Our summer heroes
When the seasons change it’s likely you tweak your beauty routine slightly. The YOU crew does, too: we’ve gathered the team’s sunshine picks below to help you pare down your holiday shopping list
Piz Buin Allergy Sun Sensitive Skin Lotion, €8.50 supervalu.ie
WHY Having suffered with heat rash all my life, this is the only sun cream that minimises my reaction. A game-changer for tan fans. USP It smells nostalgically like holidays.
Supergoop! (Re)setting Powder SPF30, €31.90, feelunique.com
WHY When in the sun, I find it hard to top up make-up without making a mess, but this 100 per cent mineral powder helps it mattify and set. Brush it into your parting to avoid a burnt scalp. USP This company specialises in sun protection, so it’s not an afterthought as with lots of make-up brands.
Typology 5% Vitamin C Glow Drops, €25.50, global.typology.com
WHY I’m too pale to do fake tan but these make people tell you that you look ‘well’.
USP I find most ‘glow’ products disappear within about an hour. These have staying power.
Margaret Dabbs Foot Scrub, €22.80, feelunique.com
WHY Other foot scrubs – and I’ve tried loads – can’t compete with its ability to really deep-scrub your feet, leaving them super soft and smooth. USP This is my short cut to faking a pedicure: my feet look (and feel) like they’ve been reborn.
Mac Lipstick in Morange, €24, brownthomas.com
WHY This is my favourite feel-good lipstick shade for sunny days. It adds a zing to summer make-up and looks great with a tan.
USP It has impressive staying power and doesn’t feel drying on the lips.
Clinique Happy For Men Body and Hair Wash, €32.50, boots.ie
WHY Just the right amount of luxury for the shower after an early morning cycle commute. USP This does double duty as shower gel and shampoo when time is tight before work.
Biafine Act Emulsion, €11.28, carethy.ie
WHY To rescue your skin from sunburn apply in the evening and wake without any redness. Just be sure to wash it off and reapply SPF before sunbathing. USP It’s an actual medical treatment for burns.
SkinCeuticals Advanced Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen, €42.50, southwilliamspa.com
WHY You must wear an SPF daily, to save your skin. And this cream is oh so feathery light. USP Its HyperBright complex evens out skin tone and minimises the appearance of brown spots, fine lines and pigmentation. Hurrah!
Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs instant-tan spray, €13.99, boots.ie
WHY It stops my legs from looking like uncooked chicken drumsticks during the summer. It’s also streak free. And cheap. Win-win-win.
USP Instant bronzed legs without any fuss and scent-free, too – what’s not to love?
Summer Fridays CC Me Serum, €68, spacenk.com
WHY I wear less make-up in summer, so my skin needs to look and feel fresher. This is like a shot of vitamin C. Add sunscreen, concealer and go! USP It improves skin tone and texture, and reduces the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Fenty Skin Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream, €35 (€30 for refill), boots.com
WHY It makes skin look (and feel) instantly supple. No wonder – almost 25 per cent of the formula is made up of oils and butters. USP This is the only cream I’ve tried that leaves a perfect sheen on limbs – without feeling greasy or sticky.
Dove Body Love Summer Revived Gradual Tanning Lotion in Light to Medium, €4.99, boots.ie
WHY I don’t tan easily, and this is the best self-tanner I’ve found – it doesn’t streak or smell. No orange palms or ankles, either.
USP It makes the tan look natural, not too dark.
Footopia Super Foot File, €23, beautypie.com
WHY I can’t stand flaky heels and this blitzes my dry skin.
USP It has a long handle for easy reach and it doesn’t make your hands sore while you’re using it.
Bumble and Bumble Surf Styling Leave In, €34, boots.ie
WHY It brings out my natural waves and tames any frizz caused by the summer heat.
USP It shields from UV rays and is the easiest way to get waves in your hair without crispy gel or salt sprays.
Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Fragrance Free Sunscreen Lotion, €8.99, boots.ie
WHY This is a high-protection sunscreen lotion (sprays don’t work for my pale skin) that is moisturising and easy to apply. It’s unscented and water resistant, too.
USP No white cast.
La Mer The Body Crème, €255, brownthomas.com
‘Insanely expensive, yes, but a little goes a long way and a pot can last six months’
WHY Insanely expensive, yes, but a little goes a long way, so a pot can last six months. Great for holidays if your skin’s tight from being in the sun. USP Smells like a posh spa and softens even the most leathery skin.
Hermès Eau d’Orange Verte, €114 for 100ml, brownthomas.com
WHY It smells glamorous, spiriting you to the French Riviera – even if you’re in fact stuck on the upper deck of the number 38 bus. USP It’s potent but – unlike other eaux de cologne – not remotely cloying.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios
Sun SPF50 Invisible Fresh Mist, €15 boots.ie
WHY I know it’s important to top up your sunscreen during the day, but doing so can really mess up your make-up! I love this spray because you can just spritz it over the top of make-up and it will give you protection without budging it.
USP Its make-up-sparing SPF.