New In | Nivea Sun Face Range

*this post contains press samples and affiliate links

I am the first to admit that whilst going about my business I don't tend to apply a separate SPF, instead relying on those within my skincare and make up comfortable that I spend most of day inside. Recent months I've been less inclined to follow that rule thanks to the glorious sunshine we were experiencing in the UK and acknowledging I needed to add more protection for those lunches in local beer gardens or weekends spent sitting in my parents garden.

As if hearing my internal monologue the postman answered my prayers and I received products from the new Nivea Sun V Face range. The Nivea 'New UV Face innovation' has been specifically formulated for the face and has a '0% white residue'.

My favourite from Nivea Sun Q10 Anti-Age and Anti-Pigment Face Cream and Sun Moisture Mousse is the former. The Face cream is lightweight as they suggest and if I don't become too carried away and find the right amount to apply it sinks in nicely and the white cast is momentary.

I'm always concerned with SPF Face Creams and experiencing breakouts but even with my sporadic double cleansing and attention to an evening skincare regime there were none to speak of. It felt light to apply but

The Nivea Sun Moisture Mousse had just a little too much stickiness on application for my liking and I've popped aside to share with my male holiday friends in Dubai next month, the Face Cream will be part of my skincare regime and I will definitely be happy to repurchase when I need a new one.

Another summer sun saviour from Nivea is their updated deodorant range. Who new deodorant cans needed ergonomic designs but they do indeed have one. A new feature I didn't expect to love or need so much is the 'twist to lock' feature. Nothing so new there you'd think but I can't tell you the number of products I spend more time twisting and untwisting trying to work out whether it has indeed locked whereas in this case it actually clicks into place so there is no uncertainty.

I usually favour a stick deodorant but in they can leave you feeling a little wet and throw in the recent humidity a spray was more effective and I was pleased to have Nivea Dry Fresh Deodorant to hand. Again I expected to be battling sweat thanks to humidity and the inferno that is the central line but I was rather impressed, and I'm not suggesting it was foolproof because again, that humidity but Nivea Dry Fresh did hold it's own.

Thank you Nivea for helping me battle the recent heatwave

High Street Sun Protection

Unlike my holidays last year I had a smaller range of sun protection to take with to Menorca and put to the test, including two products that were new to me and from less fancy brands. The first is from Soleil Suncare*, Tesco's own brand. I tested out the SPF30 which is an affordable £3.50 and can be thrown into the shopping basket with your milk and eggs.

This isn't a 'luxurious' formula and reminds me of your old and traditional types but it was inoffensive and did the job intended. Despite it's smaller price point it's still dermatologically tested and contains vitamin E, omega oil and green tea to moisturise the skin. More importantly it protects as you want and I didn't burn at all whilst using this. Because of it's slightly thicker formula I preferred to use on my legs, especially if I'd shaved them in the morning. There is a slight white cast that you need to ensure you rub in thoroughly but I can't complain. Ben also used this and I might suggest that this is one you can push into the hands of your gentleman friends who aren't too worried about what products they're using and save the fancy stuff for yourself.

Reimann P20 Once a Day Sun Protection Spray* is an old and familiar favourite that I enjoyed using last year, particularly as it's spray allows you to apply to your back if you haven't a friend to hand. It's major selling point is it's water resistant claims and that it protects for up to 10 hours. I'm always cautious about these claims but it is reassuring if you end up falling asleep in the sun or are spending the day walking around unexpected without a top up to hand. My only complain about this product, aside from a high price point is that it does stain clothing. I had a couple of white items on holiday that unfortunately will not make an appearance on my next holiday,

Of course it's important not to give some extra attention to the face when in the sun, and despite wearing a hat most of the time I wanted to ensure I was covered. On my recent trip I used Solero Facial Anti-Ageing Suncream* in SPF 30. Solero is the suncare brand from Lloyds Pharmacy which has been created to protect against Infrared-A(IR-A), a third of the sun's damaging rays which cause both short and long term damage yet often omitted from other brands products.

