Beauty On Location: Water Skiing

Those fellow water skiers amongst you will know that the optimum water ski is when the water is completely flat, usually early in the morning, which means it's hello to the early starts. Getting out of bed that early is such a task that I rarely do anything makeup wise. For the sake of this post I decided to slap on a few more products than usual, but let me assure you, this won't happen again - that extra five minutes of sleep is far too important for me      

Some of Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection SPF 50 was applied with some Make Up For Ever Waterproof Concealer under my eyes and over any redness. Fekkai Silky Straight Ironless Serum was run thoughout my hair to avoid any frizz with a couple of spritz's of L'Oreal Matt & Messy Spray for some beachy texture. For sun protection Instiut Estederm was applied on my body. Lastly, to add some definition to my eyes I ran my lashes over with Max Factor False Lash Effect Waterproof.

Not too much here, but that's what these posts are all about and on this occasion it was very little!

Beauty On Location: The Beach!

It's not often I venture out to the beach, I'm more partial to sitting in the comfort of my own home totally sunscreened up looking all white and greasy      
Minimal products only here, of course going to the beach means sunglasses are on which rules out eye makeup, and knowing me they are massively oversized which also rules out quite a bit of face products causing me to only reach for concealer!

When I'm not applying too much on my face I like to apply something really lovely to my nails to make myself feel a little more polished. Beachy makeup isn't really my thing, it gets sweated off (lovely) or washed away by the sea water, this 'On Location' post is a little more than what's included on my face, it includes hair nails and body too! 

Nails

- Essie Tart Deco - a gorgeous bright peach that really enhances a tan

Body

- For some sun protection I've been using Institut Estederm Adapta sun (post here) which doesn't work like a typical sun protection with SPF but instead uses ingredients to help your skin adapt to its environment. I've still got a little left in my UV InCellium Spray which I'm using as a refresher whilst tanning (post here)

Face

- Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection SPF 50 PA+++ o (post here) for some sun protection as it leaves absolutely no white residue on my face and leaves a lovely matte finish. Followed by Make Up For Ever Waterproof Concealer on any blemishes or redness (post here) 

Hair

- Alright so my hair is a little on the frizzy side in this humidity and to combat that I use Fekkai Silky Straight Ironless Serum and a little bit of Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray to enhance beachy waves and add some texture and volume. If the wind causes some out of control knots a little spritz of Klorane Leave In Detangler will sort that out. 

The dress I'm wearing was a market find from Ibiza and I'm in love with it! It's probably my most worn item this summer, something that's so easy to throw on and will go with anything      

What do you wear to the beach?

Loves Of The Month: July

I've become a bit more religious with my skincare routine this month, trying to take everything back to basics and learning a little more about what goes into my products. That said I've decided to turn to my favourite brand, Ren which are now the majority of my skincare routine. I've only been using my new bits for a week so it's too soon to tell but I will be sure to let you ladies know! In the meantime here's what I've been loving this month...

Neal's Yard Bee Lovely Hand Cream

Part of their new Bee Lovely range and my favourite item is the Neal's Yard Bee Lovely Hand Cream. It's not sticky, really moisturising and smells incredible. Neal's Yard will be donating 5% of sales to charities that support awareness of the decline in our precious pollinators too!

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Cleansing Balm

I've raved about my love for cleansing balms, how the don't strip the skin and remove makeup easily here but the Amazing Face Cleansing Balm is my latest favourite, purely because of the scent! It doesn't sting eyes too which means it can be used all over the face and removes makeup with such ease.

Ojon Dry Recover Conditioner - post here

I was more than happy to return back to my favourite condition after the ends of my hair drying out a little on holiday. This is by far the favourite conditioner I have ever used! Smells amazing, really nourishing and helps detangle hair easily.

Institut Estederm UV Incellium Bronzant & Adaptasun - post here & here

My usual tanning routine every summer consists of Institut Estederm but this time I added UV InCellium Bronzant into the mix, which claims to adapt your skin to the sun and prepare it for the rays. I don't want to speak too soon but so far so good - I didn't burn!

Melvita Eye Makeup Remover - post here

With all this waterproof mascara I'm applying I've been reaching for Melvita which removes it with such ease and there's no need to rub and tug against my eyes!

Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti Blemish Mask

I'm not sure what's happening to my skin at the moment, if it's just being a bit hormonal or I haven't properly been removing all the SPF I've been wearing but I've come out with a few blemishes. Something that I've been dabbing on them overnight is the Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti Blemish Mask which seems to be doing a good job of keeping them at bay whilst reducing redness.

Instutue Estederm Pure System Shine Control Fluid - post here

As it's been a little hotter I've been a little shinier so I've been reaching for a mattifying primer, I've raved about this fully here, but it's gel texture really helps keep shine at a minimum and is a perfect base for foundation

Yes To Carrots Body Butter - post here

This was an outstanding body butter that came in a Travel Essentials set from Yes To and the full size has already been added to my list as it's really nourishing, not sticky and dries matt so there's no need for waiting around before putting clothes on!

Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturiser

I'm still in two minds about this product, yes it's amazing, gives flawless coverage, lasts well throughout the day but is it worth the price tag of £55? I'm still deciding but for now it's my go-to summer product that I've been reaching for everyday for its weightless finish and healthy glow. 

Dior DiorSkin Nude Tan Powder - post here

For when I don't want to cake myself in powder but just add a light sweeping this is what I've been reaching for, very light in texture and gives a flawless finish - love!

