'How Best To Deal With The Extreme Heat This Summer'

Photo by Johnny Cohen on Unsplash

In recent weeks, we’ve had to deal with some of the most beautiful weather. In the UK, we don’t really get to enjoy extended periods of sunshine and humidity. We might get a few hours of sun, but then the clouds come back, and it becomes nearly freezing cold again. Sure, that will probably happen again soon enough, but right now, we’re in the midst of some pretty decent days! Summer is only just beginning, so you can expect this kind of climate to continue for at least a couple of months if you’re a UK resident! Good for you!

As someone that isn’t used to amazing weather in their home country, you might not be completely aware of how to take care of yourself and make the most of extremely hot temperatures. You probably know the basics, but, like most people, you probably still commit a few errors resulting in burning or some form of discomfort. We all get a little carried away when the lovely weather shows its face, so it’s nothing to be ashamed of – we’re all flawed humans, after all. 

So what can you do in order to keep safe and to deal with the most extreme days this year will have to offer? Fortunately, there’s no tough and ultra-secret formula to it – it’s actually just a case of repeatedly doing a few simple things. Here are seven points for you to heed:

Be Sure To Use Lots Of Sun Cream 

This absolutely goes without saying, but many people just don’t like the idea of doing it. They either dislike the process or the feeling, or they’ll be too lazy in the wonderful sun to take a couple of minutes out of their sunbathing. When you apply sun cream (or sunscreen), you’re quite literally saving yourself from both short-term and long-term health issues. We all know about the sunburn that the rays can give you, but we tend to neglect the idea that skin cancer and other serious skin conditions are prevalent in our species. Don’t be silly – cover up properly.

Drink Lots Of Water 

When you spend lots of time in the sun, you become very dehydrated, and your energy gets zapped from your systems. That’s why you need to make sure you keep yourself topped up with enough water. This is a basic task you need to do regardless of the weather, but it’s especially imperative during the really hot days. It may not seem like an important thing to do at first, but it becomes increasingly more obvious as the day gets on that you need fluids. It’s also wise to come prepared with some ibuprofen tablets or similar just in case you receive any outrageously bad headaches. Water is pretty boring, and lots of people can’t be bothered to drink it a lot of the time, but we’re made up of the stuff, so we need to keep refilling ourselves. 

Keep Your Pet(s) Safe

It’s not just you and your friends/family that have to deal with the heat; your furry friends also have to deal with it. Sure, some animals are completely fine in these kinds of climates, but many domestic pets struggle just as much as we do. Make sure you’re keeping them nice and cool during this entire summer – don’t neglect them for a second. Keep an eye on what they do. And, for goodness sake, do NOT leave them in your car while you run errands!

Eat Enough, Too!

You will obviously need to drink lots, but eating enough is also high on your list of priorities. You need to make sure you have all the energy in the world during these times – one moment, you could be fine; the next, you could be completely drained. It’s funny how your body tricks you like that. 

Do It With Friends!

This is a more light-hearted point, but still, one that should be said. When you’re around your friends and/or family, you’re in a much better headspace. When you’re in a better headspace, you tend to make better decisions – you also tend to have a better day overall. When you’re sitting on your own – even in the loveliest weather – it’s not quite the same. If you have the chance to be around your favourites, then take it – life is much better when you’re social. 

Take Appropriate Breaks! 

It’s tempting to stay out all day and get the best tan while enjoying the sun’s rays. If you have the endurance to do so, then, by all means, go right ahead. If you feel as though you need to go back indoors or sit in the shade for a little, then that’s also the right thing to do. You can’t be expected to immediately acclimatise to the new weather.

Have you got any tips on how to deal with the heat during the Summer?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

GA-DE Cosmetics - An Introduction

GA-DE Cosmetics is a brand you might have seen all over your social media feed, not only because they have launched here in the UK but also because they are such a beautiful brand that looks just as amazing on screen as they do in your hand and on your skin.

If you didn't know, GA-DE is actually pronounced Jade and it is an award-winning cosmetics, skincare and perfumery company which hails all the way from Israel. They were founded in 1985 but didn't sell their products on the international markets until 1990. GA-DE has a whole range of products which they proudly tell you are designed to suit all skin types, and if that isn't enough the makeup range is described as being practical, wearable and timeless for an effortless and elegant look –or to put it more simply

 "GA-DE is your everyday makeup that enhances your own beauty, rather than altering it.”

