Summer Beauty Faves: Your Edit for Hot Days and Even Hotter Nights
- 7 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Sunscreen that actually feels nice, a tan in a bottle, lashes for every mood and a lip tint that doubles as a serum - this is the edit we've been quietly building all season. Whether you're after a glow that lasts the whole bank holiday or a five-minute face for a last-minute night out, here's what's earning its spot on the bathroom shelf this summer.
Skincare
Geek & Gorgeous Zero Feel SPF 50
If you've ever skipped SPF because it felt heavy, sticky or left you looking like a ghost, this one's for you. It's a broad-spectrum SPF 50 with next-gen organic filters that genuinely disappears into skin - no white cast, no stinging eyes, no pilling under makeup. The fast-absorbing, matte finish makes it an easy daily habit rather than a chore, which honestly is the whole point of sunscreen.
Katherine Daniels Daily DNA Defence SPF 30
Even on cloudy days, UV exposure is quietly ageing your skin - this is your daily armour against that. Alongside broad-spectrum UVA/UVB filters, it's packed with DNA-repair enzymes from micro algae and plankton, soothing chamomile, and vitamin E to fight off blue light and pollution too. Think of it as skincare with a very serious day job.
Supergoop Glowscreen SPF 40
This is the SPF that made "glowy sunscreen" a whole category. Light-reflecting pearls give skin a sunkissed sheen while hyaluronic acid and niacinamide keep things hydrated and even, and it works brilliantly as a makeup primer if you want to skip a step. A cult favourite for a very good reason - pop it in your bag and never think twice about reapplying.
The Organic Pharmacy Cellular Protection Sunscreen SPF 50
If you want your SPF to do more than just protect, this one's a serious overachiever. A dermatologist-tested mineral sunscreen with nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for broad-spectrum UVA and UVB defence - no white cast, no heaviness - plus calendula to soothe and condition, rosehip oil to fight free radicals and support cell renewal, and shea butter, jojoba and aloe for that extra layer of nourishment. It's clinically proven to boost hydration by 18% after 28 days, which means your skin genuinely improves the longer you wear it. Vegan, suitable for sensitive skin, and feels like a skincare step as much as sun protection.
TRILOGY Certified Organic Rosehip Oil
A real beauty all-rounder that's worth knowing about: wild-harvested, cold-pressed and rich in omegas 3, 6 and 9, it supports your skin barrier, calms redness, and helps with scarring and stretch marks. Mix a drop into your foundation for extra dewiness, or use it as an overnight mask when your skin needs a reset. The 20ml size is exactly the right amount to throw in a holiday wash bag.
TRILOGY Hydrating Mist Toner
Your new go-to for sticky, humid days. This toner-meets-aromatic-mist is blended with rose, geranium and lavender oils to cool and revitalise skin whenever it needs a lift - spritz it over makeup to set things in place with a dewy finish, or use it fresh-faced for an instant refresh.
St. Tropez Express Dark Whipped Mousse
For when you need a tan and you need it now: this is St. Tropez's fastest, deepest mousse yet, fully developing in just three hours. The whipped texture glides on, dries in seconds, and leaves a tinted guide colour so you can get on with your day while it works its magic underneath. Hyaluronic acid and vitamin E keep things hydrated rather than tight, so it's as kind to your skin as it is to your tan lines.
Self Glow by James Read First Light Tinted Tan Serum
An ultra-lightweight, matte serum that gives skin the soft, golden look of early morning sun rather than an obvious tan. Phytocollagen, apricot oil and a hydrating matrix work to even out skin tone and lock in moisture, so it functions as a genuine skincare step that just happens to leave a gentle veil of colour behind.
Weleda Sunkissed Bronzing Serum Drops
A few drops of this and you've got year-round, sun-kissed skin without going near a sunbed. Infused with yuzu for a hit of vitamin C and antioxidants, it's lightweight and fast-absorbing - mix it into your moisturiser for the subtlest warmth, or wear it alone if you're after something deeper.
MCoBeauty Super Glow Bronzing Drops
A multitasking, skincare-infused bronzing serum that adds warmth while genuinely looking after your skin barrier - antioxidants and nourishing extracts mean you get the lit-from-within glow without the trade-off. Mix into your favourite moisturiser, oil or serum, or dial it up by applying directly for a more intense finish.
The Organic Pharmacy Rose Rejuvenating Face Cream
An age-defying cream that's clinically proven to firm skin, with centella asiatica, rosehip and bilberry working together to nourish, smooth fine lines and soothe. Lightweight enough for summer but rich enough to feel like a treat, with a comforting rose scent that makes your routine feel that little bit more luxurious.
Makeup
Huda Beauty Strawberry Latte Collection
A fresh complexion-and-lip edit built around café-toned warmth and berry-stained colour, this collection nails the soft, filtered, "I woke up like this" look. At its centre is the Blush Filter Palette: three buildable mattes plus a luminous blushlighter topper that adds a soft-focus glow, designed to layer with the Blush Filter Liquid Blush for a multidimensional flush you can really customise.
Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation
The foundation that's been all over your feed for a reason. With 51 shades and a serum-like, weightless texture, it blurs and smooths for a natural, second-skin finish that genuinely wears all day - no slipping, no caking. It's the current top seller in Sephora UK's foundation category, which tells you everything you need to know.
Katherine Daniels Pure Pigment Foundation Drops
A clever skincare-makeup hybrid that flexes to your coverage needs and your skin. Pure, colour-rich pigments sit alongside nourishing macadamia, sweet almond and avocado oils plus vitamin E, so you get a flawless, peachy, dewy base that genuinely looks after mature or dry skin while it covers. Blend with the Daily DNA Defence SPF 30 above for a base that's protective as well as pretty.
BY TERRY Tea to Tan Golden Glow
A brand-new illuminating bronzer serum for face and décolletage that just landed, and it's an instant favourite. The precision dropper means total control over your glow, while bio cherry essence, tea complexes and pure natural pearls work together to revive, smooth and add luminosity - vegan, 97% naturally derived, and one shade that flatters every skin tone.
BY TERRY Tea to Tan Lip & Cheek
A water-light tint for lips and cheeks that gives an instant, healthy flush - sheer with one swipe, buildable for more if you're after a proper pop of colour. The doe-foot applicator makes dotting it onto cheekbones and lips properly easy, even on the go, and the skincare-meets-makeup formula protects against UV damage as it works.
ARDELL Faux Mink Individual Lashes
For when you want full control over your lash look. The combo pack gives you short, medium and long clusters to layer however you like, from subtle enhancement to full drama, with silky synthetic fibres that mimic salon extensions while staying comfortable for everyday wear.
ARDELL Naked Press-Ons Underlash Extensions
Ideal if you're new to lashes or just want zero faff. These pre-glued underlash clusters create a fuller look in minutes with no glue mess whatsoever - just choose your cluster and press into place. Available in multiple lengths for a seamless, natural finish that's beginner-proof.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Sweet Tooth
And for the finishing touch: Sabrina's award-winning Sweet Tooth fragrance collection, now in collectable 10ml minis housed in the brand's signature chocolate-bar bottles. Sweet, gourmand and properly fun to wear, they're the perfect size for summer spritzing on the go - pop one in your bag and you're set for whatever the day (or night) brings.
That's the edit - sun protection sorted, a glow that doesn't quit, and just enough sparkle for whatever the rest of summer has planned. Mix, match and build your own routine around whichever of these earns a permanent spot on your shelf.
Article by Jess Mae Blake