From SPF'S, detox cleansers, gold shimmer body oils, hydrating serums, illuminating bases, dewy bronzer and blush cheek sticks to the best sea salt and texture sprays under the sun, it's time to talk Summer Beauty and shop what's been sticking around in my beauty bag. 

SKINCARE DETAILS

A good cleanser is key in your Summer routine, nothing too heavy and rich, but one that will thoroughly remove all makeup and suncream, give your skin a good clean and keep things hydrated. Alongside my Elemental Herbology Vital Cleanse, I've been using the Goldfaden MD Detox Clarifying Face Wash* about once a week as it's a detoxifying cleanser with a combination of Lactic, Glycolic and Alpha Hydroxy Acids to dissolve excess oil and dead skin cells. Serums are a vital step in my routine and where I rely on applying added hydration. For the past couple of months, I've been using the ultra hydrating, cooling and moisture boosting Vichy Aqualia Serum*, it's fuss free, simple but incredibly effective and hydrates my skin to the max, restoring all moisture loss instantly. Enriched with hyaluronic acid and thermal spa water, it's like a drink for the skin, I feel instantly refreshed after application and it smooths my complexion for my moisturiser and oil going on top. 

If you read my '4 Favourite Face Oils' blog post then 1, you'll know how much of an oil fanatic I am and 2, know how much I love the Kiehl's Daily Revive Concentrate. Oils are the best way to boost that healthy glow all year round and using an energising oil like this provides me with anti-oxidant protection and brings my skin back to life each morning, keeping it plump, supple and dewy all day long. Other oils I love to use throughout Summer are Pai Rosehip and Caudalie VieActiv. SPF is of course the most important step in a Summer skin routine and I can't stop raving about the Origins SPF'S. Dr Weil Organics Mega-Defense SPF45* which I apply each morning post serum, oil and moisturiser. It's ultra lightweight, non chemical and formulated with skin-strengthening Opuntia Cactus Extract to prevent pollution damage. 

With a normal / dehydrated skin type that can look dull, I need constant moisture, hydration and radiance boosting products amongst my skincare routine. The Kat Burki Vitamin C Intensive Face Cream has been my morning day cream, infused with 15% Vitamin C and restorative Ocean Mineral Complex, it stimulates my circulation to promote a healthier, more radiant and glowing skin. For simple but effective skincare, I love Avene and the Tolérance Extreme Cream* is perfect for soothing and boosting hydration levels.

Zelens has quickly become one of my favourite brands, each of their products contains high tech, innovative and powerful ingredients that deliver and guarantee results. The Power D Treatment Drops* are vitamin rich and super charge my skincare routine, 2-3 drops on the skin alone or into my moisturiser reinforce and enhance my skins resilience to keep moisture in and pollution out. Zelens' Instant Renewal Mask* is another most try from the brand; a luxurious treat I apply over my skin once a week that is full of Vitamin C, Enzyme Complexes, Pearl Extract and Hyaluronic Acid. It has endless results including radiance, an increase in moisture and gives skin a youthful, luminous glow. Finally on the masks, to re-hydrate and soothe, I use the Antipodes Manuka Honey Mask* which I am always talking about as it's super effective, anti-oxidising, cleansing and organic. 

Face mists play a huge factor in my skincare routine, I use them throughout the day and have so many favourites in the face mist department, stating with Caudalie Beauty Elixir. Plant based and rich in Grape, essential oils and rare plant extracts, it stimulates, hydrates, smooths and boost radiance whilst carrying a fresh, herbal scent. I spray this in the morning before applying my skincare, carry a mini one with me to mist and hydrate my skin throughout the day and use it post-cleanse and pre my evening skincare routine. One I will be taking on holiday with me to hydrate, nourish and protect my skin in the sun is the Garnier Moisture Bomb protecting Hydrating Mist as it has an SPF30 and fights pollution.

MAKEUP DETAILS

Makeup formulas throughout Summer for me consist of creams and liquids, textures are buttery and application is with fingers or damp sponges to maximise the dewiness. Makeup days are made up of 5 minute routines that include illuminating tinted moisturisers, peach tinted cheek stains, glow-boosting primers, au-natural lip colours and golden, creamy eye shadow pots. 

To prep, prime, hydrate and glow, I love using the Dior Glow Maximizing Primer (sadly discontinued) or the BECCA Backlight Priming Filter, both are ultra moisturising and smooth over the skin beautifully, creating a illuminated complexion to work with. A Summer base is all about the 'no makeup' look - light, radiant, healthy and with a barely there finish. Summer isn't the same without my Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser, an incredibly radiance boosting product that perfects the no makeup look by brightening tired and dull skin with it's pearl pigments, moisturising to the max and provides a soft hint of colour. I like to do a light bit of concealing under the eye and will always use a brightening concealer such as Delilah Fade Away or Charlotte Tilbury The Retoucher as they contain light peptides to instantly refresh and illuminate the area. 

I'm a cream bronzer, blush and highlight fanatic and thoroughly enjoying mixing shades together to create the perfect bronzy/peachy/champagne looking cheeks. The Hourglass Illume Trio Palette is a fantastic multi-tasker and all in one providing sun kissed skin in three sweeps but chubby sticks, multiples and tints are also favourites amongst my stash. Clinique Robust Rhubarb Chubby Cheek, Kevyn Aucoin Tansoleil Creamy Glow Blush and Benefit Cha Cha Tint are my go-to shades for mango tinted, peach inspired and dewy cheeks that melt into my skin for tropical looking cheeks. NARS Multiples in South Beach and Orgasm are two other makeup bag essentials; multi-tasking, easy to use, glowy, blend-able and creamy, not forgetting Becca Beach Tints - versatile stains for the cheeks and lip that provide a natural, wash of colour. 

I tend to leave my eyelids to do their own thing in the hot months (basically, embrace the eye-lid shine) as I find shadow doesn't last too long in the heat for me and leaves my eyes looking even more sweaty. However, if things aren't looking too muggy outside then I'll sweep on some Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise in Jean, a super light and champagne hue-d pot of golden goodness for the eye. Lip wise, I tend to just apply anything that hydrates, nourishes and adds a tint of colour so the By Terry Baume De Roses are perfect and Cherry Bomb applied in small quantities is a lovely natural pink. Lanolips and Fresh Sugar Lips both offer SPF protection so are ideal holiday additions and Hourglass Opaque Rouge in Riveria is my favourite bold colour for a statement red/orange lip. 

Hair, Body & Skin Extra's

Body oils, scrubs, golden shimmers, multi-purpose balms, seat salt mists, texture sprays, sun-creams and hair protectors are just a few more things that fit into my routine throughout Summer. Sachajuan is my favourite brand for caring for my hair in the heat, creating beach waves and adding texture whilst Vichy and Nuxe are the best for golden shimmer body oils to enhance tan and limbs. Pai's multi-tasking balm soothes dry patches, cuticles, acts as a lip balm and even tames brow hairs and Avene, Vichy, Clarins and Jurlique are my go-to brands for both suncare.

Products: Sachajuan Ocean Mist*, Sachajuan Hair In The Sun*, Moroccan Oil Dry Texture Spray*, Moroccan Oil Beach Mousse*, Vichy Body Oil*, Pai Buriti Balm*, Vichy SPF50 Sun Cream, Clarins SPF30, Jurlique After Sun Lotion* and Avene Repair AfterSun. 

J x