I’ve chosen to use clean sunscreens since discovering that conventional sunscreens contain chemicals that irritate our skin (this causes inflammation which then leads to ageing), effect our endocrine systems and are damaging to sea life. This doesn’t mean we should avoid sunscreen, just that we should be picky about which ones we choose to use. Two chemicals that you should make sure you avoid are Oxybenzone and Octinoxate (AKA Octylmethoxycinnamate) which are known to have an effect on hormones and cause skin allergies.
It is estimated by scientists that sun damage is responsible for 90% of premature skin ageing. It was once thought that UVB radiation alone was responsible for this but it’s now been found that the heat from UVA rays can contribute to the loss of skin elasticity, firmness and the appearance of premature wrinkles. This is why it’s important to use sun protection products that protect you against both.
The main products I used whilst I was on holiday in Greece were from the Susanne Kaufmann Sun Care Trio; which includes Face Broad Spectrum Protection Sunscreen SPF 30, Body Protection Sunscreen SPF 25 and After Sun Gel. Not only do these products offer protection against the sun but they also offer hydration, regeneration and anti-ageing benefits; just like a good skincare regimen. They were made and formulated in the Austrian Alps from the finest natural and botanical ingredients. They all smell incredible, a little bit like melon and the application is better than anything I’ve used before. They’re waterproof but you should reapply them after swimming. They’re also gentle enough for sensitive skin and children of 6 months and older.
Both the face and body products are hybrid formulas that combine mineral and botanical ingredients. On the mineral side there’s Zano® a patented mineral UV filter derived from Zinc Oxide that is non-irritating and mild on the skin. On the botanical side there’s Elix-IR™, formulated from Knotgrass Extract, a flavonoid-rich ingredient that protects the dermis fibres against sun damage. They also contain Ectoin, a natural cell protectant and powerful anti-ageing ingredient.
I used Sensai Silky Bronze Cellular Protective Cream For Face SPF 50 as I like to use a higher SPF on my face and my chest, as it can burn quite easily. I’m pleased to say it didn’t this time. It’s another product that has a lovely smooth application and smells likes peaches. Sensai have developed ADVAN, an advanced cellular protector to drastically reduce UV radiation and avoid deep level skin damage whilst giving hydration. Sansho (Zanthoxylum Piperitum) Extract effectively and immediately protects skin cells on a DNA level from UV rays. Koishimaru Silk stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid within the skin’s dermal and epidermal cells, keeping it well moisturised and CPX Vital Extract moisturises, firms and minimises fine lines.
For the first few days I used La Roche-Posay Anthelios Body Milk SPF 50+ on my body and La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine SPF 50+ on my chest, just whilst my pale skin adjusted to the sun and began to tan. The body milk has been designed for sensitive and sun-allergic skin and the anti-shine gel-cream is specifically designed for blemish-prone skin or those that suffers from prickly-heat. It’s great for the chest and it doesn’t feel greasy or sweaty after a few minutes in the sun.
Whether you’re having a staycation or heading off somewhere hotter it’s equally important to protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays. Have a wonderful time whatever you do this summer.
Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy in 02 Ivory Power* | Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Soft Brown | Chanel Le Crayon Khôl in Noir | Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy in 04 Rebel Metal* | Sephora PRO Allover Shadow Brush in Large 12 | MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly | Sensai 38° Mascara in Separating & Lengthening | Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Summer Glow EyeShadow Palette*
Base
Sensai Smoothing Water Make-Up Base | Sensai Fluid Finish Foundation in FF204 Almond Beige | Estée LauderIlluminating Perfecting Primer*
Blush & Bronze
Sensai Bronzing Gel in BG 61 Soft Bronze* | Estée Lauder Genuine Glow Blushing Creme For Lips And Cheeks in Sweet Cheeks* | Studio 10 Double Ended Face Brush | Sensai Gel Brush*
Three months ago I started to take a vested interest in make-up, with a wedding on the horizon and no make-up artist, I needed to learn what worked for me. I’ve never worn a lot of make-up as I’ve never felt that comfortable with it. Whenever I’ve tried a stronger look I feel ridiculous and I’m convinced everyone’s staring at me when I do. However, my everyday look – which consists of Jouer Luminizing Moisturiser Tint, Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Glow, a couple of subtle MAC eyeshadows and Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner – just wasn’t going to cut it on my wedding day. I needed help!
I met with the team at Estée Lauder, who showed me some new tricks and gave me lots of lovely new products to try. Their Pure Color Envy eyeshadow palettes are quite possibly the best I’ve come across, the shades are natural and work well with my own skin tone. And, their Bronze Goddess Summer Glow EyeShadow Palette is great for a subtle holiday look, with shimmery, fresh shades. Estée Lauder’s Genuine Glow Blushing Creme For Lips And Cheeks is a great multi-use product, it gives a natural flush to the cheeks but equally works well on lips to enhance their colour without looking obvious. At first I didn’t get on so well with their Illuminating Perfecting Primer until their make-up artist Emma showed me how to use it as a highlighter on the tops of your cheeks. Apply a small amount to the soft fleshy bit of your hand just at the base of your thumb (the thumb pad), then rub your pads together before patting it to the tops of your cheekbones. It applies it evenly and not too heavily.
