In terms of summer make up I tend to wear a lot less when the warmer weather kicks in. I'm a big advocate of keeping my face out of the sun, but I really love a healthy sun kissed glow. These days it's so easy to achieve that perfect shade of golden without a ray of sun in sight, and with a myriad of products on the market, here are a pick of my personal bunch of favourites.
FACIAL SELF TANNERS.
I've tried a lot, and without doubt the one that comes out tops for me is Chanel Soleil Identite. It is expensive, but you only need a dot, and like a lot of other facial tanners it doesn't cling to imperfections, dry your skin out or go into your pores.
SOLEIL IDENTITE
Less expensive, but still gives a natural even looking light glow, is the Clarins Eau-Lactee Auto-Bronzante self tanning milk. Specially formulated for the face and decollete, so it's a very light, and also has the gorgeous Clarins skincare fragrance. Plus you get a whopping 125mls which will last you the whole summer.
EAU LACTEE AUTO-BRONZANTE
TINTED MOISTURIZERS.
Foundation in the summer really doesn't work for me, but I'm a big fan of tinted moisturisers. The one I can't without, and have used for years is by Laura Mercier, it has an SPF of 20, and put simply it is the best.
TINTED MOISTURIZER
Bobbi Brown always does natural so well. Her Tinted Moisturising Balm with an SPF of 25 has the lightest coverage I have ever found. It feels like it's doing your skin good, smells divine, and is perfect for my dehydrated summer skin.
TINTED MOISTURIZING BALM
ILLUMINATORS AND BRONZERS.
When I haven't had enough sleep, and my skin looks a little under par, I always reach for Nars illuminator in orgasm. It's a cult favourite for all the right reasons, and a little goes a long way. I've tried using something less expensive, but it's not nearly as good.....Any suggestions welcome?
ORGASM ILLUMINATOR £23 NARS
This product was a new discovery for me this year, after reading so many amazing reviews. It's unlike traditional bronzers, (which can make you look as if you have fallen in a glitter pot) it's virtually undetectable on your skin, and does exactly what Hourglass say......'Radiant light is a sun-kissed golden beige powder that enhances the overall complexion with believable, subtle warmth, and extends a summer glow'. I gulped when I handed over my credit card to the girl in Liberty's for this one, but now I'm converted.
AMBIENT LIGHTING POWDER IN RADIANT LIGHT £38
In summer when I don't wear much make up, but want to
look half decent, a swoosh of bronzer really helps. Without doubt,
Bobbi Browns are hard to beat.
SHIMMERING OIL.
I have used this Nuxe dry oil since I can't remember, and I dare you not to love it too?....The fragrance is pure South of France in a bottle. Lot's of alternatives on the market, but for me there is nothing like this gorgeous golden original. It's a true summer multi tasker, I mix a little in with my tinted moisturizer when I want to up the glam, and you can even use it on your hair as well!
HUILE PRODIGIEUSE FROM £17
Finally one of my favourite discoveries over the past year has been beauty guru industry insider Caroline Hirons amazingly informative skincare blog. In fact I would go so far as to say, it has completely revolutionised my skincare regime (sounds like another post coming up?) If I'm honest when I first started reading her advice I was a bit of a cynic, but even after a few basic changes (i.e. bin the make-up wipes and double cleanse properly) my skin has really changed, and looks glowy and looks fresh again, even when I'm knackered! If you haven't found 'Queen Caroline' yet, waste no time, apart from her wealth of knowledge she is also hugely entertaining on her You Tube channel. It will change the way you think about looking after your skin forever.....I promise!