Hydrating Face Spray: Refresh your skin, revive your make up and rebalance oiliness with Jurlique Purifying Citrus Face Mist ($23). It’s a great one to keep on your desk at the office for a post-lunch pick-me-up, and even better when stored in the fridge for an extra cool mist. The citrus scent only adds to its summertime charm.
Facial Sunscreen: Kosmea’s Moisturising Lotion SPF 30+ ($44.95) gets my vote for including wonder skin care ingredient rosehip oil, effectively moisturising and also protecting with a high SPF factor of 30. Perfect for daily protection, it also holds makeup on beautifully.
Mattifying Moisturiser: Your face doesn’t have to resemble a Christmas bauble with Formula 10.0.6 Seriously Shine Free Mattifying Oil-Free Moisturiser ($8.99) . Bamboo extracts keep shine at bay and the oil-free formula won’t clog your pores (possibly leading to breakouts) even on the hottest of days. Remember though, this one doesn’t have any SPF so you’ll have to BYO.
Exfoliator: With summer comes fake tan, so you’re going to need an exfoliating scrub on hand to prepare rough knees and elbows for application. It’s a bonus if it smells great, so you’re in luck with the coconut, brown sugar and lime scent of Absolutely Gorgeous Island Kiss Sugar Scrub ($21.95), which reminds me of a rum and sugar cocktail. Delicious, unless you partied a little too hard last night on something a bit similar. In that case, you might want to opt for NAT.’s Sea Salt Smoother’s ($55.00) – its peppermint scent is refreshing!
Party Tanner: ModelCo One Night Tan Only (large $26/mini $12.95). This instant tan will be your best friend come party season when you’re racing from one event to the other. The chocolate-gelato-like ball of mousse is super easy to apply and blends without streaking. The colour is extremely believable without any traces of the dreaded orange and the subtle shimmer is perfect for balmy party nights. The best thing is, it washes off once you shower for a perfect clean slate – no more patchy ankles to contend with.
Body Moisturiser with Tanner and SPF: I am in serious, deep, let’s-get-a-puppy love with Le Tan Daily Glow SPF 15 ($7.99). This unassuming yellow tube has it all; deep hydration, a hint of gradual tanner that’s in the most perfect colour, and SPF 15+. You know you’ve got it right when nobody asks what fake tan you’re wearing! As Mr. G would say, it’s a triple threat – and a daily essential for exposed limbs!
Self-Tan/Fake Tan: Ti Cosmetics The Bronzer Self-Tan. This face and body self tanner adds a touch of instant colour, but the real magic occurs after it’s left for 2 hours to develop into a golden glow. Safe to use on both face and body, it’s enriched with Vitamins A and E, Shea butter, green tea extract and coconut oil.
Body Oil: Give your skin a subtle sheen that not only smells divine, but is ultra-hydrating too with MOR Body Oil in Marshmallow ($44.95). Best kept for evenings (oil and the sun is not ideal… you’re not a roast chook!) this luxe-feel oil sinks in like a dream and the scent is ‘there’ enough to be your stand alone scent for the night but in no way overpowering. Tip: Concentrate the oil down the centre of your legs for a slimming effect.
Purse-sized Fragrance: MOR Little Luxuries perfume oil in Lychee ($19.95). True story: this is the only fragrance my boyfriend has ever commented on (unprompted). For a male to go out of his way to comment on the delicious, fruity scent – with enthusiasm mind you – MOR must be on to a good thing with their Lychee Oil Roll-On Perfume. It’s perfectly purse sized for touch-ups, too. An affordable stocking filler for the ladies in my life.
Gym/Beach Bag Fragrance Spray: Urban Rituelle’s Beachcomber ranges include a Summer Scents perfume spray bottle ($13.95), perfect for throwing in your bag on the day for a quick freshen up. The slim, plastic spray bottle means it won’t smash or spill and is easily transportable – perfect for your beach or gym bag. I can’t get enough of the Pink Jasmine scent – summer lovin’ in just one spritz!
Aloe Vera: Ouch. You got a little carried away and forgot to Slip, Slip, Slap. Or maybe you slipped, but forgot to slap? Whatever the excuse, you’re now burnt. Tsk tsk. Don’t worry, I’ll save my lecturing and pass over the Le Tan After Sun Aloe Vera Gel ($9.99), which will naturally soothe and moisturise. Just don’t do it again.
Beach Bag Sunscreen: No matter what time of the year, one whiff of Le Tan’s SPF 30+ Coconut Mist Spray ($16.99) will send my mind back to the beach and into a momentary state of bliss. Create your own memories with this easily applied spray bottle of high protection, non-ghosting, 4 hours water resistant sunscreen – the coconut scent is definitely the winner though.
Anti-Ingrown Cream: The red spots should stay on your bathers, so keep your bikini line bump free by applying some Bump eRaiser Concentrated Serum ($15.95) daily, which helps exfoliate the skin and help new hairs come to the surface, avoiding painful ingrowns and consequent scarring.
Body Moisturiser with Sunscreen: If you’re not a fake/gradual tanner-kinda-gal, then head over to Hissyfit’s Body Double ($29.95), a daily moisturiser with SPF 30+ protection and aloe and cehami for hydration, perfect for when you’re out on the go and still need to be protected.
SPF Protection for Lips and Hands: While we’re on the subject of daily sun protection for your body, don’t forget about your hands or your lips! For those concerned with lines or wrinkles, your attention mainly is directed at your face, yes? Well, as my Nan always told me, you can always tell a lady’s age by her hands. Fool them all with Hissyfit’s Handy Work ($24.95), a hand cream with 30+ SPF protection. A must-have for your handbag, especially when driving. Lips shouldn’t be left out either, will all that gloss and what-not attracting the sun to your lips like glistening sausages on a BBQ. Hissyfit’s Lip Service ($18.95) is an ultra-hydrating (shea butter, jojoba oil and Vitamin E) 30+ lip gloss. It’s clear, so it’s perfect for covering your lippy of choice, but also comes in a variety of sheer colours.
