heat Summer Beauty Awards: The results are in – meet our must-have buys

Who doesn’t want to glow all year round? These luxurious drops are packed with erythrulose, which help to provide an even, natural-looking tan along with hydrating hyaluronic acid to nourish and plump skin. It is a buildable formula, which means you can apply as little – or as much – as you like in order to achieve a radiant-looking complexion.

Cigdem says, ‘I swear by these glow-boosting drops. They’re mess-free, hydrating, and always leave my complexion looking as good as it does after a long holiday.’

When it comes to fake tan, nobody does it better than the Aussies, as proven by Bondi Sands' cult classic offering. Formulated with nourishing aloe vera and vitamin E, this long-lasting tanner is easy-to-apply and can be smoothed onto limbs for an even, streak-free and natural looking finish. It is coconut scented too, so you can channel those summer vibes while you tan….no wonder one is sold every 9 seconds.

Cigdem says: ‘This mousse is my secret to a streak-free tan. Seriously easy to apply, it develops quickly and is packed with hydrating ingredients. I’m obsessed.’

Packed with golden, glistening particles, this lush oil gives limbs a serious glow-up in just a few pumps. Just like other Sol de Janeiro products, it contains cupuaçu butter to hydrate skin, along with that classic scent we all know and love. It is transfer-proof, non-greasy and won't clog your skin either.

Cigdem says, ‘If there is one product that always makes it into my suitcase, it’s this shimmery beauty. I like to use it on my shoulders and legs to really show off my tan – and it smells delicious, too.’

Picture the scene: you're getting ready to head to the beach club and want to have a flawless complexion but don't fancy wearing a heavy foundation. Enter Charlotte Tilbury's little stick of dreams. Enriched with a whole host of skin-loving ingredients, including Collageneer™, hyaluronic acid, daikon radish seed oil, and vitamin E, this lightweight foundation provides buildable coverage and works to blur imperfections, boost your glow and create a filter-like finish.

Cigdem says, ‘Lightweight? Check. Buildable coverage? Check. Compact enough to keep in your handbag? Check. This lightweight foundation is my go-to for flawless skin during the warmer months.’

Say goodbye to dry, cracked lips with this viral lip mask. Loved by influencers, celebrities and beauty experts, this little tub of magic helps to hydrate and plump neglected lips. It features innovative Moisture Wrap™ technology, which helps to ensure your lips lock in all of that hydrating goodness. Use as an overnight lip mask before heading to bed, or apply throughout the day for an extra moisture boost.

Olivia says, ‘No other lip mask compares now. I can never go back to anything else after using this!’

Whether you've been scrolling through TikTok or been keeping an eagle eye on the products being used in Love Island villa, you cannot escape this multitasking hero. Infused with moisturising glycerin and shea butter (which provide up to 24 hours of hydration, FYI), L'Oréal's summer staple can be worn alone, under make-up or even as a highlighter on your cheekbones. We cannot get enough of it.

Olivia says, ‘This is really similar to a high-end product, and makes such a nice primer or even as a tinted moisturiser for the days where you want to look fresh and light.’

Blusher is having a moment right now, and Huda's liquid offering is our top pick for creating a fresh, flushed look. Available in 11 stunning shades, these highly pigmented blushers are a dream to apply. Simply dot on to the apples of your cheeks and blend with a brush for a seamless finish.

Enya says, ‘I love this because it delivers a soft-focus, radiant flush that melts seamlessly into the skin. It’s perfect for achieving that effortless, airbrushed glow with minimal effort.’

From flat, fine hair to thick, frizz-prone curls, this smoothing spray is an absolute miracle worker. It contains a hydrasoft smoothing complex to hydrate strands, while the heat-activated extended humidity shield works to smooth hairs while protecting from any dreaded humidity for up-to 72 hours (because nobody wants to channel Monica Gellar in Barbados...). Oh, and if that wasn’t enough, it also provides plenty of heat protection so you can blow dry without damaging your hair. Simply mist onto freshly washed locks and blow dry as usual for a sleek, shiny mane.

Cigdem says, ‘Humidity is my holiday hair’s nemesis, but Amika kept things in check during my last trip. Simply spritz onto wet strands and blast with the dryer for a sleeker, smoother mane.’

If you haven't heard of Naturium, then get to know them now. The brand has recently launched in the UK, but is majorly loved by beauty buffs over in the U.S. Our top pick? It has to be this lush body butter. Packed with a nourishing blend of linoleic-rich botanical oils, shea butter, glycerin, squalane, and plant-based peptides, it works to seriously moisturise dry limbs as well as helping skin to appear smoother and firmer. It smells lush, and doesn't leave any greasy residue, making it a great option for a morning moisturise.

