Football has finally come home and the sun is out. Could this summer get any better? Well, these beauty wonders have just launched, so it might just. For sun protection and coverage Ultra Violette's new tinted SPF50 has you sorted, YSL has created the perfect summer eyeshadow palette that almost looks too good to use, Chantecaille have launched a bronzing tint that will make it look like you've been to Ibiza, Garnier have your body sorted with their new bargainous body lotion and there's a spot blitzing serum that doubles-up as a great primer from Emma Hardie. Read on for our hitlist of beauty buys that will make your summer even better.
"Call me a geek, but I love to see how the SPF category is suddenly evolving at lightning speed. Gone are the pesky chalky, cakey consistencies that no one wanted to use, the best sun protection products now rival your actual skincare. And once again, Australian brands are leading the way (their sunscreen rules are generally much stricter), and if you’re not already a fan of Ultra Violette, I suggest you get to know it pronto. Not only is the brand’s packaging deeply dopamine-inducing — the highlight pink and purple bottles are a treat to unbox —but the SPF 50 products have rightly earned cult status among beauty editors for their silky, hydrating consistencies, and the latest drop is no exception. The Daydream Screen Tinted Veil is quite honestly a dream to use. I love the way the tint sits on my skin, all lightweight and breathable, while offering just the perfect amount of coverage, and leaving it with a gorgeous dewy glow." Rosie Fitzmaurice, GTG Freelance Contributor
"As much I love the hot weather, my oily/breakout-prone skin doesn’t. The mix of heat, SPF and makeup really stresses my skin out. This new lightweight gel serum has been my saviour for keeping excessive oil and shine at bay. It’s formulated with hydrating hyaluronic acid, niacinamide to reduce redness and Egyptian and lotus flower to help leave skin smooth and radiant. Another key ingredient is wild indigo which helps to break down cortisol (AKA stress) production which leaves skin calm and de-stressed. I apply around 3-5 drops morning and night after cleansing — I tend to skip out on day cream as it makes a really nice makeup base. I’ve been using it for a couple of weeks now and I’ve already noticed smaller pores, less blackheads and fewer spots around my time of the month." Jemma Thompson, GTG Design and Social Media Manager
"Victoria Beckham is known for her infamous pout, so what better way of recreating her look than by using her own lip products? Earlier this year VB came out with her puckerlicious Posh gloss in a range of nudes to suit every skin type, now they have entered the world of brighter colours and I am here for it. Tinted lip glosses can often just add a bit of shine to the lips but this one delivers a really good amount of pigment and the shade, Fizz is the perfect mauve-pink that works from day to night. It has a balmy consistency that hydrates your lips, a subtle shine and most importantly, it's not sticky!" Amy Rostas, GTG Beauty and Social Media Assistant
"Pamela Marshall is a facial therapist who doesn’t suffer fools or nonsense, and sticks to only skincare and techniques she knows have long-term value and benefit her clients at her London Mortar & Milk Clinic. Her first eponymous and entirely sustainable skincare venture is based around her favourite ingredient, PHA’s, the ultra-gentle acids that she loves for their proven hydrating, mildly exfoliating and barrier-repairing prowess. An unscented, silky liquid, you dispense a few drops into your palms and smooth them on your face – it’s gentle enough to use day and night under moisturiser. There’s piperonyl glucoside in her as well to hydrate and add antioxidant protection; with time you skin will visibly brighten up and feel and look smoother. One caveat: despite their gentleness, do not use PHA’s around the eyes! They do peel and you will temporarily end up with some very red skin there if you don’t watch out." Ingeborg van Lotringen, GTG Freelance Beauty Editor
"If you’re unfamiliar with Sculpted by Aimee, it was created by professional makeup artist, Aimee Connolly with the ethos of making makeup easier for everyone. This palette does exactly that, it has everything you need to create a natural-looking makeup with each product handily embossed with it’s purpose so you can almost take a ‘painting by numbers’ approach. There are three eyeshadows - one for the lid, one to sculpt and one to line with, a highlighter, bronzer, blusher and a setting powder. You only need to add your foundation and mascara and you’re done making this is an exceptionally well-priced product that will cover your day-to-day makeup needs." Sarah-Jane Corfield-Smith, GTG Freelance Beauty Director
"As a 50-something, post-menopausal woman, it’s no surprise my arms are starting to show their age. Thanks to good genes, they have always been naturally toned. But now, I see glimpses of cellulite and my skin is looking crepey. As a content creator on Instagram, I was introduced to the award-winning skincare brand Strivectin who sent me their new jumbo-sized, Super-Charged Crepe Control Body Cream to try. It’s been formulated to improve skin texture with firming ingredients to restore elasticity. There’s jojoba seed which is rich in vitamin B and E, turmeric root extract which has inflammatory and antioxidant qualities and a butter blend of shea, murumuru and capuacu which is soothing and deeply moisturising. I’ve been massaging it just before bed, and my arms are lapping up. Strivectin is an impressive science-led, clinically proven skincare brand which has won stacks of awards for its innovations. The new jumbo sized tube is going to last a fair few months, which is good news for my arms!" Marie-Louise Pumfrey, GTG Contributor
