Hey summer, we’re ready for you
This article is sponsored by Essie, Elizabeth Arden, Neutrogena, Real Techniques, Aveeno, Erborian & Garnier
Whatever the occasion, we’re here to help you feel top-to-toe beautiful this summer.
Whether you’re jetting off on an adventure, enjoying family get-togethers or finally heading back to your fave festival, we’ve got a whole host of must-haves for every summer moment. Think bold nail colours, breathable CC creams and lightweight moisturisers that can withstand the heat and let you focus on making summer memories.
Better be ready for festival fun
Festivals are back and better than ever – and what’s a festival without a bold and beautiful look? Go all out and bring the colour with a bright and summery nail polish. It looks even better when you match your nails to your outfit and make-up. Or why not colour-coordinate with your festival bestie?
Try: Essie Nail Colour 73 Cute As A Button Nail Polish (£7.99)
• Size: 13.5ml
Swipe on this bright coral nail polish for an instant pop of high-coverage colour. It’s oh-so easy to apply thanks to the wide brush and has a professional-looking glossy finish, so you really stand out in the crowd. If that wasn’t enough, the long-lasting, chip-resistant formula will see you through the whole festival.
If coral's not your vibe, check out the whole Essie range and find your perfect shade.
Better be ready for your summer adventure
We’ve all had one of those moments where the suitcase just won’t close. The solution is multi-tasking products. Why pack five things when you can just pack one game-changing product that does it all? There’s a whole world of multi-purpose make-up tools, lip stains that work as blush and skincare that doubles up as make-up.
Try: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant (£29)
• Size: 50ml
When we say does it all, we mean does it all. This legendary formula moisturises and protects skin in any way you choose. It can be used as a moisturiser for your body, hands, lips and cuticles, whilst also soothing irritation from small cuts and bug bites (a real lifesaver for outdoor trips!).
If you haven’t got much room for make-up in your travel bag, simply pat this onto the high points of your face for an instant glowy highlight and sweep gently over your eyebrows to groom them into place. It also works wonders at taming flyaway hairs for a polished look on the go.
Better be ready for beach days & beyond
When it comes to beach days, we all know how important it is to apply (and reapply) your sunscreen. But do you ever think about whether it’s staying on your hands during all that beach fun? From making sandcastles to eating ice cream, we use our hands a lot at the beach, meaning sunscreen can rub off more easily. Plus, salt water and sand have a tendency to dry skin out. That’s where a nourishing hand cream with SPF comes in.
Try: Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Visibly Renew Hand Cream SPF20 (£5.75)
• Size: 75ml
Pop this hydrating hand cream from Neutrogena into your beach bag and use it to restore moisture to your hands throughout the day. The formula contains SPF20 and we suggest layering it over your sunscreen to help your hands stay covered and protected (make sure you’re using a sunscreen with the recommended minimum of SPF30 and a high UVA rating for all over your body and reapply every two hours or straight after coming out of water). Plus, it’s fast absorbing so you can get back to beach fun without that greasy feeling.
Use daily beyond beach days to improve the feeling of suppleness in your skin and help minimise and prevent the look of brown spots.
Better be ready for a summer date night
From watching the sunset to catching an outdoor movie and eating at a romantic beachside restaurant, there’s endless options for memorable moments on a summer date night. Make it extra special with a stunning eye look to dazzle your date.
Try: Real Techniques Everyday Eye Essentials Set (£20)
• Eight-piece set
• Vegan and cruelty-free
This brush set has everything you need for your dream eye make-up. Whether you prefer natural and understated or full-on glam, the soft and flexible brushes blend like a charm for a pro-level finish.
They can be used with cream or powder eyeshadow and liquid or gel liner to create any look you desire. There’s also a handy lash separator comb to remove any mascara clumps. Get ready to flutter those lashes.
Better be ready for a summer wedding
Who doesn’t love a wedding? Especially when the sun is (hopefully) shining. Whether you’re the bride or a guest, it’s a great excuse to add a little luxury to your bodycare routine – and a body oil is just the thing. Not only will it help nourish your skin and keep it feeling smooth, but an oil will add a gorgeous glow and silky sheen to the skin to catch the light in pictures.
Try: Aveeno Skin Relief Body Oil Spray (£8.99)
• Size: 200ml
• Suitable for sensitive skin
This body oil spray from Aveeno is formulated with oat and jojoba oil to intensely moisturise very dry and sensitive skin, leaving it feeling smooth and even in just one week. We suggest you start prepping at least a week before the wedding, giving the oil time to work its magic and help relieve any dry patches of skin.
As a bonus, this sumptuous oil easily absorbs into the skin, allowing you to get dressed immediately. On the special day, rub it all over the body to instantly nourish, paying particular attention to any areas you really want to glow.
Better be ready for a family barbecue
Would it even be summer without a barbecue? A get-together with family calls for a natural look that’ll hold up in the sun. CC creams are a perfect choice, providing coverage and evening out your skin tone, whilst still letting your skin breathe.
Try: Erborian CC Cream (£39.50)
• Size: 45ml
Erborian’s iconic CC cream is a hybrid make-up-meets-skincare formula which adapts to your skin tone as you blend it in with your fingers.
It’s enriched with Centella Asiatica, known for its soothing and comforting properties, and gives a luminous, radiant finish. And better yet, this lightweight and moisturising colour corrector contains SPF25 for added protection over your daily sunscreen.
Better be ready for a summer self-care day
Summer’s not just about holidays, festivals, beach days and adventures – sometimes you just need a bit of TLC. Make time for yourself with a self-care day. Whether you fill it with a spot of reading in the garden, a night in with a bubble bath and a movie or simply treat yourself to all your favourite foods, top the day off with a nourishing body lotion to show your skin some love.
Try: Garnier Body Superfood Avocado & Omega 6
• Size: 380ml
• Vegan and cruelty-free
• Dermatologically tested for dry skin
This luxurious body lotion from Garnier delivers nourishing hydration up to 10 layers deep* for up to 48 hours** with a formula enriched with avocado and omega-6 to support the skin barrier.
Enjoy the relaxing process of massaging it in after a bath or shower to lock in essential moisture and leave skin feeling silky-soft and conditioned.
All prices correct at date of publication
*Upper layers of the epidermis
**Instrumental test, 24 volunteers
UK-NG-2200184
UK-AV-2200209
