Summer Makeup Base

During the summer months, I don't necessarily ease up on the amount of makeup products I use; rather I reach for products that leave a more natural and fresh finish to the skin. And over the last month, I’ve found myself using five products, all of which are easy to wear, effortless to apply and help to create the perfect summer makeup base.

MAC Cosmetics Strobe Cream £24.50
Post base I like to apply a little MAC Strobe Cream, which for those of you who don’t know is a moisturiser fully loaded with vitamins and iridescent particles. Now, I may be a little late to the party on this one, but this stuff is the ultimate quick fix. I like to apply a small amount all over my face, avoiding my nose and my somewhat flat, dull complexion is instantly illuminated. 

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream £26.00
I very rarely wear foundation during the summer (I don't fancy melting makeup). So instead I opt for something with a lightweight coverage like the bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream. Not only does this base allow my skin to breathe, it also has a SPF of 30, which is a big bonus. This gel cream evens out my skin tone and leaves a lovely healthy glow. On seriously steamy days, I've been adding a light dusting of powder (to stop things looking so sweatyesque), using either my bareMinerals Original Foundation, which also offers a little extra coverage, or the Hourglass Ambient Light Powder In Diffused, which adds a little extra luminescence. 

Bourjois Bronzing Primer £9.99
The product that’s been helping me to bronze believably is the Bourjois Bronzing Primer. I’ve had this product tucked away in my collection for quite some time and I can’t believe I hadn’t tried it sooner! Dubbed as a dupe for the Soleil Tan De Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base (primarily due to the fact it’s the only drugstore alternative), this bronzing mousse can be worn alone, under, or on top of your base. I like to buff a small amount onto the points of my face where the sun naturally hits (forehead, nose, cheeks and chin) after I’ve applied my bareMienrals Complexion Rescue. It warms up my complexion, smoothing over my skin and further helps to even out my skin tone. 

Stila Convertible Color Dual Lip & Cheek Cream £16.00
Don’t be intimidated by the Stila Convertible Color Dual Lip & Cheek Creams they are b-e-a-u-tiful! I have the shade ‘Gerbera’ which is a very pigmented punchy peachy colour, but once applied looks ever so natural. So I don’t over apply the product (which is easily done) I like to I warm up the product on the back of my hand and then use my ring finger to tap the colour onto my cheeks upwards along the cheekbones. Due to its creamy texture, it blends beautifully and adds a little moisture, leaving a sheeny (dewy like) finish, without feeling sticky or tacky on the skin. It’s perfect at awakening and brightening my complexion and lasts incredibly well. 

Benefit Watt's Up! Soft Focus Highlighter For Face £24.50
To optimise dewiness I like to add a highlighter to the tops of my cheekbones and to achieve this I’ve been wearing Benefit’s Watt’s Up! Soft Focus Highlighter. The champagne cream stick appeared way back here on BBA and is one of my all time favourite highlighters (besides the ridiculous sponge applicator). It applies smoothly onto the skin and the creaminess makes it effortless to blend with my fingers. Its finish is far glossier than the likes of a powder highlighter and it offers a gorgeous glow, that’s super flattering on the skin. 

What's your current summer makeup base routine? 
Emily
Mini Feel Unique Haul & First Impressions

It goes without saying I didn't need any more makeup. But after spending the morning catching up on YouTube videos and scrolling through my Bloglovin’ feed, I felt a sudden urge to spend and soon after I found myself online (having found a discount code) at feelunique.com filling my basket with beauty products and checking out £41.22 later...

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner In Intense Black £13.00
Come autumn/winter liquid liner is my thing, I wear it day in and day out. But finding the right product to keep my feline flicks in place has been somewhat of a makeup mission. Although I’ve been after the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner for sometime, I’m yet to make a Sephora order. So in the meantime I thought I’d try the much-coveted Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner. With a thin felt tip nib and a waterproof formula, this eyeliner boasts potential. However, on first application, although pigmented and easy to apply along the lash line, the tip of the nib has frayed and I presume has been damaged in the lid, making it beyond impossible to create feline flicks. Maybe I have a faulty product? But it goes without saying; I’m a little disappointed. What’s your favourite eyeliner? 

That’s right I’m guilty of picking up yet another coral toned lipstick. Very much a spur of the moment purchase the Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick In ‘Streak' is a welcomed addition to my ever growing lipstick collection. Described as a ‘coral pink’, this lipstick from Urban Decay has wonderful colour payoff, leaving a creamy shine on the lips. The lightweight formula is easy to wear and instantly brightens my complexion and the packaging doesn’t disappoint either. I can’t believe I hadn’t bought one sooner.

Very much a Lily Pebbles enabled purchase. The Stila Aqua Glow Watercolour Blush is unlike any blush I own. Stila famous for their cream blushers has thrown a new blush into the mix with a water based, gel formula. And this gold, peachy pink blush is certainly one of a kind. Encased in a little pot with a gold lid, the mesh-touch dispenser is of a similar design to the Make Up For Ever HD Powder. When applied it feels weightless and instantly adds luminosity to the skin. 

