On the lookout for some clever holiday buys that will make packing easier? Or just want to know about the new hot beauty and wellness launches. Step right this way
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If this week involves you packing for your summer hols, then you’ve come to the right place. In the mix of new buys we’ve put through their paces are some absolute gems to take away with you. There’s a super-clever diffuser dryer (that works just as well with overseas voltages) for dreamy, beachy curls, plus one of the best multitasking hair stylers our beauty director has ever tried.
Or if you’re trying to up your wellness and fitness game this summer, we’ve tried collagen-infused PJs (really) as well as the new fitness tracker that’s giving Oura some serious competition — and it’s not as pricey either.
Intrigued? Let’s find out more.
KERRY POTTER
Our deputy editor puts the new Oura contender through its paces
“This new health tracker ring is snapping at Oura’s heels. It looks and feels the same (pleasingly chunky, waterproof titanium) but is far cheaper – around half the price of the latest Oura model and crucially, there’s no ongoing £6 monthly subscription fee. Like Oura, it tracks my sleep, stress, and activity levels but also has handy nutrition logging so I can keep an eye on my daily protein and fibre intakes. Again, this is a money-saver – normally you have to pay for the premium version of MyFitnessPal or similar for this. The reliability of Gabit’s data has yet to be seen, and its sleep tech is less advanced than Oura’s, but if you’re curious about smart rings, this is a great place to start.”
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“Welcome to the brave new world of ‘wellbeing underwear’. I can see why Underdays knickers are popular with gym girls – the soft, breathable, eco-friendly Tencel fabric comes infused with skin microbiome-supporting prebiotics and probiotics, which apparently last for 40 washes. Asking your pants to do the job of your skincare seems a bit of a stretch but there’s lots to love about this female-founded British brand, including its inclusive sizing (fits sizes 6-20) and zingy colour palette. Everything, including the new Soft Balcony Bra, £45, is supremely comfortable and keeps the worst of summer’s sweatiness at bay.”
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Saltair Golden Hour Shimmering Body Oil, £28
“Chic Californian brand Saltair’s gleaming body oil now comes in three new scents, ideally timed for sultry summer evenings. The Salt Water Vanilla is just the right side of sweetness, it soaks in like a dream (no unsightly stains on your dress) and the sparkles that look slightly scary in the bottle translate as a grown-up sheen. Old-school fans of Nuxe’s Huile Prodigieuse, take note.”
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Cannaray Women’s Health Essential Blood Test, £110
“This UK brand has moved away from CBD into the growing niche of at-home preventative health blood tests. Pleasingly their women’s health one doesn’t involve squeezing out blood from your fingertip (I never manage to fill the vial). Instead you attach a gizmo to your shoulder, which pierces the skin and collects the blood in five minutes while you wait. Easy-peasy. I received my results 48 hours after posting off the sample, with the 14 markers checked including reproductive and thyroid hormones, and cholesterol. There’s no analysis, but it’s a useful report to show your doctor.”
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SJ CORFIELD-SMITH
Our beauty director has found the ultimate multitaskers
Prequel Gleanser Non-Drying Glycerin Cleanser, £20
“Prequel is the hot new brand that has just arrived from the US, which you will be hearing lots about. Created by dermatologist Dr Sam Ellis, the range has been formulated with the most sensitive skin in mind. The theory is that if the most delicate skin can use it, every skin type can, and it will make skin stronger and more resilient. Plus, it’s all under £30. My pick? This glycerin-rich face and body cleanser – the hero product of the range, which comes in a huge pump bottle. An absolute steal for £20 when it doubles as an excellent face cleanser and body wash in one. It has a jelly-like consistency that lathers into a lovely foam, which feels like it’s drenching skin in hydration rather than stripping it dry. I really love it, but I also think shower-avoiding teens and partners who don’t like anything overcomplicated will be impressed with its does-it-all nature, too.”
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Aveda One For All Leave-In Elixir, £29
“Who has time for multiple hair styling products? Not me. Which is why this new multitasking spray from Aveda caught my eye. And it is divine. Spray it onto wet hair, and it adds shine and hydration, tames frizz and static, detangles knots (I’ve used it on my 8-year-old, and it made light work of her knotty, candy floss-like hair), provides heat and UV protection and definitely made my hair more pliable when I then blow-dried. And it smells, as you expect from a botanical brand like Aveda, absolutely heavenly – a bit woody and herby. A great buy if you need to pack light for a holiday, but also wondrous for at home.”
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Voluspa Tomato Trellis Candle, £46
“Voluspa is a vegan Californian candle brand that needs to be on your radar, not only because they create fabulous scents (there are over 50 different fragrances) in beautiful glass jars, but because you get a lot of good candle for your money. The latest launch is this fresh, super green-smelling tomato candle that has the most impressive throw of scent. It also cleverly contains odour-neutralising technology. So if your kitchen smells a bit stinky after making dinner or the dogs leave a bit of a doggy scent everywhere, as is their prerogative, get this lit and enjoy bringing the smell of ripe tomatoes into your home.”
