From fruity fragrances to SPF serums, our fashion and beauty team have hunted down the very best summer must-haves on the high street
In this instalment of Weekend Wishlist, our shopping team is gearing up for the August bank holiday and chasing the last of summer. Writer Nisha Mal is heading on holiday next month and is opting for travel-themed beauty and fashion pieces.
An Ultra Violette serum SPF 50 (£38) is at the top of her wishlist this week. The highly concentrated serum formula is a dual-beauty essential with built-in skincare (Vitamin C and pink algae) and sun protectant.
Meanwhile, beauty writer Bethan is raving about Never Fully Dressed’s first-ever perfume launch. Eau De Parfum 002 (£69) is a perfectly fruity scent with juicy notes of raspberry and pink pepper.
Fellow writer and fashionista Tiffany is treating her locks to an all-purpose hair tool from Bellisma, which is significantly reduced by £70. Usually £249.99, the Prodigy Air multistyler is currently on sale for £179.99.
Take a look at Friday’s edition of Weekend Wishlist below:
Bethan’s picks
Never Fully Dressed Eau De Parfum 002 – £69
After conquering the fashion market, Never Fully Dressed is dipping their toe into perfumery – and I’ve not stopped spritzing mine since it arrived on my desk. Coming in a beautiful amber bottle with a pink marble lid (which I will absolutely be repurposing when it’s finished), the brand’s 002 fragrance stars top notes of pink pepper and raspberry for a fruity yet sophisticated opening.
There’s a real freshness to it with the Jasmine and Cedar leaf, and when it settles is when those gorgeous patchouli, amber and vanilla notes come through. Inspired by the Balearic Islands, this perfume smells different at every stage of its settling, making for a really addictive wear.
It costs £69 for the 100ml, however, those looking just to try it out can get the 10ml for £19 – ideal for travelling. If this fruity fragrance doesn’t sound appealing, the brand also has a ‘rich, sexy’ 001 scent. Whichever is chosen, I’ve no doubt it’ll be the ultimate finishing touch to any outfit.
Supergoop! (Re)setting 100% Mineral Powder SPF 30 – £30
Traditional sunscreen mists designed to be used over makeup often leave me shiny, and scalp sprays always make me look like I’ve forgotten to wash my hair. But last year, I discovered the Supergoop! (Re)setting 100% Mineral Powder SPF 30, and it’s become my not-so-secret weapon to staying protected, and shine-free all summer long.
The loose powder provides broad-spectrum defence against UVA and UVB rays, without leaving a greasy residue. It mattifies skin and acts as a setting powder for makeup while on the hair, it also absorbs oil, so instead of making my hair look greasy like most SPF scalp sprays, it actually absorbs the excess oil, almost (but not quite) doubling as a dry shampoo.
Elsewhere, for those looking for a higher SPF factor, there’s the Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield from Colorescience for £50, or for a more budget-friendly option, the Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Protection Sunscreen Powder SPF 30 is available at Boots for £11.32.
Roman Pink Dusk Broderie Anglaise Tiered Maxi Dress – £36
A broderie dress is a staple of summer wardrobes, and while we often see a lot of white frocks on the high street, this pink one stopped me in my tracks when scrolling Roman’s new in section. It’s pretty hue, paired with the tiered skirt and dainty broderie anglaise detailing make it quite the showstopper – feminine and flattering, while still ideal for heatwave dressing.
Originally £60, the piece has been reduced to £36, and shoppers who bought it have been left swooning. One said: “I like the fabric and colour,” while another added: “Pretty colour and nice style.”
It’s made from 100% cotton boasting a v-neckline, front buttons, and elegant short puff sleeves. The waist panelling also reminds me a little of Nobody’s Child’s iconic Starlight dresses.
Nisha’s picks
Ultra Violette Queen Screen Luminising Serum SPF 50+ – £38
I spotted this online recently and was immediately sold. I have been using Ultra Violette’s Supreme Screen Hydrating Facial Skinscreen SPF 50+ (£34) all summer and can confidently say it is the best sunscreen I have ever used.
The Queen Screen SPF 50+ is slightly different because it is a serum with a sheer, glowy tint. I am going on holiday towards the end of September and think this would work really well, not only as a sun protector but also as a light base with a little coverage.
The Luminising Skinscreen Serum promises a ‘radiant glow’ while shielding users from UVA and UVB rays. It’s also packed with skincare ingredients such as Vitamin C and pink algae extract, which increase firmness, smooth dark spots, and reduce their appearance.
The majority of the reviews for the serum SPF are positive; however, some users reported issues, with one person saying: “It’s nice and light. It’s watery and hydrates, but it doesn’t give me a glow. I wouldn’t repurchase from a price point of view, but it’s decent enough.”
Boden holiday tote bag – now £42, was £60
I haven’t bought a new beach bag in years, so I want to treat myself to one ahead of my holiday. This fun-looking woven bag from Boden is a little different from the usual plain ones, thanks to its green stripes and cheerful cherry design.
