Summer Essentials: Make Up

So on Monday I shared with you my skincare summer essentials, it was posted first because obviously you put skincare on before you apply make up and it made sense to have the basics laid down before any make up goes near skin. So today I'm going to be talking you through the products I've been getting/will be getting a lot of use out of and I warn you now there is a lightweight theme throughout as anything to heavy when it's hot and humid makes me break out into a sweat just thinking about it.

I use primer everday whether it's hot or cold, rain or shine, so I'm not going to bother talking you through the ones I use on the daily. Foundation however is something I definitely have to change when the weather takes a warmer turn. I'm a big fan of high coverage foundations because I have redness and depending on the day and how my skin is feeling depends on how red my face is. But wearing something ultra covering and sometimes heavy on the skin when you work somewhere with no air con and it's 32C outside is a massive no no. And that's where these first two products come into play. Cushion foundations are practically my best friend during Summer. They're lightweight in texture, don't clog my skin and surprisngly don't budge even when I'm sweating balls. The Maybelline Dream Cushion is slightly higher coverage than some cushion foundations but if I'm extremely red then I find it comes in handy. It's thin liquid consistency means that it doesn't sink into pores or cling to any unsightly areas my skin my have. Sometimes my redness will peek through but that's what concealer was made for however a lot of the time that's not a bother to me as long as my skin can breathe and I can look somewhat put together.

The Loreal Nude Magique Cushion is even lighter in finish. It's more along the lines of a BB Cream but in cushion form. It has a glowy finish which works wonderfully to deflect attention away from any areas that don't look as good as the rest. This is perfect for those days when you want some coverage but you still want your skin to look like skin. It essentially just perfects over the areas you're not happy with and adds a healthy glow which most of us love in the Summer. The only problem that I find with cushion foundations is that sometimes you can't control how much product you're getting and end up using more than planned, that however is only a minor product and is undoubtedly outweighed by all the pros of these products.

This next product I can not live without and will definitely be repurchasing when it runs out. The Rosie For Autograph Sheer Finish Complexion Enhancer is a hybrid between a tinted moisturiser and a BB Cream. Like the name suggests, it's very sheer in coverage but still gives skin that perfected look. I am absolutely hooked on this stuff. It's perfect for my rare but increasing good skin days as it adds a light coverage and evens skin out whilst simultaneously giving skin a radiant glow as well as letting it breath. It feels slightly thick on the skin when you first applied it but when blended out; with fingertips nothing works as well, it feels like more like a moisturiser than a base product. It does last a while on the skin and doesn't fade awkwardly if at all. However because of it's glowy nature, if it's a ultra sweaty day then that glow will look like sweat and can if not powdered or blotted look quite horrific. But it's nothing a little setting powder or setting spray can't fix and then you'll be looking as gorgeous as when you first applied it.

Lighter coverage foundations means that imperfections have the oppotunity to shine through more but that's also where concealer comes in handy and makes the perfect accompinment to Summer skin. Now I use concealer every day but find it comes in more use when the weather is warmer and skin is craving those lighter bases. The Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer is my perfect concealer, it's high coverage yet not heavy and can be used just about everywhere. When my redness is bad and nothing else covers it, this will which is why I enjoy using it so much with lighter finish bases. It blends out flawlessly and doesn't make my skin look like it's caked in extra product. The shade Fair is my perfect shade and can be used on blemishes, under the eyes or even along the tops of my cheekbones as a faux like highlighter.

Most days I can go with just a little powder to set my under eye concealer as well as a sweep down my t-zone but during the Summer I just feel like dumping the whole pot on my face.I used to be a big fan of pressed powders but as the weather has warmed up I've found myself leaning more towards loose powders. They just feel a lot lighter on my skin and even if I happen to sweat it doesn't go cakey or horrid looking. The Barry M Ready Set Smooth Loose Setting Powder is my go to loose powder at the moment. It is a white powder but has no colour transfer when you apply it to the skin and doesn't leave behind a white cast. It's very lightweight in texture and feeling on the skin, which makes it perfect to use both under the eyes and across the face. It never oxidises on the skin or settles into fine lines or open pores the longer I wear it. It also comes with a decent sized mirror and velour puff which makes it perfect for taking it on the go as well.

