Feel confident in the sunshine with these summer must-haves from shaving razors and IPL devices to body butters and exfoliators
As temperatures rise and summer holidays start to creep up, shorts and mini skirts may start to make more regular appearances in our outfit rotations. But for many women, the thought of getting their legs out can prove a little daunting after slipped shaving and tanning rituals can leave pins feeling pale and not-very-beach-ready.
Whether someone is going on holiday, planning garden parties or simply swapping jeans for shorts, there’s still plenty of time to prep skin in time for summer. Our round-up features a range of products to tackle a variety of concerns that often leave shoppers feeling a little self-conscious.
I must stress that body hair, cellulite, stretch marks and uneven skin texture are all completely normal and legs are ‘summer ready’ exactly as they are. That said, there’s no denying that smooth, hydrated skin can give a welcome confidence boost with these recommendations designed to help beauty fans feel their best.
From hardworking razors and IPL devices to luxurious body butters and exfoliators, these are some of the best products to add to summer beauty routines.
Gillette Venus ComfortGlide Spa Breeze set – £21
Gillette Venus ComfortGlide Spa Breeze set
With freesia scented gel bars, this Venus ComfortGlide Razor lathers and shaves in one stroke. The built-in gel bar with SkinCushion Lubrication helps protect your skin from shave irritation. Plus, the 3-blade razor delivers up to 30 days of smooth shaves.
Many of us are guilty of not changing our razor blades frequently enough, digging around in cupboards for old, dull razors in a panic the moment the sun makes an appearance. But a fresh razor can make all the difference when it comes to achieving smooth legs.
The Gillette Venus ComfortGlide Spa Breeze is a long-time favourite thanks to its built-in shave gel bars, which help the blade glide over skin without the need for separate shaving foam. The flexible head adapts to curves and contours, helping to minimise nicks while leaving skin feeling soft and comfortable.
At Boots, shoppers can pick up the razor, plus eight fresh blades which provide up to 16 weeks worth of smoothness, if changing them every two weeks, as recommended. The set is usually £31.50 but is currently £21, working out at £2.33 per blade, averaging around £1.16 per week.
However, when blades run out, it does mean ordering online or heading in-store to restock. Alternatively, shoppers might want to consider a shaving subscription like Estrid. Here, shoppers can pay £7.95 for the starter kit, then have the replacement blades on repeat order as frequently as required. The blades are £10.95 for four, with Estrid suggesting to have them delivered every other month for weekly shavers.
Philips Lumea IPL 7000 Series – £295
For those looking for a longer-term solution to unwanted hair, an IPL device can be a worthwhile investment. The Philips Lumea IPL 7000 Series uses intense pulsed light technology to help reduce hair regrowth over time.
Many users report seeing noticeably slower regrowth after just a few treatments, making it particularly appealing during summer months when regular shaving can become a chore. The cordless design and multiple treatment attachments make it suitable for use on legs and other areas of the body.
Philips claims that the device prevents hair growth so users can enjoy ‘12 months of hair-free smooth skin’. They can choose from five light-intensity settings, with various attachments for different parts of the body, and can expect to see up to 98% hair reduction on lower legs in as few as 4 treatments.
The downside with IPL machines, though, is that they’re not suitable for everyone. IPL machines require contrast to differentiate the skin and hair, meaning those with darker skintones, or fair hairs may not be able to use the device. They are, also, quite a costly initial investment, with the device currently reduced to £295 on Amazon, down from £389.
First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub – £28
My own main summer skin concern which recurs annually is Keratosis Pilaris, also known as ‘strawberry skin’ due to its rough, bumpy texture. Exfoliation is one of the easiest ways to improve the appearance of this, and one product I swear by for it is the First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub.
The First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub has developed a cult following thanks to its combination of physical exfoliants and chemical exfoliating acids. It’s recently undergone some rebranding, giving it a fresh and modern look, coming in original, as well as coconut, peach and strawberry versions, too.
