June 10, 2020

The HG Edit: Summer Beauty Essentials

One to bookmark for next summer, eh?

This post contains ad affiliate links (denoted by a ‘*’) & gifted items (denoted by ‘ad - gifted). You can read my full disclaimer here.

At the time of writing this post I am sitting in our front room with the blinds drawn, wearing as little clothing as possible without flashing the neighbours and cursing Mark because it’s currently his hour time slot with the fan. IT’S HOT. So whilst it feels like the perfect time to be writing this post *now*, I can pretty much guarantee that by the time this post goes live in two weeks time I’ll be digging deep in my wardrobe trying to find my scarf, because that is the British Summertime for you people. So perhaps this post might be timed a little late, so it’s one to bookmark for next summer and next time you’ve developed a sweat waterfall off your top lip and are considering a three-hour round-trip just to buy the nearest in-stock fan. Who knows? But one thing I do know are the products that I pull out every time that it’s bloody hot and make up my summer beauty holy grails. Here’s what makes the cut…

FACE & BODY SPFS

THE MOST IMPORTANT PART!!! If you’re playing around at nighttime with acids and whatnot, then there’s even more reason to be diligent with your SPF routine. I promise there are ones on the market that aren’t claggy and heavy and chalky on the skin, you’ve just got to search for ’em. I use the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial SPF 30* every single day, or if I’m heading outside during the summer I’ll go in with the Kiehl’s Daily UV Defence SPF 50* (that’s also the one that I take on holiday with me too). I haven’t found the perfect ‘top-up‘ SPF for during the day just yet, but in the meantime the Kate Somerville Uncomplikated SPF 50* which comes in a spray format, is a good one to go over makeup, even if it does make me feel a bit dry at first. For my body I’ll stick on a lotion suncream before I head out, but then love topping up with the Coola Eco-Lux SPF 30*. Again in a spray format, it’s such a good one to use as a top up, plus the scent is INCREDIBLE. One of those ones that you get out and everyone wants to use and you can’t even be mad about it because it smells that good.

SHOP THE SPF EDIT*

FAUX TANNERS

I get bored in approximately five minutes at the beach, so sun worshiping just ain’t my style. What is my style is asking Mark to fake tan my back three times a week whilst his eye roll to the back of his head. I have never in my life used a tan as good as the Tan-Luxe The Gradual*. It does what it says on the tin, delivering a buildable glow that’s never orange, too streaky (if applied well!), and doesn’t fade in a patchy fashion (plus it doesn’t smell like biscuits/pickled onions either). If I’m on it, then I’ll apply it every other night using the Coco & Eve Applicator Mitt* all over, using the Weleda Skin Food* as a barrier around my ankles, knees, elbows and armpits and the Tan-Luxe The Water* as a spray on the tops of my feet and the backs of my hands. It’s a process, but one that I can now do in under 10 minutes a few times a week to keep up an even tan all over.

SHOP THE FAUX TANNERS EDIT*

HAIR REMOVAL

When it comes to hair removal – you do you boo. I’ve spoken more about hair removal tools in my ‘All Time Favourite Beauty Tools’ post, so I’ll try to keep this paragraph brief, but I couldn’t mention hair removal without giving a nod to the best discovery of them all – Tend Skin*. Think of it like aftershave for your bits. Splash this on wherever you struggle with ingrown hairs and they WILL. NOT. APPEAR. It’s really quite something. Thanks to this and my at-home IPL, my bikini line has been an irritation-free zone for the past few summers. Occasionally I splash it under my armpits too as in the heat I can get a little rashy under there and that too becomes far smoother and soothed. I’m getting a bit panicky because it’s no longer stocked like it used to be, but hey – don’t worry, I have backup(s).

SHOP THE HAIR REMOVAL EDIT*

SUMMER MAKEUP FAVES

I’m allllll about sheer texture when it comes to summer beauty. A light layer of base is all I ever do – if that (obvs with a shedload of SPF underneath). I’m enjoying the Giorgio Armani Neo Nude Glow Foundation* (ad – gifted), applied with fingers or a small amount applied with a brush for days when I do fancy a little coverage. The shade 3.5 is the best match for me. Concealer-wise I’m loving the RMS Un Cover-Up in 11*, which I either use as a concealer, or all over with nothing underneath to even out my redness. Whichever one I use I go over the top with the Fenty Beauty Freestyle Cheeks Out Bronzer in Butta Biscuit* to warm up my complexion and then often that’s me done, just with a little mascara and lip balm for my everyday WFH face. Nothing fancy and nothing that can’t be thrown on in five minutes or less.

SHOP THE SUMMER MAKEUP FAVES EDIT*

COOLING DOWN

Sometimes you just need to chill the F out and aside from standing in front of the fridge or your fan, I do have a few beauty tricks up my sleeve. The Avene Thermal Water* is a classic. I mean it’s basically water in a spray can which you could easily replicate yourself, but there are supposed skincare benefits and it’s such a nice one to have on you when you’re outside and you need an instant cool-down. WARNING: If you get this out around your friends, everyone within a 15 mile radius will want a spray. I do love putting all my Gua Sha and stone massage tools in the fridge too as they feel *incredible* when you’re a bit hot and puffy after a night of tossing and turning on top of your covers. As do the Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches*, which are a year round fridge staple for me. So soothing for itchy eyes and chilling out your orbital area.