After powder there is one other product that I could practically bathe myself in everyday. That product is setting spray and whilst it may not control any excess oil or sweat (gross) my skin creates, it does hold my make up on my face and stops it from slipping off. My go to setting spray right now is the Collection Primed And Ready Make Up Fixing Spray. This is a very fine mist that is lightweight on skin and leaves behind a natural looking matte finish. It's mist doesn't drench skin and doesn't disrupt or smudge mascara or eye liner unlike other setting sprays out there. If you've been reading for a while you'll know I was a massive fan of the Maybelline SuperStay Setting Spray but it always felt heavy on my skin where as this one doesn't feel like that and it feels like my skin can actually breathe even though it's covered in make up.

During the Summer I know no matter how hard I try that my base is never going to look as fresh as it does in the Winter so I focus on making my lashes and lips stand out more. And that means big volumising mascaras that give me volume and definition without going over the top. The Loreal Miss Hippie Mascara is my favourite for this. It's barrel shaped bristle brush grabs onto each individual lashes and pulls them up into a stunning volumised, fanned out look. It's brilliant for making eyes look more awake as well as distracting from a not so perfect base. Even though it's not waterproof, it doesn't smudge or flake and is easily removed at the end of the day. This paired with my next product is enough to guarantee a good make up day even when you're not feeling it.

And my last Summer Essential is a bold lip. Rarely a day goes by when I'm not in some variation of bold lip. Red lips are obviously my favourite to wear but during the Summer I also branch out into bold pinks and oranges. And they have to be matte, I can't wear a glossy or sheen finish bold as I'd only end up with it smeared everywhere, so the more matte the better. Maybelline do a brilliant range of matte lipsticks, as do Stila and of course Kat Von D's Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks get a lot of wear but the one I've been obsessed with lately comes from Barry M. Their Matte Me Up Liquid Lipstick in Paparazzi is the perfect red for Summer. It's a mix of a tomato red and a blue toned which means it suits a multitude of skin tones. It's lightweight texture means it feels like you aren't wearing a liquid lipstick and it's thin consistency means that it feels comfortable on the lips for longer. And when I've not been wearing this which is rare I've been trying out the new Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Lipstick in Firestarter which is stunning red as well as the Barry M Matte Me Up Lip Kits which aren't as bright as this but are still as stunning on the lips.

Summer Essentials: Skincare

There's been a theme to some of my posts this month, all revolving around the warmer weather we've been having and finally saying hello to Summer. Today and Wednesday's posts are no different, both are going to be taking you through the products I consider essential to survive the Summer months and the sometimes inescapable heat.The majority of the time I'd jump straight into talking you through the make up I use to make myself look somewhat presentable throughout the warmer months. However today I thought I'd start with skincare because no matter the weather my skin needs that good foundation to work make up over top of so it can look as good as possible.

When it comes to cleansing I am big fan of cleansers that require warm water and flannel to be removed. And whilst there are a whole host of brilliant cleansers out there, in the warmer months you don't want one that will feel too thick on the skin and potentially clog pores causing later irritation. The Garnier Micellar Gel Wash is one of my go to cleansers when it's hot and humid. It's gel formula is lighter than other cream based cleansers and it's micellar technology grabs onto impurities and wipes them away without weighing skin down with excess product. It can be used to remove make up as well as on bare skin and is even suitable for those with more sensitive skins.

If you don't have time to a thorough cleanse or you're having a late night, micellar water is a better option for cleansing over other options such as face wipes. Simple have recently released a new version of their original micellar water. Their Water Boost Micellar Water cleanses skin as well as the original but also has the added bonus of giving skin a burst of hydration at the same time. I don't find myself reaching for a micellar as often as I do a proper cleanser but if my skin needs a refresh or it's a particularly late night, they definitely do what I need them to do.

