A Cool Beauty Influencer Shares Her Top-To-Toe Summer Prep

Before summer kicks off, I always get my hair cut. It makes me more confident and mine grows really quickly, so it’s nice to go into the season feeling fresh. I see Ryan at Hershesons, Belgravia. To prepare for the heat, I usually reach for the Ultimate Smooth range by Wella. I like to mix the oil serum with the mask for a deep, conditioning treatment. I find this combination helps minimise frizz, which I’m prone to because of my natural texture. I recently went on holiday and used Nuxe’s Sun Moisturising Protective Milky Oil on repeat. It shielded my hair from UV rays and from damaging chlorine. Another mask I swear by is Gisou’s Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy formula. I work it through my hair and leave it on while I sleep. When I wash it out in the morning, my hair feels so soft and nourished.

I get regular manicures at my local salon as they understand exactly what I like. Most of the time I go for gel polish, but from time to time I’ll get BIAB if I want some added strength. I’m a facialist, so I always keep them short, however I love to play with colour and pattern. At the moment, I’m really into butter yellow French tips, but I also love pillar-box red, cute patterns as well as a classic nude. 

My body routine is quite extensive. First I dry brush, then exfoliate onto dry skin using a scrub. My favourite is by Ouai  – the scent is delicious and truly leaves my skin feeling so smooth. I then mix in a bit of water and continue to exfoliate. Next, I shave with an oil; L’Occitane’s almond version is my go-to, which I use alongside my Nimbi Razor. Once I’m out the shower I’ll massage the Irene Forte Pistachio Body Oil  into my damp skin to seal in the moisture. When I'm going out, I like to use a formula which contains pigment or shimmer to really make my legs pop. Right now, I’m loving the Nuxe  Sun Oil Shimmering Gold SPF 50. Finally, if I’ve been travelling a lot, my legs can get quite puffy, so I’ll use a gua sha to shift any stagnant water. 

I tend to use a skin tint all year round but recently I’ve been using the Clarins  Skin Illusion Tinted Moisturiser for some extra SPF protection. I swap out black mascara for brown, it has a softer, slightly more understated feel. I like Benefit’s BADgal BANG! formula. During the warmer months, I also reach for balmy textures – Saie  does a highlighter  I can’t get enough of. Another staple is a dewy mist which I rely on to add radiance but I also lock everything in place with the Lumene Dewy Glow Setting Spray. I also find powder really helps make my base last – I love the ones by Saie  and Hourglass. 

Lighter textures go a long way in the summer. In the evening, I double cleanse with two foaming cleansers as opposed to a heavier oil or balm. This gets rid of SPF, grime, pollution and make-up – everything my face comes into contact with during the day. My go-to cleansers are the CosRX  Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser and Fenty Skin Total Cleans’r Remove-It-All Cleanser. If you do prefer the consistency of an oil, another great option is Eve Lom’s new launch. I love how lightweight it feels, but it’s also so effective at breaking down make-up. For reducing puffiness, I rate the Clarins  Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask. It has such a cool, refreshing feel. You also can’t go wrong with a bowl of ice to help tighten and lift the skin. Also, I love the SPFs by Beauty Pie. The Super Healthy Skin Featherlight UVA/UVB SPF 50 Sunscreen + Primer is sensational. It makes me look so dewy, without it being too greasy and it melts into the skin quickly without leaving a white cast – crucial for me as I’m a woman of colour and this is rare!

Recently, I’ve started having Profhilo  and I love how effective it is. Personally, I don’t find applying hyaluronic acid topically does much for me and I’m yet to find a texture I like. Whereas this – which involves injecting it into the skin – has been a real game changer. It honestly makes my skin glow so much. I also give myself a quick five-minute lifting and draining massage with my morning skincare products to get the blood flowing. 

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