5 Hot Weather Beauty Favourites

I can’t remember the last time we had a proper summer here in Wales.  And I’m not just  talking about a couple of lukewarm days here and there, but a real – “it’s way too hot to sleep”, “I’m sweating between my toes” – kind of summer, with weeks and weeks of genuinely hot weather.  It’s been a-mazing, but it’s also been a bit of a shock to the system when the usual programming involves 365 days of tepid Welsh drizzle.  So, a bit of a shake up of the ol’ beauty routine is definitely in order when your makeup’s literally melting off your face and the agoraphobic pins are on suddenly show every day.

With that in mind, here are five beauty bits and bobs I’ve been reaching for every day during this heatwave (long may it sizzle!). 🙂

1. Simple’s De-Stress Sheet Mask

Not gonna lie, it took me a while to get on board with the whole sheet mask beauty trend; Sunny still says I look like a burn victim/Hannibal Lecter every time I prance around in one and I’m not 100% sure they make a massive difference compared to the more traditional face masks I’ve got stocked in my bathroom cupboard (The Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask and the Liz Earle Intensive Nourishment Mask are still my top two), but damn it, they do feel good – especially during hot weather.  I picked up a couple of Simple’s sheet masks (I like the Rich Moisture Mask and the De-Stress Mask) from Tesco and ended up going back for more because they’re cheap and kind on sensitive skin, but more than anything else I really enjoy the cooling, soothing feeling I get when I wear one.  Plus if you keep them in the fridge they’re great to pop on when you’re feeling a bit hot and bothered. 🙂

2. Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer

I LOVE this stuff; my skin drinks it up like a sixteen year old slurping down their first WKD (sorry, Liz; I’m sure that’s the branding you were going for…).  Except, this toner isn’t going to stain your lips blue.  I’ve got sensitive skin that’s prone to some wide open pores, acne and rosacea – the unholy trinity of skin complaints – and this little bottle of holy water always seems to calm things down.  It hydrates, brightens and shrinks my pores – plus, it smells lovely.  It’s also perfect to stick in your handbag on a hot day whenever you need a little refresh.  (I also love L’Occitane’s Essential Face Water)

3. Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse

I can’t pronounce it to save my life, but oh baby, I like to think of this stuff as sexy, French je ne sais quoi bottled.  It’s basically a multipurpose dry oil (lightweight and not too greasy) that you can use to nourish not only your face and body, but also your hair – so it’s perfect for prickly, sunburnt legs and frazzled summer tresses.  Some people like to pour a little in their bath water or spray it onto their hair brush, but I like to just spray it on after I’ve showered to moisturize my skin and add a bit of a summery glow.  I feel like the scent is either a love it or hate it kind of fragrance – it’s kind of musky and old fashioned – but personally, I love it.

4. Make Up Forever Ultra HD Microfinishing Loose Powder

I used to steer clear of powders when it came to makeup because I was afraid of either drying out my skin or piling too much on – plus I tend to prefer a glowy look rather than the matte, chalkboard-look most powders create.  But in hot weather a setting powder is a must if you don’t want to look like a sad clown by lunchtime.  The Make Up Forever Finishing Powder works really hard to keep everything stuck in place without you even really knowing it’s there.  It’s talc-free so doesn’t dry out your skin, and also combats shine and mattifies without taking away that healthy summery glow.  A smidge on the pricey side, but a total knockout product if you want to splurge on something that really works.

5. Bourjois Healthy Mix Anti-Fatigue Blurring Primer

I’ve been using Bourjois’ Healthy Mix foundation for years and so when my Clarins Beauty Flash Balm ran out just before the heatwave, I set out on the hunt for a cheaper alternative to help combat sweaty makeup slidy face (…That’s the technical term, yes). So I decided to give the Healthy Mix Primer a try, and d’you know what?  It’s pretty good.  It’s obviously not going to punch as hard as Clarins, but it does do a decent job of smoothing out any redness and fine lines, and applies nicely under the Healthy Mix Foundation.  It’s a small tube, yes, but I never feel like I need to apply a lot – plus, it’s handy for popping in your carry-on if you want to feel a bit more human once you’re off the plane.

What beauty products do you reach for during a heatwave? 🙂

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