Something about the warmer weather makes me use facial sprays a lot more than I do during the colder months. I think it's because they're very refreshing and can be taken on the go to give skin that instant boost it sometimes needs. My personal favourite is Liz Earle's Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer. Containing Aloe Vera, Calendula and Cucumber this works to not only refresh the skin but soothe it at the same time. It sprays quite a large amount of product out but it doesn't leave skin feeling drenched or sopping wet. It's the most refreshing spritz I've tried and a few sprays of this whilst I'm at work instantaneously makes my skin feel revived even if the rest of me is sweating balls.

Another brilliant spray comes from Pixi. It's not my favourite spray but the citrus extracts that are woven throughout the formula are very reviving and renergising. It's bit more hit and miss spray wise and too much can leave skin feeling more sweaty than soothed but it's not the worst spray on the market. I enjoy mixing the two together, especially in the morning so that my skin feels refreshed and awakened, ready for the day ahead.

Serum is an integral part of my routine all year round but when it's hot outside and you know that you're skin's going to be sweating within five minutes of leaving the house, you want something lightweight, that will let your skin breathe. Loreal's Hydra Genius Liquid Moisturiser is one of the best lightweight serum/moisturiser hybrids on the market at the moment. Containing nothing more that Aloe Water and Hyaluronic Acid, this works to give skin an instant boost of hydration as well as working deeper down into skin where it stays and releases slowly over time whenever skin needs that boost. It's perfect for layering under SPF and make up and it's lightweight texture doesn't leave skin feeling clogged or weighed down.

A new product that I've been thoroughly enjoying not only because it's hydrating and lightweight but also because it can be mixed with other products to create a blend that meets all your skin's needs. The new Simple Hydrating Booster is a serum based product that can be added to other serums and moisturisers to add a boost of hydration. This has been a saviour on the days where I haven't been using the Loreal as it's so easy to add to any other product I use. It's not as effective on it's own but paired with a lightweight moisturiser or a brightening serum it works wonders. I've found myself reaching for this more in the evening to rejuvenate my skin whereas the Loreal works better for me in the morning.

You can just use serum to hydrate skin but I always find it best to lock it in with a moisturiser over top so skin benefits from the products layered below. And whilst in the Winter when skin is slightly drier, rich moisturisers are brilliant, lighter moisturisers are the way to go during Summer. My go to everyday moisturiser is the Garnier Moisture Bomb Glow Enhancer Water Cream. It contains Pomegranate Extract and Hyaluronic Acid to really hydrate skin and leave it feeling hydrated all day long. It's peach colouring adds a glow to the skin which shines through make up beautifully and gives skin a lit from within look, without making you look sweaty. And because it's a water cream, it's incredibly lightweight on the skin but still effective.

And for days when I haven't been wearing make up (most days), there has been another water cream that I've been thoroughly enjoying. The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Cream is a lot like the Garnier Moisture Bomb range wherein it contains Hyaluronic Acid and not a lot else and claims to slowly release hydration throughout the day. It's ever so slightly thicker than the Garnier which is perfect for those non make up days as it's a lot more nourishing and there is no worry about make up peeling or balling over top. A full review of this is coming Friday but I will say this has come in very handy with the hot, humid days we had at the beginning of the month.

The last skincare essential for me is actually an everyday essential but during the hotter months it's especially necessary for my skin. SPF for both the body and the face is a big part of my summer routine. As a kid I could spend hours laid out in the sun, loving the golden hue my skin would turn but as I've gotten older I've really come to hate the idea of sitting in the sun for many reasons. Firstly and most importantly for my health, we all know it's not healthy to sit in the sun for long periods of time but also because I'm just darn lazy and hate the idea of having to find another foundation shade to match a tan which probably won't last long. And that's where SPF comes in. For my body I'm very happy to use Superdrug's own brand Solait, it's not thick, does what it's supposed to do and doesn't break the bank. And considering I don't get a lot of my body out regularly, I don't see the point of paying big bucks for something that can sometimes be seldom used. For my face however it's a different story.

