SWIMWEAR SEASON

It's getting close to the summer holiday season yet again, and you can guarantee I am sweating it out in the gym most days a week in the hope of pulling together some sort of glowing bikini body in the next month or two (we'll see about that one), but there is no point of all the exercise if I don't have any bikinis to rock.

Most years, I really struggle to find a well fitting bikini, because my boob size to be honest isn't quite as proportional to the rest of my body and everything tends to look a bit off. But this year, I've found two perfectly fitting bikinis from ASOS, the one place I can pretty much always rely on. I'm not sure if these are still available as they were sale finds, but they have very similar styles anyway so it's worth a look.

The first is the Fuller Bust Girly Woodblock Print Marilyn Bikini, a triangle style which ties into a halter neck. I like this because of the thick band - it tends to offer me more support than similar style bikinis without it. I also love the pattern on this one - a pretty floral design in pastel shades.
The second is a little more intense, a mash up of animal print and floral designs - something I wouldn't usually go for, but unusually love. This is the Fuller Bust (these work best for me) Tropical Animal Moulded Plunge Bikini, yet again offering me lots of support. This also ties to a halterneck, and has underwire in proper cups for a more structured style than the former.

As I said, these fit perfectly, and I'll definitely be heading to the ASOS Swimwear if I am after any more for my holidays, and to be honest, knowing these pretty bikinis are waiting for me makes me work that extra bit harder at the gym...

SUNGLASSES OF THE YEAR

Topshop Waverly Wayfairer Sunglasses - £14

Usually, Primark sunglasses get me through the summer months mainly because I can't bare to spend more than £3 on a pair of sunnies that I'll probably leave in my bag to get scratched, lose, or even sit on and crush (talking from actual experience for that one). But, this year I happened to be looking in Topshop and fell in love with a frame I couldn't leave behind. 

I can't find the exact pair online but they are the Waverly Wayfairer frame style and there's a couple of other 'prints' if you will. I didn't think £14 was bad at all, and the fit of these is perfect. I have quite a slim face so I tend to get swamped by glasses but these are perfect. I had a pair similar last year but all black - this time I opted for still a black pair but they have a faint floral/palm print within the frame too which just adds an extra touch. 

To be quite honest, I've even been eyeing up another pair in this style online but I'm not sure I can allow myself to make the purchase, considering these are so loved anyway. I genuinely don't think it is possible for me to fall out of love with these, because they literally work with every item of clothing in my wardrobe. Never a complaint. 

I've found a similar pair here, just with a thinner frame, but to be honest I prefer these. Have a browse of the Waverly Wayfairer style and let me know your opinion. 

HOLIDAY BEAUTY ESSENTIALS

When you read this post, I'll be on holiday, hopefully basking in the sun and catching a nice tan to show off when I go back to sixth form, and of course that means it is warranted a dedicated post to the beauty products coming in my bag this year.

Of course, this is honestly in nearly all holiday posts I do, but it is the La Roche Posay Anthelios XL SPF50, a facial SPF I have used for the past year and a half above any others. Although my family don't tend to be as bothered about the world of skincare, I much prefer to buy myself a bottle of this to prevent breakouts and get a much more facially targeted protective base. The Burts Bees Lip Balm might be coming with me if I don't get the chance to get an SPF lip balm before we go away, but this will do if not, because I genuinely cannot stand the feeling of burnt lips. I don't think I've ever been sunburnt apart from on my lips, and I plan to keep it that way whilst minimising the latter too.

I've also got the Bourjois Bronzing Primer because my face is always slightly paler than the rest of my body when tanned, so this'll help even everything out for that. The last base item is the Benefit High Beam mini - not only the best for travelling, but also a super glowy and natural looking highlighter that'll look so nice in the evenings with a light base and some mascara, and the Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Paint in Golden Bronze - something a little more gold than I would usually go for but with a tan (you see how I've actually factored in a tan to each item?!)