Whilst I have used Lloyds Pharmacy products before with success I was slightly dubious about how I would find their suncream. I used this in place of a morning moisturiser and it is certainly thicker than some products and a little heavier on application but it sinks into skin nicely and I was happy with it's appearance. The biggest concern with SPF is always that it can lead to breakouts, especially if it's not washed properly. Despite it being that time of the month during my trip, and when I'm most prone to hormonal breakouts I didn't experience one and this was a week I wasn't double cleansing or acid toning... and yes if I'm honest I'm sure there was a night or two I just reached for a face wipe.

Usually I would leave behind any sun care preferring not to use up valuable luggage allowance but this time I have packed away ready to use on my trip to Italy next month. Happy with the results I'm in no need to replace with alternatives and it's great to know that if I were invited on a last minute trip (if only!) then I could easily nip to my local high street and find products just as good as the more well known or fancier brands.

What sun care do you like to use on holiday?

*this post contains press samples and affiliate links

Winter Sun Protection

Whilst the UK weather hasn't exactly been too kind and temperatures are certainly on the chillier side it is half term and I'm sure there are some of you heading off for some Winter sun.  Today I'm giving you the line up of sun protection I used on my trips to Dubai and Ibiza and I can even claims they're almost 'Halloween themed' due to their pumpkin colours. I'm quite sure I'm the first person to head out to the Ushuaia Beach Hotel's pool area armed with a bunch of products and their camera, I certainly gathered some strange looks rearranging the bottles around the pool.

Riemann P20 Once A Day Sun Protection Spray* is the well know once a day sun protection spray which I mentioned briefly in one of my Ibiza posts. Recommended by dermatologists containing both UVA and UVB filters will provide sun protection for up to 10 hours. Of course I'd urge anyone to be cautious with these claims and whilst it's 'water resistant' do use your common sense depending on the climate you're in.

I love the spray bottle as I've mentioned in my previous post and it's non-greasy formula for when you haven't got any helpers around to help you reach those back areas. I liked this for the days in Ibiza when I went to visit my parents for a wander around the resort of just taking a walk into the town and wouldn't be conscious of reapplications.

Riemann P20 can usually be found in Duty Free too so handy to pick up at the airport rather than taking up valuable space in your case.

It's well known by now what a fan I am of La Roche Posay so it's no surprises that their Anthelios Sun Care range is a big hit with me. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Comfort Protective Oil* is a thick consistency but not too greasy. My biggest complaint is with the nozzle of the bottle which dispenses a stream rather than Vichy's version which is in a more mangeable spray. Of course being an oil there was some greasiness to it but not unpleasantly so and it was perfect level of protection and oil for sitting in the sun.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Tinted Fluid* was my preference to the thicker Comfort SPF for the face I had also used during my holidays. The lighter fluid as it's name suggests didn't feel as suffocating on the skin.

Both La Roche-Posay products felt like they were traditional and familar products but with the added experience of a skincare line.

My favourite products were from Vichy. I loved the Vichy Ideal Soleil Suncare Oil* and it had a shimmer to it which made it perfect for Ibiza's club nights which started before the sun went down. As mentioned the spray nozzle gave a lighter application and gave me more ease of application. And for the face Vichy Ideal Soleil Tinted Velvety BB Cream* was perfect for a lunch in the sun providing a radiant coverage to sunkissed skin.

Finally is Caudalie Radiance Tinted Moisturiser* which is more of a make up product than SPF and it's a product I've still worn as recent as this month. This is generally the product I wore throughout Summer when I wanted to allow my skin to breathe but with a little more coverage than the Vichy offering. This is definitely a staple to my base draw and one I will reach for frequently even as we enter Winter.

What are your favourite sun protection products?

*This post contains press samples

V Festival Essentials

I'm sure you thought you'd seen the last of bloggers 'festival essentials' posts but I'm afraid you'll have to put up with another from me as. This weekend sees the arrival of V Festival to my neck of the woods and whilst it may not be for the 'purists' and some deem it 'too Essex' as an Essex girl I have no problem with that.

Aside from flash tattoos, floral crowns and channeling your ultimate festival look today's there are some more practical requirements of festival attendance I'm addressing today. Feel free to blame my age!

Firstly it doesn't look like the weather is going to be to be on our side this weekend with rain predicted. The 'Parka in a Pocket' £9 from Primark is fabulous. I picked this up on a whim when I was considering going to Lovebox as I thought it was genius. Lightweight and with a hood to protect from the rain it's perfect - and the design is pretty cool too.I'll also be sure to pack this when I head to DisneyWorld in January as showers are possible.

All that dancing around is sure to leave locks looking a little lackluster so in steps Batiste and the perfect festival variant the Ella Henderson Dry Shampoo*. I know that Batiste do smaller travel friendly sizes but if you're attending with a bunch of girlfriends it might actually take up less room if you were to share one full size can. And with Ella on the bill for V Festival couldn't there be a better time to put to use? An added bonus is that this carries scents of vanilla and coconut which might be just thing after you've spent the night in a tend and your hair is in need of refresh.

femfresh pocket wipes* 

Carrying a toilet roll around Hylands Park might not work but imagine finding yourself in a portaloo without paper. Instead why not throw a pack of the femfresh Limited Edition Festival Wipes*. They'll also come in handy should you be letting your usual bathing routine slide over the weekend. Cute packaging aside they're also biodegradable so what's not to like?

Anatomicals Never Lose Your Cherry Lip Balm*

Anatomicals is a quirky brand I enjoy and have a blog post dedicated to them coming up soon. For now I'm turning my attention to the Never Lose Your Cherry Lip Balm* which will be inside my festival make up kit. As you know I would usually choose a bright red lip but with a lot of eating and drinking planned it wouldn't stand the distance and I'm going to be less interested in reapplying as the evening wears on. Instead I prefer a red tinted lip balm, I still get a hint of the colour I like but from a product that I can apply at whim without the need for a mirror or a sober hand. Also no disrespect to Anatomicals but I'd rather lose this tube of lip balm in a drunken haze and replace than my favourite Tom Ford!

Finally and back to the beginning of the post and the weather. I know rain is predicated but you can never tell so I would personally ensure I had used Riemann P20 Once a Day* so that I have covered all bases. Who wants their festival experience ruined by sunburn? Not me. Grab the spray bottle too, it absorbs easily and a few sprays and you're covered. 

What are your festival essentials?

*This post contains PR samples

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sun Protection

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Range*

Already a big fan of La Roche-Posay it stood to reason their Anthelios sun protection range would be a good one. Specialising in 'ultra-high sun care protection' the range protects against UVA and UVB rays and even better are formulated for different skin types. 

I remember during my younger carefree years just slapping whatever product I was using over my face. Now with such an extensive skincare regime I don't wish to sacrifice that when using SPF's so the Anthelios range from La Roche-Posay steps in perfectly. 

I had a variety of products from the range which I recently took on holiday to Dubai with me and was able to share out between us all. The comfort range for dry skin or ultra-light for normal - combination and if you're in the oily camp there's dry-touch. There are even tinted BB Creams which allow for a light coverage if you're wanting to look good for your selfies as well as offering anti-ageing benefits. 

One of my favourite products from the range is the Anthelios XL Nutritive Oil*. I'm sure we all have memories of runny oils that make us look like a trussed up joint of meat by the end of application. La Roche-Posay have of course created something different. A thicker oil than most that absorbs into the skin without leaving you greasy. This is perfect for arms and legs to add a subtle shine but without looking like you're about to be fried. This can be used on the face too although I'm reserving for body only and it's currently in my stash whilst holidaying in Ibiza. 

Of course sun protection is not just about finding the right formula and products to fit in with our skincare regime, there's a seriousness at work. I admit in the past that I've not even considered applying sun protection when we're blessed with one of those rare sunny days in the UK and how many of us have enjoyed long Sunday afternoons in the beer garden to return home with bright red burnt noses and shoulders. Ridiculous, unnecessary and harmful.

La Roche-Posay want to encourage us all to take better care of our skin and that of our friends and family. Skin cancer is the only type of cancer visible to the naked eye and, if diagnosed early enough 90% of melanoma cases can be treated effectively. As such they have designed the #skinchecker video which whilst sharing an important message is very cute to watch.

Have you tried La Roche-Posay's Anthelios range?

*PR Sample