My Summer Essentials

The sun has been shining lately in the UK and I have been loving it. Lunches outdoors, long walks, bike rides along the river followed by Pimms, boat rides home… I’ve been trying to make the most of the weather whilst it lasts. Of course, warmer weather means more skin on show and I seem to be reaching for the same beauty products lately so I thought I’d share them with you. I’m calling these my head-to-toe summer essentials, I’d love to know what yours are.

1. Benefit’s The POREfessional

I first used this two Summers ago and have loved it ever since. I get a very oily t-zone which leads to a shiny forehead and nose if left au naturel. This pore refining primer helps to matify my skin so that my forehead doesn’t blind anyone when in direct sunlight. On hot days when I don’t fancy wearing makeup I’ll wear this as a base. It evens out my skin tone, is matifying for my t-zone and I love the velvety feel of it. This is a staple in my makeup bag and whenever I run out of this or Benefit’s They’re Real mascara I restock straight away.
Benefit The POREfessional  |  £24.50

2. Mac Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder

As you’re now aware of my oily t-zone, this product doesn’t need much explanation. I dust a little over my moisturiser if I’m not wearing any makeup, or over my foundation if I feel like sprucing myself to keep my shine at bay. The powder is white but leaves no white residue on your skin, something I was worried about when I first opened the pot and saw it was white as I have brown skin. It is very lightweight and you only need a little. I also own Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder (fancy, huh?), which I also like but that pot is huge, so I find myself reaching for the Mac finishing powder more often.
Mac Cosmetics Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder  |  £20.50

3. Antipodes Heavenly Body Oil

In the Winter I like to lather on thick, heavy body creams but in the Summer I like to use oils and serums. The scent of this Antipodes body oil is perfect for before bed as it is a mix of lavender, rosewood, ylang ylang and jasmine. The oil is certified organic and made of all natural ingredients. I love knowing I’m not rubbing any nasty chemicals onto my body. The avocado, macadamia and jojoba oils leave my skin feeling soft and beautifully moisturised. Fun fact, there are eight avocados in every bottle of this oil – if that’s not good for my skin then I don’t know what is!
Antipodes Heavenly Body Oil  |  £24.99*

4. Exfoliating Gloves

On the subject of soft skin, I swear by exfoliating gloves. Buy a pair, heck buy three then have your boyfriend stroke your baby-soft arm in awe and jealousy like mine did. Pop the gloves on in the shower, apply a little body wash then rub your skin back and forth with a light pressure. Don’t use these on your face as they can be a little harsh for the delicate skin on your face. The skin on your body however, will love these gloves. They’re perfect for pre-tanning too as exfoliated skin will give you an even tan. These gloves combined with the Antipodes Heavenly Body Oil = heavenly skin worth showing off in Summer.
Superdrug Exfoliating Body Gloves  |  £2.49

5. Scholl Express Pedi Diamond Pro

Summer is sandal season, there’s no doubt about it. Make sure your feet are soft, smooth and sandal ready with an exfoliator for your foot. I love a pedicure as much as the next person but the bottoms of my feet are incredibly ticklish, so I prefer to not risk kicking the lady doing my feet by exfoliating them myself. The pedi diamond pro has micro-abrasive particles with finely ground diamond crystals that buffs away any dry, hard skin quickly and effortlessly. The roller head lasts ages, but can be replaced.
Scholl Express Pedi Diamond Pro  |  £39.99 now £29.99*

6. Jawbone UP24

I bought this fitness tracker because I work in an office and sit down at a desk for hours on end, often working late and working through my lunch break. Then I get home and sit down at my laptop to do blog stuff. I wanted to track just how little I move around when I’m not at the gym so that it would motivate me to move more throughout the day. I love the simplicity of this fitness tracker compared to others as there is no screen on the band itself. All the data is sent to an app on your phone which is nicely designed and easy to use. It tracks your steps, exercise and sleep. It also syncs with MyFitnessPal to track your food and calories. I love it.
Jawbone UP24  |  £99.99 now £69.99

That’s my summer essentials right now. Which beauty products do you find yourself reaching for over and over again lately? Which products do you want to try? Let me know in the comments below.

Products marked with * are PR samples.