Hello hot stuff! 16 new Glossy Picks making the heatwave more bearable

KERRY POTTER

Our deputy editor has gone barmy for this balm

Clinique Daily Calm Foundation Makeup Balm, £43

“Foundation balms are A Thing and this one – part of Clinique’s new excellent range for sensitive skin – is leader of the pack. You can warm it with your fingers to apply but it goes on like a dream with a brush too, plus it feels pleasingly cool on the skin. The coverage is buildable, it doesn’t sweat off in the heat and the eight stretchy shades work across the diverse skintones of our team. Bonus mark for the sculptural pebble-style packaging.”

Chirpy The Mood One, £29.99 for 1 month’s supply

“It’s hard to get my two teens to consistently take their vitamins. But they love these gummies for both their delicate orange flavour and the fact they’re designed to help with mood and focus. Suitable for kids aged 6-18, they contain saffron, acerola cherry, zinc and vitamin D. Chirpy also do The Zen One, with chamomile, lavender and B vitamins, designed to aid sleep and relaxation. The brand is the brainchild of two British sisters: one who had the idea after supporting a family member with anxiety and low mood, the other a pharmacist and professor of medicine safety.”

Free Soul x Perfect Ted Matcha Protein, £29.99 for 20 servings

“This protein powder is designed to be made into a shake but I mix it into my breakfast Greek yogurt for an extra protein boost and a mild buzz, thanks to the matcha’s caffeine. The full 25g serving of the whey/pea/milk isolate blend has 18g of protein, although I plump for a half measure to make it less sweet and grainy. It contains a digestive enzyme that helps avoid that grim protein powder bloat and the ceremonial grade matcha is expertly balanced with sweet vanilla. Note: it does contain sweeteners and emulsifier, should lengthy ingredients lists bother you.”

Kapten & Son Hellvi Pro Large Gym Bag, £109.90

“Kudos to the pockets ninja who designed this gym bag: there’s one for your yoga mat (they’re usually tricky to fit in), a fully waterproof one for your swimsuit, a separate compartment for dirty trainers and a laptop bit, should you work out before/after work. It comes in a chic, sludgy brown that’ll go with everything and is made from durable, wipe-clean recycled polyester. The rest of this sensible German brand’s minimalist bag range is worth a look too.”

INGEBORG VAN LOTRINGEN

Our contributing beauty editor has seen off her irritated eyes

Peep Club the Super Omega Eye Vitamins, £35

“Dry eye disease is no picnic (think tired, sore eyes that stream constantly to compensate for an under-performing tear film) so this, the first supplement formulated specifically to restore comfort and balance to your eyeballs, is exciting. Plant omega oils-based (so no fishy taste), the fatty acids in these small gel capsules (no horse pills here) are proven to help restore the lipid-water balance in your tear film, while a selection of eye health-focused antioxidants support overall resilience and vision. A must if the summer is really aggravating your eyes.”

Kodo X Reemie’s Choco-Banane Room Spray, £39

“Kodo is a brand that’s completely re-thought room sprays – no cheap Febreze smells or discreet botanicals here, but a range of gourmand ‘home fragrances’ in stylish frosted bottles. My favourite is the honey and spice-infused Sweet Dreams, but the latest launch, back by popular demand, is Choco-Banane, inspired by cake baker Reemie’s chocolate banana bites, with notes of coffee, hazelnut and vanilla besides the obvious. Expect guests checking what you’ve got in the oven.”

Opti Laboratories Lash and Brow Sun Protect Serum, £59

“UV protection for your lashes and brows? That’s definitely a first, but with increasing numbers of people struggling with thinning brows and brittle lashes, or wanting to protect their tints, extensions or microblading results, it’s about time someone recognised the need for it. UV rays leave lashes and brows dehydrated and make any enhancements fade fast, but this transparent, non-crunchy gel, applied with a super-fine wand, prevents all that. It also has antioxidants to protect, peptides to fortify and caffeine and ginseng to boost growth, so this is an all-round longevity serum.”

Skinsense Hydranet Plus Hyaluronic Acid Serum, £38

“Despite hyaluronic acid’s rep for being the ‘master hydrator’, most HA serums actually leave my skin feeling tight within an hour – but not so this freshly scented one. It teams HA with four alternative hydrators that all work in a different but complementary way, ensuring that quenched feeling and plumped, smooth look last and last, even without topping your serum with moisturiser. The new hero ingredient is Pentavitin, which hydrates actual skin cells and not just the skin surface, for 72-hour comfort. (I do hope you don’t go that long without cleansing though.)