Lancome Hypnose Star - post here

I'm definitely one for thick dramatic lashes and my latest discovery - Lancome Hypnose Star has been gracing my lashes for the majority of this month. It's very similar to my favourite mascara Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill (post here) but a tad more dramatic. 

What have you been loving this month?

My Makeup: The Summertime Face

I've been reaching for different products in this heat over the past week, my beloved tinted moisturiser, some long lasting concealer that's slightly more coverage and a beautiful eyeshadow palette I've raved about a hundred and one times. Something really strange happened this week - I didn't reach for blush. I think that's partly because I've been slapping on more highlighter than usual and trying to embrace some summer glow. Don't worry I haven't totally ditched powder, that still goes down the centre of my face where I get a little shinier. I've also rediscovered one of my all time favourite lip glosses, as there's no way I can carry around a lipstick in this heat, it would just melt away!

Skin

- To avoid having a makeup meltdown I've been applying some primer, my sister has ran away with my beloved Estee Lauder Matt Perfecting Primer so I've been using another favourite, Insitut Estederm Pure System Shine Control Fluid (post here)

- I've then reached for my favourite tinted moisturiser with slightly more coverage, Chantecaille Just Skin in the shade glow with some Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer around my nose, under my eyes and on any redness with a quick dusting of Bare Minerals Matte Powder down the centre of my face 

- For cheeks I've been applying some Une Healthy Glow Mineral Powder in H07 with some Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in a new shade, Moonstone, but more on this at a later date!

Eyes

- I've been applying some gold shimmer shades from the Estee Lauder Bronze Sands Palette followed by some L'Oreal and lashings of Lancome Hypnose Star (post here)

Lips

- Fallen back in love with Chantecaille Brilliant Gloss in Lucky (post here) It's the perfect summer shade!

What have you been loving this week?

Prepping The Skin For Summer Sun

I've never really gotten into a tanning routine before as it's something I found very tedious and extremely dull - eventhough I love the effect of being bronzed I just can't bring myself to sit and bake for an entire day. As I haven't been in the sun since christmas time this year I thought I would try something new to prepare my skin for seeing the sun... the tan promoters as I like to call them.

First up, my body. For this I've been reaching for Institut Esthederm Uv inCellium Spray. It's a water spray which contains ingredients that helps skin adapt to it's environment by preparing your skin for sun exposure by boosting its natural defences. It also encourages melanin production so my skin hopefully won't have a panic attack and burn when I lay in the Ibiza sun. I've been using it all over my body morning and evening as it's actually surprisingly moisturising! The scent reminds me of summer too which just adds to the anticipation! 

For my face I've been using By Terry Serum Terrybly Sun Booster, which doesn't include DHA (the fake tan ingredient) but instead claims to use the skins mechanisms to develop natural pigmentation and create a glowing, natural tan. It acts as a great base for makeup as it's a gel texture and dries matt, as well as smelling amazing!

Having sensitive skin, especially when in the sun I've also been reaching for some A84 Peptide-6 Pro-Melanin by a great brand,  Etat Pur. It's made for preparing sensitive skin for exposure to the sun as well as helping the skin protect itself against harmful UV rays. It's really moisturising, unscented and very lightweight. Being unscented and non-sticky it's perfect before leaving the house as I can just slap it on without waiting to get dressed or the scent interfering with my perfume.

If I feel like this all needs a bit of a top up I've grabbed some Guerlain Terracotta Serum Tan Prolonging Serum which is more if you've already got a tan so I'll be saving that one for the actual holiday.

Does this stuff work miracles? The jury is still out on that one...only time will tell!

Have you ever used tan promoters?

Currently Loving: Setting Sprays

I'm definitely a matt finish girl when it comes to the foundation routine, I absolutely hate looking shiny and as matt skin suits me best I always tend to lean towards matt foundations as well as set my foundation with powder. Saying that however, sometimes the matt look can appear a bit unnatural, especially in day time. Instead of totally skipping out powder I like to finish off with spraying my face with some sort of spray to get rid of that matt effect that can look a bit cakey. There are a couple of setting sprays which I've been using, some which are just classified as mists which I use to get rid of that powdery look and some that are designed to ensure makeup lasts longer.

Firstly a couple from Urban Decay, The All Nighter Setting Spray and the De-Slick Oil Control Setting Spray, both which are made by the queen of setting sprays, Skindinavia, which Makeup Artists claim to be the best of the best. Neither of them smell of anything in particular and just a couple of spritzes over the face to set makeup in place and get a balance between matt and dew. I also spritz the All Nighter Spray on my Beauty Blender Sponge (link) when I use it to set makeup with powder as opposed to using water for extra long-lasting benefits!

One I use as a toner as well as a spray is The Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist which also contains rosewater (which I love) as well as smelling lovely and refreshing.

The two I turn to when I've over powdered, are Mac Fix+ and Avene Thermal Water are basically just fancy waters. Mac Fix+ claims to make makeup adhere to skin longer which I personally didn't notice any difference with but use it for those days where I've over powdered and want to take it back a notch. I wouldn't rush to repurchase it as it's basically an expensive glorified water. However the Avene Thermal Water I would as it comes in handy - especially when I'm tanning an get a bit hot      

I get out a very special one in summer, the Institut Esthederm UV In Cellium which is a water spray that helps skin adapt to the sun. If you're familiar with Esthederm products you'll know all their sun care work this way of adapting the skin to the conditions which is why they are my go-to sun care brand every summer! I've also picked up a mini one for my handbag! The smell reminds me of summer too mmm

Clearly I'm a bit obsessed with setting sprays at the moment! Do you use setting sprays? Which ones are you favourite?