Take Your Summer to the Next Level With Our Summer Essentials

Well, hello summer. Long time, no see.

With June gloom finally out of the way, I suppose now is the opportune time to lather up in sunscreen and prepare for a summer full of vacations, day parties, and memories. And here at The Root, you know we’ve always got you with the gift guides, so here are some ways to upgrade your life and take your summer to the next level.

AC Barbecue - $7

When best friends Cedric the Entertainer and Anthony Anderson aren’t starring in hit TV shows or cracking jokes, they’re doing what they love most: doing damage on the grill. In fact, that kinship in all things grilled chicken and ribs has led to the creation of their own lifestyle brand, AC Barbecue; which features an assortment of tasty rubs like Midnight Smoke, Lemon Stepper, and The MVP. And if these seasonings aren’t enough to provide your summer with a much-needed upgrade, make sure you watch their new unscripted series Kings of BBQ, in which they “embark on a cross country barbeque adventure to learn all they can about the best techniques, flavors, and traditions.” It’s set to premiere on August 12, only on A&E.

Armitron WAVE - $95

Armitron is going green with the WAVE, part of their Ocean Plastics Collection. The watch, which comes in four colors, is made from upcycled plastic recovered from the ocean and comes in a box made of recycled fibers.

IRIS USA WOOZOO Air Purifier - $299.99

With the entire planet getting slapped around by a historic heat wave, I don’t blame anybody for skipping pool parties in favor of staying home to enjoy their A/C. That said, that frosty air-conditioned air won’t purify itself, but thankfully, IRIS USA’s WOOZOO Air Purifier is here to help. So crank that A/C and rid yourself of 99.97 percent of pollen, dust, pet dander, odor and rowdy children more in as little as sixty minutes. Oh, and please stay hydrated and cool because there’s nothing sexy about a heat stroke.

Yitty Smooth as Hell Lounge Dress - $89.95 ($24 VIP Offer)

It’s time to upgrade those tired old pajamas with the Smooth as Hell Long Lounge Dress from Lizzo’s Yitty collection. Everything about this dress, from the light smoothing compression to the adjustable straps, is intentionally designed to let you look good as hell while you lounge.

Actively Black Swimwear - Starting at $40

Actively Black has positioned itself as one of the most popular Black-owned clothing brands for a pretty good reason: Because everything they make is dope as hell. And in what should come as a surprise to absolutely nobody, their luxury swimwear keeps that same energy. So scoop some up and get right for a summer full of beach barbecues and pool parties.

Mielle Organics Avocado and Tamanu Anti-Frizz System - $52

The heat and humidity of the summer months can do serious damage to your do. But you can fight the frizz with the Avocado & Tamanu Anti-Frizz System from Mielle Organics. The four-step system comes with shampoo, conditioner and styling products. Formulated with Cold Application Technology™, the products work (and feel) best when you chill them first.

Teva X Misa Hylton Collection

If you’re hitting up all of the summer block parties and music festivals, you need a comfortable shoe you can dance in for hours. One of our favorite fashion collabs of the summer is the Teva X Misa Hylton Collection. The sport sandal brand teamed up with Hylton, a stylist and fashion designer who has styled R&B and hip hop artists like Lil’ Kim and Mary J. Blige since the ‘90s. Check out the Hurricane XLT2 Gladiator sandal ($135) and the Flatform Universal ($80).

adidas Tulie Forum 84 High Shoes - $130

While we’re on the subject of shoes, we have to mention the Tulie Forum 84 High Shoes from adidas and New York-based designer Tulie Yaito. This updated version of the classic sneaker is giving serious street style, from the faux pony hair to the blue and red ostrich embossed leather. “This collaboration is bigger than myself. It’s about much more than just designing a sneaker but also advocating for women, especially those who look just like me, who came from little to nothing, who migrated with a mission, and fantasized about creating generational wealth and breaking boundaries,” Tulie said in a statement. If you want to get your hands on a pair, be sure to set a reminder for July 8 at 10:00 am when the shoes are set to drop.

Sniff Strawberry Moon - $65

When it comes to signature summer scents, Strawberry Moon by Snif is everything. Jasmine, bergamot and pink pepper join forces to create a warm, citrusy fragrance that will make you feel like you’re on a tropical vacation – even if you’re just hanging out in your own backyard.

The Questions Hip-Hop Trivia - $25

After positioning itself as a critically acclaimed podcast and live game show that’s been co-signed by everyone from Questlove, to Just Blaze, to just about every rapper/producer/DJ you can think of, creator Sean Kantrowitz has expanded his ever-evolving enterprise into a dope-ass card game—just in time for Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary. So whether you’re a casual hip-hop listener or a die-hard purist (like meeeeee!), this is the perfect way to test your hip-hop knowledge and cast judgment upon your friends for not knowing why Skee-Lo wished he was a little bit taller.