Having slightly reactive skin means that the wrong product can cause an instant reaction that could take a good week or two to soothe and clear. The Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Face SPF30 is one of the products that didn't cause that. It's lightweight, oil free, has UVA/UVB protection and is suitable for sensitive skins. It does have a slight white cast to it but it doesn't cause any flashback or is obvious on it's own or through make up. I actually quite like it as it seems to even my skin out ever so slightly and makes applying product over top easier. There are two versions of this product and I'd advise going for the one that looks more brown in tone over the yellow toned one. The yellow toned one is heavier and leaves a film like feeling on the skin which essentially leaves skin feeling absolutely gross after a full day in humidity.

And the other product I've been loving because it's quick and easy is the Garnier Moisture Bomb Ultra-Protecting SPF30 Face Mist. Containing the same ingredients as the rest of the Moisture Bomb Range (Pomegranate Extract and Hyaluronic Acid), this ultra fine aerosol mist offers hydration as well as protection from UVA/UVB as well as pollution. Sure such a fine mist doesn't seem like it would do a lot but it actually works and works well. Skin feel protected and hydrated but not drenched or clogged. It's perfect for taking on the go and using as a top up throughout the day and it's ability to be used over make up is just another tick in my box. I use this on days when I'm just nipping to the shops and feeling a bit lazy because I know I'm not losing any of the protection for my skin and am just really taking a shortcut to look after it instead.

How I Get My Skin Summer Ready

If there is one thing that changes when the season changes it's my skincare routine. When it comes to summertime I focus more on my body than I do on my face to make sure it's smooth and glowing and ready for summer. So today I thought I'd share a few things I do to get my skin in tip top condition.

The first thing I focus on it exfoliating my skin. When I was younger the skin on my upper arms was quite bumpy and uneven but as I've grown older it's smoothed out and become softer, yet I always focus on them when I'm exfoliating. My body scrub of choice is the Soap And Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub. Not only does it smell ultra summery but it's also one of the most effective scrubs I've tried. It's one of the scrubbier scrubs on the market but the texture is more like a gel than anything else which I find leaves my skin feeling softer than others I've tried.

The next thing I focus on all year round but especially in the summer is moisturising. I tend to go for a lighter moisturiser during the day and a heavier one in the evening. At the moment my morning moisturiser is the Palmer's Rapid Moisture Spray Lotion. It makes moisturising so much easier especially if I'm in a rush. It's just a case of spray, rub in and then go. It leaves my skin feeling super soft and smells absolutely heavenly. For my evening moisturiser I go for one that takes a bit longer to sink into the skin as I'm not rushing anywhere. My go to one at the moment is the Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Lotion, it smells divine, doesn't leave my skin as tacky as others and in the morning my skin is super soft.

Of course if I make sure my arms and legs are moisturised I've also got to focus on my feet and hands as well. Working in a very hands on job means my hands don't always look there best but I found smothering my hands in Soap and Glory's Endless Glove every night leaves them beyond soft and looking better which is a plus when showing customers the latest polish or lipstick at work. When it comes to my feet I'm not that worried as they're usually covered by my socks and converse but like everyone else in the summer I do like to wear sandals and flips flops occasionally. The only foot cream I can stand is Soap and Glory's Heel Genius. Not only does it work overnight miracles on my feet but it doesn't leave them feeling greasy and you can't feel the product on the skin.

We go from the bottom of my body back up to the top now. My hair is one of my biggest peeves in the summer. Being very dark haired means that sunshine turns my head into an oven on the best of days. And of course when it gets hot my hair stays as far away from my neck as possible which can be quite damaging to my hair. So to keep my hair soft and the ends frazzle free I use the Garnier Ultimate Blends The Strength Restorer 1 Minute Treament every time I wash my hair. This treatment contains Honey, Royal Jelly and Propolis which are aimed at reversing the signs of damage. And boy does it work, after the first use I found my hair was softer and the ends weren't as dry as normal. I highly recommend slathering this through your hair when you wash it if you're looking to give it some TLC.

