Summer has apparently arrived, and whilst in the UK it seems more like September, those travelling abroad will hopefully experience a better time weather-wise.
For those of you who don’t know, I have just returned from a month long trip around South East Asia, and so have listed bellow my favourite summer beauty essentials that are £10 and under!
Just click on the links to find the product online.
1. Sun Cream and After Sun – Soltan Family Pack (£10)
Let’s start this off with the most important items for a holiday in the sun. Sun cream is a must, but can be ridiculously expensive. The Soltan Family Pack is perfect because it contains factor 15, 30 and 50+ as well as an after sun. I can’t stress enough the need for aftersun, it works amazingly well for burns, but also is an excellent moisturiser that locks in your tan.
If you happen to be going anywhere that is prone to mosquitos, I would 100% recommend buying the Soltan Aftersun with Insect Repellent for just £4. If you remember to put it on after a day in the sun, you’ll be sure to be protected from the insects come sunset.
2. Moisturiser – Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Body Lotion (£3.75)
I will always be a die hard fan of Palmer’s moisturiser, not just because it literally smells amazing, but also because it is simply the best at keeping your skin well hydrated. On holiday I would put this on just before going to sleep, but since returning home I have used it every morning after I shower. So far, my tan is still going strong, and I have yet to see any peeling skin during the three weeks that I have been home.
3. Make-Up Remover/Cleanser – Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water (£2)
I had seen this advertised for so long, and didn’t know if it was going to be any good. But then a make-up artist I was working with used it to remove my make-up during a shoot. It was hands down the best make-up remover/cleanser I had ever used. I bought a small bottle (250ml) for my holiday and found it took off all my make-up, especially waterproof mascara, so easily. I’ve been told that it is especially good for those with sensitive skin, because it can take off all traces of make-up whilst still being gentle on the skin. The most amazing thing about the cleansing water is that it doesn’t need washing off, as it literally feels like water, so there is no oily, creamy feeling left on the skin after use.
4. Primer – Rimmel Match Perfection Fix & Perfect Primer (£6.99)
On holiday, I tend to avoid foundation because I find that the dirt from sweat and the make-up combined is just a recipe for disaster. However, I do use primer to even out my skin without completely clogging my pores. Now, I must admit, my all time favourite primer is the Giorgio Armani Light Master Make Up Primer, but it is a tad pricey for this list, at £37.00 a bottle. But, I have used the Rimmel Match Perfection Fix & Perfect Primer for a while now, and the thick serum glides over the skin smoothly, and I find a little goes a long way. It can be used without foundation, but when using foundation, it controls excess oil and reduces the need to top up.
5. Lips – Revlon Colour Burst Matte Balm (£7.99)
With the matte lips craze at the moment, this balm is the best for the summer sun. Matte lipsticks tend to dry out your lips, but the Revlon Colour Burst is surprisingly hydrating. The creamy formula changes in opacicity depending how many layers you apply, with my favourite summer colour being a pale orange, called Mischievous (not pictured above).
6. Nail Polish – L’Oréal Paris Color Riche A L’Huile (£4.99)
I am very fussy about my nail polish, and I hate polishes that either chip instantly, or take hours to dry. I found this polish from L’Oréal did neither, and the best part was that the polish had the iconic L’Oréal scent, which can be found in their lipsticks, that lasts on your nails for days. My favourite colour is pictured above, Café De Nuit, but I also have it in a blue/grey called Noir Oxyde which is just as lovely, but less summery.
7. Mascara – Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara in Black (£7.99)
If its waterproof mascara you’re after, look no further. This mascara from Maybelline is very waterproof, which is perfect if you want to have defined lashes on the beach. However, it is a lot more difficult to remove, so I would avoid using make-up remover wipes when you have this on, but instead go for a cream or the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water. Like with the primer, my actual fav waterproof is slightly more expensive, and that is Bobbi Brown No Smudge Mascara, but costs an eye-watering (see what I did there) £21.00 which means I rarely treat myself to it.
8. Detangler – L’Oréal Kids Sweet Pear Tangle Tamer (£2.10)
Now, I know what you’re thinking, ‘this is for kids!’, but trust me on this. I have incredibly curly, knotty hair that tangles every time it gets wet, so whenever I go to the beach, I bring a tangle teezer and this Tangle Tamer from L’Oréal. It is the best product I have found that truly gets rid of all the knots and leaves my wet hair perfectly smooth, not to mention the amazing pear scent!
9. Salt Spray – Bumble and Bumble Surf Infusion Spray (£9.50)
Yes you can get natural beachy hair at the beach (duh), but let’s be honest, after a sweaty day in the sun, you tend to wash your hair and then bye-bye beachy waves. This Bumble and Bumble salt-in-oil spray creates sea tossed waves instantly, and is perfect for when you want clean hair in the evening! I am a huge fan of all things Bumble and Bumble, but they do tend to be quite expensive, so opt for the travel sizes to see what suits you before investing in the full size bottles.
10. Dry Shampoo – Batiste Dry Shampoo XXL Volume (£6.49)
When you can’t be bothered to wash your hair, or it’s been recently dyed and you don’t want to shampoo it constantly, this dry shampoo is what you need. I was recently gifted this product and had strong reservations towards its ‘XXL Volume’ claim. I love Batiste’s dry shampoos, and this one lives up to their reputation, and it actually does increase volume. I have naturally flat hair, and I was amazed that it actually increased the volume of my dull, limp hair. I would advise to use it sparingly though, as it does leave a rough texture, so too much can make hair feel straw-like.
So there you have it, my 10 Best Buys from Boots for £10 and Under. Sorry to have teased you and added some more expensive products along the line, but sometimes you can splash out if you’ve saved elsewhere.
Hope you all enjoy the summer, whether it is here in the UK, or abroad. For more from me, follow me on instagram and twitter: @thelondonfoxx, and add me on snapchat: naomiharris1
xx
Please note: This post is not sponsored by Boots or any of the brands mentioned above. All opinions are my own. All images are taken from Boot’s website, and prices may vary from those stated online compared to in stores.