying to get out on the trails at least once a month or every other month until the weather no longer permitted it. Since then, life has picked up considerably, and I rarely get the opportunity to spend quality time in nature. So when I heard that Peak Pace, a New York based run crew turned wellness community, was heading upstate for a hike, I was sold.
"New York is a city where you get to meet a lot of people, but it's hard to find others with similar mindsets to you, so I wanted to start something where I could meet new people, get out more, and connect," says founder Owen Akhibi Herrera. "I wanted to bring the community together, and a group of 12 of us grew to over a thousand." Truthfully, it didn't take long for me to realize why so many people gravitated toward this crew. The welcoming energy took me right back to my early days on the trails, and as many would say, it's the company you're with that makes the experience worth it.
While I was on the hike, I also noticed that many of my fellow hikers looked photo-ready despite the heat and humidity. I usually opt for a bare face and a slicked-back bun or ponytail, but seeing others with dewy skin, blush-covered cheeks, and mascara-coated lashes made me second-guess why I had yet to have a full-send moment with my beauty routine before my previous hikes.
Naturally, I decided that if I was going to try this for myself, I needed the right products, and fortunately, I got a few hikers to give me the full scoop on what beauty buys are truly nature-proof. Read on for all the details.
Tia's Picks
"This leave-in conditioner makes my hair so soft and defined," says Tia. "I feel like Brazilian hair products are ahead of their time when it comes to curly hair compared to U.S. brands that sometimes don't give as much definition."
I put this snail mucin product on to hydrate my skin and give me a glow throughout the day," says Tia. "You're supposed to put it on overnight, but I wear it during the day too."
Maki's Picks
"This went viral on TikTok, and TikTok shop scares me, but I wanted to try it because everyone was raving about it," says Maki. "I found it at some Soho shop, and bought it—I really like it. It's super light and doesn't irritate my under-eye area."
"I like being dewy!" says Maki. "I know some people don't want to look like a glazed donut because we're already out here sweating, but I want that glow. I don't burn, but I do tan, so I try to stay on top of my skin health."
Maya's Picks
"The one thing I like to prioritize before a hike is skin prep," says Maya. "I have a different sunscreen for my face and body, but for my face, I use Black Girl Sunscreen. It's a matte finish, which I like because you sweat while you're outdoors, so it helps to have something to keep the barrier up a little bit."
"For my moisturizer, I use the Toleriane Double Repair Matte Moisturizer from La Roche-Posay for oily and combination skin," says Maya. "This keeps my face hydrated, but it also has SPF 30 in it. I grew up with eczema, and in the summer, the sweat can cause flare-ups, so this is one of many products that combat that and keep it at bay."
Aliah's Picks
"When I want a glow, I use this setting spray," says Aliah. "It makes you look so flawless and dewy. I start with this one and then go in with my One/Size by Patrick Starrr setting spray after. I've been sweating today, and it literally doesn't budge."
"As a hack, I swapped my concealer for the Gucci foundation in a lighter shade, and it lasts forever," says Aliah. "You just have to hydrate your under-eyes. I start off with the Topicals Faded Under Eye Mask and then prime with shea butter."
Vannesa's Picks
"I'm trying the sunset blush trend, which is a mix of two or three blushes," says Vannesa. "I go for oranges and pinks. I'll take a really big puffer brush and start with my pink e.l.f. cosmetics powdered blush and then layer on an orange eye shadow from Juvia's Place to get the look."
"I've been using this for five years," says Vannesa. "For all day wear, I like a dewy base and natural finish since matte ones change for me throughout the day. This is perfect for the summertime since you're going to be sweaty, but you'll still look glowy."
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