Summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to pack your SPF.
Every dermatologist I’ve spoken to has told me you should wear it year round.
The best way to do that is to find a sunscreen that you enjoy wearing.
If you’re still on the hunt for your holy grail, I’ve found a new go-to in Paula’s Choice 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer SPF 50and I defy anyone not to like it.
It is not greasy or It is dry, lightweight, absorbs quickly into the skin and lasts well under makeup.
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Paula’s Choice 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer SPF50, £46
It doesn’t sting sensitive eyes and is lightly tinted so it doesn’t leave a white cast.
Plus, it not only provides sun protection, but also contains the antioxidant vitamin C, which helps brighten skin and reduce pigmentation. I often get breakouts from this ingredient, but not in this formula.
After using it for a month, I still haven’t found a single thing I don’t like about it!
Another product that exceeded my expectations this month is Max Factor Miracle Pure Serum Foundation.
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Max Factor Miracle Pure Serum Foundation, £15.99
Normally I am not a fan of medium skin tones. I have a lot of redness on my face and a few acne scars. That is why I usually go for a product with a higher coverage.
They are also usually called ‘dewy’ or ‘radiant’, but that is really not recommended for my oily skin.
However, this clever serum foundation has a satin matte finish (my favorite) and the coverage is buildable, so you can easily build enough coverage to hide imperfections without it feeling heavy.
Unlike the SPF, I do have one downside to this foundation: it only comes in a disappointing nine shades. That means there’s bound to be a large group of people who can’t find a good match for their skin tone.
Hopefully there will be a shadow expansion soon!
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Mac Studio Radiance 24HR Luminous Lift Concealer, £26
In contrast, the utterly brilliant Mac Studio Radiance 24HR Luminous Lift Concealer, which was recently launched in no fewer than 44 shades.
I know what you’re thinking: I said a few sentences ago that I don’t like basic products called “radiant”, but this is an exception.
The shine comes from the addition of niacinamide, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, which make up a whopping 80% of the formula, rather than the glitter of pearlescent pigments that can emphasize texture and greasiness.
Despite the caring formula, the concealer stays in place all day and conceals imperfections without creating or looking chalky. It is suitable for both under the eyes and on the entire face.
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Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Stix, £23
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Stix is just as hardworking and really comes into its own when the weather turns colder (and that’s not just because the formula tends to melt in warm weather – you’ve been warned!).
I have chronically dry lips and a bad habit of picking at my dry skin, so there are few lip balms and glossy lipsticks that I haven’t tried yet.
Unfortunately there are only a few that are actually good, but this immediately rose to those ranks.
It contains the powerful moisturisers squalane, shea butter and beeswax, as well as soothing vitamin E to prevent chapped lips. The pigmentation is as opaque as a traditional lipstick, with the shine and comfort of a lip gloss.
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Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Setting & Finishing Powder, £28
I’m impressed with a number of relaunch events this month that also deserve your attention – not least Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Setting & Finishing Powderthat is making waves on Tiktok thanks to the designer logo that you can print on the skin.
In reality, the formula is even better and is now 46% finer than its predecessor. The result is a truly invisible finish that blurs skin and helps control shine without looking powdery. It’s magic in a jar!
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Malin+Goetz Tomato Candle, £54
Finally, fans of Malin+Goetz Tomato Candleget excited.
The original limited edition lockdown launch is finally making a permanent return to shelves, making a comeback alongside Malin+Goetz Tomato Home Spray.
If you didn’t smell the scent of the cult candle the first time: it smells of tomatoes still growing on the plant and brings back fond memories of my grandfather’s greenhouse.
This fresh and intoxicating spring scent is the perfect antidote as the nights grow longer in the coming months.
