Did someone say heatwave?! Hells, yeah! But while this glorious sunshine has got us all giddy with excitement, don’t get caught out — painful peeling sunburn is no fun, and even worse on a post-heatwave hangover.
Time to arm yourself with some high-quality sun protection. From the sunlight-defence hair serums to translucent sunscreens, we present your heatwave-ready beauty bag checklist.
Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 30
LA-born brand Summer Fridays, run by beauty influencers Marianna Hewitt and Lauren Ireland, is perhaps best known for its Kim Kardashian-adored Jet Lag face mask. It has just brought out its first mineral sunscreen, a milky lightweight serum with a slight tint that’s designed to bring out that natural glow on all complexions. It’s already got beauty editors buzzing with its ingredient powerhouse hitlist, including skin-quenching squalane and argan oil.
£35, spacenk.com
Oway Sunlight Serum
Italian biodynamic and carbon-neutral haircare brand Oway has launched its SunWay collection, designed to protect the hair from damage caused by things like UV rays, salt water and chlorine. Products include an After-Sun Hair Mask and Sunlight Serum, a nourishing dry oil for the hair and body which is packed with natural ingredients such as algae and marine carotenoids to counteract damage from oxidative stress.
£38, oway.com
Bum Bum Jet Set
Nothing smells like summer like Brazilian-inspired brand Sol de Janeiro’s Bum Bum cream (a skin-firming body lotion) in Cheirosa ‘62 scent. With notes of pistachio and salted caramel, it smells good enough to eat. The Jet Set pack features a Bum Bum cream, shower gel and hair and body mist in travel-friendly minis, so you’ll smell like a goddess on the go.
£24, lookfantastic.co.uk
UpCircle Mineral Sunscreen SPF 25
Zero-waste, vegan beauty brand UpCircle (6) has launched its first sunscreen, which it says is its most requested product to date. The broad-spectrum mineral formula is reef safe and has been tested on different skin tones to ensure it leaves no ashy residue behind. Upcycled raspberry seeds hydrate, while non-clogging sunflower oil and lavender oil make this a good option for acne-prone skin.
£24.99, upcirclebeauty.com
Saltee Body Active Sun Lotion SPF 30
For anyone who plans on getting sweaty this summer, Saltee’s UVA and UVB sunscreen contains jojoba and grapeseed oil to soothe weary muscles, while Melinoil stimulates the skin’s natural sun defences.
£35, saltee.co.uk
Naked Sundays Hydrating Glow Mist SPF 50+
Australia’s best-selling SPF brand Naked Sundays has landed in the UK. This clear mist is perfect for topping up your sun protection on the go, and is jam-packed full of skin goodness, including hydrating hyaluronic acid and vitamin C powerhouse kakadu plum.
£34, beautybay.com
Avène Intense Protect 50+
Avène’s ultra-broad-spectrum Intense Protect 50+ for face and body shields the skin against UVB and UVA rays, as well as blue light. It’s perfect for sensitive skin types and can be used on babies and children, while the fragrance-free formula will never sting your eyes. Do also check out the brand’s new range of daily facial SPFs, which incorporate its new high-tech patented organic filter.
£20, boots.com
Nuxe Sun Moisturising Protective Milky Oil for Hair
Protect your tresses against UV rays, salt and chlorine this summer with Nuxe’s non-greasy milky oil, which adds shine and a well-needed shot of hydration to coloured lengths. Spritz all over before and after swimming to safeguard locks against the elements.
£18.80, uk.nuxe.com
Dr. David Jack All Day Long SPF 50
Dr. David Jack’s recently launched fragrance-free and vegan facial SPF is a great replacement for your daily moisturiser whether you’re holidaying or not. The non-chalky consistency contains UVB and UVA protection, as well as a blue light filter, with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and anti-pollution carrot extract.