Holiday Hot List
Nivea Q10 Firming Goodbye Cellulite Serum
Now, I’m a realist and believe that there is no cream/gel/serum on the market that will simply make my cellulite disappear (I wish). However, this little tube of serum really helps to improve the texture and smoothness of the skin on the back of my thighs and my bum and the fact that it’s a serum helps give the skin a dewy, thoroughly moisturised look. My skin feels so silky and smooth after I’ve been using it for just a couple of days and it really helps to improve my confidence when I slip into a bikini or a pair of shorts and for that reason (plus the great price tag!), this serum has made my holiday must-have list.
Sisley Phyto Touch Gel
This is sort of hideously expensive, but it is a fantastic pick-me-up for pale, lacklustre skin in need of a boost. It gives an instant glow and subtle shimmer, without looking too fake and without the commitment of an actual fake tan, as it does just wash off. I love coating myself in this before I slip into a maxi dress for dinner on a summer evening, it makes me feel extra special! If you would like a glow without taking out a loan to buy it, try Rimmel’s range of wash off tans, buy it in a light shade and moisturise first to dilute the colour, you’ll be left with a similar subtle glow for a lot less.
bareMinerals Bare Skin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation
I am in LOVE with this new foundation from bareMinerals. It’s light and extremely subtle – I don’t feel like I’m wearing a foundation! The light texture is perfect for the summer months and holidays because you don’t want to be wearing anything too heavy in the heat and summer is the one time of the year when I try and go a bit more natural with my look. This foundation is also SPF20, perfect for helping to protect your skin from those harmful holiday rays!
Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Body Lotion
This, in my opinion, is the queen of gradual tanning lotions. It actually smells lovely (not a whiff of biscuit) and it makes my skin feel DIVINE, seriously I can’t stop stroking my own legs after I’ve been applying it for a few days. The colour builds quite quickly, particularly if you’re as generous with it as I am, as with all new gradual tanning products though I would recommend applying a regular moisturiser before this if you’re a little afraid of the outcome. The colour really does build well and gives a nice golden glow that is ideal for pasty ladies braving a bikini for the first time this year (that’ll be me!) The only sort of negative I have for this is that when you stop using it it comes away in patches, but to be fair I haven’t come across a gradual tan that doesn’t and it can easily be solved with an exfoliator (Clinique Sparkle Skin is pretty good!)
Maybelline False Lash Effects Waterproof
I am a long term fan of this mascara. I first purchased it at my local Boots after school and fell in love instantly and I still wear it now. Having worked on the beauty pages of a wedding magazine I have tried my fair share of high and mid range mascaras (bareMinerals Lash Domination and Diorshow deserve a nod here) and I still think this little bargain is difficult to beat. I love the brush and how it lifts, lengthens and separates my lashes and the waterproof addition does. Not. Budge. So bring on the humidity, baby!
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Bronzer
The only thing I don’t like about this is the little semi circle brush that comes with it, throw it away and use a regular round bronzing brush, you won’t regret it. The tortoise shell packaging oozes sophistication and the colour is just lovely, particularly on olive skin tones. As the make-up artist at Estee Lauder advised me when I purchased this, apply it in a number 3 on each side of your face (the temples, down under the cheekbones and along the jawbone, got it?) and voila! You have a bronzed holiday face.
Benefit Coralista lipgloss
This rich coral gloss always comes with me when I go away and no wonder, the colour reminds me of tropical landscapes and tasty cocktails. It’s not particularly sticky like other glosses and stays put for quite a while, keep it on you though because you will need to top up, it hasn’t got the staying power of some lipstick/gloss combos that are out there. Despite this it’s still a holiday winner for me, inject some colour on a make-up free day at the beach or use it to vamp up the glamour at a romantic sunset dinner.
Beach fragrance by Bobbi Brown
Just one sniff of this and I’m transported to tropical climes. Around the end of May each year, I spritz myself with this blissful scent and it gets me all excited for summer. This fragrance will definitely be making its way into my suitcase at the weekend.
So that’s my holiday hot list, what are your favourite summer beauty products? I’d love to hear them!