I was struggling to find the right base and was beginning to think that foundation wasn’t for me and that I would never use anything other than a tinted moisturiser for the rest of my days. All the foundations I tried made my skin feel caked in make-up. My skin is naturally a little bit dry and longwear formulas tend to suck up the moisture I do have in my skin, leaving any dry spots highlighted and my pores clearly visible; not a look anyone wants. For this reason, I tend to avoid using powders on my skin most of the time as they have a similar effect. However, if you do prefer to use a powder to set your make-up I have a great tip, spritz your skin with a face mist after you’ve dusted your T-zone with powder. I’ve found Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist is great for this or Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist. It takes away the granny face look you get with lots of powder.
With our wedding day looming I started to worry more and more about my make-up base and asked my friends about what they had used on their wedding days. One friend told me to avoid using anything with a high SPF as it can be quite reflective in photos and suggested trying a mix of Chanel Vitalumière Aqua with their Les Beiges for natural looking coverage. At the Chanel counters I visited in London they either didn’t have a sample suitable for my skin tone or wanted me to book in for a bridal make-up tutorial (at a cost). Another friend suggested MAC Face & Body, a water-based foundation that’s quite light but also long wearing. If I had been a little more confident about my skin and didn’t have a few little dark spots to cover this would have been great. It evens out subtle differences in tone but it wasn’t enough for me to feel confident on my wedding day. I’ll definitely be using it as an everyday foundation going forwards though when I want light coverage.
I took a break from my search for the perfect foundation and started looking for waterproof mascara. I’m such a softy and anything vaguely emotional can have me in floods of tears (the good kind). I needed a mascara that would stay put regardless of my strong emotions. After a search online I came across a recent report by Marie Claire. One brand that stood out was Sensai, reportedly used by none other than Kim Kardashian. (I have to admit ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ is one of my guilty pleasures, it’s easy watching whilst I workout in the mornings.) Sensai make a mascara called 38°, it only comes off with water that’s at least 38°C. It works in the swimming pool (a bonus for the summer) and doesn’t run when you cry. There are two types, a separating and lengthening one, and a thickening one. I opted for the separating and lengthening one as my little lashes clump quite easily. Whilst at their counter in Harrods I decided to give their foundation a try too – in for a penny, in for a pound. Their make-up artist started with a primer (something else I’ve struggled with previously), Smoothing Water Make-Up Base, she told me it’s always best to use it on top of your moisturiser. It’s without doubt the best primer I’ve ever used on my skin. Sensai follow the concept of make-up Saho which “teaches that anyone can achieve flawless make-up by following a simple rule: “Veil + Colour”. Applying a veil of moisture followed by make-up will help keep your skin protected and beautiful through the long hours of the day, encouraging a healthy, natural radiance“. I then tested two of their foundations, their Cream Foundation felt too heavy so I tried their Fluid Foundation, bingo! This one gets a gold star from me, a first. I bought the mascara, left their counter at Harrods wearing the foundation and wore it for the rest of the day. I rarely make impulse purchases these days and I wanted to be sure it stood up to my needs before spending any money. Within the week I was back for both the Smoothing Water Make-Up Base and Fluid Foundation in two colours, my usual shade and a shade darker for when my skin’s tanned.
Knowing I was onto a good thing with Sensai I spoke to their PR team to find out more about the brand. They very kindly sent me a Bronzing Gel and Gel Brush to try. Once again a product I absolutely love, with a great applicator brush to match. If you want a warm natural glow that you can build up you will love this, it’s a wonderful fluid product with a cooling feel as you apply it with the brush.
For a little while I’ve been using a dark eyeshadow and an angled brush to fill-in my brows, there’s nothing wrong with this but I much prefer Anastasia Beverly Hills‘ Brow Whiz, the effect is much more subtle and easier to build up. I just kept forgetting to replace my old one but with the wedding coming up I had no excuse.
The only thing left to worry about were my lips. I’d read many good things about Charlotte Tilbury‘s make-up and their Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Pillow Talk was the main product I’d been meaning to try. It imitates the natural colour of your lips, allowing you to create a smooth lip line for use with almost any lipstick (it’s not ideal for red or dark lipsticks). I then applied a little of their K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick in Bitch Perfect and topped it with Beauté‘s Luminous Volume Gloss.
I was really pleased with my wedding day make-up. I’ll share some photos soon so you can see what it looked like altogether. If you’re not sure about what to use I would recommend spending some time trying products and asking for advice from your friends and make-up artists, reading articles and trying to identify which products work with your skin condition, texture and tone. Although frustrating at times, I have found that it’s been beneficial in the long run. I have products in my make-up bag now that I know work for me.
Please get in touch if you have any questions about the products I’ve mentioned or my experience.