Of course, I thought it'd be nice to have the option of a bright lip, and I chose the Wet n Wild Lipstick in Purty Persimmon. I mainly chose this because it is seriously long wearing - we are talking 8 hours or so, and I'll probably be eating at an almost constant rate on holiday, and paired with the summery coral red shade, this is the perfect option to take with me. On the theme of colour, I've also got the Illamasqua Nail Lacquer in Lament, a nearing neon pink but not too stand out, and one that'll be coveted on the fingers and toes this holiday.

What are your holiday essentials?

HEATWAVE ESSENTIALS

I'm pretty sure all the British public have been talking about for the past week is the 'heatwave' that hit us - and it was some of the best weather we have had in years, so, I had to prepare myself pretty quickly and this checklist-esque post should spare you the panic when the sun next hits.

The most obvious would be SPF. I love the La Roche Posay Anthelios XL for my face as it is super lightweight, and has an SPF of 50 so makes sure you are fully protected, and works well under makeup (the most makeup I manged during the heat was brows and mascara, but for a daily basis). I also have the Ultrasun Ultralip balm, an SPF lipbalm because I had sunburnt lips once, and I will take all costs to ensure that happens never again. For my body, I'll tend to use whatever we have in the house but I quite like the Boots Soltan Dry Touch Lotion for reference. I picked up the Sephora Softening Face Mist last year in Madrid, and it is still very handy for when you need a quick refresh.

Another pretty clear essential is sunglasses - and I have quite the stash for when they are needed, but at the moment this lightly rounded giraffe/tortoise shell framed pair from Primark are my current favourites, and cost a mere £2. This bandeau bikini is also from Primark (£6 in a set with corresponding bottoms) and is pretty good at maximising the tan in the garden - and the slightly slimmer centre makes it really flattering.

The headphones are pretty self explanatory, but when in the garden I like to listen to music either on Spotify or some of the songs I have on iTunes (they have to be pretty special to be purchased and the majority of my playlist is Kanye West albums), but at the moment I'm quite enjoying the slightly older album from him - Graduation. Another pass time is painting my nails in a bright nail polosh, I've got Color Club Bright Night and Ciaté Play Date shown here; great sandal colours. I also have a hair oil there, because my thick hair tends to suffer a little when it gets hot (more so on holiday and near pools/beaches, but it's best for me to keep the moisture up anyway), and its the Got2B Oil-Licious one, and is super softening to the hair.

What have your beatuy/fashion essentials been recently during the heat surge?

SUNGLASSES SEASON

Perhaps a little typically British of me, but as soon as a hint of sun shows I go mad for sunglasses, rooting through my old collection as well as picking up some new ones. I am the type of person that leaves them lying around in the car or in the bottom of my bag and they end up looking tatty, so cheap and cheerful options are always what I go for, and I hit the jackpot with these £1.50 pair from Primark. They're oversized, but for once I don't look like some sort of bug.

What I like about these is the balance between them being square and slightly cat eyed at the edges, as they don't look too heavy and harsh on my face that is rather small. Sunglasses are one of the things I find hard to suit me, they are either too big, too small, too square or too round, and it is rare I find a good pair for me, especially in Primark where some of them look too plastic and cheap.

These also have a thick, shiny rim around them which I quite like, and I'm surprised at how fashionable these sunglasses actually look, and the seem sort of Céline to me, of course not quite matching the style, price and brand, but it must just be the classic style to them that does it for me. I'm hoping the sun sticks around, because I'm itching to wear these more.

TODAY'S FACE #1

Smashbox Undereye Primer // Bourjois Luminous Primer // Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum // Elf Pebble Eyeshadow // Soap and Glory Archery Pencil // Avon Eye Primer // Rimmel Scandaleyes Liquid Shadow Paint (Golden Bronze) // Urban Decay Half Baked & Tease // NYC Sunny Bronzer (in the crease) // Milani Eye Tech Liner // Benefit They're Real // Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener // Collection Lasting Perfection // Rimmel Stay Matte Powder // Nars Laguna // Sleek Contour Kit // Benefit High Beam // Rimmel Kate Lipstick (16)

So I don't tend to do these 'face of the day/FOTD' posts regularly here, but I thought after seeing Megan post some stunning looks I would go for it myself. I did my makeup at the weekend as I went along with no plan of what I wanted to see, but I got this golden bronze eyes, bronzed skin, peachy coral lips look which I really love and I think it'll be one I'll look back in the archives for when summer comes around. 