I already did a post on how I change my skincare and make up to fit the season which you can find here. I'll keep this quick as the previous post talks about it as well. When it comes to skincare I focus on keeping my skin refreshed, grime free and hydrated. My two main products for this are the Vitamin E Refreshing Toning Mist and Clearly Youthful Hydrating Day Serum. I love spritzing a few sprays of the toning mist over my face when I've just taken my make up off or if I'm not wearing make up, spraying it whenever my face feels like it needs refreshing. The day serum makes a brilliant base for make up while leaving my skin feeling moisturised and even though it's a day serum I use it in the evening as well to give my skin that instant boost of hydration it needs when I've taken off my make up.

So that's how I get summer ready. How do you guys prepare for summer? Do you use any of these products? Or do you have any recommendations? Let me know in the comments below.

Everyday Evening Skincare Routine

A few weeks back I showed you my morning skincare routine and thought it time to show you my evening skincare routine. There are more products in the evening as I'm always removing some sort of make up.

For the first step of my evening skincare routine I use either of these products depending on how much make up I'm wearing. For the last few months my favourite make up remover has been the Vitamin E Cleasning Oil, a brilliant dual phase oil that removes all traces of make up including mascara but without leaving skin feeling greasy. Also in the last couple of weeks I've been using The Body Shop's Camomile Cleansing Butter and really loving the results. I love the consistency of this on my skin and how it breaks my make up down. It isn't harsh on my skin and leaves it feeling soft after every use.

After I do my intial cleanse with either my balm or oil I always go in again with this Simple Micellar Water. This is the only micellar water on the market at the moment that agrees with my skin. It doesn't do anything fancier than clean my skin and remove any make up I've missed and that's exactly what I want from product like this. Fragrance free and gentle on the eyes this is brilliant to use both in the morning and evening when I feel like my skin needs a refresh.

Once all my base make up is gone I use some of the Loreal Eye And Lip Make Up Remover to remove any leftover mascara. This is a brilliant duo phase product that removes all traces of mascara and even stubborn lipsticks. It does have a slight oily feeling to it when used but it doesn't leave a nasty residue on the skin.

After all my make up is gone and my face is screaming out for moisture I start the second phase of my evening routine with my Vitamin E Refreshing Toning Mist. This is my skin saviour after a long day at work. A few spritz go a long way and leave my skin feeling refreshed and ready for any moisturiser I'm putting on.

Now my skin is cleaned and refreshed I go in with my Clearly Youthful Hydrating Day Serum. I know it's a day serum but on the back it says it can be used in the evening as well. It's only recently I've added this to my evening routine but my skin is already thanking me. It gives my skin that moisture boost that it so desperately needs by now. Two pumps does my entire face and I can feel my skin drinking this in as soon as I've put it on.

Now this step is one I find myself forgetting sometimes. This was actually recommended to me by my mum and I'm so glad I listened to her. The Olay Firm and Lift Eye Gel is a clear gel that is soothing on the eyes as well as hydrating. I usually have really bad dark circles but since I've been using this and another product I've found that they have gone down a lot. A little goes a long way and makes my tired eyes feel refreshed.

Next up is my Clearly Youthful Resurfacing Night Serum. I literally adore the Clearly Youthful range, both their day and night serums are hydrating and refreshing on the skin. I like the night one especially for when I have a few blemishes on my skin as it contains salicylic acid which helps take down any redness my blemishes have. A lot of you may wonder why I use two serums when my day serum gives me the hydration I need but the Resurfacing Night Serum does exactly what it says on the packet. Any texture on my skin at night time is gone by the morning and any redness I have is diminished.

And now for my final step. After what may seem like forever but is actually about twenty minutes I go in with my favourite skin product ever. The Garnier Miracle Sleeping Cream has not only changed how I look at my skincare routine but also how I look at my skin. Any issues that I have with my skin such as dark circles, redness or any sallowness is practically gone by the morning and it's all to do with this cream. It's a thick texture which I advise really rubbing into the skin so you don't stick to your pillowcases but the results are beyond amazing. I wrote a full length review on it here.

And that's it for my evening skincare routine. Any recommendations? Let me know in the comments.

How I change my make up for the season

  

When it gets to this point of the year where the weather turns warmer and everyone focuses on summer make up looks, I always change up my make up. They're only small changes but I find that as the summer gets hotter they still create a good make up look but without the extra coverage or products.