What’s more, it’s on sale from £60 to £42 – that’s almost £20 off, a fairly reasonable price for Boden. In the reviews, one buyer described it as a ‘great, fun bag ideal for beach or shopping’.
They continued: “Really nice to look at and excellent quality. It has a look of vintage bags from the 50s and 60s. It is lightweight, which is a real bonus. Perfect.”
However, not all were pleased with one purchaser saying the bag was ‘flimsy’ in structure, and they ended up returning it.
Havaianas Slim Sparkle flip flops – £40
Havaianas flip-flops are seeing a resurgence this summer. These slim-sole, beige flip-flops are best-sellers online, serving up fashionable durability.
The sparkly ones are best-sellers on the brand’s website. I like the design, but ideally, I’d opt for non-sparkly ones in the beige shade, as I’m not really a bejewelled shoe kind of girl. However, I can’t find them in plain beige online.
They’re also available in a sparkly black colourway. Each option has the Havaianas logo on the thong of the shoe.
Tiffany’s picks
Malin+Goetz Mandelic Acid Exfoliating Bar – £18
Mandelic Acid has been the talk of the town recently. Deemed a milder form of AHA than salicylic acid, this underrated skin ingredient delivers effective exfoliation without irritation.
I have recently started incorporating mandelic acid into my skincare routine and the Malin+Goetz Mandelic Acid Exfoliating Bar acts as a physical exfoliator and a chemical cleanser for my skin. The grainy bits on the soap bar provide a refreshing sensory experience, which helped me de-stress after a long day of work.
The active ingredient works to boost skin cell turnover, which helps clear blemishes or spots to promote a more even skin tone. If soap bars are not for you, Cerave’s SA Exfoliating Cleanser (£17.60 on Amazon) is the closest thing to a shower gel that offers effective exfoliation without irritation.
Bellissima Air Prodigy – £179.99, was £250
A multi-styler can do more than just drying hair but doesn’t come cheap, so when Bellissima’s Air Prodigy goes on sale, I’m ready to empty my pockets.
Originally priced at £250, the 6-in1 hot air styler is discounted to £179.99, meaning beauty buffs can save £70 on the hair tool. The Air Prodigy is equipped with Coanda Technology (the very same tech as the Dyson AirWrap) to generate 200 micro-flows of air, creating defined curls without dragging and tugging the tresses.
From quick pre-drying to voluminous curls and sleek straight locks, the Bellissima Air Prodigy is easy to use and the hi-pro ion ceramic technology delivers shiny and glossy hair without heat damage.
Given the discount, the Air Prodigy is at least £200 cheaper than its rival, which is a huge bonus for those considering investing in a quality hair tool. Budget options are also available, such as Mark Hill’s Pick n Mix Flexi Air Styler Starter Kit, which is down from £169.99 to £119.99.
Babyliss’ Air Styler is reduced from £69.99 to £36.99 at Curry’s and it features four attachments for drying, curling, waving and volumising your hair.
Bioeffect EGF Day Serum – £119
I have always admired northern Europeans’ porcelain skin and I like to think that it’s due to the cleaner air and less chaotic city life. But it might be due to the natural ingredients used in skincare.
Loved by Lisa Snowdon and Demi Moore, the Icelandic skincare brand has improved their formula on the bestselling serum, now infused with Panthenol (Vitamin B5) and a higher concentration of Hyaluronic Acid for intensified moisture and skin barrier support. Our skin tends to dry up in hot weather, and this gel-like EGF Day Serum provides a smooth canvas under makeup and SPF, making it perfect for daily use.
The peptide-rich active ingredient, Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) is produced in barley to rejuvenate the skin, minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while supporting the skin’s natural collagen production.
However the price tag might not fit everyone’s budget and Finnish beauty brand Lumene’s Nordic Bloom Vegan Collagen Essence Serum is available at a more wallet-friendly price. Priced at £34.50, the jelly-gel serum features vegan collagen, Nordic lingonberry water and three types of hyaluronic acid to intensely hydrate for smoother and plump-looking skin.
Snuggs period pants – £16.25, was £25
As women, we all have a few days where we want a bit of carefree protection and Snuggs offer the most absorbent underwear that can hold up to three tampons worth of blood, urine or sweat.
Made with three layers of fabric containing an antibacterial treatment, the Classic brief can be worn for eight to 12 hours and it provides the comfort like any regular underwear. Customers who bought Snuggs were impressed with the no-leak technology as one said: “I like the idea of no waste during my menses time. Replacing the sanitary pads with Snuggs is a win-win.”
With the ongoing summer sale, shoppers can enjoy 35% with most styles and the Classic organic cotton brief is reduced from £25 to £16.25.
WUKA also offers a range of Stretch Seamless period pants, depending on the flow and prices start from £14.99.