Removing dead skin cells can help create a smoother surface, reduce ingrown hairs and allow moisturisers to work more effectively. The fast-acting formula is made with pumice and 10% AHA, working to improve skin’s texture and smooths bumps after one use, without irritation.
One shopper said: “Literally the only scrub that works to keep my arms and leg soooo smooth. Nice to come in a peach smell. Will continue to buy as long as they are making this magnificent stuff.”
Another added: “This is a great body scrub. I have KP on my upper arms and upper thighs. Using this body scrub has improved them so much. I love the scent as well. This will be my go to body scrub moving forward.”
Though a three-star review read: “I have slight KP on my arms so I was super excited to try this product! I have been using it twice a week for a few weeks and have yet to notice a major difference. The peach scent is nice but it’s an artificial peach scent. I think I prefer the unscented.”
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream – £48
Sol de Janeiro’s iconic £48 Brazilian Bum Bum Cream has become a beauty favourite thanks to its luxurious texture and instantly recognisable scent. Fragranced with salted caramel, pistachio and vanilla, it’s got that ‘holiday in a bottle’ scent that users find addictive.
But it doesn’t just smell incredible. The fast-absorbing body cream also helps tighten and smooth the look of skin, making it ideal with those battling loss of firmness and elasticity. It contains guaraná fruit, which contains a potent form of caffeine to give skin a boost.
While no cream can permanently tighten skin, many users say it creates a temporarily firmer, more toned appearance. For a more affordable option, Palmer’s Firming Butter (£5.79, Superdrug) remains a high-street staple. Enriched with cocoa butter, collagen and elastin, it helps nourish dry skin while improving overall skin texture.
This Works Perfect Legs Skin Miracle – £45
Particularly good for events such as summer weddings, the This Works Perfect Legs Skin Miracle is like a real-life filter for pins. The multi-vitamin, wash-off tinted serum works to enhance and restore skin of all tones with a combination of Vitamin C, E and Arnica.
Coming in a natural caramel colour, it adds a subtle sheen and a sunkissed glow to skin, without the maintenance of self-tanning routines or spray tans. It also boasts an uplifting geranium and sweet orange scent.
One happy customer said of the serum: “I love this product and so good to get pale winter legs ready for brighter longer days. Really easy to apply and smells great.”
Another added: “Loved this product, smells beautiful and is easily absorbed. Made my legs look great all Summer! Have bought some more while it’s on offer. Fabulous.”
But at £45, it is on the more expensive side. For a budget-friendly option, Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs (£16.99, Amazon) is often described as makeup for legs, helping to blur the appearance of veins, bruises and uneven skin tone while adding a subtle glow. It’s water-resistant and transfer-resistant once set, making it a popular choice for holidays and special occasions.
Feel Smooth Skin Supplement – £51.96
Cellulite is something a great number of people encounter at some stage in their lives, yet it remains one of the most stubborn skin concerns to address. Feel says its Smooth Skin daily capsule is ‘Europe’s first anti-cellulite supplement’ designed to target the underlying causes of ‘orange-peel’ skin.
Now £51.96, down from £69.94, it contains 30 capsules, with Feel advising one to be taken a day. The formula is intended to diminish the appearance of cellulite, enhance skin smoothness and bolster overall skin health.
It contains SOD B Dimpless, a patented cantaloupe melon extract that can help reduce the appearance of cellulite on the thighs and buttocks in 56 days, according to the brand. The formula activates lipolysis – the body’s natural fat-burning process – helping to break down subcutaneous fat while preventing fat cells from expanding, which can contribute to the dimpled appearance of cellulite.
The supplement is also formulated to tackle fibrosis, the hardening of connective tissue that can pull down on the skin and create an uneven texture. By helping to enhance skin elasticity and reduce connective tissue rigidity, the formula aims to deliver a smoother, firmer appearance over time.
But, this one isn’t a quick fix, with Feel suggesting users can see noticeable results in 90 days. That would take us into September, past the school summer holidays, and would cost over £150 for a three-month supply.
