The Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen Review

 *This post contains gifted items.

The Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen* (£31.00 for 50ml) is a little bit special. This Sunscreen comes in a baby pink bottle, smells gently of watermelon, has SPF50 protection and contains Niacinamide to smooth the skin.

Glow Recipe have fused antioxidant-rich Niacinamide, the number one hydrating hero that is Hyaluronic Acid and skin-soothing, Vitamin-rich Aloe Vera together to create a beautiful sunscreen that helps rid the skin of dark spots and enlarged pores. Banishing dullness and dehydration with its chemical and mineral hybrid formula, this Sunscreen restores a healthy-looking radiant complexion and helps to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.

The formula is ultra lightweight, incredibly moisturising and this creamy dream unites ultimate sun protection with blendable benefits that your skin will thank you for. There is no white cast, stickiness or greasy residue left behind and the cream sinks into the skin instantly, so you only have to wait a short time before applying makeup, or you can of course, go bare faced.

It is always recommended to apply your sunscreen as the last step in your skincare routine, and 15 minutes before going out into the sun. It is best to reapply at least every 2 hours, and this handy sized bottle will fit in the majority of handbags easily. If you are reapplying over makeup, apply little dots and pat in gentle with your fingertips or a sponge.

Due to the healthy skincare ingredients, the skin looks fresh and glowy after application, which is great for those who don't always want to wear makeup. I love how this also treats my skin as well as protecting it from the sun's rays with its powerful SPF50 protection. 

You can find the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Sunscreen online at Cult Beauty here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

The Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Sun-Kissed Glow Bronzer & Bronzing Brush Review + Swatches

 *This post contains gifted items.

Over the past year or so, cream bronzers have often taken precedent over powder bronzers for me, as they just blend into the skin so well and are super easy to use, looking more natural on the skin. One new release I was super excited for is the Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Sun-Kissed Glow Bronzer, as anything Charlotte Tilbury creates is always outstanding!

The Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Sun-Kissed Glow Bronzer* (£42.00 for 21g) is a cream bronzer that is enriched with Hyaluronic Acid and sunshine Provitamin D3 to give the skin a sun-kissed, healthy-looking glow in just seconds. The Glow Bronzer is available in four shades - Fair, Medium, Tan and Deep and here I have the shade Fair as I have fair to light skin colouring. The Bronzer is packaged in a beautiful rose gold and brown art deco style compact complete with a large mirror on the inside of the lid.

This is Charlotte Tilbury's first ever cream bronzer and it blurs, hydrates and adds a wash of sun-kissed colour to the complexion, whilst also improving the look of your skin every time you wear it. As soon as you apply it, your skin feels hydrated and not at all dry and within just a month of continued wear, your skin will look smoother and healthier. Once applied onto the skin, the Bronzer lasts for up to 16 hours and is sweat and humidity proof, so it is the perfect summer product.

Key ingredients include Hyaluronic Acid to deeply hydrate the skin and lock in moisture for smoother, hydrated looking skin, Sunshine Provitamin D3 which converts to Vitamin D on exposure to sunlight for an even sun-kissed glow, Finely Milled Pearls that reflect the light for an illuminating bronzed glow and healthy looking skin, Elastomer Polymer for a glow-glide texture that gives the complexion a second-skin effect, Soft-Focusing Silica to smooth the appearance and feel of the skin to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and Film-Forming Resin to seal in the skincare benefits to improve the look of the skin instantly and over time.

After applying your foundation, lightly buff the bronzer onto the skin in circular motions, focusing on areas where the sun naturally hits, such as the cheekbones, forehead, nose and jawline. Blend the cream formula using light brush strokes to diffuse the bronzer for that second-skin finish. I would start with a small amount of the bronzer, as it is absolutely buildable, so if you want more, you can keep adding as much as you like. As the compact is so big, I also like to take the bronzer over my shoulders, collarbone and arms for a super duper sun-kissed look!

To go with this beautiful bronzer, you can also get the Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Bronzing Brush* (£35.00). This is an expert, fine art-inspired bronzing brush that makes applying the Beautiful Skin Bronzer effortless, or of course, any other bronzers you regularly use. It is a must-have to apply cream texture formulas for instantly sun-kissed skin. The Bronzing Brush comes with a rose gold handle and densely packed bristles that pick up the perfect amount of product, and silky smooth fibres that effortlessly fan over the face and body.

It feels SO amazingly soft and silky against the face, with absolutely zero pulling or tugging on our gentle skin. The Brush is 100% cruelty free, skilfully handmade with ultra-soft synthetic fibres and those soft, smooth fibres are also perfect for those with sensitive skin. The short, ergonomic handle is easy to use on the go, and perfect for a precise application. As the brush is a good size, you can use it on both the face and body, for an all-over sun-kissed, glowy look.

You can find Charlotte Tilbury online here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

My Essence Summer Essentials

 *This post contains gifted items.

If you come here often, you will know that Essence is one of my all-time favourite brands, and what's more, they are super affordable! I have put together some of my must-have Essence products for the Summer months...

Let's begin with skincare, and the Essence Daily Drop Of Energy Ampoule Face Serum* (£3.95 for 15ml), a skin-revitalising serum, specially formulated to renew and brighten dull and grey complexions. The serum is enriched with 2% Vitamin C for a smooth and radiant complexion and has an invigorating fresh citrus scent to it. You simply apply a few drops of the serum to the face, neck and décolleté before applying your moisturiser in the morning for the ultimate energy kick for a perfect start to the day.