Whether you want something for your cheeks, lips, eyes or complexion, GA-DE has a whole host of products that you will struggle to choose from. I was very kindly gifted a few products from the range and for the whole of lockdown, I've enjoyed playing with each and every one of these products.

First off can we just swoon over this Velveteen Eyeshadow Palette, which is just beautiful. Called Fall-Oh-Me, it is one of five available and whether you like a palette full of nude shades or something a little more experimental, GA-DE has a lot of choices.

Each palette features 9 different shades, starting on the top line with the lighter shades and as you work your way through the shades become a little deeper. The Palette features a mirror which fills the entire top half and with a magnetic close, your palette remains safe and secure, even if like me you drop it!

Enriched with Almond Oil to help protect the eye area, each one of these 9 shades has a variety of finishes which include matte, satiny, metallic, silky and shimmery. They also have a super soft formulation which makes them really easy to apply and blend.

The swatches shown above are not edited in any way, they are as you get them from the palette and I am showing a mixture of textures and shades.  Each palette from the collection is priced at just £22.

I am not usually a blusher kind of girl, then I was introduced to Velveteen Rose and Glow, a Blush and Shimmer Duet and it is just stunning.

Described as being a two-in-one blush duo that is a travel-ready compact of blush and shimmer for a healthy glow and radiant luminosity. The range has 4 different options depending on your preference and the one I have is Rose and Glow.

I love the detail offered on both the blush and the shimmer with the embossed brand name. Again it is enriched with sweet almond oil to protect and soften the skin.

Again, the swatches shown above are not edited in any way, they are as you get them from the palette. I adore the shimmer and it is something I have used quite a lot, it makes for quite a lovely highlight across the cheekbones, looking more natural than as tough you have dipped your face in metallic paint (it's not a look for me) and both colours apply to the skin like an absolute dream. This product is priced at £24.50.

The product most people seem interested in is the Everglow Hydrating Illuminator which I have to admit, I absolutely do adore.

If you hadn't guessed already, then this is a liquid highlighter presented in innovative packaging, with a cushion applicator wand. The applicator itself, which is a really soft sponge and it really helps with the application to the skin. What I love is that you can control just how much highlight you want to add to your skin and then because of the shape of the sponge, it makes adding to cheeks or even the brow incredibly easy.

The Illuminator is available in two shades - Gilded and Beam and the shade I have is Beam and it is just a stunning shade that would suit all skin tones. The formula, which features plant-derived squalane, so as well as giving your skin the most wonderful glow, it is also a hydrating formula which replenishes the skin with a burst of skincare actives for an instantly refreshed look.

Again, this swatch isn't edited and what you can see is one swipe of the wand and you can see, even on my pale skin, just how pigmented it is.  Priced at just £18.50.

Staying with highlighters, which of course you can never have too many of, I also have had the joy of using the GA-DE Velveteen Highlighting Powder and it is as every bit as stunning as it looks.

This highlighter is described as being an illuminating powder that captures and reflects light and it is formulated with prismatic pearls which gives the skin the most wonderful glow, which is buildable, can be applied using your fingers, a makeup brush or a sponge. Alongside the prismatic pearls, the formula is enriched with jojoba oil to protect and soften skin.

The swatch is again unedited and is shown as seen, but what I love is just how reflective of the light it is without having to apply too much pressure or swipe the brush across the palette to get a good colour payoff.  This Velveteen Highlight Powder is available in four shades, I have Pearl Drop and I just adore the shade.  It comes packaged inside a beautiful compact which also features a mirror, so you can 'glow on the go' and it costs just £23.

The final product within my mini collection is the GA-DE Velveteen Brow Builder Duo and despite being in lockdown, I have used this a lot! Described as being a long wearing brow building pencil, this double-ended multitasking pen features an angled brown crayon on one end which gives you that ultra-precise filling and definition, so perfect for creating those brow hairs to give the look of a fuller brow and then on the other end, you will find a powder filler for soft colour release and blending on the other end.

I don't have a favourite side of this Brow Duo, I use and really like both of them equally. The Crayon side of the duo is brilliant for filling in gaps, something I suffer with due to over-tweezing as a teen. 

