Is it sad that one of my favourite parts of holiday prep is going shopping for SPF? I usually always leave the suncream shop until the last minute so when I have my SPF of choice stacked in my shopping basket, I’m already in holiday mode and there’s nothing standing between me and the beach but a few mid-flight G and Ts. There’s nothing more disappointing or frustrating to spend money on sun protection only to find that it doesn’t provide the level of protection you require so I thought I’d highlight a few of my go-to brands for fair skin whether you are jetting off somewhere glam or going no further than the back garden.
Finding the perfect SPF is all about trial and error but my recent trip away has proven that I’ve finally got it right. No burnt bits, no pigmentation and no rashes. Let me start by saying I don’t find tanning easy. If you are one of those people who transforms into a golden goddess at the slightest hint of sun, I salute you but I’ve never found it effortless to get an all over, even, natural tan. As a result, I’ve tried almost every suncream under the sun (no pun intended) in an effort to enhance it. I’ve experienced everything from those thick suncreams that take about 4.5 hours to rub in and leave you with a layer of white on your already rather pasty limbs to the uber greasy ones that leave you feeling like you’ve just waded through an oil slick. So, I’ve made a point of trying a few different brands in the past year and you’ll be pleased to know, I’ve found a couple of belters that deserve a place in your collection. Let’s face it, when you are packing for a two week holiday, space is sacred and the last thing you want to do it allocate that extra room with suncream that doesn’t live up to its label.
UltraSun Glimmer £18
UltraSun is a recent discovery and one I’m especially pleased with because not only does it offer supremely high protection from those pesky sun rays it contains golden flecks (yes you heard that right. Actual GOLDEN FLECKS) that give the skin a subtle sheen. UltraSun kindly sent me their glimmer range to try and I took the factor 50 Ultra Sun Glimmer with me on my recent girls trip to Marbella and switched to the factor 20 during the last few days of my trip once my skin had got used to the sun. The lotion has antioxidants in it which I love and it’s also designed with sensitive skin in mind. When you want suncream with a side of shimmer, this is the brand for you. Did I mention it’s the perfect size for sharing should you wish to save space?
Institut Esthederm £55
I was recommended this brand of suncare on a recent visit to Space NK and it’s one of the most incredible finds. I took a tube of the Bronze Repair anti-wrinkle tanning cream (the extreme sun version) on my honeymoon and got the best face tan I’ve ever achieved. I have very fair skin and always try and keep it out of the sun but we had a lot of water sports planned for our trip so keeping your face in the shade isn’t always possible. This formula kept my face protected and the usual pigmentation that appears after 3 minutes of sun exposure never materialised. Now, regardless of my holiday destination I pick up a tube of this for my face. At £55 it is pricey but in my opinion it’s worth every penny.
Piz Buin £11
Piz Buin is a good all-rounder and one of my favourite no fuss suncreams. I always pick up a bottle of the tan intensifying sun spray in a factor 30 to apply during the first few days of my holiday. At £11 for a full size bottle, this is one of my favourite products as it’s super easy to apply and smells divine not to mention reasonably priced. My husband did our last suncream shop and picked up a bottle that wasn’t a tan intensifying formula and I can confirm that we both achieved a deeper darker tan with the tan intensifying formula.
Liz Earle
If you are happiest when perched under a parasol, this gorgeous new addition to the Liz Earle range will put pasty problems in the past. I feel like Liz Earle as a brand can do no wrong really as I love every product they bring out so I’m not surprised this little gem instantly found a place in my holiday beauty essentials. A new addition to the range, the Sheer Skin Tint Bronzing Fluid is hydrating and it provides a lovely bronzed complexion. I’m going to do a full review of this when it’s available to buy online as it’s such as stunning product.
I actually couldn’t contain my excitement when this dry oil from Vita Liberata popped through my letterbox. I mean just look at the packaging in all its rose gold glory. My first concern was that the oil would be super greasy but it glided on and soaked in leaving a stunning shimmery finish. It also smells divine.
These two bronzing products are equally beautiful and when you want a bronzed face and body without laying in the sun for hours, they are the perfect pair to stash in your suitcase. The Vita Liberata self tan dry oil is a lovely lightweight oil so it’s ideal to wear during the day if you don’t want to sunbathe but still want a shimmery golden glow. At £39 it is at the pricier end of the scale but it’s not only a self tan but an SPF as well. When applied every day it provides a build-able all-over body tan that gets deeper every day. The Liz Earle skin tint is a great option for the face and can be worn alone or with foundation. When I first swatched this on the back of my hand I thought it would be a bit too shimmery for my face but when I tested it out properly, it is just the right shade without being over the top.
There are a few products that I’ve seen on my travels that I would love to test out on my next trip. The Sarah Chapman skin insurance SPF30 for the face has been on my wish list for a while. Not only does it sounds perfect for those who have pigmentation but it also sounds like you get a mini facial with each use. Hampton Sun is also another brand on my radar. I’ve never tried a spray on mist formula and Hampton Sun products contain lots of vitamins, minerals and aloe vera. Creme De La Mer also do a sun care range and I took a mini sample of the face SPF with me on my recent holiday which has intrigued me to buy the full size version but at £70 a pop, I’ll buy a few lottery tickets first.
Have you tried the new skin tint from Liz Earle? What are your go-to holiday essentials? What is your preferred sun care brand of choice?
