This does not mean that the party is over in the beauty world. Several beauty products made their way into my summer routine during those two weeks of hot weather, and I'm not going to part with them just because of a few clouds and dropping temperatures.
Among them is the all-important sunscreen. Last year, I had quickly had enough of the stinging feeling that came with those clear sprays when I applied the stuff to my face. A bit of research unmasked the culpable ingredient: alcohol. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it also dries your skin, making it a double whammy of no-no for my dry, sensitive skin. So I have switched back to a good ol' cream. Yes, it takes a bit more time and effort to apply, but this Clarins Sun Care Cream SPF 30 absorbs quickly into the skin, minimising those white streaks. The smell is not too overwhelming either, which is a plus as I like to wear fragrances all the time.
After a day in the sun, my skin feels like it needs a bit of a cool-down. The Garnier Ambre Solaire After Sun Refreshing Hydrating Spray does the trick, and has a very light fragrance and moisturises well. What I dislike about it, though, is the spray mechanism - it leaks, and is temperamental in the amount it is willing to dispense. You can get anything between a drop and far too much product. So, I guess the hunt is on for an after-sun product with minimum fuss application. Alternatively, you can always moisturise the old-fashioned way - with a body butter or moisturiser. The Laura Mercier Soufflé Body Crèmes all smell divine, with my personal favourite being the Ambre Vanillé scent. Their texture is that of a thick cream, rather than of a 'butter' that you have to dig out of the pot (which I don't enjoy). They keep your skin noticeably soft for as long as you can smell the product, which, in my experience, was a good eight hours.
I like a light fragrance for summer, and actually prefer ones that don't necessarily have that much lasting power. It's good to refresh yourself by spritzing some throughout the day, and reliving that first impression that you love so much about your fragrance over and over again. My weapon of choice is the Caudalie Fleur de Vigne Eau Fraîche, which smells of grapefruit, mandarins and cedarwood (yes, I am a citrus fiend). I am as addicted to the smell of this now as I was when I first tried it out in store. Speaking of smells, that body odour is not one you should be imparting unto your fellow tube passengers. The Mitchum Advanced Control deodorant is the best I've tried, and there is an unperfumed range for those with sensitive skin *raises hand*.
Finally, it wouldn't be a full summer bodycare celebration if the nails weren't painted in a pretty colour. My shade of choice is the Rimmel 60 Seconds nail varnish in Instyle Coral. The brush is quite nifty too; it coats your nail in one stroke. Now, I am not the most adventurous when it comes to nail colour, so this foray into coral territory is pretty out of my comfort zone already. Nonetheless, I am experimenting with a minty green, and plan on branching out into yellows and blues sometime in the not-too-distant future. Hopefully, the sun will come out again so that it will put me in the mood to play with all these summer shades.
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