Because we all deserve to look & feel our best
The summer season, we can’t get enough of it. Warmer weather, beach days, holidays and festivals – it’s what we dream for all year round. As you continue to have fun in the sun, you may have noticed there’s one specific area that could do with a little summer shake-up – your beauty routine.
Maybe your lips are becoming a little drier than usual? Or you’re struggling to maintain a healthy-looking glow? That’s where we come in!
As our skin responds to changes in weather and humidity, so do our beauty needs. So, whether you’re looking for expert brow shaping on the go or a quick hair removal solution, we’ve got you.
10 summer beauty must-haves your routine needs
It’s time to get that summer beauty routine in check with our top tips and beauty picks.
Tip 1: Get your feet flip-flop ready
It’s no surprise that your feet have to work pretty hard during the summer. Walking barefoot on the sand, enjoying outdoor activities and being out and about in the warm weather can all start to take its toll on your tootsies.
Luckily, baring your soles to a new footcare routine can help make all the difference. Start by removing hard, dry skin before moisturising your feet daily. It really is that easy! You’ll be putting your best feet forward in no time.
Try: Scholl 2-in-1 Electronic Foot File System
• Includes: One electronic pedi
• One 2-in-1 roller head
• Four AA batteries
• Suitable for wet and dry skin
Say goodbye to hard skin and hello to a smooth, perfect finish with this electronic foot file. While one side of the roller removes the unwanted rough stuff, the other perfects and polishes. So, whether you want to feel the sand beneath your feet or show off your new summer sandals, this 2-in-1 system has everything you need to keep your tootsies looking tip-top!
Tip 2: Prevent dry lips with a moisturising lip balm
As glorious as the sunshine is, it does have its downfalls. One of them being that it can burn dry, chapped lips very easily and that’s certainly something we all want to avoid. They key is to always keep a trusty lip balm close-by.
With so many lip balms out there, choosing the right one can be tricky. During the warmer months, SPF is a must for summer lip protection and a total non-negotiable. Why? Not only does SPF provide vital sun protection but it also offers moisturising benefits for our lips too – a total win-win!
Try: Vaseline Tropical Zest Limited Edition
• Size: 20g
With a refreshingly sweet scent of citrus and thyme, this non-sticky lip balm enriched with triple purified petroleum jelly fulfils the brief when it comes to giving dry lips a splash of hydration. Swipe on for a natural glossy sheen as the formula gives lips a subtle kiss of coral for a summer-ready pout. Housed in a handy tin, it’s perfect to take with you on the go.
Tip 3: Find a holy grail tool to keep your brows in check
If you’re anything like us, you most likely take great pride in your brows (who can blame us?). It can feel really frustrating when you spot a stray brow hair. You know those ones that you can’t seem to forget about until they’re gone?
That’s why we always come prepared with a pair of tweezers. Mini tweezers can be a great addition to your beauty routine as they are easy to take on the go so you can tend to a brow emergency no matter where you are.
Try: Tweezerman Mini Slant Tweezer Pink
• From the award-winning brand Tweezerman*
Stray brow hairs are so not the vibe this summer season. Thankfully, you’re in (p)luck with this ultimate mini tweezer for expert brow shaping wherever you are. Designed for your pocket or purse, you’ll never have to leave home without your tweezers again. The perfectly aligned, hand-filed tips guarantee to grab the hair every time.
Tip 4: Top up your summer glow with a gradual tan
Glowy, healthy skin is what summer’s all about and just because the sun doesn’t always shine (you can thank the British weather for that) this certainly doesn’t mean you can’t glow like a pro. Want to know our secret? It all starts with a gradual self-tan.
Both easy to apply and low-maintenance, it’s the beauty staple you need to build up and maintain a gradual, natural-looking tan all summer long. Pair that with nourishing ingredients and you’ve got your summer glow all bottled up.
Try: Dove Summer Revived Light to Medium Self Tanning Body Lotion
• Size: 200ml
• Dermatologically-tested
• Suitable for daily use
This body lotion serves up sunshine in a bottle (minus exposure to the sun) to give you a healthy-looking gradual glow. Whether you’re a self-tanning novice or a bronzing veteran, this easy-to-use formula smooths evenly over clean, dry skin to take your skin from dull to dazzling. Providing up to 72 hours of moisturisation, it’s no wonder Dove are the UK’s No.1 gradual self-tan brand...**
Tip 5: Make hair removal easy with at-home wax strips
Picture the scene, you’re getting ready to enjoy a night out with friends. You put on your best dress and just as you’re about to head out the door, you notice that you’ve forgotten to shave your legs. Frustrating, right? Trust us, we’ve all been there!
Rather than running back into your bathroom in a panic, all you need is one hero hair remover to come to the rescue – at-home wax strips. Truthfully, during the summer we’d be lost without them. Not only do wax strips provide speedy application but they leave skin feeling silky soft and oh-so smooth.
