My Boots Beauty Restock: The Summer Edit | AD

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There are no beauty establishments that I frequent more than Boots. Whether it’s picking up some travel minis, Mark has sent me in with a list to buy Dove Deodorant, Shower Gel and the Head & Shoulder’s Shampoo (his grooming essentials and always under strict instructions that I’m to get the latter only if it’s on offer), or I need a top up of the Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo – it’s my one-stop beauty shop for all needs and all occasions. The Boots Advantage Card was the first loyalty scheme that I ever signed up to – so thanks for making me feel like a fully grown adult at the age of 16 – and I still to this day enter with one or two items on my list and leave with 17. I can’t help myself.

So when I was armed with the task of updating my bathroom and beauty cabinets with some summer makeup essentials, it’s fair to say that I did an internal whoop as my shopping list grew to the outstanding and frankly impressive length of a deeply burrowed ingrown hair. YAY SUMMER. In need of some end-of-season pieces that will see you through to autumn? Glitter makeup? Perfume? One of the best darn face primers I’ve tried in a long time? They’ve got you covered…

FOR YOUR BODY

St Tropez Classic Tanning Mousse – £17. The original tanning mousse that has been on the market for many summers. I first tried this back as a Uni student, and it was a Rolls Royce, compared to other formulas that I’d tried at the time. I personally love their Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse, but I thought I’d give their original product a go again; especially as it now comes in a smaller, travel-friendly bottle that’s perfect to throw in your suitcase.

Isle of Paradise Tanning Drops – £19.95. I have been using these since they launched and I’m still yet to finish up a bottle (although I’m getting close!). Concentrated tanning drops that can be added to your face or body moisturiser and in three colour-correcting shades these are a completely fool-proof way of creating a faux glow. Just add in a few drops when you moisturise and a few hours later you’ve got some extra warmth and radiance to your skin. Four drops in with my evening facial oil, every other day or so is my summer skin recipe.

FOR YOUR BASE

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Face Primer – £28. THIS STUFF IS AMAZING!!!!! I always thought that primers were a nice product to have and all, but there are two that I’ve tried recently that have made me do a complete 180 on that statement and this is one of them. It makes my skin so soft and supple and juicy. No matter what I apply on top there’s still radiance that peeks through and really helps me to look fresh, even hours after I’ve applied. Add in the fact that it’s got a dose of Vitamin C antioxidant protection in it too and I’m sold.

Clarins HydraQuench Tinted Moisturiser – £30. I’m a sucker for a tinted moisturiser and even though this is a great formula worn on it’s own with the Ole Henriksen primer underneath it, it looks absolutely cracking. I have a video coming soon where you’ll be able to see it all in action and wearing a combination of the two I am GLOWING (if I do say so myself). It’s light and leaves a sheen on the skin, but doesn’t feel slippy and greasy and stays put for a decent amount of time. A nice one to add into your beauty bag if you fancy dialling down the coverage till the end of summer.

Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder – £7.99. What a classic. I first used this bronzer years ago which means that the chocolatey scent of it is pure nostalgia to me. A light wash of colour that deposits evenly on the cheeks and now available in an extended shade range. Matte, but sheer I love the warmth it gives to my complexion and just how quickly it blends in. Just as good as I remember it.

TO ADD COLOUR

Fenty Beauty Baeside Vivid Liquid Eyeliner Trio – £27. OH HELLO! These eyeliners are so much fun. Don’t be scared by the neon tones as I’ve found them surprisingly easy for an eyeliner novice like myself to get the hang of (turns out that pastel-tones are way more forgiving on shaky hands than black pigment is!). Wear them on their own with lashings of the No7 Extreme Lengths Waterproof Mascara, or pair them with a neutral shadow base like the line-up from the Too Face Neutral Eyeshadow Palette.

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturising Lip Colour Balm – £18.50. I first used these years ago, so I’ve enjoyed reacquainting myself with the sheer balmy texture of this pencil-homed lip balm. They are a beauty classic and seeing as all I really wear on my lips these days are balm lip products, it’s about time that I get back to basics with these. Slightly glossy, they require no mirror for application and the shades available deposit just the teeny tiniest amount of detectable colour on your lips. Whoopin’ Watermelon is a personal favourite.

Essie Nail Polish in Sunday Funday – £7.99. I’m more of a neutral polish wearer these days, but when I do venture into the world of colour on my nails I’ll always have a soft spot for a coral or red. They are undeniably flattering on all skin tones and these Essie polishes are some of the best when it comes to the ‘easy to build’ and streak-free formula and the wide set brush that hugs your nail in one sweep. This shade has a hint of shimmer running through it, which catches the light in the sun and is the perfect summer season cherry on the top of whatever beauty look you’ve donned for the day.

Photos by Mark Newton on a Canon EOS 3

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