The Summer Edit

I struggled doing this edit, I really did! I have so many things that I love doing in summer and stuff like that and it took all my willpower to stop myself writing a ten page essay for this blog post!

Makeup – I never really wear a heavy base in summer, I generally leave it at eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliner and a touch of concealer. In summer you obviously sweat more (I won’t bore you with all my GCSE biology knowledge here) and a lot of foundation blocks your pores, trapping the sweat underneath and making your skin even worse than it already might be! I didn’t show my favourite concealer at the moment because there is a massive review coming, but it is the Seventeen Stay Time 18hr concealer.

First we have this eyeshadow palette, which is a Makeup Revolution Redemption palette in Iconic 3. I’m loving the matte shades in it to create a really soft, natural smoky eye. Paired with a slick of black or grey eyeliner and a lot of mascara – Black/Brown, I find black too heavy for summer! – it makes the perfect summery eye.

Then, my favourite lipstick ever! The Revlon Matte Balm in Sultry. Somehow I always find myself going back to this. A lot of people prefer matte shades in the winter but I just love this colour. It looks quite dark but comes out pretty bright on me. After not wearing it for ages because I thought it was too dark I’ve since rediscovered it and I’m using it almost as a sheer tint.

Nails – I don’t really like wearing bright colours on my fingernails, but for toes I go all out! For toes I’m loving this mini Nails Inc polish in Blandford Street, it’s a sort of corally-orangey-reddy colour and is perfect for summer. So bright, it makes me so much happier and confident (for someone who doesn’t like their feet very much) whenever I wear it. For my fingernails I love nude shades, and at the moment this Bourjois So Laque polish in Indispen-sable just bites the bullet for me. The only slight irk I have with these polishes (I have a couple others) is that the “up to 10 days” claim isn’t really true, it lasts for three at the most without a topcoat. Admittedly I haven’t tried it with a topcoat but hey, stay tuned for that one!

Fragrance – I’ve been loving Next’s Sparkle at the moment! One my and my younger sister share (I wear it more than she does) but it’s so summery and floral. But it’s also got undertones of citrus in as well, making it the most perfect blend of fruity and floral in the same bottle. Would highly recommend.

Other  - I’ve been reading so many books lately, and this one is one of my favourites at the moment. It’s a rewrite of Sense and Sensibility by Joanna Trollope, originally by Jane Austen. The difference? It’s set in modern day. Because of this, Trollope manages to incorporate some real-life issues into it, such as the issues surrounding inheritance and females, and things like that. It’s so good! If you’re looking for something a little more light then I’ve also been adoring the Princess Diaries series – they are so funny! And the pair of sandals I have shown are these ones from New Look - so so so so so comfortable. It's good to have a comfortable pair of sandals for summer for those days out where you know you'll be doing some walking but still don't want your feet to overheat! (that rhymed)

I’d love to hear any summer essentials you have too! Comment or drop me an email ^.^

Emilia xx