What You Need This Summer
Words by Matt Huxley
I don’t really summer. But when I do I make sure that I have an excessive amount of supplies to get myself through it.
I think summer tends to mean different things to different people. For most Australians it is an excuse to get out, get some sun, play sport (ugh) and become nut brown. Whilst for me, it’s stay indoors, don’t get burnt and try and survive until the cooler months roll around again. Having said that I can’t be naive about the sun, and sometimes I have been known to lie on a beach. So here are my essentials for getting through the summer months.
First things first. Skincare. I’m very conscious of my skin, so I need to use a sunscreen whenever I am heading out into the sun. The Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Sunscreen in 50+ is my personal fave. It’s a light consistency and blends seamlessly into the skin so you don’t get that horrible greasy feeling all over yourself. It literally feels like a moisturiser going in. I love it! I also protect my lips by using the Blistex Lip Conditioner in 15+. I love this lip balm, it definitely delivers a nice deep condition to my lips without making them look too glossy. My pack came with this handy 5 Way Lip Protection stick which is in 30+. That’s great for those people who aren’t a fan of pot lip balms. Speaking of those, I recently picked up this Revo egg Lip Balm in Coconut, and it’s my new fave. I’m OBSESSED!
In summer you’re likely to spend a lot of time tanning by the pool. So other than the obligatory magazine, notebook and book (I’m about to read Holding The Man – so keen!), you also need some products to protect yourself after the sun! My body dream team is currently The Body Shop’s Polynesian Monoi Radiance Oil and the Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream. Both sink into the skin providing deep moisture and rejuvenating your skin after a heavy tan sesh. To get all the sunscreen, oils and makeup off your face, I’m currently loving the Sukin Detoxifying Scrub. It’s gentle, but yet has enough grit in it that you know it’s doing the job. I’ve lately been following that up with the Byphasse Night Cream. Mid pool sesh, I love a spritz of the Avene Thermal Spring Water. It contains nutrients and minerals to help your skin revitalise – it’s not just literally water in a can. That would be dumb…
Now that your skincare is on point, you need to hide that sweat and oil! My fave powder of all time is the Maybelline Matte Maker powder. It’s beautiful (and so cheap!). Summer is the time where you can go all out with highlighter and contours. Currently I’m using the It Cosmetics Vitality Brightening Anti-Ageing Face Disk (what a mouthful). This has 3 great shades, particularly for someone of my skin tone. I personally love the highlighter, it isn’t glittery at all, instead it provides a beautiful sheen to the skin. Very wearable. The bronzer is matte and the blush is a subtle peachy shade. Highly recommend. I’ve been applying all those powders with my Sigma Fan Brush and the Real Techniques Setting Brush.
A splash of my favourite summer scent – L’Eau D’Issey Pour Homme Sport, a few rings (Michael Hill, Joshua Hall and Cotton On) and a spray of Hairspray – V05 Volume and Lift Hairspray – and you’re good to go!
What are your summer essentials? Let me know down in the comments!
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