Siligrams - $40

There’s nothing worse than when you’re almost at the pool party and somebody hits your phone to ask you to pick up some ice. But thankfully, with Siligrams, you can bring your own—and it’s fully customized. Whatever unique text, monogram, or graphical design you wanna stare at while sipping your Mai Tai is yours to decide. So add a little flava to your flavor this summer—courtesy of Siligrams—and thank us later.

TOURIT Cooler Backpack - $29

Nothing spoils a barbecue or beach day like warm beer or wine. Keep your drinks the way they’re meant to be with the Cooler Backpack from TOURIT. It’s lightweight, leak-proof and holds up to 30 cans. And you never have to worry about forgetting your beer opener again – there’s one on the strap!

Nick Young x Victor Cruz Limited Edition Tequila Avión Caddie’s Caddy Kits - $230

I’ve never played golf a day in my life (does miniature golf count?), but I know plenty of people who do. That being said, I’m sure y’all get thirsty out there on the green, and thankfully, Tequila Avión is more than qualified to assist you with that parched-ass problem. Their Nick Young Swaggy Marg and Victor Cruz Spicy Cruzarita cocktail kits include original cocktail recipes favored by either Young or Cruz, a crystal decanter, and various golf accessories such as a bespoke leather nickel bag readied for the course with a ball marker, a golf-slash-bar towel, and a golf ball autographed by the former pro athletes.

TableTopics To Go - $9

Engaging questions inspire the best conversations—and TableTopics To Go is here to help you enjoy exactly that. From dating, to sports, to plenty of other topics, whether it’s with a beer in hand or at the beach with your crew, these cards are a great way to not only learn more about the people in your life, but to have the time of your life while doing it.

Grand Margarita Summer Encounter

If you’re lucky enough to live in Miami or Los Angeles, Grand Marnier is offering a very luxurious, one-of-a-kind cabana experience this summer at a very affordable price. This personalized, French-inspired “daycation” for up to six guests includes mouth-watering Grand Margaritas, light bites, a custom Grand Marnier pool tote, a deluxe Turkish towel, a sun hat inspired by walks along the French Riviera, and some premium French skincare items. There’s also the luxurious pool and gorgeous views you’ll have access to, so round up the crew and indulge in your blessing.

Cribsi Cuisine::pro ID3 Carving Set - $99

In a past life, Crocodile Dundee was kind enough to show us the difference between a knife and...a knife. That said, I think he’d definitely approve of this carving knife set, which includes a carving fork and knife both made from the finest quality Japanese stainless steel. Your dinner parties will never be the same again.

Spiced Up by Daminique - Starting at $8

BREAKING NEWS: It’s cookout season and your meat is looking a little bland. Thankfully, Spiced Up by Daminique is here to save your grill from wack burgers, angry stomachs, and embarrassment. With a plethora of seasonings to choose from, this Black-owned business offers low-sodium options—the all-purpose seasoning in particular will imbue you with everlasting life—without sacrificing deliciousness.

Crown Royal 23-Year Golden Apple Whisky - $249

Priding itself as “an exquisite blend of whiskies aged 23 years and the taste of golden delicious apples, paired with decadent notes of creamy vanilla, toasted oak and cinnamon,” I’d be inclined to agree since it basically tastes like an entire amusement park in your mouth. So whether you like your whisky neat or in your cocktail of choice, summer is the perfect time to crack open a bottle of Crown Royal Golden Apple because God is good all the time—especially when he tells you to pour some of this in a glass.

Gel Blaster Starfire - $69

Adulting is exhausting and we all need to set aside a little more time for fun. Thankfully, the Gel Blaster Starfire makes that easy (and exhilarating!) by allowing us to shoot up everything in sight with water-based beads that dehydrate after impact and leave no mess. So whether you’re inside or outside, there will always be plenty of fun to be had. And if the Starfire doesn’t pack enough punch, Gel Blaster has plenty of other options to keep the good times rolling. PEW PEW PEW!

Lang TheWell - $375

In case you’ve missed the memo, drinking water is kind of a big deal. So if you’re hell-bent on drinking a gallon a day to keep the doctor away anyway, the least you can do is take advantage of TheWell’s three-stage filtration system that eliminates all the harsh pollutants in your tap water and replaces them with a delicious dose of minerals. And if you really wanna be fancy—yes, you can have your water come out hot for teas too—you can buy flavoring packs to infuse your water with lemon. Buy this now, thank us later.