The must-try beauty essentials you need this summer
As we reach the peak of summer, it’s the perfect time to give your beauty routine a seasonal refresh – think glowing skin, lightweight textures, uplifting scents and smart sun protection. Whether you’re escaping to a sun-soaked destination or simply want to update your everyday routine, these beauty essentials are your go-to picks for staying radiant and refreshed this summer.
Glow-boosting skincare
This skincare-makeup hybrid from Erborian instantly smooths and perfects while enhancing your skin’s natural radiance. The glow-giving formula blurs imperfections and boosts luminosity, making it ideal for days when you want fresh, healthy-looking skin with minimal effort. Pair with their best-selling BB Cream to unify your complexion and visibly refine tone and texture.
ReDimension HydraDew Luminizer, £42, RMS Beauty
Expect a healthy glow with just one sweep thanks to this gel-to-powder highlighter from RMS Beauty. Its lightweight, bouncy texture melts effortlessly into the skin, leaving a luminous, multi-dimensional finish that feels as good as it looks. And for an added pop of colour? Don’t forget to try one of their blushes in the same silky formula. Sangria and Pomegranate Fizz are vibrant, juicy hues that make ideal summer companions for a fresh, sun-kissed flush.
Bronze Colour Infusion, £34, Laura Mercier
Bring instant warmth and radiance to your complexion with Laura Mercier’s bronzing duo. Infused with finely-milled pigment powders, it blends seamlessly to leave behind a smooth, blurred finish that feels lightweight and breathable for up to 12 hours. Choose from five different colour combinations to find the perfect sculpt and glow shade for you.
Heavenly summer scents
Ambre Vanille Honey Bath, £47, Laura Mercier
Laura Mercier’s fan-favourite Honey Bath has been reimagined with an even more indulgent formula to transform your tub into a spa-like escape. The decadent bubbles cleanse, soften, and condition while skin-loving ingredients like sea water, red algae, and borage seed oil help lock in hydration and leave skin silky and supple.
Available in two beautiful scents – the warm, sensual Ambre Vanille and the comforting Almond Coconut – each version brings a moment of luxury to your self-care ritual. For a truly indulgent experience, pair your chosen Honey Bath with the brand’s matching body serums, leaving skin not only nourished but delicately perfumed all day long.
Limited Edition Cheirosa Hair & Body Perfume Mist Discovery Set, £38, Sol de Janeiro
This limited-edition quartet of Sol de Janeiro favourites is a tropical treat. Featuring four mini versions of their bestselling body mists, it’s perfect for travel or trying out new scents before committing to a full size. Each mist blends floral, fruity, and gourmand notes, designed to transport your senses to Brazil’s sun-drenched shores. These multi-tasking mists double as body sprays and hair perfumes, making them ideal for fragrance layering and on-the-go refreshes.
Butta Drop Guava Getaway Whipped Oil Body Cream, £32, Fenty Skin
Rich, hydrating, and deliciously scented, this whipped body cream is infused with tropical guava notes that feel instantly summery. The velvety texture melts into skin, leaving it deeply nourished and glowing. A must-have for your summer bodycare routine.
Super Fairy Shower Gel, from £8.50, Lush
Try out one of Lush’s most exciting new releases with their brand new Super Fairy collection that combines two of their bestsellers, the citrusy Super Milk and the sweet candyfloss-scented Snow Fairy. The hydrating shower gel is formulated with skin-loving oat, coconut, and almond milks, plus a splash of fresh lemon juice for a brightening, moisturising boost. There’s also a magnesium-rich bath bomb and softening body lotion to complete the line up, too. Summer self-care at its most magical.
Blueberry and Wild Strawberry Body Care Gift Set, £74, Molton Brown
A luxurious trio designed for indulgence, this set combines juicy blueberry with the sweetness of wild strawberry for a scent that’s both uplifting and comforting. Featuring a bath and shower gel, body lotion and mini perfume, this set is a great way to elevate your daily routine or spoil someone special.
Smart sun protection
Hyperpigmentation Defence SPF50+, £29, P20
Daily sun protection is non-negotiable, and this clever SPF does more than just shield. Formulated to defend against both UVA and UVB rays, it also actively targets hyperpigmentation and dark spots, making it a smart choice for those concerned with uneven skin tone. Lightweight, non-greasy, and fragrance-free, it layers seamlessly under makeup or works perfectly worn alone, even on sensitive skin.
Haircare heroes
Supershine Discovery Set, £45, Oribe
Packed with Oribe’s bestselling formulas in travel sizes, this chic set is the secret to sleek, frizz-free hair all summer long. The nourishing products hydrate, smooth and add shine, ensuring your hair stays healthy and glossy no matter the weather.
Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hair Mask, £39, Gisou
Gisou’s deeply restorative hair mask has become a viral sensation for a reason. Powered by honey and ceramides to repair, strengthen, and boost shine, it nourishes hair from root to tip, leaving it glossy, smooth, and resilient — an essential for post-sun or post-swim recovery.
Finishing touches
The Definer and Highlight Duo Pencil, £24, Brow Aid
This clever dual-ended pencil from Brow Aid shapes, defines, and brightens brows in one easy step. Use the definer to sculpt arches and the highlight to lift the brow bone or inner corner — instant polish with minimal effort.
Nourishing Lip Oil, £20, bareMinerals
In seven stunning shades, this is a summer lip essential that hydrates and conditions while delivering a sheer, glossy tint. Formulated with a blend of nine botanical oils and hyaluronic acid, it instantly smooths and conditions to support the lips’ natural moisture barrier. Lightweight and non-sticky, it’s great for everyday wear and reapplication on the go.
Legendary Serum Lipstick, £35, RMS Beauty
Part lipstick, part treatment, this serum-infused formula delivers rich, buildable colour while nourishing lips with organic bitter cherry water, adaptogenic herbs, and antioxidant-packed Kakadu plum extract. The lightweight, satin finish feels as hydrating as a balm yet wears like a long-lasting lipstick. Already available in eight shades, RMS has now expanded the range with five new nudes – perfect for effortless summer wear. More than just makeup, this luxurious hybrid leaves lips soft, supple, and gorgeously smooth.
Alexandra Davis
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