Let’s face it – no one wants to be faffing around with hair and makeup on the beach.
Summer is off-season for high-maintenance beauty – sunshine and hard-won holidays equal no-fuss makeup, hassle-free hair, and stress-free style.
From the fastest short-cuts to a fuller cleavage, to the least labour-intensive self-tans and hassle-free hair extensions, FEMAIL reveals the hot weather hacks that will limit your time spent in the bathroom – and maximise your hours on the beach…
Time-saving products and treatments can help you prep for your summer holiday with ease
TACKLE TANNING
Tanning mousses can be messy – this summer is about drops and serums – you just put a tiny bit into your moisturiser or lotion and get bronzed and softened at the same time.
Just add 1-2 drops to your moisturiser for face and 2-3 for body into lotion for a long lasting tan. Totally customisable – simply add more drops to get a deeper tan. None of the usual fake tan odour either
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Great to brighten dull skin and an easy sun-kissed glow. Packed with plant allo-melanin, it mimics the colour of your own skin so it’s natural looking. A streak-free look.
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masqueBAR’s Bronzing Sheet Mask means you can literally pop it on for 5 mins while you watch telly and you will be left with a great glow.
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BODY BLAST
Known to London’s elite as the ‘Ice Queen’, Dr Galyna Selezneva is an open secret amongst beauty editors.
Dr Galyna Selezneva is known by London’s elite as the ‘Ice Queen’ and uses an army of fat freezing machines to sculpt her clients’ bodies
A goddess of fat destruction, whereas other clinics have one or two, she relies on an army of freezing machines billed as allowing clients to reshape their bodies without hitting the gym.
CoolSculpting is her weapon of choice.
Developed by Harvard scientists, this is one of the few non-invasive body sculpting treatments that actually works.
Treatment of each area, (stomach and ‘muffin top’ are particularly popular), takes about an hour and is minimally uncomfortable.
Once frozen, fat cells are metabolised naturally before being excreted via the body’s own lymphatic system. Results are permanent – once they’re gone they’re gone for good.
Results start to show in four weeks with optimum at eight-twelve weeks. Sessions start from £875. drritarakus.com
CLEAVAGE BOOST
Insecure about your cleavage in your bikini? No problem. ‘Chicken fillets’ bra stuffers are now designed for swimwear.
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SAY GOODBYE TO CELLULITE
Give your body a breather from workouts by trying Hypoxi, a body shaping treatment that involves cycling bike pedals inside a chamber – while vacuum pressure does the hard work for you.
Cheryl Cole, who is said to have one of the machines at home, is probably pedalling away right now. Hypoxi is billed as being three times as effective than regular exercise at shifting stubborn cellulite, and users can expect to see a noticeable difference after six sessions – or maybe even drop a dress size in 12. Twelve sessions costs £600. Visit hypoxiknightsbridge.co.uk
A high tech skincare with things like globularia cordifolia and zingiber zerumbet inside – along with extracts of ivy leaf, white willow leaves and essential oils. It tightens instantly.
Apply on targeted body areas once or twice daily, with light massage movements
kypwell.com
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A micro-needling at-home treatment for cellulite. It’s a skin roller with 1200 silver-plated, Japanese surgical steel microneedles that create thousands of tiny micro-channels into which you apply their active Cryogel Body Serum 3D (not included in the price), proven to reduce cellulite and stretchmarks.
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PRE-HOLIDAY CLEANSE
If you’ve been over-indulging in the lead-up to the summer holiday, ProLon is a safe, diet hack that can help you lose up to 7lbs in five days.
Developed at the Longevity Institute of the University of Southern California (USC) it tricks your body into thinking it’s fasting, and while you get the health benefits, you never actually stop eating.
Fasting with Food, which starts from £225, comes in 5 small boxes (one for each day) that include plant-based energy bars, soups, snacks, drinks, and supplements, all designed to promote positive changes in metabolic markers, cellular rejuvenation, reduced inflammation, and healthy ageing. Visit prolon.co.uk
NON-SURGICAL ‘LIPO’
No time to drop the pounds before your holiday Insta Stories? Try a Strawberry Lift. Brand new, it’s a ‘laser lipo’ designed to instantly banish double chins – without going under the knife.
A non-invasive laser penetrates skin, targeting the fat cells which are removed through lymphatic drainage.
