Today sees my first ever guest post on Hello Jennifer Helen! Thank you so much to Lindsay for pulling together this wonderful post and for helping me out while I’m on holiday. Please go check out her blog here.
I don’t want to jinx anything, but I think it might actually be… Summer – Hurray!! I have to admit, Autumn is my favourite season, but Summer is a definite close second! The colder seasons wreak absolute havoc on my skin, and I suffer so badly with dry, irritable skin from around October to February each year, but with heat and dryness of Summer comes its own set of skincare needs! So, with Mr. Sun firmly out for a while, I thought I would write a little round up of my Summer skincare favourites, and exactly why I can’t do without them.
No.1 Clinique Take the Day off Balm
What they say:
“Suitable for all skin types, the non-greasy, non-drying cleanser works to quickly dissolve stubborn makeup from the face and eyes, including those with sunscreen, and leaves skin feeling thoroughly cleansed and clean. Rinses off to leave skin soft and purified.”
What I say:
It’s safe to say I’m a bit late to the party with this cult classic, having only started using it at the end of last year, but I am absolutely in love with it already and can already tell I’ll be using this all year around! I am finding it particularly useful on hotter days, as when my skin is a little burned and sensitive from the sun, this un-perfumed, paraben-free beauty is just what I need to clean my face safely and quickly! It’s amazing how thoroughly my face is cleansed with just a tiny amount of this stuff. It gets rid of everything – even stubborn mascara traces are cleaned away with very little effort… Honestly, I literally cannot recommend it enough!
No.2 The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5%
What they say:
“This light-textured formula contains an extremely high 5% concentration of caffeine, supplemented with highly-purified Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside (EGCG) from green tea leaves. Independent studies have shown that topical use of each of caffeine and EGCG can help reduce looks of puffiness and of dark circles in the eye contour. Additional studies have shown that caffeine can also reduce the appearance of cellulite.”
What I say:
I discovered this stuff watching Wayne Goss on YouTube. He mentioned how great this stuff was and how amazing the ingredients were for the price. He definitely wasn’t wrong! This stuff just looks and feels soooo expensive. I like to use it the morning after any late nights – it like actual magic the way it evens out my puffy eyes!
No.3 NUXE Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm
What they say:
“NUXE Reve de Miel Baume Levres Ultra-Nourrissant Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm is a repairing, nourishing lip balm with a rich, delicious texture to restore suppleness and comfort to dry and chapped lips.”
What I say:
NUXE is a brand I’m fairly new to, but this lip balm has really encouraged me to try more of their skincare, as it is HANDS DOWN the best lip balm I have ever, ever tried! Quite a statement, I know, but it is true! Being a Carmex girl previously, I have always been reliant on lip balms to keep my lips in decent state. Since my teens, I have really suffered with easily dried-out lips, and so I’ve always had some lip balm or another within easy reach. I bought this one on a bit of a whim when there was a 3 for 2 event at Boots a while back; I actually forgot about it for a few weeks before giving it a test run, but by-God, I’m glad I did! It’s a thicker texture than Carmex and most other lip balms, and stays quite thick even after applying! This means I use probably half the product I normally would to get the usual soothing effect. It also seems to smell really nice – I don’t have a sense of smell, but by little doggie seems to want to give me extra kisses when I’m wearing it!
No.4 The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
What they say:
“Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMF) are elements that keep the outer layer of the skin protected and well-hydrated. NMF are made up of multiple amino acids, fatty acids, triglycerides, urea, ceramides, phospholipids, glycerin, saccharides, sodium PCA, hyaluronic acid and many other compounds that are naturally present in the skin.”
What I say:
This is THE moisturiser of moisturisers… honestly, amazing! Like the caffeine solution I mentioned earlier, it’s amazing value for the price! My skin feels deeply hydrated and bouncy every time I use this! I used it about a week ago when I had a little sunburn, and it seemed to banish the dryness I got for the sun almost immediately. Amazing, amazing product – from a great brand!
No.5 Kiehls Cilantro & Orange Extract Pollutant Defending Masque
What they say:
“Clinically demonstrated to minimize the damaging effects of pollution on skin. Nourishing formula replenishes vital nutrients. Defends and replenishes skin leaving it renewed, radiant and more prepared to protect itself from daily environmental aggressors.”
What I say:
Working in the city centre, I definitely feel like it affects my skin – let’s face it, there must be all kinds of rubbish in the air! I went for a Kiehl’s consultation last summer, and told them about my skin feeling really ‘dirty’ throughout the day during the Summer and they recommended this mask. It’s safe to safe it works a treat! It’s a great product for a bit of a pamper sesh. You wear it as a mask for 15 minutes, then tissue off the excess and rub into your skin whatever’s left. I do this before bed a few times a week during the Summer and it makes a world of difference to how my skin holds up throughout the day!
That’s it for my Summer skincare favourites round up, folks – I hope you enjoyed reading! If you want to read more about the beauty & skincare I love, check out my blog at www.lindsaydavison.co.uk.
Thanks a lot to Jennifer for letting me guest post – I love your blog so I’m really happy to be guest posting!
Have a great day everyone!
♥ Lindsay
www.instagram.com/LindsayDavsionBlog
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I am a mum to a toddler who still wakes up most nights so tired and puffy eyes are something I often have. I found dermalmd under eye treatment serum really helped. It hydrated and soothes the eye area and calms puffiness and eye bags. It’s especially soothing if you pop it in the fridge before use. Would recommend.
Thanks for the tip!
My skin doesnt react well on the ordinary products.I’m so sad about it, I’m not sure which of the products makes me break-out, so I just skipped them all and went back to lush.
That’s a shame! There are a lot of ingredients in there as well, so it would be difficult to work it out. What Lush products do you use?
Going to check out that clinique cleansing balm for sure, it sounds awesome! do you find it breaks you out at all?
Julia // The Sunday Mode
I’ll have to let Lindsay answer that one – I’ve never used it!
Hi lovely!! Not aT all – i use a flannel to take it off so it really removes every last bit of make up & All of the balm itself. My skin feels fantastic after it! Its frangrance and nasties free and is so gentle! Xx
I love the clinique cleanser, i Have massively sensitive skin and had a sample lying around so used it on hol recently – perfect! Really want to try the KeiHls mask too xxx
It sounds beautiful, I use a similar one from The Body Shop!