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Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara, £26.95
“When I say I gasped first using this mascara on seeing how long and defined it made my lashes, I’m not exaggerating. I wasn’t expecting such lash drama from such a petite mascara wand, proving size does not matter! But, it’s unsurprising really as Kevyn Aucoin was the makeup artist in the late 90s known for super glam looks. Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and Janet Jackson were all his clients. He sadly died over 20 years ago, but his brand carries on his aesthetic ethos. It’s bigger in the US than here, but I have a feeling this mascara is going to get lots of people’s attention, and deservedly so.”
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INGEBORG VAN LOTRINGEN
Our contributing beauty editor has tried skin-plumping pyjamas
Dagsmejan Night Renew Pyjamas, from £120
“Anti-ageing pyjamas? You heard that right. Featuring collagen peptides (those same ones you’ve been downing in your collagen supplements) embedded in super-soft skin temperature-regulating eucalyptus fibres, the idea is that the fabric against your skin creates a hydrating microclimate that leaves it supple and plumped. The claim is 40 per cent more skin hydration in four weeks, and I have already noticed an improvement in my eczema patches and scaly knees.”
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Akt The Haze Deodorising Body Mist in Orange Grove, £35
“Akt has made its name with deodorant creams that smell of high-class niche perfumes, so it only makes sense that they’ve ventured into the actual world of fragrance with five beautiful body mists based on their existing scents. An antidote to the relentless vanilla/cupcake/pina colada offering out there, they’re all chic, with no alcohol but skin-caring ingredients instead, plus odour-neutralising tech so each spritz leaves you fresh as a daisy. This one evokes bitter orange-packed negronis under an Italian cypress tree, as you do.”
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Odylique Gradual Glow Tanning Serum, £29
“A slightly obscure find from a soil association-certified natural and largely organic brand. I love this serum because it’s a) unscented (hard to find when it comes to tanning products) and b) is very hydrating, as opposed to actively drying. I assume you could combine it with your moisturiser, but it’s designed to work on its own. Just a few drops give lots of slip, so there’s no streaking, the subtle tan looks great, and it has plenty of skin-caring and melanin-boosting ingredients for a lasting glow.”
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Living Proof Sheer Clean Dry Shampoo Mist, £27
“Traditional dry shampoos make my hair feel dehydrated and look fuzzy and stringy at the same time, and I don’t like the powder left in my hair. Living Proof seems to have cracked it with this new formula, which makes my scalp feel instantly fresh and my hair look clean and seriously volumised in the space of a few seconds – without turning tacky half an hour later or leaving noticeable residue. It smells of fresh laundry and comes, uniquely, in a pump, not an aerosol.”
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DAHABA ALI HUSSEN
Our content coordinator has been impressed with a new celebrity scent
Ariana Grande Cloud Aurora EDP, £45 for 50ml
“Aurora is the fourth addition to Ariane Grande’s range of ‘Cloud’ perfumes, and like the others, there is a fun and playful element to it. This one will definitely appeal to those who prefer a lighter, slightly sweeter scent as it blends notes of spun sugar, fluffy musk and juicy blackcurrant. I have to admit, while I loved the smell, I was perhaps slightly dubious if a celebrity scent would have the staying power of the fragrance brands I would normally gravitate towards. But I was really impressed. I sprayed it in the morning before work and, impressively, it was still lingering after a full day at my desk and a gym session. A gorgeous addition to any summer perfume wardrobe, and definitely one that your tween or teen will try and steal from you.”
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Bellissima Italia Diffon Curl Diffuser, £79.99
“I have naturally curly hair and have been on a mission to properly embrace my curls, so the Bellissima Diffon Worldwide has become a bit of a game-changer. This quite unique compact diffuser hairdryer is so easy to use and, because it’s lightweight and portable, it’s perfect for weekends away or packing for a holiday (it has dual-voltage so works just as well abroad as it does at home). It fits ergonomically into the palm of your hand making it very easy to direct around your curls and it dries them beautifully while keeping them soft, bouncy and defined with no dryness or dreaded crunchy feeling in sight.”
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Grace & Stella Brightening Eye Masks, £20 for 24 masks
“These under-eye masks have quickly become part of my morning routine, especially after another hot night where I’ve barely slept and I need to look alert and awake. They come in individually wrapped packets, so there’s no risk of them drying out (like eye masks that come in pots) and contain vitamin C for brightening and red seaweed extract for hydration. You leave them for 10 to 15 minutes, although I have found they fit so well and really don’t budge that I have forgotten I have them on an hour later! They work out at £1.20 per pair, which I think is a very good value self-care treat.”
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Small Wonder Signature Shampoo & Conditioner Set, £60
Small Wonder if an eco hair brand that looks and feels luxury. Not that you can’t be one without the other, but it’s not that common. Their point of difference? The products are in powder form. You simply dispense one pump of powder into your hand, add some water from the shower, rub your hands together to activate and create a foamy “regular” shampoo. Waterless products cut down on all kinds of environmental emissions, but also ensures you’re getting a really potent product as it hasn’t been diluted by any water making it less active. I certainly found that it thoroughly cleansed and deeply nourished my hair making me wonder why I haven’t made the swap sooner.”
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