"I don’t wear eyeshadow that often, but I do appreciate the power of a good nude to make my eyes pop — and YSL Beauty’s new Couture Colour Clutch Eyeshadow Desert Nude is one of the prettiest things I’ve laid eyes on in a while. Hidden inside a quilted YSL logo-adorned black and gold clutch (which, by the way, I'll be using as an ultra-chic compact for years to come) are 10 shades inspired by the sun-drenched deserts of Morocco. Think warm corally pinks, reddy browns and a trio of metallics to spice things up — the colour payoff of the latter is phenomenal. Given its versatility, if you only have space for one palette in your makeup routine, then this is a worthy investment." RF
"My hair has been feeling very dry, dull and in need of some serious TLC lately and this new collection from rainforest-grown Rahua is just what was needed. It uses a combination of plant-based biotin, vitamins B6, A, C and E — all great for supporting healthy hair growth and scalp care. Over time the combo work to strengthen and revitalise locks and after just a few washes I noticed how shiny and luscious my textured hair looked. Not to mention how dreamy it smelt thanks to a long-lasting tropical medley of coconut, guava and pomegranate. Plus 10% of proceeds is donated to the Pink Flamingo Project, an initiative to help the cleanup and protection of Galapagos species." JT
"My dessert island beauty pick is, and will always be bronzer - no look is complete without it. This bronzing cream gel is a hybrid of skincare meets makeup. It creates a natural bronzed glow and you can use it just as you would any other bronzer, which for me is to apply it to the high points of my face. However, thanks to its many skincare qualities you can also mix it with your moisturiser and/ or foundation to create an all-over healthy glow and get the full impact of its anti-ageing benefits. Namely the skin-barrier restoring peptides and tamarind extract, which help your skin absorb moisture, keeping skin hydrated. This is a multi-tasker in the truest sense of the word." AR
"Gabar is a ‘fragrance and mind’ brand that wants to use scent and ritual to help you tap into the present moment, 'away from the stress and fear of the whirring mind', says co-founder Phway Su Aye. They’re a sort of tool for meditation, really, helping you to stay with the breath and not let your brain take a runner with you. Notes are selected 'to have a sedative effect on the nervous system, but also call up imagery of tranquil places to ponder upon'. This one calls to mind a still pond in a forest, where you can float about with just a few buzzing insects for company. It has gentle, watery floral notes with a hint of herby bitterness, and feels cooling and calming, just like it was intended to." IvL
"Having just come back from holiday I am determined to keep my tan going for as long as possible which means using body lotion every day and this bargain buy has been ideal. It comes in a ginormous tub so will last for ages, even if you are using it regularly. But what really sold it to me is it’s amazing texture. I assumed it was going to be really rich and buttery and therefore take quite awhile to sink in, but it’s really silky. My skin drunk it up immediately, without leaving any residue so you can get dressed straight away. It has a light, quite fresh scent and doesn’t smell of avocado’s (do they even have a scent?) but more like cucumber and freshly cut grass." SJCS
"I’ve got the post-holiday body blues. My legs are flaking, the tan is fading and I’ve spotted some unwelcome sun spots, despite all the factor 50. So last night it was time for some beauty TLC. Fortunately, I got my hands on the Kora Tumeric brightening and exfoliating mask which has been getting some rave reviews. It’s what they call a ‘double-duty’ face mask, with turmeric to reduce the appearance of sun discolouration and brightening ingredients such as papaya enzymes, peppermint, and rosehip seed to detox the pores and resurface the skin. The scrub is just the right intensity for my sensitive skin with super-fine granules, leaving my face soft and glowing. Kora Organics is the creation of Miranda Kerr, the international supermodel, launched in 2009. It has won numerous awards, and the range is free from parabens, sulphates, silicones, synthetic fragrances and dyes. I love and can feel a Kora Organics obsession starting!" MLP
"A healthy summer glow calls for a good fake tan regime, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll be looking for minimal effort, maximum straying power. So there’s a reason fans of Skinny Tan’s bestselling Tan & Tone Oil keep coming back, seriously, read the reviews. And now it’s even better, having just been reformulated in time for the holiday season. Infused with poppyseed, coconut oil and a raspberry-based DHA alternative, the vegan-friendly formula feels hydrating and smoothing and the light guide tint makes it easy enough to apply — top tip, use the brand’s Back Applicator for streak-free application." RF
"I love a cream or gel blush but so many are a bit too wimpy – the colour payoff tends to be minimal in an effort not to scare you with the spectre of ‘Aunt Sally’ (whoever she was) and her whacky cheeks. I like a bit more punch, and these non-greasy creams in four shades deliver it. You need only the tiniest bit, easily rubbed into the cheek apples and blended out; adding more is not a problem and the result is seamless. The finish is radiant but not glossy or gleamy, and there’s a little bit of hydration from the hyaluronic acid in the formula. And it’s vegan and PETA-accredited cruelty-free and all that." IvL
"I consider myself a vitamin C serum connoisseur. In case you don’t know, vitamin C is the skincare ingredient that evens out skin tone and adds glow. I’m obsessed with them and wear one every day. Thanks to my job, I must have tried at least 30 different ones and now have a few that have become the yardstick for which all others are compared to. This has become one of those. What’s great about it is it has true serum texture (some vitamin C serums can be quite sticky), it also combines hyaluronic acid, which means your skin is getting hydrated at the same time. Uniquely, it has a very subtle shimmer - it pours out like liquid gold - so it made my complexion look instantly glowy, and who doesn’t want that? I’ve been using it for four weeks and I honestly don’t think my skin has ever looked so good." SJCS
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