Time for another little top three! After a few heavy make-up days this month, at RuPaul's Drag Race: Werq the World Tour and my school prom, I started thinking about what my favourite cleansers are for removing make-up. Obviously, wipes will not feature anywhere in this post because they are the devil in disguise.

Cleansing is the most important part of your morning and evening skincare routine. If you don't properly remove everything that's on your face (make-up, sunscreen, dirt, grime, sweat, oil...) you are preventing every other skincare product from doing its job. If you use a wipe, you are just swirling all of the things listed in the brackets above around your face a bit and then leaving them there. Boke. If you are wearing any make-up or sunscreen, you should be double cleansing every night. With that in mind, the products I've discussed below are the first cleansers I use every night, with the sole purpose of removing everything that's currently on my skin.

I always apply cleanser to dry skin and remove with a hot face cloth. When I say hot, I don't mean scalding - you should be able to rinse your face cloth under the running tap without scalding your fingers. I then cleanse again - more on products for that in a later post.

Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm
This is perhaps my favourite balm cleanser in terms of efficiency and it is brilliant for anyone who has broken out/had a reaction to a balm cleanser in the past. As per the standard for Clinique, this doesn't contain any essential oils or perfume, so it's ideal for even the most sensitive skin. It removes waterproof make-up, doesn't leave any residue behind and you only need a small amount to leave your skin clean and fresh. It starts off fairly solid but melts down into a lovely, silky oil that doesn't dry out your skin in the slightest. It's decent value for money as well - £24 for 125ml.

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm
This is the most luscious balm of the lot. I defy anyone to not fall in love instantly with that SMELL. Omg heaven. This product is "must have" in the beauty world and, I promise you, it will not disappoint. I always have this in stock and frequently rejuvenate my supply when M&S have 20% off beauty. It's quite a bit more expensive than TTDO above, at £47 for 100ml. I remember when it was £34 for 100ml! Bit of a shame really, as it's a BRILLIANT cleanser but it's getting to a point where it's priced outside of most budgets. Even I won't buy it now unless I can get a discount code. If you want to give it a try, you can find a travel-sized pot here for the bargain price of £5!

The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter
Something you quickly learn to ignore when using balm cleansers is that the texture of most of them resembles lard. That aside, this is a particularly good offering from the Body Shop. It's suitable for so many people - if you've got sensitive skin, sensitive eyes (like me), oily or dry skin, this is definitely worth a try. It's only a tenner! What could go wrong. It does feel a bit greasy at first, but you need a bit of grease to massage in and really get rid of all the grime/make-up/whatever. The key thing is, it washes off like a dream.

What are your favourite cleansing balms? There's bound to be some I haven't tried and I'd love to hear about your top picks!

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Summer is a comin' (please let that be the truth - it's almost May and it's still feeling like winter) and that makes me want to update my make up bag. A few days off my work ill with a virus gave me all the time in the world to check out the new releases for summer and I am thrilled that Summer '18 is all about that beachy vibe. These babies are definitely cool for the summer...

For eyeshadows that last longer than your summer fling, Urban Decay has offered up the dreamy Beached Palette. Part of a limited edition collection that also includes gorgeous matte bronzers, metallic liners and luscious lipsticks, this palette is giving me so much life. Look at those blues! Look at that shimmery bronze! This palette absolutely nails the beach look - natural, sun-kissed but still a little pop of colour. Initially only available at Ulta, UD have confirmed on Instagram that it WILL be coming to the UK in June, so keep an eye out!

I think the Ouai's Wave Spray must be one of the most talked about launches in years. Described as a "weightless texture mist for effortless chic, undone hair", it contains rice protein to help keep the shape of your wave and promises volume and a healthy shine in addition to perfect beachy waves. As someone with hair that air dries in frizzy waves, I'll be trying this to see if it can give my natural hair some definition.

Is it even summer if you haven't got a tan? If you read my last blog post, you'll know I'm pretty serious about sun safety, so I always fake it. This tanning water makes big promises about changing the way you think about fake tan. It's vegan, cruelty free and organic. It doesn't smell like a biscuit. You don't need to wash it off. Next time I'm in Boots, I think I'll be picking up the tanning water in the peach and the green, just to get me started!

Finally, get that summer glow with Hourglass' new Vanish Highlighting Sticks. Champagne Gold (far left) is taking my fancy but all the colours are gorgeous. Their Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick is a huge success because it's so densely pigmented and these look to be just as fabulous. Slick on for a high shimmer reward that perfectly compliments your sun-kissed skin.

What summer launches are you most looking forward to? Are you feeling this beachy vibe?

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When I was younger (we're talking mid-to-late teens), having a tan was the be-all and end-all. When there was even a hint of sunshine in Scotland, some of my friends would cover themselves in Hawaiian Tropic Tanning Oil 4 (factor 4! Why bother...) and lie out in the garden to bake. This, quite frankly, HORRIFIES me now.

