Summer is in full swing, which (if you've been having a good time this season) means that, chances are, your skin is already in need of some intensive recovery after days spent in the sun; you have hair breakage from chlorine and saltwater; and you need a sunscreen top-up.
If that’s the case, not to worry. We’ve tried and tested all the launches of the season so far and have edited them down to the best. From haircare to skincare, here are the summer beauty products to pack in your suitcase.
La Bonne Brosse x Roseanna’s Hairbrushes
What it is
Luxury hairbrush brand La Bonne Brosse has collaborated with French clothing brand Roseanna to create limited-edition pastel and swirl-patterned versions of their brushes.
Why we love it
La Bonne Brosse's brushes have garnered a cult following because they create lasting hair health by using keratin-rich boar bristles to massage the scalp, boost blood circulation and capture sebum at the roots to pull it down through the hair.
For summer, the brand has partnered with Roseanna to create a playful range of the brushes. Using a special injection technique, La Bonne Brosse has created a tie-dye-like pattern on the enamel exterior, which comes in three colours – pink, sky blue, and lime green. A perfect way to protect hair from summer damage.
Fara Homidi's Blonzer Compact
What it is
A blush-like product designed to be paired with the brand's Bronzer Compact.
Why we love it
Fara Homidi’s tight edit of products is proof that she never releases anything unless she feels it will really resonate with her customers. The Blonzer Compact is a powder-cream hybrid that creates the look of burnished and blazed cheeks – the perfect mix of tan and flush to make you look like you’ve been on the beach all day, even if you’ve actually been in the office for eight hours. The cream comes in three shades designed to suit every skin tone: Nue, a beige-pink; Baie, a mid-tone berry; and Velle, a rich-crimson berry. It's also formulated with snow mushroom and squalane to help skin stay moisturised during hot days.
How to use it
Use a brush to apply to the high points of the face where the sun would naturally hit: the forehead, cheekbones and the bridge of the nose. You can also apply it to the decolletage for a touch of colour.
Katya’s Hair Claws
What it is
Pearlescent hair claws and clips that come in an array of cheerful colours and shapes, like swirls and butterflies.
Why we love it
The London-based brand’s bright, crystal-embellished clips make a perfect summertime accessory. Fun and playful, the hair claws are perfect to wear during hot summer days as a chic way to stay cool by keeping hair off your neck or to keep hair dry when taking a dip in the pool.
Vintner's Daughter's Active Treatment Essence
What it is
A hydrating spray designed to provide a vast array of skin-benefiting ingredients via the brand’s signature ‘Phyto Radiance Infusion’ of nutrient-dense botanicals.
Why we love it
Vintner's Daughter has enjoyed cult popularity in its native US for years, with Napa Valley-born founder April Gargiulo channeling the slow, soil-to-bottle principles she picked up working on her family’s vineyard into luxury skincare products. This month, the brand has expanded its limited range of UK stockiest to include Harvey Nichoals, making it easier than ever for people across the pond to get their hands on the products.
These include the Active Treatment Essence, which provides the benefits of eight different products in one, including: hydrating hyaluronic acid and aloe, a brightening plant stem cell complexes, lactic acid and fruit enzymes to gently remove dead skin, a pH balancing toner, and a ‘Phyto Ferment’ that allows the products to be more effectively absorbed by the skin. We love it for summer because it’s an easy, effective addition to your routine that reboots skin damaged by the season’s harsh conditions. Its spray-on format also makes for a nice refresh both morning and night.
How to use it
Spray 5-7 times on your face, neck and chest and then press into your skin for 60 seconds. Use after cleansing, morning and night.
Dr Barbara Sturm’s Everything Hydrogel
What it is
An all-in-one sheet mask designed to address every skin concern.
Why we love it
According to Dr Barbara Sturm, the idea for her latest product came after she realised there were no masks on the market that effectively addressed every possible skin issue, so she made one herself. Formulated to moisturise, boost radiance, firm, refine pores, smooth fine lines and reduce redness, it’s the perfect mask to wear before heading out for the night or just to refresh skin after a day spent in the sun.
How to use it
Apply to dry skin and leave on for ten minutes. After, apply your usual skincare.
Loewe’s Pistachio Candle
What it is
A pistachio-scented candle in a lime green glazed terracotta vessel.
Why we love it
We've been obsessed with Loewe's candles ever since we announced their launch back in 2020, and this latest addition is one of our favourites yet. Its pistachio-inspired scent is sweet and creamy, making it perfect for summer. Plus, the lime-green shade of it handcrafted vessel adds a joyful pop of colour to any room.
Emma Lewisham's Sunceutical SPF
What it is
A mineral SPF that doubles as a moisturiser.
Why we love it
Emma Lewisham's Sunceutical Cream isn’t a new launch, but it’s become a summer essential for us this year. A sunscreen that is creamy and hydrating like a moisturiser, it's enriched with niacinamide to help brighten skin and soothe redness. We love it because it gives our skin the added dose of hydration we need during the summer while still being lightweight. It also has a pore-blurring effect that makes it a great replacement for foundation if it’s feeling too hot out to put on any extra make-up.
How to use it
Apply 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two hours.