Summer hands need protection along with colour for the nails, so I am sharing my favourite SPF for the hands, along with some fab new shades from two top nail brands. Not forgetting tootsies too, these colours will pop wearing sandals, for a sunny day out or holidaying on the beach.
We sometimes forget that our hands are constantly being zapped by environmental factors like our faces. I know a lot of my age spots have come from driving, having hands on the steering wheel. Ultrasun SPF 30 is a must-have for, from spring through to winter. It offers high-level protection from both UVA and UVB rays, with ingredients to help fight signs of ageing. It can also lighten any pre-existing pigmentation you have on your skin already, when used regularly everyday.
This contains no nasty chemicals or fragrances, but nourishing Berry wax with antioxidants, plus anti-pigmentation ingredients and GSP-T for infrared protection.
Ingredients : Aqua, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (Nano), Isostearyl Isostearate, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Cera, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Titanium Dioxide (Nano), Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Cocoglycerides, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Silica, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Zinc Pca, Alcohol, Cetyl Phosphate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Lecithin, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopherol, Diisopropyl Adipate, Ubiquinone.
This creamy formula works well into the skin, and should be applied around 15 minutes before sun exposure. Once on, it protects all day, but if you are constantly washing hands, it should be re-applied to be certain of protection. It moisturises hands well leaving them with a gorgeous glow on the skin.
It is water resistant, like when swimming etc, and is protected even after towel drying as it sinks down into the layers of the skin, protecting the young cells. Free from perfume, mineral oils, emulsifiers and silicones, it is also dermatologically tested and hypoallergenic.
Find Ultrasun SPF 30 Hand at M&S plus Escentual.
Orly lacquers have 12-free formulas, without Toluene, Formaldehyde, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor, Ethyl Tosylamide, Xylene, MEHQ/HQ, MIT, Parabens, Animal Derived Ingredients or Gluten. They are suitable for Vegans and never tested on animals.
Each professional quality lacquer is easy to apply, with rubberised handles and large curved brushes, that allow 1 or 2 swipes to completely cover the nail plate.
These vibrant and vivacious colours are ideal for fun, flirtatious summer vibes, and I have 2 shades form the Coastal Crush collection to share.
I cannot tell you how vibrant this orange shade, Summer Fling, really is. Described by Orly as 'Peach Crème', this looks slightly coral in some of the images due to the lighting, but it really is a bright neon shade. I am still wearing this on my toes and the colour lasts, staying true and vibrant. It looks fabulous against tanned skin, so is ideal for sunny days and holidays.
This amazing blue shade, Under The Stars, is a gorgeous night sky colour. With trends pointing towards blues for now and A/W '17, this is a must have for anyone who loves colourful manis/pedis. I apply 2 coats of lacquer to get great colour, and this fab vibrant navy has a glossy pearlescent finish.
Find the ORLY Coastal Crush collection at Nail Polish Direct, currently on offer at £7.95!! (at time post published). Sets are available at Graftons.
Designed with the beautiful island of Fiji in mind, this summer collection has vibrant colours of fabulous oceans, sandy beaches and sunset skies. This set of four Fiji collection minis, has some really pretty colours for fingers and toes.
Each bottle holds 3.75 ml of the same professional, long lasting cream lacquer as the full sized OPI bottles, and provide a good 10 – 15 manicures each, depending on the length of your nails. Apply base coat, 2 coats of polish plus a topcoat, and seal in the free edge, to get the best out of your finished lacquer looks.
Ingredients are listed on the back of the box (below). See these gorgeous nail colours swatched below.
Below – a gorgeous ocean teal shade, Is That A Spear In Your Pocket?
Below – a soft petal pink shade, Getting Nadi On My Honeymoon (I did find this one needed more coats as it went a little streaky being quite sheer).
These are all such pretty, wearable shades, and I like to team mine with matching jewellery pieces, or pick out colours from an outfit or a bag. Mini polishes are ideal for packing, and these colours will look fab on the beach, or for a fun evening out, wether on vacation or stay-cation.
Find the OPI Fiji mini set at Just my Look, and on offer at £9.95 (at time post published).
Do you use SPF on your hands, along with vibrant nail shades in the summer?
I use SPF on my hands all year round. Maybe not so much in winter, but then I wear gloves. I wrote a post about hand creams with SPF recently and I was surprised at how few there are – you'd think it would be a normal ingredient by now.
Oh well done you Jo, yes I totally agree that it should be in more formulations. Will have a read of your post, sounds interesting. I'm a huge fan of hand creams, and it is surprised that some of the popular hand cream brands have not updated their formulas for sun protection!