Safe to say, both myself and many of my friends are now much more vigilant about sun protection. Years of research has cemented the dangers of the sun firmly into my psyche and I'm rarely without a bottle of SPF as the sun returns. During early spring/late autumn and days that are mostly spent indoors, I tend to rely on the SPF coverage found in my make-up, primer and some of my daily moisturisers. All through the summer and on spring/autumn days when I know I'll be outdoors more, I use a dedicated facial sunscreen at the end of my skincare routine. SPF is the last product you should apply to your skin when doing your morning routine (unless you live in Iceland, you're probably not going to be needing sunscreen at night).

What even is SPF?

The numbers you see on the bottle are linked to the Sun Protection Factor the product gives you against UVB light. When I first became interested in skincare and started researching sunscreen brands and products more thoroughly, I was surprised to learn that it's UVB light, not UVA light, that causes your skin to burn. UVA light makes your skin age faster and causes skin issues like pigmentation and age spots. It is essential that you try to use sunscreen products that offer good protection against all UV light because they both damage your DNA and increase the risk of the dreaded skin cancer. Check the ingredients list for UVA-blockers, such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and avobenzone, ecamsule and oxybenzone. You would think from the disparity in the numbers that there is a huge jump between SPF 15, 30 and 50 but it's actually very, very small:

SPF 15 blocks approximately 93% of UVB light.

SPF 30 blocks nearly 97% of UVB light.

SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB light.

NO sunscreen is capable of blocking 100% of UV light.

So, as you can see, the difference in protection is minimal. You can't combine SPF either; putting SPF 50 on after applying SPF 30 will not give you "SPF 80". You will still only have SPF 50 protection. The biggest problem with higher factor sunscreen is you start to think you are "safe" - you stop seeking out the shade when the sun is at its peak, you don't wear a hat or sunglasses and you don't reapply every 2 hours. And suddenly, you're a lobster. Please, leave the lobster-ing to the actual lobsters.

My Top SPF Products

My favourite facial suncreen at the moment and the one I used on my most recent holiday is La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Ultra Light Fluid SPF 50+. It's a bestseller in Europe and it's easy to see why. The texture is lovely and light which makes it quick and easy for your skin to adsorb. This also makes it perfect for wearing under make-up. Unlike the facial sunscreen I used on my last holiday, this stayed put after a swim in the pool and zooming down multiple waterslides.

From the same range, I also like La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Anti-Shine Mist SPF 50+. This was great for topping up our protection when we were out and about - for example, when you have already applied your proper facial sunscreen but feel you need a bit more protection because the sun is particularly strong or you've perspired a bit.

My most used body sunscreen were the Lancaster Sun Beauty Velvet Milk Sublime Tan for Body SPF 30. I picked this up in TK Maxx just before we went and I was initially a bit worried about how long it might have been sitting on the shelf. Thankfully it was well within the best before date and it's also one of Carolord Hirons favourites. This product has a really nice texture and I liked that it dried rather than sitting sticky on your skin. It offers high protection from UV light but also claims to protect you from infrared light, believed to be responsible for the loss of skin firmness and elasticity.

My second choice is Marks & Spencer Sun Smart Sensitive Moisture Protect Sun Lotion SPF 30. This is a really nourishing sunscreen with sunflower oil, aloe vera and vitamin E to help keep your skin looking fab whilst offering great protection. This product was great for hot days that we were in and out the pool as it's really thick and water resistant. That being said, if you were hoping to wear any expensive swimwear or a cute little white sundress, this might not be the one for you. It does have a tendency to leave unsightly yellow marks on clothing - thankfully my mum was able to rescue my new swimsuits, but a few of Ali's t-shirts weren't so lucky. Despite that, we keep on buying it because it's so good.

There's such a huge range of sunscreen available now that effective protection is easy peasy. What are your favourite sunscreens? And where are you planning on using them next?

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From a very young age, I have suffered with nightmare dry and chapped lips. To this day, I will not leave the house without a lip balm. I rarely wear (and only own approximately five) lipsticks - depressingly, they seem to just make a crappy lip-situation crappier.

I understand what many people must think - so what? If that's my only problem... Clearly this is not crucial stuff. But as a girl who loves skincare and make-up, it's a real bummer. So I thought I would share a few of my personal hero products for those who are ailed by eternally cracked, sore lips and dream of the plump, glossy lips they see puckering up in the media. Or if the winter weather has left you looking a little less Kylie Jenner than you would like, give one of these a go. None of these balms are sticky, so no worries about that hair-stuck-to-your-lips horror.

EOS
For a long time, Chapstick was the God of all lip balms. Who hasn't had one of those brightly coloured tubes rolling round in the bottom of your handbag? Katy Perry even gave the cherry version a starring role in her first hit, "I Kissed a Girl". About a decade ago, a new kid burst on the scene - EOS. And they were everywhere. More importantly, they were visible in the hands of the millennial market's favourite celebs: Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, even Taylor Swift. Of course, I had to have it. It's hard to decide whether my favourite thing is the spherical packaging or the range of flavours, but they are all good. More important, of course, are the ingredients - nourishing lovelies such as Shea butter and Jojoba oil. I'm rarely without one! £7.50 for a 7g pot.

