3BM's Summer Beauty Buys...

The sun has got his hat on in London this week so I've decided to take full advantage of this fact and plan for a rip roaring summer ahead. Wishful thinking? Maybe... but you've got to have something to keep you going right?! So in the spirit of positive thinking I've pulled together a checklist of the must-have items that will keep you looking sunkissed, healthy and fabulously flawless through the coming summer months... 

• A rich body oil 
• A hard-wearing mascara 
• A nude eyeliner for bigger & brighter eyes
• A bronzing dream cream
• A long-wearing nail varnish 

Now before I get onto my top pick of products mapped to my checklist above, I want to make clear that once you've made your summer essentials list, you must stick by it and commit to it. The boss in me is emerging - beware! The key to perseverance when it comes to upkeep is simple - buy products you love - that way you won't see your beauty regime as a chore but instead a daily delight! Some inspirational shots of spruced up summer beauties who by the looks of things whole-heartedly swear by their little black book of summer prep products... 

Hopefully that little hall of fame has inspired you and not left you reaching for the duvet and chocolate ready from summer hibernation! 

Onto my handpicked items, each of which I consider the best summer prep products out there...

A rich body oil...

Dr Hauschka's Birch Arnica Body Oil - £18.25
Your skin needs moisture and I don't believe there is a product out there that can beat this baby! First up, it smells divine; second, it sinks into your skin quickly; and lastly, it leaves your skin feeling seriously soft, fully nourished and ready for the day ahead. It also activates the skin's metabolism and increases blood circulation so not only does it make you feel amazing but it's good for you too - why thank you Dr Hauschka, you are really spoiling us! 

A hard-wearing mascara...

Chantecaille's Faux Cils Mascara - £35
I personally think that the key to a fresh summer look is a cracking mascara. When you've got a natural tan or even if your glow comes courtesy of a bottle (check out our 3BM Tan Trials post if you need a little help selecting a good fake tan), mascara is pretty much all you need to complete your look. It's therefore worth investing in a hard-wearing product that's going to do the job properly. This Chantecaille beauty does just that. I always struggle to get my lashes to curl up to attention, even with eyelash curlers. The Faux Cils feels silky smooth on but also lengthens and coats each lash evenly so you don't get that dreaded clumpy the clown look - well worth the extra dosh in my opinion.

A nude eyeliner for bigger & brighter eyes...

Benefit's Eye Bright - £15
For winter I like a charcoal grey inner eyeliner but for summer it's skin colour liner all the way. Simply apply to inner and outer corners of the eye and PING your eyes will appear bigger and brighter than ever - longer lasting than a coffee fix that's for sure! Go easy on it mind, you want to keep it subtle not TOWIE-tastic!

A bronzing dream cream...

Dr Hauschka's Translucent Bronze Concentrate - £27.45

The last thing you want to mess around with when it's hot outside is applying layer upon layer of make-up to achieve the ultimate sunkissed look. Instead opt for Dr Hauschka's (yes i'm obsessed with the brand) secret weapon which will give you a healthy golden bronze hue in seconds. Just a couple of pumps mixed in with your daily moisturiser is all you need to give your skin a lightweight even finish. Top tip is to apply and make a cuppa whilst it sets and fully dries then swirl a dash of Nars Laguna bronzer over your forehead, temples and cheeks and you're good to go!

 

 

A long-wearing nail varnish...

Mavala Nail Polish - £4.50
Naked or even worse chipped and peeling nails don't make for sexy summer sandal feet. We want bright, glossy nails to make us bright and glossy people! The brand that does it for me when it comes to nail varnish is Mavala - the colour range is never ending, it's so afordable you can have a bottle of every colour, the varnish is thick and glossy and it's practically unchippable! 

Summer beauty sorted, now all we need is for the sun to stick around...