Try: Veet Expert Cold Wax Strip Legs Sensitive
• Includes 40 strips
• Suitable for sensitive skin
Bring the salon home with these convenient waxing strips, designed to provide superior hair removal for up to four weeks. Apply one of the argan oil-infused strips onto clean, dry skin on either your underarms, bikini line, legs or arms and strip back to reveal long-lasting smoothness – hair today, gone tomorrow!
Tip 6: Shield your strands with a deep conditioning mask
Taking a dip in the pool, diving into the salty sea, wandering around in the heat – it’s thirsty work not only for you but also for your hair. If you find your hair dries out in the summer, you’re not alone. The solution you’re looking for is a hair mask.
Hair masks infuse your strands with long-lasting hydration so you can show off your swish-worthy styles all summer long. There are plenty of masks out there designed for a wide variety of hair types. It may take a little trial and error to find the right one for you but don’t give up!
Try: John Frieda Go Blonder Intensive Repair Deep Conditioner mask
• Size: 250ml
• Vegan-friendly†
• Suitable for colour-treated blonde, highlights and lowlights
Breathe life back into blonde locks with this expertly formulated citrus botanical blend. Packed full of TLC for your hair, this one pot wonder helps to reverse damage to lighten, nourish and protect colour-treated blonde, highlights and lowlights. For best results, apply a generous amount to damp hair and distribute evenly. Leave on for two to three minutes then rinse well.
Tip 7: Enrich your summer looks with a matching nail shade
A summer mani should be three things: bold, bright and fun. It’s the perfect time to get experimental with your style, exploring playful shades that can really make your outfits and make-up looks pop.
Think corals, pinks, sunny yellows and bright blues – there really is no rulebook. We love packing a few go-to shades in our beauty bags to use as a summer rotation. The trick is to choose enough shades to match your best summer outfits.
Try: essie Original Nail Polish Frilly Lilies
• Size: 13.5ml
• Vegan†
• Over 100 shades
Consider your summer mani nailed with essie’s bold and joyful shade range. Whether you fall for the vibrant magenta pink of ‘Pencil Me In’ or prefer the coral tone of 'Frilly Lilies', these expressive shades are on hand to inspire you to live your colour. The wide angled brush glides on effortlessly for quick, even application for flawless coverage and durability with a high shine finish.
Tip 8: Make date night one to remember
Whether your summer date nights are with your partner or a group of friends, find a fragrance that makes these moments one to remember.
When it comes to date night, we love a scent that epitomises love. Think fresh, captivating notes and why not throw a little sweet temptation in there? When it comes to finding ‘the one’, we have the perfect contender that’s sure to hit the right notes…
Try: Britney Spears Fantasy Eau de Parfum
• Size: 50ml
Looking for that scent that reminds you of summer? This is it. Enchanting, yet playful, this sweet blend of red lychee and cupcake fuses with creamy musk to create the perfect fragrance for a romantic date night under the stars. One spritz leaves a tantalising trail of embracing sensuality, housed in a bottle accented with crystals for that perfect finishing touch.
Tip 9: Compliment your style with a signature scent
Smell is thought to be one of the most powerful senses in humans, so why not use that to your advantage? Wearing a fragrance can complement and enhance your style to help you make a lasting impression. Find your signature scent by sampling a few fragrances to unpack the specific notes you like the best.
Our top fragrance tip – use an oil-based moisturiser before you spritz your fragrance onto your pulse points. It locks in the scent to help it last longer. Plus, moisturising your skin is essential during the summertime to prevent it from drying out.
Try: Ariana Grande Cloud Eau de Parfum
• Size: 50ml
One spritz of this and you’ll feel like you’re on cloud nine! This joyful creation, inspired by optimism and hope takes your senses on an uplifting journey. Top notes of juicy pear and lavender blossom melt into a heart of praline and vanilla orchard to create the fruity, floral fragrance of dreams. Don’t even get us started on the whimsical bottle design – a truly unique addition to any collection.
Tip 10: Master the art of light coverage make-up
Famed for its extreme versatility, concealer is one of the holy grail products we can’t live without during summer. Why? Because we can use it to conceal dark circles, spots, contour and even as a tinted moisturiser or foundation.
During the summer, heavy coverage can be something most of us try to avoid. Instead, consider dialling down your routine by swapping your foundation for concealer. Not only does it make your routine shorter, but it also gives your skin more breathable coverage. Trust us, your pores will thank you.
Try: Maybelline Instant Eraser Concealer
• Size: 6.8ml
• Vegan†
• Non-comedogenic
• Formulated without mineral oil, parabens or talc.
Just one swipe of this multi-use concealer will help you realise why it’s such a fan favourite. The sponge tip applicator provides crease-resistant coverage as the do-it-all formula gets to work, hydrating, concealing, contouring and correcting all in one click! Did we mention it also provides up to 12 hours of moisturising wear too? So you can party all night, no problem, without a dark circle in sight.
If you like what you see in our summer routine, you can find more beauty must-haves in our full range.
