The Muse Edit: July Edition
Summer beauty, skin saviours, and getting our spark back...
Muses, summer is officially upon us! (Ireland didn’t get the memo until MUCH later but I’m finally sitting in the garden with my bare legs exposed to the elements for the first time this year as I write this.)
Welcome to The Muse Edit, where every month I bring you a beautifully curated collection of the routines, rituals and recommendations helping me create a more elevated, intentional life - and that I think you’ll love too! Expect everything from beauty and health, to podcast and book recommendations, and anything else that just happens to be bringing me to life that month.
July, for me, is about Summer beauty and in this month’s Edit I’m talking some of my favourite skin saviours, beautiful new connections, and getting our ‘spark’ back…So let’s get into what I’ve been obsessing over in July!
Always use protection…
Ok slightly misleading because this is a year-round thing for me but it felt like this is the month it should have its moment sooo…some might say I have an unhealthy obsession with sunscreen. I started wearing it on my face daily sometime around the age of 21 (I wear an SPF 50 every day) and I’m convinced it’s the reason why at 37, I got offered a student discount at the coffee shop last week. I think it’s safe to say I’ve probably tested hundreds of facial SPFs over the years and I have a constant ‘SPF wardrobe’ on rotation for days when I need them to do different things. (I know, I told you - unhealthy.) It’s not my job to lecture you on why you should be wearing SPF year round, BUT, if you’re looking for recommendations either just for the summer or to up your skincare game in general - I’ve got you.
The one I always come home to…
My ride or die, if you will. I’ve used La Roche-Posay UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid for over 10 years and every time I’ve tried to have some harmless fun with something cheaper on the side she always calls me back. As much as the thrill of trying something new will never leave me, this is perfection in my opinion. Basically undetectable on my skin, doesn’t make me shiny AF, light enough that I can layer it over my normal moisturiser year-round, or use it alone just over my serum in the summer months when I want less product on my face. And my top two criteria: doesn’t sting my eyes (I have the most annoyingly sensitive eyes so this rules out so many SPFs right away) and she sits absolutely perfectly under make-up with ZERO pilling. On days I really need a full face of make-up to last all day this is my go to base - either on completely bare skin or just with my serum underneath. For reference I have normal to oily skin, if you have very dry skin I’d suggest you still wear your moisturiser underneath as this isn’t going to give you all the hydration you need, but it’s not drying either so it will absolutely still work for you.
While I’ll never fully stray from my ride or die, the skincare lover in me doesn’t believe life’s worth living if she can’t play with some new products, so here are a few others currently in my rotation that deserve a mention…
The Ordinary UV Filters SPF45 Serum
Such a great ‘more-on-a-budget’ option. I was a little worried the first time I put this on because it felt quite sticky to start with and my absolute pet hate is when my hair sticks to my face because of my SPF (IYKYK) but it doesn’t pill under make-up at all and doesn’t sting my eyes so it’s a winner for me.
GRUUM (apparently pronounced ‘groom’!) 5* UVA Face Sunscreen
This brand is completely new to me, I’ve only been testing it a couple of weeks but I absolutely love it. Similar to The Ordinary I was initially worried that it felt really thick but as I rubbed it in it completely disappeared, left no white cast, and dried down like a gorgeous silky moisturiser. This feels like a beautiful skincare product rather than an SPF and would work great on all skin types - it’s light enough if you’re oily but nourishing enough to make a great base even if you’re dry, and zero eye stinging, also makes a beautiful base for make-up!
Don’t go there…
We’re avoiding: Garnier Daily UV Invisible Brightening Fluid
Some of the worst pilling under make-up I’ve ever witnessed. Travesty. If you only need it for when you’re going bare faced make-up wise you’re probably fine but IMO there are so many other products in the same price point that do a good job at both so why not make your money go as far as It can?
I was planning on talking about a few other summer beauty bits but I fear I’ve accidentally turned this into an SPF PSA (not sorry) so I might save those for next month’s Edit. On the subject of summer beauty though…
I’ve been enjoying the most beautiful beach walks! I’m so excited to get back to LA in a couple of weeks, but I also keep reminding myself that I don’t have to run halfway around the world to find peace and beauty. This is literally right on my doorstep in Ireland. Quiet morning walks by the ocean with my coffee, something younger me would never have found the beauty in. Isn’t aging fun.
Beautiful collaborations…
Hands down my favourite part of being on Substack is the friendships I’ve built and the amazing women I’ve met and, never one to turn down the opportunity to yap about myself, I jumped at the chance to be interviewed for the ‘Women In Bloom’ series by Sonia Bavistock. You can find my interview HERE but even if you feel like you already know more about me than you need to I recommend checking this series out, I found the other interviews really inspiring - especially if you’re also a creative.
Getting our spark back…
I recorded possibly my favourite podcast episode ever this month. To be frank, for the entire first half of this year I’ve been feeling like I’ve just… lost my spark. Like, ALL of it. I’ve been dealing with a lot in terms of sick family members, work challenges, and everything else I know we’re all collectively carrying at the moment. This episode was a reminder that even when it doesn’t seem like it… the magic is still there. And if you need that reminder right now… I made this for you too. X
(make sure you listen right to the end for the magical New York story!)
P.S. Have you caught up on all of this month’s other podcast episodes? Take me with you on your walk/long drive/workout/commute! I love it! Here’s a playlist for you…
❤️🔥 67. Are you embarrassed to be seen trying?
❤️🔥 68. Too old to start over? Why are we still so scared of aging?
❤️🔥 69. Are you shaming your desire for a bigger life?
🎧 You can also find the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and anywhere else you get your podcasts 💋
Alright Muses, the next time I write to you I will be back in beautiful La La Land! Expect a full dispatch from L.A, I can’t wait to take you along with everything I’m doing! Until then, thank you so much for being in my world,
ILY X.
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