Summer's Beauty Must Haves!

by BR Kellie

The woolly jumpers are packed away. My winter workout wear is tucked away at the back of a drawer. My scarves and boots won't see the light of day until the darker days reign once more. Summer is here, people, and I am here for it.

Aside from wearing as little as possible for months on end, I love the low maintenance vibe of summer. I don't care so much about layering on skincare, or straightening my hair, or slapping on the makeup. I embrace beauty minimalism, but that doesn not mean I go full sloth. Uh-uh. I still care. I still have some standards. Emphasis on the 'some'. As in as few as possible.

So what are the absolute bare minimum summer must-haves to see us through this hot and sticky season? Read on...

Cleanser

Sweat, grime, sunscreen, moisturiser... even minus makeup, after a day out and about during summer sun your skin needs a good cleanse. This, along with moisturising, is one of the beauty non-negotiables in my book - whatever the season. This summer I'm dead keen to pick up the evre. Oh So Extra Pineapple & Coconut Face Cleanser. Not only does it sound like the scent of summer, it's hydrating, soothing - and killing it in the reviews from our Beauty Review community with an overall rating at the time of writing of 5/5!

Body Scrub

There's something about sloughing off all those dead skill cells to reveal soft, supple skin is a bit delicious... especially when it's done with a sugar scrub. (Weirdly, despite my love of coffee, I don't like to smell of it, so avoid the sugar scrub's caffeinate cousin like the plague). Even better, when the scrub's infused with an oil you also get a hit of hydration to help give your limbs a gorgeous glow.

Moisturiser

Even when my scrub's moisturising, when it comes to skin hydration I'm all about the more is more, especially as I'm a bit of a lizardy lass. However, in summer switching from a thick cream to a lotion is more my style, which is why I love the CeraVe Moisturising Lotion (it's Top Rated, don't you know?!), especially as this lizardy lass is also a touch lazy and can use this on the body AND face.

Sunscreen

You know it's not going to be a Beauty Review article involving summer must-haves without a nod to sunscreen. Whether it's for your face or body, it's a must during a New Zealand summer. Remember to put it on twenty minutes before heading outdoors and reapply throughout the door or after you've gone for a swim. Your body will thank you for it.

Lip Balm

Ever since one fateful summer trip to Nelson in my teenage years that saw me burn to a crisp, hide from the sun for the rest of my holiday, and peel like a prawn, I've found myself with the weirdest case of getting little bumps on my lips if I spend too much time unprotected in the sun, which means I'm super careful about protecting my kissers. I will go all summer without a hint of lip product - except for a lip balm with an SPF. Bonus points if it contains a hint of colour.

Waterproof Mascara

I wasn't joking when I said I become a makeup minimalist during summer. Unless I have a meeting or a function I'm wearing next to nothing most of the time. Maybe a little concealer if I have a spot. Perhaps a hint of cream blush if I'm looking a little deathly. But that's it... except for mascara. And that mascara is of the waterproof mascara variety because a) Auckland likes to rain in summer, b) I like to be prepared for the slight chance of swimming, and c) I sweat and I hate mascara stinging my eyes. Oh, and there's a vain d) in there... d) I feel like I look like Mr Magoo minus his glasses when I don't have it on. 

Hair Serum

All that sun, all that outdoors life, all that salt from the sea, it can play havoc on your locks, which is why a little treatment throughout the warmer months doesn't go astray. I'm a fan of something like the Schwarzkopf Extra Care Rose Hip Oil Elixir, as you can simply squirt it in your hair after a shower, tie your hair up, and let it do its hydrating thing while you go about your day.

So, what are your summer beauty must-haves? Do you become more easy breezy in your routine? Or does your beauty routine stay stable no matter the season? Get chatting below!