Forget baking, false lashes and layers of lipgloss. In summer, the most appealing and flattering beauty look is one involving minimal makeup – it's all about glowing skin, bright eyes and a fresh face. Though a little vitamin D can be good for the skin and even better for your mood, it's important to look after your skin before summer arrives to ensure that your complexion is clear, calm and ready for the sun.
We've said it before but we'll say it again: your skin is 64% water so when you’re dehydrated, it will look considerably less plump and products will go on less smoothly. Of course you can fake a flawless face with makeup but you'll appreciate it in the long run if you give your skin a little more TLC. Here are the items to add to your beauty repertoire to ensure your skin is in perfect nick for the sunny months.
An Exfoliator
The beauty world is divided on the benefits of an exfoliator. Some argue that scrubs tackle dry skin and oily build ups best but we're of the belief that overly grainy exfoliators are too abrasive and actually aggravate the skin making problematic areas worse. Step away from those rough scrubs and pick up Dr Nick Lowe's acclenz Pore Refining Facial Polish instead.
This is an ultra-fine exfoliator, which clears away excess oil and sweat without traumatising your skin. Formulated with gentle yet effective environmentally friendly exfoliating particles, after a few uses your skin will be revitalised as it actively encourages skin cell shedding whilst preparing the skin for application of other treatment products. Hello glow.
A Face Spray
Whenever you need some instant refreshment and reinvigoration mist yourself with this cult classic, adored by the beauty blogosphere. Low in minerals and rich in silica, the Avène Thermal Spring Water is clinically proven to be naturally calming and anti-irritating. It's also a great triple-threat product to carry in your bag when you've had too much sun and need something to soothe sunburn, set your makeup or freshen up your face at the end of the day.
Avène Eau Thermale Spray Cans, £10, available at Look Fantastic
Say so long to dehydration with this skin saver. Caudalie's Grape Water is made from 100% natural organic grapes and doesn't contain any additives or synthetic fragrances that might irritate your skin. Nourish your face by spritzing liberally all over your face throughout the day.
A Booster
- PROMO FEATURE -
In April, Clarins released three ultra-concentrated boosters to target a variety of skincare concerns and we road-tested the new range to see the results ourselves. Fast forward a month and we're all hooked to those teeny tubes of magic. The Repair Booster, enriched with extract of Mimosa Tenuiflora, a medicinal plant used in the millennia-old Mayan tradition for its regenerating properties, is specifically designed to target damaged skin. So if your skin is suffering from the effects of exposure to extreme climates, chlorinated water or even sunburn, the Repair Booster is perfect for you. Simply add a couple of drops into your favourite face cream, mask or foundation and see your complexion improve drastically before your very eyes.
An Uneven Skintone Corrector
When you want to go makeup free, scars left behind from former blemishes and pigmentation marks might put you off from baring your natural beauty. But this award-winning product helps reduce the appearance of dark spots, age spots and traces of a blemish past.
An SPF
If you invest in one product it ought to be SPF. Even if Blighty only has a fortnight of summer, those rays can still damage your skin and cause long-term results. Dr. Jart’s new UV Illuminating SPF 36 goes one step further than you typical sunscreen. While protecting you from UVA and UVB rays, it also brightens up your face with micro opal pearls that give you a radiant glow all your friends will notice.
An Illuminator
And of course it's not all about the face as it's likely that your limbs will be on show this summer too. thisworks Perfect Legs Sculpt & Shine is an luxurious, lightweight roll-on lotion that improves the look and feel of rough, dry skin on your legs, arms and décolletage with a unique blend of potent skincare actives whilst natural illuminating powders contour your limbs. Supermodel legs in a bottle. Yes please.
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