Have you tried any of these products?
Emily
St. Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion
Fake tan and water are usually a no go, so I was obviously intrigued when I heard about St. Tropezs newest innovation, a unique gradual fake tan designed to be applied in the shower, on wet skin! It's no surprise that since it’s release, the St. Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion has become St. Tropez’s fastest selling product to date, but is it worth the hype?

To be honest it all sounded a little too good to be true, a patent pending formulation that activates on clean, wet skin, in just three minutes?! But being the beauty addict I am, I hunted high and low for a bottle of the stuff, which admittedly proved a little difficult. I dragged my boyfriend around numerous Boots stores and ended up buying a bottle online instead. 

The in shower lotion is packed with 100% natural bronzing agents (paraben, sulphate and phthalate-free) and is very easy to apply. Following my usual shower routine, I turn off the shower and apply the lotion to wet skin in circular motions. The creamy formula feels moisturising and lathers nicely, gliding evenly over my skin. I then wash my hands and stand butt naked for all of 3 minutes. After the 3 minutes are up, I simply rinse it off with warm water. Now keep in mind this is a gradual tan, if you want to step out the shower looking like you’ve spent the last 2 weeks in the Bahamas, then this  fake tan won’t be for you (maybe St. Tropez will release a deeper shade?). However, after a couple of applications a nice streak-free bronzed glow developed. And my pasty pins couldn’t of been more grateful for the post holiday tan top up! However, I do find that depending on how much you apply, you can be left smelling like a cooking biscuit. But it’s not too offensive. 

Overall, the St. Topez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion (£14.50) is ideal for first time tanners and those with paler skin tones. It eliminates both the mess and fear out of fake tanning and develops so subtly that you can’t go wrong. For a fast and easy way to get a safe glow, the 3 minutes of naked coldness are totally worth it.

Have you tried the St. Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion yet?
Emily
Beauty Product Empties #3
I’m feeling very pleased with myself this morning as I introduce the 3rd instalment of my beauty product empties here on BBA. I've continued to restrain myself from splurging in the aisles of Boots and as a result I’ve been finishing beauty products far more frequently. So it’s about time I give you the lowdown on what I’ve finished and let you know if they are worthy of a repurchase.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Body Wash £6.00
The Body Shop Tea Tree range is by far my favourite of the Body Shop’s offerings. Along with my trusty Tea Tree Oil, the Body Shop Tea Tree Body Wash is a product I frequently repurchase. The gel body wash is my go-to for removing post workout grime and helps to keep any pesky body blemishes at bay. For best lathering results, I like to squeeze a little onto my body polisher and work all over my body. You can read more about The Body Shop Tea Tree Range here. 

Champneys Spa Indulgence Exotic Retreat Shower Cream £8.00
I’m sad to say I have finally come to the end of my Champneys Spa Shower Cream. Featured in my May Beauty Favourites, this shower cream containing coconut milk and mango butter cleansers, leaves my skin soft to touch and smells simply divine. It lathers up well, with or without a body polisher and has helped to calm my Keratosis Pilaris, which has been at rife in current heat wave here in the UK. It goes without saying I will be picking up another bottle. 

Champneys Spa Indulgence Distant Shores Body Scrub £10.00
Having been impressed with the Champneys Spa Shower Cream & Body Butter, I soon after purchased the body scrub and I wasn’t left disappointed. Unlike other body scrubs I have tried, it has a gel-like texture and doesn’t leave an oily residue on the skin. I like that it isn’t too abrasive - it’s just right. It smells yummy, which is down to it’s blend of grapefruit, lemon and orange peel oils and mango and passion fruit extracts (*thumbs up*). Another product to add to my Boots shopping list! 

Moroccanoil Extra Volume Shampoo And Conditioner £42.25
Come payday I will be gritting my teeth as I treat myself to full sized Moroccanoil Extra Volume Shampoo & Conditioner. I’m hooked. Not only on the scent, but the fact this stuff really works. Moroccan oil offers volume from the roots without weighing it down. It’s also super nourishing and leaves my hair more manageable. It is by far the best shampoo and conditioner I’ve had the pleasure of sharing my shower with. 

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil £10.00
Bad packaging aside, The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil is one to try this month. Massaged onto dry skin, this cleanser turns into a milky oil, treating and cleansing the skin. Its effortless and inexpensive and my favourite drugstore cleanser to date. Read my full review here

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Power Serum £22.50
Thanks to Sali Hughes I have found the product to battle skin dehydration. One pump onto cleansed skin does the trick. It immediately takes away that tight feeling, leaving my skin plumper and visibly smoother. It can be used alone, or before moisturiser and yes, I instantly bought another bottle. It has achieved holy-grail status in my skincare lineup! You can read my full review here

Simple Kind To Skin Micellar Cleansing Water £4.49
Here in the UK we’re now spoilt for choice when choosing micellar water. Near enough every skincare brand offers cleansing water and with that in mind, I decided to try something new. I had high hopes for the Simple Kind To Skin Micellar Cleansing Water. And unfortunately I was left a little disappointed. Not only is the product overpriced costing £4.49 for 200ml, it didn’t remove my makeup as well as the likes of the Garnier Micellar Water. Whilst making my way through this bottle (rather quickly) I opted to use the ALDI 3 in 1 Facial Cleansing Wipes, which I much preferred.

What products have you finished up recently? 
Emily
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