An ultrasound helps to gently tone the jaw line. It takes 12 minutes and is painless –results can be seen after just one £400 treatment but four are recommended. Strawberry-laser.com
SWERVE THE SWEAT
Dandi patch is a thin, discreet stick-on underarm patch that absorbs sweat and traps odour, preventing embarrassing sweat marks and unsightly yellow staining. They can be worn for up to 8 hours, and let you perspire naturally, simply acting as a barrier between the sweat and clothing
HASSLE-FREE HAIR
Celebrity stylist Edward James’ ‘holiday hair hero’ treatment protects hair for 6 weeks by filling in cracks in the outer cuticle.
The two-step treatment creates new bonds in the hair followed by a second step which seals the hair shaft, locking in the new hair bonds and preventing moisture loss. £90 at Edward James London Salons.
Edward James is a celebrity stylist whose two-step treatment can protect your hair for six weeks
Combined shampoos and conditioners save time and luggage space but they never really got either done well – until now. Formulas worth your hard-earned cash include the 1 Hit Wonder Co-Wash Conditioning Cleanser, £6.99 from noughtyhaircare.co.uk, which lets you achieve low-key waves simply by twisting your hair into sections while it’s still damp from the shower.
Hair towels can also save you time you’d ordinarily spend blow drying. Try AQUIS’ £30 version, which comes in a handy waterproof packet.
In salon hair extensions are pricey – and time consuming. Clip-in hair extensions give instant length and body, and can be removed when the party is done, but cheaper ones can leave you looking like you borrowed Barbie’s wig – try Hairtrade or Tatiana Karelina.
Tatiana Karelina extensions are the couture of clip-ins. These beauties are made of hand-tied wefts so they can put multiple shades of hair mixed together – making them look incredibly natural.
The hair in the hand-tied wefts are attach more securely slimmer therefore more real looking, and comfortable to wear. They ooze quality. Can be privately fitted in the salon for a perfect fit.
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Made from 100% real human hair so they can be cut, coloured, straightened and curled.
With 18 clips they cover the whole head and are made by hand instead of being cut from one weft.
This means that more hair is added to each of the pieces which helps to make your hair look much thicker, instantly.
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NAIL THE PERFECT HOLIDAY MANI
If you hate waiting for your toenails to dry – try Miracle Drops by Leighton Denny Expert Nails they dry your nail polish in seconds
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No time for the salon? imPRESS is a press-on manicure that is inexpensive and instant. Easy to apply and stays on
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SPEEDY WAYS TO A BRIGHTER SMILE
Achieve whitening on the go with the Spotlight Teeth White Pen. Unlike other pens which use a white paint-like substance to cover stains, this formula actively dissolves stains leaving long lasting results.
Great with the brand’s tooth whitening paste and strips.
boots.com
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Waterless teeth brushing. Swish To Go is a natural powder that turns to foam on your tongue where you swish for 10 seconds then swallow – does the job of toothpaste, brush and mouthwash but without the need for water or sink.
Available at Boots in: Cool Mint, Mint Fresh and Zesty Lemon.
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Summer holiday time means getting skin, hair and nails in tip-top condition for the beach
SHAVE MINUTES OFF SHAVING TIME
The Speed Shave waterless travel razor requires no water or lotion, making it a much quicker job. It’s available from Wholefoods, Revital, health stores, beautynaturals.com, Amazon and www.body-verde.com for £12.00.
If you’d prefer to skip the razor altogether, Nair has a brush-on hair removal cream for the face or bikini line that is super quick and easy to use. From £2 for the face or £5 for the bikini line, the products – which contain Argan oil to soothe skin – are available from Boots.
SWIFT SKIN SOLUTIONS AND MULTI-TASKING MAKE-UP
Forget spending hours applying make-up – not to mention all that effort cleaning it off at the end of the night. Pack breathable foundation, multi-tasking moisturisers, and lippie with SPF built-in… every second counts.
Save the salon visit and tint brows at home with . It lasts for up to a month, just apply it for 5 minutes and voila!
Perfect brows for at least 2 weeks and you don’t need to keep retouching them.
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An angled lash that is pre-glued and makes application simple and mistake proof! Simply remove lashes from the bottom lip of the lash holder, apply and go!
If the glue is tacky enough you can re-use them again, if not, there’s an extra pair of bands in the top lip of the lash holder. Latex free.
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Don’t want to mess around with fiddly fake lashes and extensions damaged them last time?
