Summer has always been an exciting time to play with beauty products, but this one hits different. We’re more excited than ever to break out the lightweight moisturisers, volumising hair products, glitter eyeshadows and highlighters that pack heaping doses of luminosity. A day at the beach or on a wine farm may be the epitome of warm, easy summer living, but there’s work to be done when it comes to dewy skin and envy-inducing hair on an extraterrestrial level. It’s time to switch your beauty routine and get a head-to-toe glow with these 10 glossy, gleaming and golden summer must-haves.

Editor’s top 3 picks 

Environ Body EssentiA Contouring Cream 

Before we start, an important reminder: Cellulite can affect everyone and every aspect of our bodies, cellulite included, deserves to be celebrated. It doesn’t matter if you’re skinny or carrying a little love on your handles, if you’re a teen or pushing forty – cellulite doesn’t discriminate and can be caused by anything from genetics and ageing to weight gain and hormonal factors. While there’s no magic formula that will firm and smooth out all your dimples overnight, this vitamin-rich body cream will definitely get you a whole lot closer to jiggle-free hips and thighs. Our favourite thing about this anti-cellulite cream? Well, other than the fact that it somehow soaks in lightning fast once you apply it (so you can get dressed minutes later), it also helps to reduce the appearance of pesky cellulite dimpling with a slew of ingredients that will leave your skin feeling decadently soft. Not to mention that it feels extraordinarily delightful going on works to reveal a smooth and even complexion all over. Smooth this contour cream over your stomach, legs and arms post-shower for a visibly defined look. We especially like using it on the more-often exposed areas, like the thighs and upper arms. For long-term anti-cellulite results, remain consistent with applying this super-sculptor – the longer you use it, the better it works! 

R840 from select spas and salons  

Youth Lab Peptides Spring Hydra Gel Eye Patches 

Puffiness, dark circles and under-eye bags be gone! Smooth, rejuvenated eyes await. Whether you’re Netflixing, busy cooking up a storm in the kitchen, trying to meet deadlines at work or indulging in some procrastinating, there’s always time for self-care. Yes, most of us can’t imagine our self-care Sunday pamper sesh without a good old sheet mask, but we often tend to miss out the delicate skin around our eyes. Under-eye patches may be all the rage on Instagram, but as it turns out, Youth Lab’s double-tab-worthy treatment delivers real-life results – no filter required. Infused with a cocktail of ultra-cooling, skin-plumping and dark-circle busting actives, these gel patches offer a ‘boost’ to the under-eye area on especially swollen mornings in just 20 minutes. Not only do these wonderful skincare inventions cool and soothe puffy eyes from too many late nights, they also maintain a firm and hydrated eye contour as well as prep your eyes for a flawless makeup application – and feel like second skin. Pro tip: Store these babies in the fridge and pop them on for an instant chill upon waking. Once applied, use your jade roller to massage the serum even further into your skin for your brightest eyes yet. They’re a must-have for frequent travellers and evening revelers alike – the glowy, well-rested results will speak for themselves. 

R895 for 30 pairs from www.evolutioncosmetic.co.za 

Pureology Hydrate Shampoo & Conditioner 

Sun exposure and heat styling are no joke when it comes to hair – dehydrating your strands and leaving them dull and parched. When it comes to moisturising away the dryness, this 100% vegan and sulphate-free (so you don’t have to worry about losing your dye job down the drain) shampoo and conditioner duo brings extra replenishment to hair that needs a bit of TLC. Pureology’s long-loved core range isn’t new – we’ve been using this for as long as we can remember – but should be on the radar of anyone with hair that’s weak and prone to falling due to breakage. The concentrated shampoo will be the foundation to your glossy hair: It’s safe to use every day and will leave your hair feeling and looking healthier, while also boasting a soothing, spa-like scent thanks to notes of lavender, bergamot and patchouli. Not to sound too much like the bottle, but don’t forget to follow with the conditioner for the post-shampoo dose of nourishment your mane deserves. Trust this gentle conditioner, formulated specifically for dry, colour-treated hair, to nurse your hair back to life. The minty aromatherapy blend that fills your bathroom – think creamy, melted mint ice cream – is heavenly, too. You’ll be almost sad that you have to rinse it all out. Both products are housed in a squeezy bottle with a flip-top cap for easy dispensing. 

R370 and R410 respectively from www.retailbox.co.za, www.splush.co.za and select salons 

NUXE Very Rose 3-in-1 Hydrating Micellar Water 

There’s no match for a thorough and tailored skincare regime. But one of the reasons French women have healthy skin and glowing complexions is micellar water – a gentle, soap-free and no-rinse cleanser that contains tiny micelles for clean skin in record time. NUXE’s take on micellar water involves rose floral water and 100% botanical-origin Skin-Respect Complex, which work to blast through makeup (including waterproof mascara and stubborn eye makeup), dirt and oil without over-drying your skin. Now, we certainly weren’t there for the harvesting of these lightly fragrant pale-pink blooms, but we can confirm that it definitely feels like they were handpicked when we put it on our face. It’s quite rightly used on repeat by our editor as the first step in her double-cleanse routine. Simply pour some out onto a cotton pad, wipe the pads across your eyelids and face, and follow up with your cleanser of choice. 

