August Favourites

For me this month has been a lot about recovering from all the time I spent in the sun in July so I've focused on hydration, nourishment and restoration to some extent and for most of my favourites this month that's also the common thread - starting with the small, but oh so important lip balm.

In most of my handbags I will find at least one lip balm since I hate the feeling of dry lips and I always use one to prep my lips before applying lip products. This month the one I have been reaching for the most is the A-Derma Intense Repair Lip Balm. A-Derma is another French skincare range using plant based technology to deliver 100% natural products. When I first got this lip balm in a Glossybox many months ago I really didn't like it and thought it was an overpriced lip balm, but I have completely changed my mind! It's made from Rhealba oat milk which is well known for it's "soothing, softening and protective" qualities and it really feels as if it does all these things when you wear it. It glides on easily and has a non sticky consistency, and even if you don't wear any colour on your lips it adds a lovely and healthy natural shine. Despite the heat wave we've had, my lips have been in good condition thanks to this lip balm. It doesn't seem to be readily available in shops - unless you're in France, so your best bet is to get it on Amazon or eBay, and it is definitely worth the £10 (including delivery).

Every week I compliment my regular skincare routine with different masks and one of my absolute favourites, and also mentioned by loads of other bloggers and vloggers is the REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask. I must admit that when I first tried it a long time ago, I was a little bit apprehensive since glycolic acid is a very potent ingredient used to remove any dead skin, but it also plumps the skin underneath. I follow the instructions carefully and will use this mask perhaps once every 10 days, definitely no more than once a week. You apply it onto clean skin, leave it on for about 10 mins, wipe it off with a cloth and then you rinse your face. Immediately you'll notice that the skin looks more clear, radiant and plump so it's a very effective mask, but because it's so strong it's not suitable for sensitive skin.

Since I abused my hair a little bit in July with sun, salt water and updo's I've tried to add as much moisture as possible back into my hair before A/W, when I'll start to do more heat styling again. I've been using Aussie Beach Mate Shampoo and Conditioner that I mentioned earlier this month pretty much solidly throughout August, which is fairly unusual for me so it says a lot about how great I think they are. The shampoo and conditioner have the same rich formula as Miracle Moist and I love how soft, sleek and silky it makes my hair feel, and of course the candy sweet but fresh orange scent is sooo lovely. 

The weather is still sunny and the skies are beautifully blue most days, however there's been a shift in the air and even though the sun's out, it no longer feels as if it's TTT - Total Tanning Time. So I'm starting to lose my bronzed look a little bit and instead of donning a bikini again, I go for sun in a bottle with the help of Caudalie Divine Legs. I've mentioned this amazing product previously in The Bronze Age, so I won't go into too much detail except to mention again that it is - yes you guessed it, AMAZING. It's so easy to apply, it gives an even golden colour without the strange smell that many other brands have (regardless of what they claim) and it doesn't streak or stain your clothes and sheet. What more could you want from a tanning product?

As the weather has turned a little bit cooler at the moment, I've turned to slightly warmer and more aromatic fragrances and my last favourite this month is a perfect example of that - Origins Ginger Essence. This is one of my all time favourites and I always seem to have a bottle of it in my perfume collection. It is a light and effervescent mix of fresh and cool, zesty citrus fruits like lemon and lime together with warm and spicy, but still sweet crystallized ginger - it's like wearing a slightly peppery ginger ale. This fragrance warms you up from the inside and makes you feel composed, harmonious and focused - it's a truly wonderful scent, perfect for taking you into autumn.

Aussie Beach Mate - Shampoo & Conditioner

Sun, sea, sand - aaaaah how lovely, although my hair definitely doesn't agree with that. I have long hair and to make it easier to manage in the hot weather I usually just pull it back or up in a bun (not so affectionately known as The Pineapple by Him indoors). Having my hair up may be practical, but it does mean that my hair which is already dry, gets even more brittle, unruly and yep there's another split end - ARGGHH!

When it comes to hair care I'm not exactly loyal to a particular brand. Partly because I like to try different products but mainly because there are very few that make my socks roll up and down with joy. But one of the brands I go back to ever so often is Aussie, because they do moisturising hair care sooo well and when I saw the Aussie Beach Mate Schampoo and Conditioner in Boots a few weeks ago I definitely had to give it a go.

As with the Miracle Moist range the Beach Mates contain macademia nut extract which is famous for it's healing qualities, and it helps to nourish and condition dry hair. Both the shampoo and conditioner have a nice thick consistency that really feels as if you're adding lots of intense nourishment. The shampoo lathers nicely and despite being a heavier consistency both products are so easy to rinse off, and of course the products have that for Aussie characteristic gorgeous sweet, but fresh orange cream soda smell (oh how I wish there was a body care range with that fragrance...).

For me these products definitely work and my hair feels incredibly soft and smooth, and an extra bonus is that it's so much easier to detangle. I usually use a detangle spray, but that wasn't even necessary after the conditioner - yeay! Something that I didn't expect was the feeling of deep cleanse from the shampoo which got rid of any left over products without making my hair feel damaged and stripped back, and I also had the feeling that it somehow helped my hair stay clean longer.

These little friends from Down under are perfect for that straight off the beach, healthy, wavy surf look and my hair is a lot shinier and happier!