BEAUTY BITES : JULY 2015

Summer's defining beauty aesthetic may be defining my content of late, but that's not to say that some perennial staples aren't working their magic behind the scenes. These products are less about achieving the niche and demanding requests of summer but more about a practical, enduring, failsafe minimalism that’s resulted in some quiet but staunch long-term favourites. The bare necessities are always in.

TOPSHOP Cheek Jelly in Museum

Don't be put off by the initially dark rich wine colour this presents in the tub, or by the concept of a 'cheek jelly'. I'm a powder blush only kinda gal and I'm quite converted - it's amazing, and impossible to mess up; blending to a beautiful sheer brown-pink with a fresh dewy sheen. It's so sheer in fact that you really don't even a brush to blend it out, and can go in as heavy-handedly and liberally as you like without having to worry about looking like you've had too many glasses of wine. Ideal for when you seek an ever so slight hint of colour to boost a wan complexion or for when you don't want to compromise your dewy base with a powder blush.

MALIN + GOETZ Cleansing Oil*

I only had to use this once to know that it was destined to be my next cleanser obsession. Eucalyptus, chamomile, grapefruit, avocado, and olive oil cleanse, soothe, and refresh the skin, removing makeup and deep-rooted impurities and proving a helpful injection of vitamin A and E protection. It's a dream to use, and doesn't cause any imbalance to skin's moisture levels or leave residue [I would commend this to any and every skin type, even oily]. Expect a very light, silky, and almost 'dry' oil texture, which feels both comforting and refreshing upon application, and provides the perfect consistency for facial massage.

AVALON ORGANICS Lavender Shampoo & Conditioner

The conceptual pleasure of organic/natural beauty products is real - but also short-lived, for whilst we love the idea of buying products that are ethical, pure, and safe, we don't feel so warmly towards their often extortionate price tags. I procured this duo from the aisles of Waitrose [one of my favourite places to discover new and niche brands, their beauty aisle is almost like a mini Space NK and I rarely leave empty handed] for £12 and my hair was softer after one wash. I do love a deep cleansing shampoo but am well aware that stripping away those essential oils is the root of greasy-haired evil; this one gives you that deeply cleansed feel but hair doesn't feel dry or stripped or 'squeaky clean'; instead expect locks to be soft, weightless, and lustrous. The shampoo suds up and distributes astonishingly well for a sulphate free formula and the conditioner is light and creamy [with a potent lavender scent to boot] - you can expect to not have to use them again for a good 3-4 days.

KORRES Fig Shower Gel

Fresh, ripe, and woody, this is a true fig scent [as opposed to the sickly-sweet candied type] that really packs a punch - it's more than appropriate for summer use and the scent lingers for hours, more like an eau de toilette than a body wash. A little goes a long way, both in terms of lather and scent - you'll soon get used to needing half as much shower gel as you used to. For me, the defining aspect [rendering it repurchase material] is the texture; rich, creamy, and almost powdery, once it lathers, it reminds me more of the consistency of bar soap than a typical shower gel. Luxury, but with a democratic price point.

BUMBLE & BUMBLE Brilliantine*

Upgrade your basic styling cream and perfect the art of relaxed and tousled hair by running a little of this light [and divinely scented] cream through nearly-dry tresses. After this post, it should come as no surprise to you that Brilliantine features in my monthly product roundup, I'm completely, utterly obsessed. The formula separates locks and produces a loose, tousled finish which maintains effortless texture and volume all day. There is a difference between undone and unkempt, and Brilliantine is the answer.