ISLA HUFFADINE

Our content coordinator has a new running snack

Sap Good Energy Natural Gels, £27 for 10

“As someone training for half marathons, I’ve always been wary of energy gels. Most are packed with unpronounceable ingredients and often taste pretty gross. Enter Sap, the cool energy brand born from the founders’ quest to find a gel that delivers both performance and simplicity. What sets them apart is the short ingredients list – just Canadian maple syrup and Himalayan salt. The 1:1 ratio of glucose and fructose delivers 25g of carbs for steady, easy-to-digest energy, while the added salt helps replenish nutrients lost through sweat. And as a certified picky eater, I can confirm it tastes just like maple syrup – which explains why people are pouring the stuff over pancakes!”

Refy Water Blush, £20

“This is one of the most unique blushers I’ve tried in a while – and for all the right reasons. Housed in a chic, K-beauty-inspired cushion compact, its bouncy, sponge-like texture makes application fun. The water-based formula is incredibly lightweight, delivering a sheer wash of colour that enhances your natural flush with just a few taps. If you prefer a deeper look, simply press a little firmer for more colour payoff. Available in three natural shades, it layers well without looking heavy. I’m packing it for my next beach holiday.”

Summer Fridays Bronze Butter Balm, £30

“As the name suggests, this bronzer has a buttery-soft texture that melts seamlessly into the skin for an instant glow. Cream offerings like this are ideal for fuss-free makeup, offering plenty of blending flexibility and minimising the risk of muddy-looking streaks. Given the brand’s skincare expertise, it’s no surprise that the formula is infused with nourishing ingredients that hydrate skin throughout wear. The range includes six shades, and if you prefer a more sculpted look, I’d recommend opting for a deeper tone to add extra definition and a contoured finish.”

Aveeno Daily Moisturising Comforting Cocoa Vanilla Oil Spray, £9.29

“This bestselling body oil has been upgraded with a delicious cocoa and vanilla scent. If you think they’re usually heavy or greasy, think again. The lightweight spray absorbs quickly to lock in moisture, leaving skin soft and nourished. Spritz on after showering, or whenever you need an extra hydration boost. Enriched with oat and jojoba oils, it’s gentle on sensitive skin and helps to support a healthy skin barrier. It also prolongs fake tan by preventing dryness that leads to uneven fading.”

FLORENCE SCORDOULIS

Our contributing editor is wearing an A-lister's lipgloss

MAC Viva Glam x Chappell Roan Lip Glass Air Non-Sticky Gloss, £24

“Celebrate Pride Month with this limited edition celebrity collab: a dusky cherry lip gloss, inspired by none other than queer singer Chappell Roan’s fiery curls. Swipe on for instant non-sticky shine and a sheer pop of colour, with softening, hydrating benefits, or layer over lipstick for ultimate diva. The best part? 100% of sales go towards MAC’s Viva Glam non-profit partners across gender, sexuality and more, so you’re supporting the LGBTQ+ community too. No rainbow-washing here.”

Rocco Sunshine Dew Glow Essence, £18

“This lightweight hydrating essence has plumping and smoothing benefits, alongside delivering a gorgeous, golden shimmer either under makeup or bare-faced. It’s my pick from presenter and interiors founder Laura Jackson’s joyful new skincare brand, Rocco, which has just launched into Boots, aimed at 19-35-year-olds. The five-step routine is formulated with mood-enhancing aromatherapy and ethically sourced ingredients, coming in colourful, circus-esque packaging with pleasing, twisty bottles. Sunshine, guaranteed!”

Ciroa Mango & Coconut Body Care Mist, £8.95

“Heatwave-proof your summer the Aussie way, thanks to this genius hydrating mist and fragrance hybrid from an Australian mother-daughter duo. A few spritzes will cool you down ASAP, with notes of pina colada to boot. Plus, it is infused with skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide for extra hydrating, brightening and toning. Not only is it about half the price of a Sol de Janeiro equivalent, but 50p from each purchase goes towards a UK domestic violence charity.” 

Self Glow by James Read Golden Days Milky Tan Toner, £39

“If you’re looking to maintain (or dupe) a post-holiday glow, try a facial tanning milk like this one, from A-list tanning supremo James Read — they’re everywhere recently, thanks to their hydrating benefits and natural-looking finish. If you’re a self-tanning novice like me, don’t be put off by the lack of guide colour: it’s super easy to spray it on after cleansing, before the rest of your skincare, and you’ll wake up with a subtle glowy base.”