Getting Ready for Summer series, Part I: A Very Clarins Summer

If you have been following my instagram for a while, you know I am a Clarins girl through and through. From their skincare, bodycare and makeup, they always (for the most part) get the nail on the head. And when it comes to sun protection & enhancement, its no different.

With summer comes the dreadful rays & heat, we need to protect our skin from that (everyday though folks, not just during the summer!). With my Getting Ready for Summer series, this first part is going to get into what I use to stay protected from the sun, getting that summer glow,  and ending with 2 little figure-boosting lotions to help define and contour the silhouette for the bikini season ahead. 

The most important step to prep for summer is some good SPF protection. Clarins has a different variety of ways to protect yourself this summer, depending on your own personal preference, with a lotion or oil; and they are known and widely popular for having some of the best suncare products out on the market today. In lotion form, I love to use their Sunscreen Care Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($36) option. It smells lovely and doesn't leave any greasy or oily residue; it dries into the skin nicely. What I really love about this, its targeted and recommended for sensitive skin types, so even the most sensitive will stay protected with no irritations whilst promoting a more evened tan, on top of being water resistant. Another option if you're not a fan of lotions, they have a sunscreen oil spray, with the Sunscreen Care Oil Spray SPF 30 ($36). This is great for both body and hair, while not making you an oil-slick on either areas. This also helps get an even tan, while being water and sweat resistant. Also, don't forget that you always have to reapply sunscreen (after 80 minutes for the lotion and 40 minutes for the spray, respectfully).

*Non-Clarins sun-protection notable mentions: I have loved the Korres Red Vine Year-Round Hair Sun Protection for a few years now & it continues to be my staple year-round when it comes to hair sun-protection. This is strictly for use on the hair only, wet or dry, and can be used everyday if desired. It doesn't weight the hair down and smells divine. This one is a bit harder to find in the states; I managed to find one from feelunique.com for $16 here. NOTE: UK shipping to the US takes longer and times vary from state to state. Another notable mention is by La Roche-Posay with their Anthelios 60 Ultra-Light Sunscreen Fluid. Another brand for having top-notch suncare, this sunscreen for the face is absolutely outstanding. I am on my second bottle of the stuff; with its slight-matte, non-oily finish...on-top of having an SPF of 60 thats works great for sensitive skins, its worth the $29.99 tag. The packaging and size is also so convenient for travel. You can find LPR and their sun-range numerous places in the states, such as Ulta, CVS, and Walgreens to name a few.

If you're not a big fan of messy spray tans or laying out for time on end to get that natural, tanned glow to the skin, than you're in luck!! The Golden Glow Booster's for face ($30) & body ($45) are probably the most easiest way to get that 'natural', sun-kissed glow to the skin that I've found on the market. All you need to do is take a few drops (number of drops vary for face & body) of the glow booster and mix it into your moisturizer(s) (it doesn't have to be Clarins-brand) and apply as you normally would with your day cream and/or body cream. NOTE: you can not use this alone. you must use a moisturizer with this; they advise this on the packaging and online. After one use of this, my skin has this 'natural', light glow to it; you can also build it up with everyday use to your desired tan-level, the more you use, the more glow & tan you get. I like to use it about 2 days straight, just to add a slight touch of color to my skin, and I absolutely love how it comes out. No streaking, no funny smells, no orange-skin, and you really can't mess up with this one. You can't get much easier when it comes to self-tanning! The sizes are small & great for travel as well.

SPF? Check! 
Tan? Check! 
Now, just a little lift and contouring of the figure...

With continued use, the Super Restorative Redefining Body Care ($94) & Body Lift Cellulite Control ($70-$99) will help redefine your 'silhouette' as well as help correct and prevent cellulite in troubled spots. Whether these actually do their full purpose, I can't say 100% that I have seen turnaround results, yet these feel great on the skin nonetheless. I feel more of a difference with continued use of the Redefining lotion, but love the consistency of the Cellulite Control; at the end of the day I do love both, and it doesn't hurt to apply a little extra help where needed (it gives me that little extra boost of confidence, don't judge!). 

I'm all set and ready for summer! 

What are some of your favorite, summer-time must-have products that weren't mentioned? Or any of these that you tried and loved as well? Share your products and experiences below in the comments!

***disclaimer: i was not sponsored or paid for by Clarins (though would love to be :x) or any other brands mentioned in this post. i bought all of these products on my own.***