If you would like to see this more regularly do let me know and I will sort out a schedule or something because I really enjoyed photographing this look!

BARGAIN SUNGLASSES

Whilst browsing Matalan the other day, I found a pair of sunglasses I instantly fell in love with. I never spend much money on sunglasses because I either go off them, or leave them floating around in the bottom of my bag to get scratched. But, despite the £2 sale price tag of these (reduced from £8), I will be keeping them in good condition because they are just too darn nice. Sunglasses rarely suit me, so the fact I'm blogging about this pair is a huge statement.

They have quite a Kourtney Kardashian vibe to them in my eyes (excuse the pun), as they are slightly winged in the top outer corners, and they also don't have any plastic round the bottom which I think makes them look that little bit more chic. The lenses themselves are fairly round, but the black plastic on the top diverts away from this giving them that stunning shape.

I also quite like the gold arms, they just add to the style, and honestly I don't know why but wearing these makes me feel so fashion forward, that I don't want to take them off. These will definitely be coming with me to my trip to America in October, so despite the late purchase, I will be getting my wear out of them.

ORLY VA VA VOOM

I think it's safe to say that in the summer, a lot of us enjoy a neon nail colour, whether just on the toes or the fingers as well, for that poolside looking pop of colour. When in TkMaxx recently I stumbled across the Orly Nail Lacquer in Va Va Voom for £2.99 and didn't even have to question whether or not to buy it.

It is a neon medium pink, as the picture would suggest, but isn't the most strikingly neon polish I have ever seen, so good for those who are undecided on the neon trend, but beware, it still it pretty bright. It has a semi matte finish as do the majority of neons do but with a topcoat you can't tell any difference (I find the slightly blue toned Ciaté Black Light Top Coat does the best job as it adds an intense glossy shine and the hint of blueness makes things look even more neon).

I can tell in Summers to come this will be a much loved polish in my collection, and will help me step away from the greige and pastel offerings I had been opting for beforehand...

SEPHORA SOFTENING FACIAL MIST

During my recent trip to Madrid in a local Sephora, I spotted what could possibly be a summer essential, and for a few euros I couldn't pass it up, and so decided to give it a whirl.

Generally I don't tend to buy into the 'cooling face mist' concept as it is just water in a spray can, but the Sephora Softening Facial Mist has Lotus Extract included so it made the purchase more justifiable as there was a little more added to it. In the heat of Madrid this really did come in handy to spray on my face and sometimes even chest when I was getting a little flustered.

There isn't any alcohol in this so it doesn't dry out the skin, and has a light fresh scent which is quite comforting when you spray it. The spray nozzle dispenses just the right amount of product as a light fine mist - nothing too vigorous or heavy, and absorbs into the skin in a matter of seconds making it perfect for on the go.

I have been using this occasionally when the heat picks up in the UK, but sparingly of course because once again I have found a product I can't purchase here and at the moment as I'm saving for a trip to the US, a Sephora order is just not on the cards...

EXPERIMENTAL EYES #1 - POP OF ORANGE

 Now Summer is here, I thought it'd be a good time to start being more experimental with my eye makeup and add in some colour. I always try purples and blues with little success and never really contemplated orange-coral colours until I saw 2 colours from my Sleek Blush By 3 in Lace that I thought could make an interesting eye look... and I really love the result. 

I used quite a large variety of products within the process so I'll try and keep this short and sweet. The Avon Eye Primer was the first step to blank out the lids and avoid creasing, followed by a coat of the Dainty Doll Cream Blush in Billion Dollar Babies (is it cheek products for eye shadow day today?!), as well as the MUA Colour Blast Shadow Stick in Stay all over the lid, with the Stila Smudge Stick in Oscar Fish blended into the outside corners. I then took the contour colour from the Sleek Face Form through the crease to warm things up as well as putting Half Baked from Urban Decay in the centre of the lids.

On the lower lashline I put the Stila Smudge Stick in Angelfish, followed by Chantilly from the Sleek Blush By 3 (also pushed into the waterline) as well as Crochet on the outer half. I did this with a small dense tapered brush to really pack on the colour and used the same technique to focus this bright colour on the outer crease. I took the brush I used for the contour colour very lightly to blend the edges.