The pen with the powder gives the brow a really nice finish and depending on whether you like a soft brow or a bold brow, you can achieve either look depending on how much pressure you apply. Whether you are a brow queen or a not so good at the brow thing, this product is really easy to use.

The GA-De Velveteen Brow Building Duo is available in three shades and I have Taupe which is incredibly close to my own brow colour.  Priced at £15, it is an absolute bargain.

If you are yet to have a look at GA-De Cosmetics or have seen some products you like the look of, you can find them all here plus more - I'm talking lipsticks, mascaras, eyeliners, more eyeshadow palettes, concealers, primers, shimmers, setting powder and even more highlighers if you please!   I can also offer you a 20% off discount code which is GADICONBQ20 which you just add at the check out!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Skincare Glow Beauty Box Summer 2020 - By Boots

When this beauty dropped into my inbox today, I thought it was too good not to share and it is a really good deal too.  The Skincare Glow Beauty Box Summer 2020 from Boots is just £25 and the contents are worth £60 (it is here*).

Described as being a luxury filled box, it is has been created with both full-sized and mini make-up and skin treats to take your glow-game from AM to PM.

Each box contains:

• Garnier Rose Mini Micellar 100ml – Worth £2.50
• L'Oreal Paris Pure Clay Glow Mask- Worth £7.99
• Soap & Glory Bright & Pearly- Worth £14
• Burts Bee's Lip Balm- Worth £3.99
• No7 Early Defence Glow Activating serum- Worth £25.00
• Face Halo Make-up Remover Pad - Original - Single Pack- Worth £7

What I really like about this box, which is winging its way to me as I have bought one already, is that there is a great mix of products you can find in Boots - with their very own No.7 range, right through to Burt's Bees and Face Halo, which I also happen to love.

It is on sale right now and can be purchased from Boots here*.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Erborian Milk & Peel Mask

I am a huge fan of the brand Erborian and have featured them here on my blog many times, especially with the Ginseng range which I adore. Today it is the turn of the Milk & Peel Mask (priced at £34*) and from the description, I knew it was going to be something I really liked.

The Milk & Peel Mask is described as being a "new skin" effect and a brighter complexion in just 5 minutes! The 'just 5 minutes' definitely capturing my attention. There are times when I don't have that spare hour to have a proper pampering session and there are times when I just want a quick fix, so I was intrigued to see just how well this worked.

Developed with nurturing plant-based ingredients, it is formulated using sesame milk which is known to visibly smooth skin's surface texture. There is also the inclusion of exfoliating enzymes which help to lift impurities away from the skin and rich hydrating fatty acids which leave the skin feeling soft and supple.

The mask is quite highly concentrated, so when using, you only need to apply a thin layer to the skin, avoiding both the lips and the eye area. Once on the skin, leave it for 5 minutes, which is ample time to make a cup of coffee and check your emails, once that time is up, the directions are to massage the face using wet hands and then in circular movements, then rinse off with water. One of the ingredients is Kaolin, so as the mask settles on the skin, it does have that clay-like feel to it, only not as hard owing to the sesame oil.  My skin reacts to most clay masks, so I wasn't too sure it would like this at all, but surprisingly, I had no flare-up, no itching and no redness at all.  

With all Erborian products, you have a whole list of ingredients which are amazing and the Milk & Peel Mask is no different. Alongside the 7 Herbs Complex, a regular feature in Erborian products which are known for their soothing properties and include the likes of Tiger Grass Extract, Green Tea Leaf Extract and Japanese Knotweed Extract, you will also find:

• Sesame milk - Visibly smooth the skin and improve the quality of the skin texture, Improve the hydrated aspect of the skin
• Sesame oil - Helps to nourish and soften the skin
• Exfoliating enzyme - Resurfacing effect, Smooth the microrelief of the skin and Improve the skin’s texture

After using this mask there is a huge difference in the skin's texture. I was pleasantly surprised as to how smooth my skin was to the touch, especially on my cheeks which is where I suffer from some dryness and flaking skin.

At £34 it is on the expensive, but absolutely worth every penny and it is a lovely treat for just 5 minutes of your time and you only need to use it once, possibly twice a week!

Available to purchase via SpaceNK, Erborian and FeelUnique

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.