Lush - Honey Trap
Lush by name, lush by nature. This little pot is teeny tiny - perfect for a night out, when you know you are short on space in your clutch bag! Honey Trap is thick, soothing and stuffed full of Shea butter, almond oil and extra virgin olive oil. Better yet, it tastes like white chocolate. You will want to eat it! £6.95 for a 12g pot.

REN - Vita Mineral
I stumbled upon this wee gem in TK Maxx of all places and bought it again twice since then. This is the thinnest/runniest balm of all my picks but it's not going to slide off your lips all over your face. It's more like a thick gel. I'm a huge fan of REN products and this has a firmly established place in my lip arsenal. It contains vitamin E from soybean to protect against free radicals and some trace elements from Acacia honey that apparently have antibacterial properties. £10.50 for a 15ml tube.

Glossier - Balm Dotcom
For when you're looking for a certain Clueless edge to your lip balm game - Balm Dotcom in Birthday. Not only is New York Bakery Milk Bar's birthday cake the stuff your wildest 'gram dreams are made of, it's also the inspiration for this lip-smacking, multi-purpose balm. It's got a delightful shimmer to it so it's perfect for when you're after a glossy '90s lip. This is probably my most surprising lip balm find - I knew it would look good, but I didn't expect it to be really hydrating. Castor seed oil keeps moisture locked in and beeswax creates a protective barrier to keep the elements from doing any further harm. The only bad thing about Balm Dotcom (and I'm reaching here) is that it only smells like cake - it doesn't taste like it. Just as well, as I'd probably have eaten the lot. £10 for a 15ml tube.

La Roche-Posay - Cicaplast Baume B5
Rounding up with the big gun. The balm of all balms. The mighty Cicaplast. It contains vitamin B5; a skin saviour proven to heal, hydrate, protect and help regenerate your skin. Now, this does actually come in a "lip balm" size (here) but for practically the same price, you can have the 40ml tube. The ingredients are slightly different but I've used this one on my lips for a few months now and it is bloody brilliant. You could use just a thin layer under a lippy, as it soaks in nice and quickly, but I prefer to slick on a thicker layer when I'm indulging in a face mask. This is the product I turn to when things are looking pretty dire and it turns things around so quickly. Worth noting that it's not just for your lips - you can use it on any dry, cracked or irritated skin, including your baby's bum! £6.50 for a 40ml tube, or £6 for a 7.5ml tube.

Have I missed one of your hero lip products? Let me know!

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I didn't properly venture into the wonderful world of skincare until about 5 years ago - I've always been really lucky with my skin and as I entered into my twenties, I was happy with my cleanse/moisturise routine.

Then I discovered Caroline Hirons.

Gone were the days of only properly washing my face at night with Clearasil Cream Cleanser(!) and occasionally dotting on a bit of Simple moisturiser. I quickly converted to Hironsism and have been a dedicated disciple ever since, even managing to convert others on the way.

One of the biggest lessons I've learned from the skincare Goddess is the importance of an acid toner. A quick swipe of an acid-soaked cotton pad post-cleansing (remembering to double cleanse at the end of the day!) helps your skin better adsorb whatever product you put on next, be it a serum or a mask.

I quickly got addicted to the tingle of an acid toner and now I use one every night and sometimes in the morning too. Another great thing about acid toners is that everyone can use one - even if you've got sensitive skin. There are lots of different types and strengths of acid and I recommend you try a few different ones before you decide which ones to commit to your daily skincare arsenal.

After lots of trial and error, I've pretty much permanently incorporated the following acid toners into my routine.

 Pixi Glow Tonic

Topping this list as my most recommended acid toner. It is compatible with every skin type due to its alcohol-free, gentle formula. Its also contains loads of aloe vera, the most soothing, calming ingredient ever. If you're looking for a "starter" acid, this is it. This is 5% glycolic, an alpha-hydroxy (AHA) acid that helps to resurface your skin by removing any dead skin cells and also promotes collagen production. You can get it in a 250ml bottle (£18), a travel-friendly 100ml bottle (£10) and a tub of 60 pre-soaked pads (£20). There's another tub of pre-soaked pads with a higher glycolic content that should only be used at night if you're looking for something stronger to really zing your skin. It's 20% acid rather than the 5% found in the rest of the Glow range.

 REN Clarimatte Clarifying Toner

This toner packs a punch, but it still gentle enough to use daily. It contains a combination of AHA acids to unclog your pores, promote a smoother complexion and help prevent signs of aging. Lactic acid is particularly good if your skin feels dehydrated and dry, citric acid helps repair any sun damage, tartaric acid fights those nasty free radicals and REN rounds it all off with a hit of glycolic. At £15 for 150ml bottle, it's brilliant value for money and well-deserving of a place in your skincare regime!

 Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant

Containing the only type of beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), salicylic acid is ideal if you have any spots or acne. This is because BHA is oil-soluble and can actually get right down into your pore, no matter how clogged up, and kill all the bacteria. Like AHAs, BHA increases the shedding of dead skin cells and helps keep your pores free of dirt and sebum. It's got an unusual smell, not unpleasant, but I quite like it! Like my other two picks, it's really affordable - £18 for 150ml.

What are your favourite acid toners? Do you use any others that I should give a whirl? Let me know!

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