Summer Sunshine – the essentials (featuring sun protection from Marks and Spencer)

Summer is all about looking and feeling your best. From sun protection to faking it, beautiful talons, and looking hot in your bikini – this short but sweet guide will ensure you're looking and feeling amazing this summer...

Summer is well and truly here, and I for one am really enjoying soaking up the sunshine and making the most of this beautiful weather. Although gorgeous, it can be super warm and the UV levels can be dangerously high, so that's why it's important to use sun protection..

I love worshipping the sun as much as the next person, and although I tan easily without burning badly, that doesn't mean I should give the SPF a miss. SPF doesn't stop you from tanning (despite the myths), but instead it stops the sun from getting deep into the layers of your skin and harming them. Recently (especially in this British 'heatwave') I've been really into using my sun protection and SPFs and I thought I'd share with you my top three SPFs!

Fake it, don't bake it

Sunbathing isn't for everybody, and while I'm partial to laying out in the sunshine, I am also partial to faking it a little. When you don't have the time to sunbathe, or if you're unable to do so due to medical reasons – faking it can sometimes be the best or only option. I currently have two go-to self tans – one for face and one for body, and both of them are from Autograph by M&S Beauty. For my face, I'm loving the fairly new Overnight Self Tan Mask – the application is super easy, and the results are stunning; an even tan that lasts a few days, and doesn't fade if you keep it topped up regularly. I'm also loving the all over body Autograph Gradual Tan in Light/Medium (£7.50) – the formulation applies easily, with no streaks, and looks amazing for a few days after original application. Perfect for legs and arms, or an all over golden glow.

Premium sun protection

Sun protection is a must when the weather is as hot as it has been recently. I've got three staple sun protection products that I'm absolutely loving! Two are from Ultrasun and the other is from Marks & Spencer. For my face, I've been using the Ultrasun tinted moisturiser SPF 50 (£28) in the shade Ivory. It's got amazing coverage, and stays in place all day while protecting your skin from UV and sun damage – amazing!! For my body I've been using either the Ultrasun SPF 50 Sports Gel or the Marks & Spencer Sun Smart SPF 30 spray on lotion. Both are incredible, but I find that the Ultrasun SPF 50 Sports Gel (£26) leaks a little bit, and can feel a little tacky – but it's perfect for super hot weather (as it doesn't dislodge easily). The Marks & Spencer Sun Smart SPF 30 spray on lotion however, is probably my favourite. A beautiful scent, easy and clean to apply, and amazing at preventing burning, this fabulous spray on lotion works like a dream!

Nail it with stunning nail polishes

I'm a sucker for pretty nails. I used to be an acrylic loving kind of girl, but over the past few years I've been obsessed with painting my nails in gorgeous shades. I paint my nails twice weekly/once weekly, and these CND Vinylux Weekly Nail Polishes are my absolute favourites, especially in these four super summery and uber dreamy shades! The shades featured above are: Uninhibited (a gorgeous coral hued nude); Gypsy (a gorgeous deep tangerine); Vagabond (a beautiful sand hued lemon); and Offbeat (a beautiful melon hued bright pink). Each are gorgeous in their right and they look amazing along or teamed together.

Bikini bottom ready

If you're looking for a kit to keep your intimate area groomed and beach ready, then the Fair Squared Intimate Shaving Set might just be what you're looking for. Containing four components, a 10ml Shaving Oil, a 20ml After Shave Balm, a 20ml Sensitive Shave, and a bikini razor. For a close shaves, no side effects, and beautifully scented products, this kit is all you need to achieve a bikini ready intimate area!

Everything mentioned above is in my must-have summer kit! Perfect for home or away, this kit will get you summer ready in an instant!