The liner is a mix of the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Blackest Black and Barry M's Blink Waterproof Pen. On my lashes is a coat of Soap and Glory Thick & Fast followed by the Sheercover Lash Fibres and then Too Faced Lash Gasm Mascara on top of them.

I said I wouldn't ramble but would you look at that... I did. With simple glowy skin and a nude pout I predict this look will be getting a lot more wear from me in the upcoming weeks. Also, watch this space, this morning I photographed a pink and gold look for you so maybe this can become a mini 'experimental eyes' series?

LA ROCHE POSAY ANTHELIOS XL SPF 50

During the summer and the mini heatwave we recently experienced in he UK, I like to make sure my skin is protected well by using a facial SPF under my makeup. It's often hard to find one in the drugstore for a somewhat affordable price but it seems I have found what I've been looking for with the ever-so-hyped La Roche Posay Anthelios XL Ultra Light SPF 50+. 

This has UVA and UVB protection, something I look for in most SPF's as well as a high factor proction of 50. It's described as an ultra light 'fluid' which I would stand by, as upon first application it feels a little tacky but once having a few seconds to work into the skin has passed, you can't feel a thing.

This works well under makeup too, and doesn't make anything greasy or move around on the skin, which is a massive plus. I haven't given flash photography a go with this one but as it stands with most SPF products flashback is generally expected anyway.

This avoided me getting burnt in Madrid and is often applied daily before running errands outside, it is a real winner from me and for just over the £15 mark (although cheaper on websites such as Escentual and Feelunique a times), I will be likely to repurchase.

SUMMER HAIRCARE ADDITIONS

Generally I don't seasonally switch up my hair care, just more so skincare and makeup, but recently I have gained a couple of additions to the stash and so why not share them with you guys and enable you all to buy them too?

I haven't tried much from Aussie but when spotting the limited edition Beach Mate Shampoo and Conditioner I thought they looked (and smelt) pretty good. It's the same formula and scent as the Miracle Moist range just with a different name I guess and they seem to work the same on the hair (I am a touch confused to be fair). But, I really like how these work for my very thick hair and they seem to be doing a good job without me needed to squeeze out half a bottle of conditioner each time.

Another item I got was the Got 2 B Weightless Dry Oil Mist. I had tried the original oil and still love it so this intrigued me a great deal. You spray it on to dry hair and kind of ruffle it in and it seems to nourish things quite well. I'm not 100% how I feel about this one but it's definitely a good addition if you want to nourish your hair but don't want to overload it with product - especially in the current climate.

What have you been adding to your hair care routine this summer?

A SUMMER FAUX GLOW

As much as I would love naturally radiant skin, it is often pretty dull and the only sheen I get is when I haven't powdered my face for hours and things are getting a little oily. That's why I seek the companionship of many products in order to amp up the glow in the summer.

Upon purchase, I was never really a fan of the Rimmel Wake Me Up Instant Shimmer Touches, but occasionally I like Radiant Rose on the cheeks as a pink hint of shimmery tint, or Shimmering Sand mixed in with foundation for some serious glow. These don't get used often, but they definitely don't go unnoticed.

A luminous primer was lacking in my makeup collection until I got the Bourjois Luminous Serum Primer a while back. There is no shimmer in this, but it just seems to add a glow without it, and I had a patch of forgetting about this guy but every time I reach for it again I start to use it again and realise why I loved it to begin with.

It's not just makeup that can help your glow out, it all starts with the skincare you use. I have managed to find a duo that gives me the glow without endless steps and more of an overnight glow-giver. The Balance Me Radiance Face Oil* is one I like to slap on in the evening, leave to soak in and  wake up in the morning with a complexion that looks radiant and blurred in tow and literally took me a minute to achieve.
In the same way the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask is another one step overnight fix that leaves you with plumped, glowing skin and the peach/apricot scent makes me literally want to eat it (Don't worry, I won't).

I look forward to finding more radiance enhancing gems in the drugstore in the upcoming months, and leave you recommendations in the comments too...