Summer Skincare Picks 2014

This time last week I gave you my nail polish picks for Summer 2014, fast forward a week and I'm giving you my skincare picks instead. Seeing a pattern? Yuhuh. Stayed tuned for a lipstick selection soon too... ooh such a tease!

Like many, I tend to switch up my skincare each season and come summer it's no different. I opt for lighter formulas of various lotions and potions over the thicker stuff I favoured in the unforgiving winter months. To cleanse my skin I'll be reaching for The Body Shop's Camomile Cleansing Butter. It's super soft and feels incredibly soothing on the skin which is perfect for those days when things get a little hot and sticky and you need to give your skin a little TLC. I've already spoke about my love of this after a sweaty gym session. Hot weather can have the same effect and irritation as central heating does in winter so it's always best to treat it gently and ease as redness with something like this balm.

To further soothe the skin, the Rose Hydrate Intense Moisture Mask from Super Facialist by Una Brennan is perfect. I've spoke of my love for this entire range including this mask before and the love affair hasn't dwindled even a little bit. This super affordable mask instantly cools the skin whilst injecting moisture to bring it back to life. It feels very much like a moisturiser which is nice as I hate feeling like I've got a layer of residue left over, it just irritates my skin more. It's also great for reducing redness which tends to be one of my main skin gripes in the summer so I'll be using this a couple of times a week when needed!

Onto the body, summer time means getting your legs out and that means scrubbing all those dead skin calls away that may be hanging around from winter. Yep, I said it. Gross, I know. My ultimate body scrub is the Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish - it is incredible. The name suggests it'd smell more like sweet honey but to me it's super coconutty and the actual scrub particles in it could easily be shredded coconut. Seriously, it's amazing and lathers up slightly so you kind of get a two in one. I've loved this all year and can't get enough! As someone with eczema that flares up whenever the hell it feels like it - normally just when I don't want it, obvs - I can safely say this has never caused any more irritation than normal. It's full of good stuff, one of the main reasons I love Kiehl's, and I seriously need to think about replenishing this baby because it's on its last legs.

Now you've got silky smooth skin, lets give it a little glow. Say hello to the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse... aka a dry body oil with shimmering particles in it. I love this because it's a dry oil and doesn't leave my hands or legs feeling greasy. The bigger bottles come with a spray pump too which is even more useful and makes the whole process a lot speedier - perfect for us lazy busy girls. Don't be put off by the shimmer either - this isn't a 90s throwback nor is it a trip down memory lane to the time you OD'd on the gel body glitter form Claire's Accessories - it is a much more grown up take instead and just leaves your skin glowing and shimmering and channeling your inner golden goddess. Perfect.

Finally, I've got to give a mention to my lip balm of the moment - the Kiehl's Lip Balm #1. This stuff has been around for 40 years and is still going strong, I think that says enough in itself but I'm giving my two cents anyway! Ok, so it doesn't have a high SPF (it's only at SPF4...) but it's so creamy and moisturising I love it. If you are someone that does favour SPF lip balms then maybe try this one at night. It's super thick so is ideal for an overnight trick to wake up with super soft kissable smackers ready for a summers day! The heat can really take it's toll on our lips without us even realising so get into a habit of at least slapping some on at night - your lips will thank you for it.

What are you skincare essentials for summer?

Ax

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