The first thing I do when it comes to changing my make up is change my base. I put away my higher coverage foundations for lighter bases. A couple of my favourite lighter bases are the Rimmel Lasting Finish Nude in Ivory and the Bourjois CC Cream in shade 31 Ivory. They're both light coverage products but can be built up to a medium coverage if necessary. If you'd prefer more coverage I'd suggest going in with a concealer as they give the same coverage but won't create cake face or make it obvious you're wearing a lot of  make up. I personally like these products because they give my skin a chance to breath but still cover any imperfections I want to cover.

The other option for base product if you don't want to wear foundation everyday is a BB Cream. They're brilliant as they give a sheer hint of coverage as well as providing skin with the same benefits of a moisturiser. There is only two on the market that I've found that I like and they are the B BB Cream and the Garnier BB Cream. Out of all those on the market, these two are perfect for my fair skin and help cover any imperfections I may have whilst giving my skin an extra boost. They also give me that dewy glow I want during the summer without making me look shiny.

Moving on from base products the other major change I make to my summer look is switching out my lip colours. Having fair skin and dark hair I find myself constantly drawn to berry tones and red lipsticks to give my look that bit of wow. Yet in the summer I find my usual colours don't work for me. Last year I dived head first into wearing hot pink shades and I think I will definitely be bringing them out again this year. Some of my favourites are the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets and Revlon Colourburst Matte Balms. I'm not going to go into too much detail about these specific colours as I will be doing a Summer Lip Edit in the next couple of weeks.

However if you aren't as confident wearing such bright shades a good alternative is the Smashbox Be Legendary Matte Lipstick in Punch Drunk. It's a stunning raspberry toned lipstick that still has that wow factor but isn't as bright as some of the other pinks I've mentioned. And if you're not a big fan of pink shades in general, tomato red shades always look gorgeous in the summer. Rimmel, Bourjois, Revlon and MAC all do their own brilliant versions of them in a series of matte and sheen finishes.

And that's all for my summer change ups. I don't wear a lot of make up anyway but these few changes, especially to my base products helps my skin breath more during the hotter months and makes getting ready quicker. If you've got any recommendations for a seasonal make up shake up then please leave them in the comments box, I love hearing about what other people use.

Review: Spray Moisturiers

If there is one thing I always forget or miss when it comes to looking after my skin, it's moisturiser. I always remember to moisturise my face but very rarely do I remember my body. When I do remember it I always make sure I use the right product for the right season. I use body butters in the autumn/winter when my skin needs more moisture.

Now we're in summer though, I found myself looking for something a little bit lighter and easier to apply. That's where Palmer's and Vaseline come in, they've both released products that are exactly what I'm looking for. Both these big brands have recently released their own versions of a spray and go moisturiser that makes getting ready quicker. With these products, the days of digging deep into a tub or waiting for the tackiness to go are gone.

The Vaseline Spray and Go is probably the one most of you have heard of as it's been highly advertised at the moment. It's a brilliant product and comes in a variety of scents. Before I brought the Palmer's one this was my go to moisturiser. It's one of the simplest products to use, just unclick the lid and spray. The mist is fine and a small amount goes a long way. Once rubbed into the skin, it doesn't leave behind a greasy residue, making it a perfect product for people in a rush.

The Palmer's version though is my favourite and it's purely becasue of the smell. The Vaseline one smells nice, especially the cocoa scent but I'm a sucker for anything coconut and Palmer's just nail it. Like the Vaseline one, the Palmer's moisturiser gets it scent from it's ingredients but the coconut scent sticks around longer than the cocoa and is surprisngly refreshing if you catch a whiff. Along the same lines as the Vaseline one, unlock the lid, spray and rub in, this one leaves a slightly tackier finish to the skin but stick to clothes or leave any stains.

Both these products are brilliant if you're looking for a lighter moisturiser this summer or if you're looking for a quick fix on busy days. They've changed the way I look at moisturising and I've not been anywhere near a tub of body butter since I got them. Brillaint scents, easy to use and as I said a quick summer fix, I highly recommend you try these if you're looking for a new summer moisturiser.