August Favourites

Like most months these days, August has flown by and taken with it the last of the sun - I returned from my holidays a few days ago to be greeted by gloomy skies and everyone suited in their autumn wardrobe. But whilst the seasons take a turn for the colder climate, my August favourites are firmly rooted in the theme of summer. 

Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster | £19 Boots for 15ml 

I have previously done a post on the Clarins Radiance Plus here, but since then, I have become literally obsessed. I used it every other day since I bought this. If you are like me and you tend to tan all over your body but less so on your face (maybe you have SPF in your foundation), this is a pot of gold dust in creating an even glow. It is so easy to apply, just put a few drops into a moisturiser or facial serum, and in a few hours it develops into a really subtle colour that is indistinguishable from a natural tan. It fades in one-two days (which is great if you have any disasters) so I just reapply it when necessary. For £19, 15ml is not a very large amount, but as you only need 2-3 drops per application, it should last a long time. I have been using mine on and off for about a month and it has barely gone down. I really recommend this if your summer glow is fading fast and you want a quick fix.

Avene Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum | £17 Boots for 30ml

Serums are one of my favourite beauty products to buy, perhaps because they feel like a luxury that you can use whenever you fancy it, and they always come in the prettiest packaging (I am a self-confessed hoarder of boxes that products like these come in..). I haven't tried many of Avene's products, but as a lover of all the other French beauty brands, I thought this would be a good investment. The serum is one of the Eau Themale range, which claims to be soothing and an anti-irritant for sensitive skin. The serum itself primarily aims to hydrate the skin over a long period of time, which is ideal if your skin is on the dry side, as mine is. After application, my skin is feels really moisturised and smooth, which does last for quite a while. I think the best thing about it is that the serum is really lightweight, so you really can use it anytime you want, like a moisturiser, but you get the benefits of a serum. There is a fragrance to it which is really subtle and not at all unpleasant. I love using this, and I would consider repurchasing if it was on offer, as it is quite pricey in comparison to other serums I have used.

Philip Kingsley Daily Damage Defence Conditioning Spray | £8 John Lewis

As I have been doing the Fitness Blender 5 Day Challenge recently, and just generally implementing more exercise into my week, I have been washing my hair a lot more. The increase in blow-drying and often straightening day-to-day inevitably means more damage, so I wanted something to protect my hair. I spray quite a generous amount all over my scalp before I dry my hair which is making it run out quite fast, I think as it gets scarcer I'll just use it on the ends. It is so hard not to overuse it as it makes my hair so shiny, especially if I sleep on it afterwards. It feels a lot stronger and just generally in better condition after about three weeks of using it every other day. Almost a tenner for only 60ml is quite expensive for a protection spray, but I am such a fan of the Philip Kingsley brand I can almost justify it.

La Roche Posay Anthelios Comfort Cream SPF30 50ml | £15.50 (currently £10.85) Feel Unique

I have had a couple of holidays this summer where I have only taken hand luggage through the airport, and to avoid buying a huge sun-cream there that I wouldn't be able to get through I went looking for a smaller one to take with me. The Anthelios sun care products provides a range that is suitable for all skin types and concerns, fragrance and Paraben-free. It comes in a variety of sizes, but the 50ml was ideal for a week away for one person. It is really easy to apply and it is like using a really hydrating moisturizer which is ideal for when the sun is drying out your skin. I am not overly keen on the smell which I can't quite place, I am much more fond of the old-school childhood nostalgic suncream scent that always takes you to the beach. But, that is my only qualm with this product, it served me very well this month. 

Eylure Brow Pencil in No.30 Blonde | £5.45 Superdrug

For starters, I am definitely not, by any means, a pro at doing eyebrows. As I have blonde eyebrows (pretty much white in summer), I have found it hard to find a suitable shade or product that has not made them look ridiculously dark or obviously drawn on. I previously used the Topshop Brow Palette in Fetch (Blonde) which was a gel and powder formula that you applied delicately with a little brush. I found it okay - the process was quite time consuming so when I wanted a quick fix I ended up just abandoning the whole thing. I came across the Eylure brand in Superdrug recently and thought a pencil would be a lot more efficient than what I was using. The pencil is double ended, coming with a handy brush on the other side that I use both to shape before and to soften the colour if it is too strong. The shade is great for blondes - it is dark enough to make a difference but still matches light hair. Since buying it, I have used it pretty much everyday and for the price it is an amazing buy.

Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick in Shade 860 Hibiscus | £7.99 RRP (currently £4.99) Superdrug

After being slightly drawn in by the Emma Stone campaign that launched alongside these lipsticks, when they were on offer in Superdrug I couldn't resist and picked up it in two shades - Hibiscus and Gladiolus (a strong, red shade). Out of the two, I have definitely used Hibiscus on a more regular basis as it is a lot more suitable to wear in the day. It is a peachy orange tone, so it is perfect for summer and when you have a tan. It goes on really well - the formula is hydrating and to me has the consistency of a lip balm. I am a big fan of the orange lipstick trends but the ones I have bought in the past have been a bit too radical for daily wear and clash with most other colours, so this shade is a great balance.

Rimmel Salon Pro by Kate Nail Polish in Goddess | £4.49 Superdrug

I have probably included this in a beauty post at some point as I am always buying and raving about Rimmel's Kate range, but I have been wearing this a lot this summer so it is only just that I include it. It is a peachy nude shade, a bit brighter than a lot of the nude shades I usually wear. The applicator brush is one of the flat ones which I prefer as it makes the application a lot easier when you are trying to do thin layers. It looks amazing with a tan and stays on really well.