I applaud those who spend their summers looking like Hollywood film stars, I truly do. But for me, the warmer months are about freedom, minimalism and, above all, relaxation. That all comes with an ultra-paired-back beauty routine – one that does the bare minimum, but still ensures I feel like my best self (albeit a very low-key version of it – the heated rollers and red lipstick are firmly locked away until the cooler months.)
These are my well-honed summer beauty prep essentials that work for the summer and any holidays you might be taking. While any beauty prep is, of course, entirely optional – we can all enjoy beach holidays and the summer exactly as we are, in our glorious natural form – these are just some of my time-saving options so you can dedicate more time to relaxing in the sun, cocktail in hand.
Consider a keratin treatment for your hair
When the Brazilian blowdry, a smoothing salon treatment, first launched in the UK some years ago, it came with controversy. The treatment often contained formaldehyde (and other aldehydes) which were released during the heating stage, noxious fumes that could affect both the client and the stylist when used incorrectly.
Newer versions of this blowdry are now known as keratin treatments and still take 1-3 hours, with results lasting around 3 months. They still contain ingredients that smooth the hair, but pose less risk to the client and stylist when inhaled. So what are the benefits? "Keratin treatments are perfect for controlling frizz, reducing puff and generally making the hair feel the best version of itself,” explains Sally Brooks, Creative Director at Brooks and Brooks, who uses the Fabriq system. “They are particularly useful In humid climates to reduce styling time as the hair dries quicker, and they keep the hair looking great for longer too, ” she adds.
In terms of aftercare, Sally recommends using the Fabriq Hydrate shampoo and conditioner range which is sulphate and sodium chloride free - which is essential when having keratin treatments - and helps to extend how long your treatment lasts. “Keratin treatments can be life changing as part of your hair care regime and take the stress out of managing your hair when travelling.” If you’re looking for a short term treatment for a festival for example, try the Keratin Complex System Express Blowout available at Neil Moodie Studio. It’s a brilliant entry point into keratin treatments, should take around an hour, and last around a month.
For a less intensive smoothing option for summer hair woes, a leave-in lamellar water might also help. This new water-based treatment is super lightweight and works by depositing ingredients like amino acids (that help with hair strength) and conditioners to your strands and temporarily fills in any gaps along the hair shaft. They’re instantly smoothing, softening and can be washed in and out as you desire. Need some serious help with flyaways? Although it’s aimed at static hair, for humid climates Staticjam Seriously Good Styler will become your climate-proof go to for reducing frizz, flyaways and maintaining your blow dry, no matter where you are in the world.
Forget about brows for the summer
You may be blessed with brows that need very little attention, but the summer months don’t make things easy for anyone who uses brow make-up. Keeping them intact when faced with sweat and water is a real chore, which is why brow tinting before the weather heats up or before you travel can cut down on the need to use a brow product at all.
Anu Khapung is a highly sought after celebrity brow and lash expert in London and is in residence at 180 Studios Health Club. “I’d recommend having an eyebrow tint before your trip, which generally lasts about 10-14 days. They’re ideal for the summer time when we’re hotter and tend to sweat more, and your brown artist will do a patch test, and then work out the ideal shade for you depending on your skin's undertone, hair colour, and personal style,” she says. If you’re hoping to maximise your brow tint, then when you’re in the sun use an SPF on your brows to prevent the sun from bleaching it, making it less likely to fade. A powder SPF like Supergoop (Re)setting 100% Mineral Powder SPF30 makes it easy to protect your face, and brows alike.
You could also team that with a brow lamination treatment, which works by setting your brow hairs upwards to create a fuller look, and works well on thick coarse brows and can help thinning brows appear lifted and thicker. If you’re looking for a DIY option to add colour to your brows, then the Maybelline Brow Tattoo is a paint-on gel that tints the brows and lasts for around two days, and the Eylure Dybrow is an an easy to use at-home kit to tint your brows – this can last for up to a week.
When it comes to brow products, you can mimic the look of a brow lamination with Refy Brow Tint - which also has excellent staying power in the heat. For the best instant brow thickening results Merit Brow 1980 Volumizing Pomade adds colour, hold and thickens the brows in a swipe - it’s my daily go to. Whatever you’re doing, getting your brows in great shape before you do anything is crucial. An expert brow and lash artist can help advise what you’d need and help you get the best results with the minimum amount of time and effort involved.
