One of my favourite things about summer is how much lighter everything becomes. Chunky knits are replaced with flowing silk and soft cotton, the evenings feel like they could go on forever and our moods are lifted to dizzy heights as we thrive in all that glorious vitamin D. It’s a concept I can’t help but apply to my beauty regime as I push my heavy duty bases and trusty contour aside and rely on that gorgeous glow summer skin that can only come from warmer days.
When the sun comes out and the temperatures climb, it’s tinted moisturisers, everyday tan and highlighter you could spot across the room, that I reach for on the daily. Suddenly, protection, hydration and enhancing become my make-up MO with minimal effort and maximum effect. Gone are the days where I bake my skin in the midday sun (and curse myself for ever doing it) – instead, you’ll find me in the shade with a big hat and factor 50 by my side until 3pm. But with golden, dewy skin as my summer MO, I rely on a couple of products that help me fake the sun kissed look in a couple of easy steps.
BODY BLUR, VITA LIBERATA
As one of my all-time natural tanning brands, Vita Liberata have really pulled it out of the bag with this product. A self tan and instant skin perfector in one, it’s made for the days when you either don’t want to wear make-up or find yourself caught in a heatwave and need a hint of colour stat! Free from nasties and without that horrible fake tan smell, it’s tinted golden hue makes it totally fool-proof, even for self tan novices. I use this instead of foundation on warmer days when I have to leave the house and won’t have time to tan. It comes in a light, medium or dark option and is great to pack on holiday for a tan boost.
GLOWING SKIN PERFECTOR, DR LANCER
The name pretty much says it all and since I started using this last year, it’s become a staple in my glowy summer skin kit. Created by renowned LA skin expert, Dr Lancer, the light and creamy formula is infused with Oat Kernel Extract to help brighten the complexion while the Evodia Fruit and Buchu Leaf Extracts firm and tone the skin on application. It smells like coconuts, is sheer enough to wear on hot days but gives just the right amount of coverage to wear alone without looking greasy and blurs all imperfections straight away whilst giving all high points on the face this beautiful sheen. A total winner.
FAKE TAN BRONZING BOOSTER, NIP + FAB
I consider myself a seasoned fake tanner – we’ve gone steady for a good 15 years and I’ve tried a huge array of brands and products in that time. But when I heard that Nip + Fab had created a formula containing glycolic acid, I was intrigued. A self tan that also contains an exfoliating ingredient? How on earth does that work? But work it does. And very well I might add. Packed with vitamin E, it nourishes the skin whilst giving it a subtle golden tint and ensures an even finish without any effort whatsoever.
I mixed a couple of droplets into my tinted moisturiser which gave my face a beautiful dewy sheen, and after just an hour I could see a slight change in colour with the most natural finish. It was like I’d just spent the day at the beach – it was a brown-red hue rather than a brown-orange colour giving it this beautiful, gradual finish. A must for gorgeous summer skin.
HEALTHY GLOW POWDER, GIVENCHY
Whenever I travel, I need beauty products that can multitask – not only to make getting ready easier but also to free up valuable space in my case (I’m a serial over-packer). This is why Givenchy’s impossibly beautiful limited edition powder is taking centre stage in my summer skin edit this season. A highlighter and bronzer in one, its marbled effect provides a sunny shimmery veil on the skin for a healthy-looking complexion and a subtle pearly finish.
I usually have a strict no powder rule in the summer, but when the formula is this lightweight, it gives my face this stunning glow without caking or blocking pores. With two shades to choose from, I opted for the pink one as it means I can use it with or without a tan and it won’t look too much.
TAN BOOSTER, CLARINS
I’ve become incredibly picky about self tan on my face. Reserved for my skincare portions and retinol galore, I find most self tan formulas drying and quick to disappear. So, when my pale English skin is too much to bear, I squeeze three drops of Clarins tan booster into my everyday moisturiser for an amazing pick-me-up. Granted, it smells quite strong at first as it’s super concentrated but once it’s on, it’s untraceable and can develop easily throughout the day or night.
By incorporating it into my usual routine, my skin doesn’t suffer and it means that I don’t need to skip a day (unless it’s retinol which wouldn’t work) of skincare.
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