Summer starts here MOST WANTED
Emerging from winter layers is easier with a little preparation.
Our national period of hibernation is coming to an end – unless you live in Wellington, in which case winter lasts until the week before Christmas – and the time has come to think about exposing at least some skin to the sun.
Through the chillier months, it’s easy to pretend that our bodies don’t exist, and we don’t need to pay attention to the skin below our necks. With spring officially sprung, it’s time to give our limbs some love. Thegoodnewsisthat one of the best body moisturisers out there will cost you less than a bottle of rose at Countdown. Palmer’s Raw Shea Lotion, $11.49 for 250ml, features Vitamin E, that noted friend to the skin, and African marula oil. That latter ingredient has become a bit of a trend in much more expensive skincare in the past few years, so you’re really getting a bargain here. The cream itself is rich and a pleasure to use – get into it after a shower and you’ll feel hydrated all day. Slightly pricier but still not outrageous is Lush Dream Cream, $37.90 for 240g. This is one of the company’s all-time top-sellers, loved by many for its eczema-soothing properties.
Even if you don’t suffer from that irritating condition, there’s a lot to appreciate about Dream Cream’s soothing, gentle formula. It’s made with oat milk, rosewater, and chamomile oil. I reliably go through a tub every summer – if you end up catching a bit of sun, it’s a must.
If scent is your main decisionmaker when it comes to choosing a body lotion, check out Korres Guava Body Butter, $30 for 125ml, on your next trip to Mecca. Featuring the aforementioned Shea butter as well as guava and quince, it’s a bit luxe and lovely on the skin. A particular plus here? It’s one of the least-greasy options around, which is particularly key moving into summer. You won’t end up with this sitting on top of your skin because it’s too hot.
Of course, these won’t do you much good if you’re just layering them onto dead skin cells. Enter Wiki Skincare’s Illuminating Body Scrub, $35 for 200g. Made with rose petals, organic sugar, coconut oil and cocoa butter, this New Zealand-made exfoliant gets the job done while remaining gentle. Just make sure you seal the bag up properly.
Harriet Pudney If you’d like to add a little summer picnic to your makeup bag game, these cute gingham versions from Prada ($280 at MatchesFashion.com) could be just the ticket.