This is actually the second tube of the Essence Hydro Hero Under Eye Stick* (£2.75 for 4.5g) I have owned as I am obsessed with it as I get very tired eyes in a morning and this works wonders. This is a skin-nourishing undereye stick, which has been enriched with Panthenol, Niacinamide and Aloe Vera for an intensely hydrating, nourishing effect. It comes in a practical stick, and the transparent texture is easy to apply, and can be used both morning or evening. I find this instantly refreshing and it really helps to lessen the bags under my eyes.

I tend to wear a lighter foundation or tinted moisturiser in the warmer months and the Essence Hydro Hero 24H Hydrating Tinted Cream* (£3.95 for 30ml) is an excellent option! It combines foundation, moisturiser and sunscreen in one product, providing buildable light to medium coverage without clogging pores. This BB Cream creates an even complexion with a fresh, natural finish with hydration that lasts up to 24 hours. It is formulated with an SPF15 filter for protection from UV rays, and the weightless, oil-free texture comprises 88% natural ingredients, and has been enriched with Hyaluronic Acid to keep the complexion hydrated. It comes in a squeezy tube with a push down applicator and as it is a tinted moisturiser, there are just three shades to choose from as you don't need to be exact.

You may have seen the Essence Kissed By The Light Illuminating Powder* (£3.79 for 10g) on one of my other Essence blog posts, but this one is a different shade - the shade 02 Sun Kissed, a brown-toned shimmer. This product combines highlighter, bronzer and blush in a single product, giving the complexion a unique all-over glow or setting individual highlights above the cheekbones, under the eyebrows or above the Cupid's bow of the lips. I chose this shade because it is warmer and so is better for me when I have more of a tan thanks to the sunshine. I do love a multi-use product, and this can also be used on the eyelids too for a wash of shimmer.

Ever worried about your eyebrows washing off in the pool? Fear no more! The Essence Brow Like A Boss Ink Brow Gel* (£3.79 for 4ml) lasts for up to 72 hours and has a waterproof formula! This Brow Gel provides the brows with fullness, density and a natural long-lasting finish. It is easy to apply accurately with the angled brush it comes with, and the lightweight texture is comfortable to wear, smudge proof and waterproof - hurrah! There are four shades to choose from - Blonde, Brown, Dark Brown and Ash Brown, so there is one to suit the majority of hair tones.

In Summer, I tend to change from black eyeliners to brown, as it gives a much more natural look, yet still defines the eyes. The Essence The Dip Eyeliner* (£2.45 for 2.5ml) in brown and is also another waterproof product, so there is no smudging or budging throughout the heat. This creates ultra-precise eyeliner looks and perfectly curved lines with its fine, firm tip. The colour intense texture is long-lasting and waterproof, ensuring your eyeliner is on point all day long. As the tip is so fine, it is also entirely suitable for eyeliner novices.

I have worn contact lenses for years, and sometimes mascaras can be a little irritating on my lashes, and so the Essence Sensitive But Wow! Volume Mascara* (£3.49 for 8.5ml) is a wonderful option. This mascara has been ophthalmologically tested and confirmed as suitable for use on sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. This caring mascara provides the lashes with natural volume and nourishment from ingredients such as Calendula and Chamomile Blossom Water. What's more, is that this mascara can be easily removed without eye makeup remover - warm water is all you need, so there is no pulling or tugging at the lashes.

Just as much in Winter, my lips dry out in the warmer months and I have been loving the Essence Cranberry Lip Oil* (£2.50 for 4ml). This Lip Oil glides effortlessly over the lips to give them a glossy finish and provides moisture due to the Cranberry Oil and Vitamin E the formula contains to leave the lips feeling soft and nourished. The formula reacts to the natural, individual pH value of the lips and intensifies the colour, so you will get a shade that is meant for your skin tone. Magic! Even though it is a lip oil, it doesn't feel oily on the lips and there is no greasy residue left behind.

Another super cool product is the Essence Electric Glow Colour Changing Lipstick* (£2.99 for 3.2g), which comes in a transparent neon green case. This Lipstick nourishes the lips while giving them a natural, radiant finish complete with a delicate rose shimmer. Enhanced with glitter particles, the texture reacts to the individual pH value of the lips and changes colour as a result, creating a unique, individual look. It is a very comfortable formula to wear and I find the lipstick mesmerising to look at, with its jelly-looking formula and glitter suspended in it.

As someone with fine lips, I sometimes struggle with matte lipsticks, but the Essence Hydro Matte Lipstick* (£2.45 for 3.5g) is a gamechanger for me. This is a long-lasting lipstick, enriched with moisturising Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid, nourishing Shea Butter, Sunflower Oil and a vitamin complex, so there is no drying out of the lips, and they are super comfortable and moisturised. This texture creates a creamy matte finish and gives excellent colour pay-off. There are eight shades to choose from, and here I have 401 Mauve-ment, a beautiful mauve shade and I am obsessed with the neon pink packaging!

I love to have nice nails, but as I am not working at the moment due to waiting for my surgery, I can't afford to go to the nail salon. The Essence Nails In Style* (£2.79) are an excellent alternative. For a perfect fit, you get 12 artificial nails in six sizes and as they are clear, you can paint them any colour your heart desires! They come with adhesive tabs too, so there is no messy glue that can damage your nails. You can get the perfect manicured nails in just a few minutes and they are so easy to apply!

You can find Essence online here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx