August Favorites - Lazy Summer Beauty

I don't know about you, but I get awfully lazy when it comes to beauty in the summer. A hint of sun on the skin and some healthy outdoor living, and I can just about forgo all the fuss so required in greyer months. Hair is left easy and undone - a spritzing of Surf Spray through damp locks leaves my straight, fine locks wavy and tousled with minimum effort. NARS brilliant new tinted moisturizer somehow covers imperfections thoroughly while leaving skin sheer and glowy - with a good helping of SPF included. A slick of juicy, pink Beach Tint dabbed on cheek bones leaves a healthy looking flush, and several lashings of Dr Hauschka's soft and simple mascara is the perfect natural-looking definition for my sensitive eyes. I love the deep shine and Aegean teal hue of Butter London's Slapper on toes - and accept that the name is alarmingly fitting, though somewhat accusatory. Shins and shoulders on show get a golden sheen from a few drops of Huile Prodigieuse, and a dab of Philosykos solid perfume on wrists and neck leave a light, fresh cloud of tart, green fig in your wake. 

How do you pare down your makeup routine in the dog days of summer? Any hero products? Share them below!

Cult Classic - Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse

I've long admired Nuxe's Huile Prodigieuse from afar - convinced that until I spent my summers on a wood-panelled yacht on the Riviera, I didn't need to be spending a fair chunk of money on a tiny bottle of fragrant, luxurious oil. I broke down this year and decided not to wait for the yacht - that could take ages - and until then I'd like to be adding a bit Riviera glam and featherlight hydration to everyday life.

The blend of six precious oils (Borage, St. John's Wort, Sweet Almond, Camellia, Hazelnut and Macadamia) sinks invisibly and lightly into skin, leaving a glowing, subtle sheen. No mess, no oiliness, just instant, lightweight hydration. The beautiful frangipani fragrance smells like a beach in the south of France - sunsoaked, expensive and slightly old fashioned.  Smooth onto shins and shoulders for extra glow, or dab a bit onto cuticles as a luxurious pick me up for overworked hands. A drop or two leaves hair shimmering, separated and softly fragrant - with no heavy formulas or slick silicones to weigh it down. I even like a tiny amount on cheek and browbones to add a little highlight to skin. It's a multi-purpose hero product for me, and I'm not alone - in France, a bottle is sold every six seconds - entrenching it firmly into cult classic territory. Nuxe products are some of my very favorites - simple, high-quality, pharmacie-chic - besides the divine Huile Prodigieuse, I'm a big fan of their cleansing waters and soothing moisturizers.

Basically, you need a bottle. It will sit looking stately and stylish on your dressing table, you'll reach for it daily, and when you close your eyes you could almost be on that yacht - what more can you ask?