Leave the curlers and mascara at home
For the ultimate low-maintenance lashes, try a lash lift and tint at the start of the summer. Lash lifts are essentially a perm for your natural lashes and use a chemical solution and curling rod to create bend in the lashes. They’re much less maintenance than extensions or false lashes too. “A lash lift delivers stunning results that are perfect for vacations and last for around six weeks. That means you can enjoy swimming and outdoor adventures without the need for mascara, false lashes or worrying about your make-up running,” says Anu.
Anu advises teaming your lift with an eyelash tint too.“Eyelash tints can be a real time-saver, especially for frequent travellers since they let you skip mascara and mascara removal in your daily routine. Most of my clients get an eyelash tint every three weeks, and it’s also a great option for people with light eyelashes who would otherwise use a lot of mascara,” she adds.
If that doesn’t feel like the right option, then getting a brilliant curl-boosting mascara with a curved wand - like Sensai Mascara 38°C (volumising) can help lift the straightest lashes, followed by a coat of waterproof mascara like Beauty Pie the Perfect Waterproof Mascara, to help them last throughout the day. Anu is a big fan of Jones Road Mascara to help lengthen shorter lashes too.
To remove your eye make-up and SPF, always pack Cerave's Micellar Water for gentle cleansing on even the most sensitive skins and follow with a touch of CeraVe's moisturising Repair Ointment anywhere that gets a little red or needs a little post-sun tlc.
Invest in your skin before, during and after the summer
One way to prep your skin ahead of the summer is with a professional facial. It helps nix skin issues and can help boost confidence for going relatively make-up-free for the rest of summer. Of course, looking after your skin with the right sun protection and ensuring it’s well hydrated (Laneige Water Sleeping Mask is excellent for this – apply it overnight and let your skin soak it up.) But to take it a step further, you could also invest in an LED mask that travels easily for on-the-go skin maintenance.
By the end of the summer, I usually see some areas of hyperpigmentation or sensitivity, so to help with this I tend to have a more intensive expert facial to restore my skin. As facialist Mariam Abbas explains: “Sun exposure causes free radical damage and deprives cells of their antioxidants, slowing down cell turnover. UVA and UVB rays can reach different layers of the skin and break down cells, causing DNA damage and decreased water content in the stratum corneum which damages and dehydrates the skin too. Having treatments and facials after your trip can help repair the skin barrier, replenish moisture levels and help detox the skin from pollutants and free radical damage.”
So what should you look for in a post-summer facial? “Lasers and peels are both great options to rejuvenate the skin post-summer. Treatments incorporating Hyaluronic Acid hydrate and restore the skin’s moisture levels. Vitamins A, C, and other antioxidants help boost cell turnover, repair the skin, and address conditions such as pigmentation caused by sun exposure. The Byonik Laser treatment also reduces inflammation in the skin, and it’s great on all skin tones to help heal the skin without any risk of Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation,” she finishes.
Nail your protection kit at the start of the summer
The SPF routine so many of us follow consists of a panic-shop at Duty Free, but it’s absolutely worth stocking up on your sun protection as soon as the weather heats up, or you book that summer holiday to ensure you’re fully protected from the sun.
Your ideal summer protection kit should contain protection from head to toe. Try a lotion SPF for your body, which is ideal for your morning application – like Ultra Sun SPF50+ Extreme Lotion followed by an easy to use top up spray, like VICHY Capital Soleil Solar Protective Water Hydrating SPF50 which adds high protection minus heaviness, or Sun Bum Original Moisturising Sun Cream Spray SPF 50 which adds a nourishing gleam to drier skins.
A daily SPF lotion on your face is non negotiable too. Supergoop Every Single Face Watery Lotion SPF50 and Mecca To Save Face SPF 50+ are brilliant for all skin types, and those with ultra sensitive skins may want to consider an SPF 100 for the maximum protection and getting a hat and clothing with sun protection too.
A stick SPF like La Roche Posay Anthelios XL SPF50 makes it easier to top up places like the nose, lips and ears, as does the aforementioned powder SPF that can simply brush on. I’m also never without an SPF lip balm and spray SPF like Ultra Violette Preen Screen SPF50 Reapplication Mist which is ideal for topping up my protection on the go without feeling heavy or drying. They also make an incredibly useful mini kit which is every traveller's dream.