Enya says, ‘Natrium’s lush moisturiser leaves skin feeling deeply hydrated and smooth, with a natural, radiant glow that looks healthy and polished without feeling greasy. The dream!’

If you're planning on lounging in the sunshine, then a good SPF is essential - and Lancaster's super lightweight offering is our go-to for serious UV protection. The luxurious, milky formula offers 10x broader sun spectrum technology, meaning it does more than protect from UVA and UVB rays, while the Tan Activator complex helps to boost that golden glow. It sinks in quickly, doesn't leave an annoying white cast and nourishes skin, too.

Enya says, ‘This lightweight cream doesn’t leave any greasy residue and provides plenty of protection while helping my tan look more even and glowy. It’s one of those products that makes suncare feel like a treat, not a chore.’

Between air-con, dehydration and all of that glorious sunshine, our complexions tend to take a toll during the summer months. Enter Kate Somerville's cult classic cream. Lightweight and oh-so-luxurious, it contains all of those skincare heroes needed to soothe, hydrate and restore a compromised complexion. It was created with Nobel Prize-inspired AquaPort Technology, so you know you're getting some seriously hardcore skincare in this tub. Featuring ingredients such as glycerin, this watery cream is suitable for almost all skin types - including maturing, oily, combination, dry, balanced and sensitive skin.

Cigdem says, ‘Yes, this face cream is a complete splurge, but it is worth every penny – especially if you suffer from dry skin. It provides a serious hydration hit that I can’t get enough of.’

Did you know that you should be wearing SPF on your face every day? Yes, even during the winter. And when it comes to a facial SPF that doesn't clog pores or leave skin feeling greasy, Laneige's latest launch is our top pick. Formulated with hydro-ionised mineral water and madecassoside, this fast-absorbing SPF helps to maintain a clear, balanced complexion and is perfect for wearing under make up. Plus, it is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, making it a daily winner in our books.

Cigdem says, ‘I never skip my daily SPF, and Laneige’s has quickly become my favourite. It provides reliable protection and hydration without leaving a white cast and is light enough to layer under make-up.’

How do you make the Too Faced cult classic mascara even better? Make it waterproof, obvs. Our winning mascara offers the same stunning length and volume as the OG version, but it will also stay put through sweat, tears and playing mermaids in the hotel pool. It is made using water-resistant polymers, which is what makes the formula so hard-wearing, while the hourglass wand helps to create curve and define lashes for a false-like flutter. And if that wasn't enough, it also contains porcelain flower extract and omega oil to moisturise and condition lashes.

Cigdem says, ‘A day at the beach requires lashes that won’t budge after sweating it out or going for a swim. Enter Too Faced’s waterproof mascara – it doesn’t flake or melt, even in the heat.’

Popping on a face mask on a long (or short) haul flight is totally the norm now. But if you don’t fancy going the whole way, try easing yourself into the in-flight facial process with these cooling jelly patches. Containing 4% glycerin, hyaluronic acid and menthol, the one-use patches will instantly cool down the skin around your eyes, helping to de-puff and wake up tired looking eyes – which is totally needed after getting to the airport at 3am. They’re cruelty free, easy-to-use, and cost less than a fiver, too – totally a worthy winner in our eyes.

Cigdem says, ‘Compact, affordable and effective – Garnier’s classic eye patches are always in my bag when heading on a long flight. Pop them on after take-off and reap the benefits while you nap.’

Throughout the summer, our makeup is more likely to melt - especially during a night out on holiday. This is why a good setting spray is a summer beauty essential. Benefit's option locks your look into place for 24 hours, and helps to protect your make up from sweat, shine and humidity. We also love the spray's ability to minimise the appearance of pores, helping to create the flawless, matte, air-brushed finish.

Enya says, ‘This magic mist locks in make-up without feeling heavy or sticky, leaving a natural, soft-matte finish. It keeps skin looking fresh and smooth all day.’

We have officially found THE scent of the summer. Kayali's latest launch blends sweet bananas and pears with floral jasmine and coconut cream - and trust us when we say it smells like summer in a bottle - sweet but not sickly. Just one spritz of this unique fragrance will transport you to a tropical paradise - and it has some serious staying power too. And can we also take a moment for the adorable bottle? It looks incredible on our perfume shelves.

Cigdem says, ‘This gorgeous blend of banana, jasmine and coconut results in a fruity-yet-feminine fragrance that will have the compliments rolling in. Plus, the bottle looks cute, too.’