My Summer Skincare Routine

Here's my latest beauty round up with no products gifted, so you can be sure you're getting an entirely honest view of them. I'm going to cover my summer skincare routine, two hair heroes, and what I thought of my beauty Easter egg.

Let's start with the Easter egg. Look Fantastic have been selling these for a couple of years so I'm a bit behind the curve!

The products are worth £284, but the egg was £65 so potentially there are big savings, Before I committed, I scrutinized the list of products.  In this type of promotion you usually get a few desirable products that clinch the deal and a couple of duds, which maybe haven't been selling very well.

I decided that of the six products, I would definitely love to use four of them, while two had a question mark. I'm not sure I would buy the egg again because there's a lot of packaging, which is not very eco-friendly.

So far I have used the Aveda Damage Remedy, which has quickly become one of my hair heroes;  the Rodial Vit C Glow Tonic and the Balance Me Radiance Face Oil.  The last two fit nicely into my revamped  skincare routine. Personally I find summer the most challenging time for skincare and makeup.  I hate using SPF, and stop using it in winter. Obviously it has to be used every day in summer, but I hate the way most of them "pill" and interfere with foundation. My pigmentation recedes during winter but comes back with a vengeance in the summer, and not being able to wear foundation over an SPF is a major bugbear.

The best SPF I've found for minimizing the issue is La Roche Posay's Anthelios. I use the SP50+ which is practically invisible. The only drawback is that it's very runny and can dribble onto your clothes if you're not careful.

At night, after cleansing, I alternate between using a retinol product and the Rodial Vit C Glow Tonic. Both have a brightening and refining effect. On the days when I feel my skin is a bit needy, I use a facial oil - currently the Balance Me Radiance Face Oil - as a warming treat.

The retinol product I'm using is a mild version, La Roche-Posay's Retinol B3 serum. It doesn't aggravate my skin in the way that retinol sometimes can. I have a lot of respect for this French pharmacy brand.  Everything they produce is highly efficacious.

About a year ago I started using a hyaluronic serum in the morning after cleansing.  These are game changers! I wouldn't be without one now. They really do help to re-plump the skin.  I am a little extravagant with it and so it's better for me to buy cheaper ones seeing as I buy them so often.  I'm using one from La Roche Posay at the moment which is a mid-range one, costing around £30 - £35. But I'd also recommend Garden of Wisdom's 30 ml product which is only £9, available from Victoria Health.

Two Hair Heroes

I don't often rave about hair products but I am very pleased with these two.  The Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair is a leave-in treatment which leaves hair soft and shiny  (but not floppy). Yes, leave-in! Such a wonderful time saver.  It means that sometimes when I don't have time to apply conditioner after shampoo, I can simply apply this wonder product, comb it through and blow dry as normal.

Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray is a product I would never be without.  It's described as an "award winning humidity sealant," which I don't think sells it at all well.  I would never have bought it with that description but was given a sample in a beauty promotion, and liked it to much I bought a bottle. I find it gives my hair body and shape, and helps it hold the shape. It's long lasting:  I didn't honestly think I wouldn't need to use it every time I washed my hair but it's true. It's activated by heat so you need to use a hairdryer with it.

So that's my latest skin and hair regime. I'd love to hear any of your recommendations in the comments below.

Sharing this post with Claire Justine, Top of the World Style at High Latitude Style, Chic & Stylish at Mummabstylish, #SpreadTheKindness at Shelbee on the Edge, Anna at Muttonstyle, #AnythingGoes at My Random Musings, Thursday Moda at Elegance and Mommyhood, Turning Heads Tuesday at Elegantly Dressed and Stylish,  Style with a Smile at Stylesplash

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