The products I keep reaching for all summer
If there is one thing I have simplified this summer, it is my beauty routine.
The moment temperatures start climbing, I naturally wear less make-up and reach for fewer skincare products. Mascara rarely makes an appearance these days and, most mornings, I am perfectly happy with a little concealer, bronzer, blush and a glossy lip before heading out the door.
Not because I stop caring, quite the opposite. I have simply realised that my skin is much happier when I don’t overcomplicate things. Hydration becomes the priority, everything else feels optional.
I also don’t know whether it is just me, but my skin always seems to look better in the summer than it does in the middle of winter. Maybe it is spending more time outdoors. Maybe it is the extra vitamin D. Even though I almost never let the sun touch my face directly, the rest of me inevitably picks up a little colour and everything somehow looks healthier. That effortless summer glow seems to appear on its own.
Perhaps that is why I naturally gravitate towards lighter make-up this time of year. A healthy-looking complexion, plenty of blush, a little glow and that is usually enough. It feels fresher, more comfortable and, if I am honest, much more like me during the summer months.
These are the skincare and make-up products that have quietly earned a permanent place in my routine this August.
Skincare
This summer, my skincare has been all about hydration. The Summer Fridays Jet Lag Eye Cream has been my favourite for keeping my under-eye area feeling fresh, while the THEN I MET YOU Bounce Barrier Cream has become my go-to evening moisturiser over the past few months. Every morning starts with the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella SPF50+ because it is lightweight, absorbs beautifully and gives my skin a healthy glow without leaving a white cast.
I have also become completely attached to facial mists. The AESTURA Atobarrier 365 Cream Mist is always part of my skincare routine, while the Rhode Glazing Mist is perfect whenever I want to refresh my skin throughout the day, even over make-up. And although I am not quite as consistent with my LED mask as I was during the winter, I still try to fit in a session whenever I have a quiet evening at home.
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Make-up
If there is one category that has completely taken over my make-up bag this summer, it is blush. I keep rotating between the NARS Liquid Blush, Wonderskin Blush Stain and the Prada Powder Blush, usually layering a liquid formula underneath and setting it with powder so everything lasts a little longer in the heat.
The Rhode Pocket Bronzer has also become a favourite because it blends effortlessly and never feels heavy on the skin. I love using the Rhode Highlight Milk on my shoulders and décolletage just as much as on my face, as it gives the prettiest glow without looking glittery. Most days, my routine is simply concealer, bronzer, blush and a glossy lip. When I need my make-up to stay in place all day, I finish everything with the Huda Beauty Easy Bake Setting Powder and ONE/SIZE Setting Spray, and that combination never lets me down.
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These are the products I have been reaching for the most over the past few weeks while enjoying summer, long days and a slightly slower pace of life. I am sure a few things will change once autumn arrives, but for now, this routine feels exactly right.
I have linked all of my current favourites below in case you are looking to try something new. I hope you discover a few products you end up loving just as much as I do. Enjoy!
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