Inflight Beauty-Sunny Sun Protection

Hiyas! I'm blogging whilst out enjoying the sunshine in my back garden. I've a sun lounger out, cocktail in hand, a bit of reggae on and as I live quite close to the sea, i'm imagining myself on a beach in Barbados. It's working for the moment.

Sindy on the beach

This weather is a rarity in Northern Ireland, but being cabin crew, I am very lucky that I get to spend time in the hot sunny destintations that I fly to. So whilst sunbathing or sightseeing, a high factor SPF is a necessity. Now I'm a factor 45+ gal. I can't and won't go any lower. My skin burns first before tanning, so I prefer to use a high factor at all times. I very rarely actually 'sunbathe' I love to be out and about in the sun,I love how the warmth feels on my skin, but I usually prefer to sit in the shade and get my tan from a bottle. I don't want to resemble a Shanghai special Louis Handbag when I'm 40. Ya get me?

I like to use sunscreens on my face that are made specifically for the face. I've found that body suncreams are too heavy and end up causing horrible breakouts.When I want to wear makeup over the top,it slides off or just goes weird. My favourite facial sunscreen is Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour SPF 50. It doesn't cause any irritation to my skin and sits nicely underneath makeup. Its quite moisturising as well so great for dry skins.

For body suncreams, I love Australian Gold lotions. All Australian gold products smell divine and the scent reminds me of so many great work trips and holidays. They can be a little greasy but I think most suncreams are, and hey a little shin shine doesn't hurt anyone! They also are quite water resistant. You wont get that weird white residue after a dip in the sea. Plus but nobody wants to be posing at the Rehab pool party in Vegas looking like they haven't bothered rubbing their cream in!
I use Australian Gold SPF 50 and their SPF30 aerosol if I'm being bad. The aerosols are really handy if you're out an about as they are easy to spray on and don't really require much rubbing in. 

Photo courtesy of
australiangold.com

Photo courtesy of
australiangold.com

I asked a few hosties what suncreams they'd take when hitting the beach or pool down route.

P20 came out on top. It's a once only application cream that claims to last all day. I've never tried it as I was a bit dubious that it actually worked. But now that it has been recommended so much, I feel like i've been missing out! P20 comes in varying factors so I'm going to try and get my hands on the factor 50 version and get back to you.


2nd was Austrialian Gold. 

3rd Cheap and Cheerful Calypso. Apparently their dry oils are great and not greasy. I always see Calypso in Home Bargains so I will def be getting my mitts on a bottle of this bargainous stuff to try.


Other suncreens recommended included Clinque-Ive heard their city block is great for the face, Paulas Choice Hydralight SPF30-whch has be quoted as being 'ultramatte', Heliocare SPF50 Gel-Haven't heard of this brand before but it sounds really good, Sisley, and Piz Buin Allergy SPF15

If you've any suncream recommendations let me know in the comments below or tweet me @HeatherAllenMUA.

Hostie Heather X



Big thanks go to Aimee, Claire, Ross, Rhian, Paula, Carolyn ,Katy, Carrie, Zoe, Lucy and Siobhan for their recommendations.

Makeup Change Up-Summer sun!

Hello! Hope you're all enjoying the sunshine! I most definitely have been. BBQ's, daily beach visits and back garden lounging has really altered my makeup choices this past week. My usual foundation routine has been quickly replaced by a 'bronzing tint'. Yeh, I know, I can't quite believe it either. Next I'll be singing the praises of tinted moisturisers.....

Anyways, my go to face this past week has been-

Clarins Intense Bronze Self Tanning Tint. This little beauty has been my 'foundation'. I received this in a goody bag of some sort and never touched it as the scarily dark chocolate coloured liquid looked waaaaaay too dark for me. My sister who is a heck of a lot darker than me, had been wearing it instead of foundation. Her skin looked magnificent,so I slapped on some tan and tried it. Applied with a cotton pad, it gives your face a very natural looking tan,not at all orange.It doesn't block my pores and somehow makes my face radiant. It seems to last 2-3 days on me and wears off nicely. Now I wouldn't wear this alone if my skin wasn't in the good condition it is now. Probably just as a facial tanner base for when the rest of my body is slathered up with the fake stuff. But for now its working a treat :D

I then cover any nasties with Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer. Everyone and their mother knows what a good job this does.

For blush Ive been loving Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Emerge. A beautiful matte peach. 

I've been adding a little touch of MAC Stereo Rose Mineralised Skin Finish as a highlight or on some days using this solely for blush. Stereo Rose gives the perfect flushed glow to a tanned visage.

The usual routine of Avon Blonde Brow Pencil, curled lashes and Max Factor False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara applies and then I've been finishing off with a quick sweep of Bourjois Bronzing Powder

Surprisingly I haven't been wearing any eyeshadow or liner. Maybe a touch of bronzer through my crease. Just keeping the whole face fresh and natural.

Lips have been bright and bold as always! Rimmel Kate Moss 110 has featured a lot this week,it's a gorgeous matte coral red that looks wonderful on tanned skin.

Current 'Northern Ireland Heatwave' Face

The big hair came from an experiment with my waver. Yes, I've realised my hairs big enough and crimping it 'a la Heather age 8' doesn't do me much good! Also apologies for the awkward 'selfie'. Not the best at taking pics of myself!

Does the sunny weather make you reach for different products? I normally change up a few things in the summer but no foundation?! High temperatures make you do strange things! Here's hoping the weather keeps up for a wee while longer, I'm really enjoying all these sunny days off on maternity leave with baby Rosa ;) Plenty of excuses for copious amounts of Nutella Ice Cream. :D