R295 from www.orleanscosmetics.co.za as well as select Woolworths, Foschini and Truworths stores 

The Body Shop Avocado Shower Cream 

We’re not denying the olfactory appeal of warm cinnamon, crackling fireplaces and mouthwatering pumpkin spice, but there’s something very special about the evocative aromas of summer. Creamy, dreamy and absolutely glorious-smelling – this moisturising body wash is just the pick-me-up your skin and senses need. Packed full of Community Fair Trade shea butter and sustainably sourced Hass avocado oil, you’ll enjoy the soft slip of this silky lather that hugs your skin with hydrating, nourishing oils. We love that the lather is creamy without being too heavy and that the packaging (made from 100% recycled materials) is fully recyclable. This eco-conscious bottle carries a blend of almond, apple, avocado, coconut milk and vanilla to leave behind a lingering aroma that will bring sun-drenched nostalgia right back to life. Fruity, warm and highly addictive … you’ll want to stay in the shower all day! 

R115 from The Body Shop and Clicks 

RVB LAB Glimmer Instinct Fluid Face Highlighter 

Get your glow game on this holiday season with RVB LAB’s limited-edition liquid highlighter. In the never-ending world of supercharged highlighters, this golden bronze illuminator is our editor’s current-go to for a glow with a barely-there sheen. This otherworldly formula effortlessly rides the line between subtle and bold – it’s perfect for those that swear by an au naturel look. It’s all you need to highlight all the high points of your face in a flash: Simply dot along cheekbones and tap it onto skin directly with fingers for a mega-watt glow and wet-look finish. If you like that lit-from-within glow without too much glitter, mix a few drops into your foundation and it imparts a healthy iridescent finish – much like that dewy shine you get after a facial. It can also be used to bump up your foundation colour during warmer months. We love that this bottle of glossy perfection fits neatly into even the most petite makeup bags. 

R495 from www.orleanscosmetics.co.za as well as select spas and salons 

Labello Caring Lip Oil – Candy Pink 

Every beauty aficionado is stocked up with their favourite ultra-hydrating oils for the hair, body and skin. For a picture-worthy pout, your lips deserve this same type of love too. Move over, sticky lip gloss of the early noughties – there’s now a way to achieve that wet-look, high-shine finish without the tackiness. Introducing lip gloss’s elevated sister, lip oils. With this sweetly-scented formula (it smells like sunshine-drenched beaches) in a universally flattering baby pink shade, you can get that same dreamy sheen that once came from throwback glosses. Nature’s finest vegan ingredients – such as organic jojoba oil – glide seamlessly across the lips and deliver a wash of glossy colour, while also shrouding lips in comfort and nourishment while they’re at it. The best bit is that the moisturising ingredients steer your pout clear of flakes and dryness. Lazy girls, rejoice … it’s the ultimate way to finish off a no-makeup-makeup look. 

R79.99 from Clicks, Dis-Chem and leading retail outlets 

Inoar Kálice Multifunctional Mask 

If we were forced to move to a desert island and we had to choose one beauty product, it would be this all-in-one hair treatment. Where there’s sun, sand, salt and chlorine, you can guarantee there are some extremely dehydrated heads of hair in their wake. Aside from the salon-worthy smell, this luxurious conditioner, leave-in conditioner and hair mask infuses seriously weakened strands with all the nourishing ingredients they need – vitamin E and seven precious oils; argan, myrrh, ojon, macadamia, sweet almond, jasmine and rosemary. Use this mask in place of your regular conditioner to restore lacklustre locks that have lost their shine after a day at the beach. After shampooing, comb it through your ends – it’s heavy duty, but goes on light. After a few minutes, wash it out and enjoy your noticeably softer hair. This shower staple is for those who don’t have the patience to sit around with a mask in. 

R460 from www.inoar.co.za and select salons 

Berdoues Collection Grands Crus Scorza di Sicilia 

Any way you slice it, there’s just something about playful citrus perfumes that instantly reminds us of summer holidays. This complex unisex scent combines Calabrian lemon, Virginian cedar and Indonesian vetiver for an olfactory experience akin to skipping through a sprawling citrus grove. At first, the top notes of bergamot and various citruses take centre stage – but it’s not long before the accent of cedar and lingering note of vetiver come into play to create a perfectly bitter citrus situation. With its zesty aroma and bitter bite, this is a fragrance which you can carry from day to evening with casual ease. It’s an intoxicating option for steamy summer nights. Spritz the exhilarating eau de parfum all over your body and it will have you dreaming of mojitos, lemon trees and fresh, juicy fruit. A literal dream. Bonus: The unapologetically luxurious bottle is as collectible as the latest It bag and will improve any vanity. 

R1,595 from www.orleanscosmetics.co.za as well as select Foschini and Truworths stores 

Heliocare 360° Oral Capsules 

There’s a reason doctors, dermatologists and registered dietitians all tell you to use antioxidants (be it topically or via supplementation) – it’s the one ingredient category whose benefits will never fall short. Touted as an anti-ageing cure-all, these powerful little workhorses help manage free radical damage, fade fine lines and dark spots, and even support collagen and elastin. We all know that beauty isn’t simply skin deep, but thanks to a new breed of antioxidant supplements, the idea couldn’t be more relevant. Heliocare’s supplement, designed to help defend against free radicals, is to be taken once a day before sun exposure. Packed full of antioxidants and Fernblock+ – a unique extract that can improve your skin’s defenses against four damaging types of radiation from the sun – it promises to help skin cells defend against external aggressors. There’s no disputing the fact that good skin comes from within. 

R600 for 30 capsules from select spas, salons and dermatology offices