Ardell’s Magnetic Lashes where you just put one strip of lashes on top of your lashes and hold another strip of lashes underneath – they’ll click together and it’s as simple as that.
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A Coconut Oil stick from Yes to Coconuts is a great body highlighter – good for adding shine to shoulders, cheekbones, shins – but also hydrating so doubles up as a lotion from face to feet.
Yes to Coconuts Moisturising Coconut Oil Stick, at Beauty Bay
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Grab a Wonder Stick – Frances Prescott’s TRI-BALM is a cleanser, exfoliator, and moisturiser all in one gloriously effective (and great smelling) solid stick balm which can be taken on board in carry on luggage.
A true skincare multi-tasker.
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The Face Saviour.
A few extra margaritas and hotel buffets can have you looking a little puffy by the end of your holiday.
Never fear – V-Tox gives good face.
Tighter skin, instantly, minus the toxins of injectibles.
Beloved by cheekbone superior girls like Gwyneth Paltrow and Sienna Miller, it’s packed with plant extracts and high actives, it relies on neuropeptides, naturally derived from algae, to smooth skin. Named by Tatler Magazine as the best natural alternative to Botox.
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No matching – no problem! A new-generation tone-matcher means this concealer adjusts to your exact skin tone. It also calms redness, fights acne and has an SPF.
It goes on a pale green and then changes colour to match your skin tone as you gently rub it in. Upper and lower limits are very dark skin tones and very pale skin tones. Free from chemicals and 100% vegan.
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Foundation you can sleep in. Award-winning, multi-use Oxygenetix Foundation is 24 hour wear (and literally does not budge), so no need to re-apply.
It also acts as a concealer if you layer it and it is a skincare product (aloe vera and hyaluronic acid soothes and hydrates skin). It is so good for your skin, you can EVEN sleep in it! So perfect for those who can’t be bothered to take off their make up at night.
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An anti-aging lip treatment with Broad Spectrum SPF 15 from Perricone MD delivers a natural, rosy hue and promotes the appearance of fuller, younger- looking lips.
Lovely rosy colour and a natural, glossy finish.
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The COLLECTION’s Lip Colour SPF1 is brand new and a lightweight and glossy lipstick that goes on like a lip balm with a wash of colour and a pretty summertime sheen.
Available in six shades
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With a gel-cream texture and an effortless glide MAKE UP FOREVER’S Aqua XL Color Paint gives a high pigment eyeshadow colour that’s hydrating, waterproof, long-lasting, and crease proof.
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Eyeko’s Beach Mascara contains coconut oil to hydrate, along with sunscreen which is a bonus 100% vegan and 100% waterproof.
Perfect for those who don’t want to reapply make up after a swim as it stays on all day after a single application.
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This is a liquid liner with a difference – it contains a lash enhancing serum which promotes the appearance of thicker-looking lashes.
So every time you apply the jet black smooth liner to your eyes, Ardell’s Lash Boostier is going to give your lashes some extra oomph.
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TO SAVE TIME ON COUNTING SHEEP
You can fake eight hours sleep in fifteen minutes with Arbonne’s new Gel Eye Masks.
They soothe and cool on contact, transforming tired, puffy looking eyes.
Plus, its moisture-boosting superfood cocktail softens the look of baby lines.
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Sleep is a major beauty booster. Try an air purifier.
Proven to boost sleep by removing 99.95% of allergens and pollutants from the air, this is a godsend for those with allergies or hayfever – bonus it doubles as a cool fan.
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A FAST ROUTE TO AN ENERGY BOOST
Bodhi & Birch’s new Lemon Water Hydrosol Tonic will hydrate skin and energise your aura at the same time.
A crystal charged spritz with an uplifting blend of Lemon, Bergamot, and fruit enzymes it leaves you refreshed and ready to go.
bodhiandbirch.com
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And lastly – be kinder to yourself. Try an affirmation – experts say you can actually boost your beauty with positive words.
There is scientific evidence that shows that positivity directly affects the molecular structure of water – and humans are 60% water.
Experts say that positive energy has a measurable effect on how beautiful we look both to others and ourselves. London based hypnotherapist Malminder Gill recommends beginning each day with a positive affirmation, looking directly into your eyes in the mirror are repeating for a minute:
‘I set my own beauty standards. I look into my beautiful eyes and can see that I am beautiful. I accept my beauty. I share my beauty with the world.’