Summer Essentials

There are very few things that I could call 'essential when it comes to bodycare products. I am often satisfied with whatever is lying around, but these are the few things I'm loyal to and repurchase time after time. Some date as far back as childhood, others a few months but they all have literally saved my skin in this heatwave now turned monsoon.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion for Stretchmarks - £2.69
Ever since childhood, I've always used Palmer's Cocoa Butter in some form. From using the thick butter that came in a tub as a kid, to the concentrated tube form in my student days it's nice to be using a lighter paraben free formula without scrimping on the moisture. Plus, I've always loved the scent. Some stretch marks have faded over months of using this, but I do think they must be recent for this cream to make a real difference. Particularly after tanning and in the lead up to summer this became a godsend for me, I cannot rate it enough. 

Antipodes Resurrect Facial Toner - £18.98
A good alternative to the Caudalie Beauty Elixir for those with more normal skin. Without a hint of alcohol this will hydrate and rebalance the skin with its impressive organic ingredient list (water, lavender and sage are the first three on the list). In the hot weather this has been very refreshing to use during the day, whilst using this after Clarins Exfoliating Toner works as a great combination every second night. Yes, I've been taking Caroline Hirons' advice on toner, and since then my skin looks clearer and not much makeup is needed during the day. Perfect.     

Mitchum Advanced Control 48 Hour Deodorant - £2.89
I particularly despise using aerosols in any form, but many roll-on deodorants fall flat and I usually concede defeat around April time. I'd heard this brand mentioned on blogs, but I only saw it on the aisles of a massive Boots Store (Westfield if you were wondering) I probably shouldn't go on about a deodorant, but this doesn't leave white marks on dark clothes and allows you to wear light clothes without the fear of unsightly sweat patches.

Garnier Ambre Solaire Protection Lotion SPF30 -£6.14
Okay, I'll admit that I probably don't need SPF 30 but people of colour can still burn in the sun! In 2009 I went to see Blur's comeback gig in Hyde Park and stood in the crowd from about 1pm until 10pm. It wasn't until the next day when I saw the peeling skin on my shoulders and the redness on my back from wearing a cut-out dress. Never. Again.

This is one of the few body spfs that don't make me look ashy or leave a noticeable white cast after application, so I'm sticking to it. It protects from both UVA and UVB rays and I haven't been caught short since using it.

Anna Sui Flight of Fancy EDP 50ml -£22.95, get £12.50 for 30ml here
My signature scent, this just reminds me of summer. About 6/7 years ago I gave this to my mum for her birthday, and I loved it so much I ended up buying one for myself! Fresh and fruity, this has top notes of lemon and lychee whilst not smelling overtly feminine. On me, more of the musk and rose comes through making it much more alluring and subtle than the ostentatious bottle implies. An oldie but a goodie.

There are a few new discoveries that I still have to share, but it's only fair I sing the praises of these gems first, right? Stay tuned.

I'm not dead... I promise!

Well, I've been a bad blogger, haven't I? Sorry I haven't posted, it's been a mixture of not physically being able to submit anything through Blogger, moving back home and being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of beauty products I've accumulated!! I only have one face after all.

Update 1: I got my hair did! Considering that I've never been a fan of the poker straight look, I have been known to avoid the hairdressers for fear of being burned. But this time, I came out with a short bob and curled it loosely to give that messy tousled look.It probably didn't help that I'd been out in the wind and rain before I took this, it looks like I've been pulled through a hedge...

Update 2: My new makeup routine consists of mixing Revlon Colorstay in toast with YSL's Le Teint Touche Eclat, which seems to have solved the problem of using them individually. On its own, Colorstay gives full coverage,is very matte and this particular shade made my complexion look muddy. On the flipside, YSL's latest offering is very sheer and gives a dewy finish which doesn't last long on my skin. The shade B60 is my closest match despite it being too light for me (it leans more yellow than my skintone) so this compromise gives a more natural semi-matte finish. On my lips is MAC Syrup lipstick, which has become my new go-to nude.

EDIT: I forgot to mention what brush I used for my base as applying the Revlon Colorstay can be a bit tricky and it dries quickly on the face! I apply my foundation with the Real Techniques Stippling Brush as the duofibres allow you to work quickly whilst stippling the product onto your skin. Everyone's been raving about these brushes so I don't think another glowing review is necessarily needed, but before I bought this, I would use a standard foundarion brush and end up using too much product. The Stippling brush gives an even lightweight application without compromising on the coverage.

Update 3: There is SO much I forgot I had! After moving back into a box room, I've had to move everything into storage and it hasn't been easy. A vast amount of it is skincare from different parts of my skin journey, and makeup that I've tried, thought was so-so and cannot bring myself to throw it out. I'm trying to phase out buying so much by just using what I have, but the lack of funds hasn't stopped me compiling a list as long as my arm! Things forgotten include the Revlon Colourstay, SEVERAL nail polishes and my favourite perfume of all time Flight of Fancy by Anna Sui.

I was reminded by another favourite over at The Sunday Girl blog where the mere mention of the Bath and Bodyworks hand sanitisers made my start looking for my own collection. I have 3: Linen, Warm Vanilla Sugar and Fresh Lemon. I'll show you the Lemon one as it's the least battered of them all.

I love these as they're very dinky and handbag friendly without the horrible alcohol scent! Considering I went to America a year or two ago, it's a wonder I have any left at all...

Update 4: After umming and ahhing I decided to visit the BeautyMart at Harvey Nichols to eye up the skincare section and hoard lots of Bioderma. Unfortunately for me, they were sold out of the big bottles, so had to resort to getting the tiny one to test it out... so far so good. I was fairly restrained despite them having Weleda, Balance Me and other organic goodies in stock. As aforementioned I have more than enough skincare (but of course that doesn't stop me wanting to try more, sigh) so I only walked out with Bioderma and yet another polish. FYI, the samples you get are amazing, mine included an oil cleanser.

Whilst in there, I was complemented on my nails, do you like? The green polish is Going Incognito by Essie (pre-diffusion line) and the glittery one is a very pared down Edinburgh Gate by Nails Inc. This glitter polish is so chunky it can be passed off as a sequin mani if you layer it enough, but the combination of silver, green and red particles make it very versatile.

I have a few things planned, such as my Nails Inc Polish Collection, what's in my make-up bag and other fun stuff. Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to see.