As the winter chill sets in each year, we experience what can only be described as a mass exodus to chase the summer sun with a European holiday. Our Instagram feeds are suddenly flooded with crystal-clear waters in every shade of blue, idyllic seaside sunsets, Aperol spritzes (or rosé) in hand and historic cobblestone streets. Jetting off for your Euro Summer? From island-hopping in the Cyclades to boat days along the Amalfi Coast, the key to breezing through the heat lies in a well-curated beauty bag.
Quench every pore
In case you haven’t heard, ‘collagen banking’ is the next big thing in skincare, and Dermalogica is among the brands leading the long-term collagen-preservation approach. While it may sound like yet another fleeting trend, this strategy is your ticket to plumper, more youthful skin in the long term. Think of it as a savings account for your complexion. With a bouncy gel-like texture that wears nicely under makeup, the Dermalogica Pro-Collagen Banking Water Cream uses peptides and antioxidants to help preserve collagen while flooding your face with hydration for that coveted glass-skin glow. Watch out, Hailey Bieber.
R1,699 from Dermalogica, Woolworths and ARC Store
Curb UV-induced wrinkles and age spots
Our skincare non-negotiable will always be SPF, regardless of your age, skin type or season. The Environ RAD ACTIVÉ, however, offers more than just sun protection – it’s also chock-full of antioxidant-rich ingredients (including physical and low-chemical UV filters, vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene) that can help soften signs of skin ageing, like fine lines, sun spots and laxity. Instant protection + futureproofing = the winning combo. It’s a lightweight, breathable formula that doesn’t feel heavy on skin and gives your complexion a subtle boost of radiance (and honestly, most days, that’s all we need).
R480 from select salons
Bounce back by morning
When an evening’s festivities have well and truly taken their toll on your skin, consider the Gatineau Collagene Expert Hydra Essence Night Recovery before bed. The decadent bio-retinol-infused formula does double-duty by giving thirsty skin a simultaneous dose of hydration and suppleness, while also working to address the appearance of ‘sleep wrinkles’ – those creases you wake up with. In short, a secret shortcut to a fresh face the next day. Plus, delicate notes of bergamot, lychee, rose and musk provide a chicly fragranced sense of calm. We definitely believe it’s worth the investment.
R995 from Orleans Cosmetics and Woolworths
Streamline your skincare routine
Whether you’re carry-on only for life or have zero shame about checking a bag, travelling means making some tough beauty cuts. Be it for airport security requirements, limited space or the pursuit of a more simplified routine, everyday staples aren’t always suited for on-the-go use. In lieu of packing multiple moisturisers, opt for the efficacious and luxurious NUXE Merveillance LIFT The Exceptional Day & Night Cream – a two-in-one formula designed for both day and night. While it may not lean on aggressive actives, it does an impressive job of boosting elasticity and helping skin look noticeably more lifted.
R1,545 from Orleans Cosmetics, Woolworths, Foschini and Truworths
Get a post-facial glow in minutes
If you’ve ever spotted someone wearing a sheet mask mid-flight and raised an eyebrow, we promise you – you’re missing out. Skin Republic is an editor favourite when it comes to sheet masks, and the brand’s Skin Republic Bio-Collagen Wrapping Mask is no exception. Saturated with a collagen-boosting serum, it’s the sheet mask of choice for firming the face and lessening both fine lines and wrinkles. Just as affordable as it is effective, your skin will thank you – and so will your purse. Place the mask on clean skin for 15 minutes or for the duration of your flight, then remove and rinse off any remaining residue.
R75.99 from Skin Republic, Clicks, Dis-Chem, Medirite Plus, Bash, Superbalist and Takealot
Fake a day in the sun
Keeping up with self-tanning can be tedious, which is where bronzing drops come in. The viral Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops are the makeup-meets-skincare product that put bronzing drops on the map, and they’re finally available in South Africa. The options are endless with this liquid luminiser in hand. It can be used as a lit-from-within base beneath foundation, mixed into your favorite Drunk Elephant moisturiser or on the décolletage and shoulders to mimic a kiss from the sun. At the same time, peptides and antioxidants work hard to nourish and strengthen the skin underneath.
R950 from ARC Store
Achieve the elusive no-makeup makeup look
Nothing says Euro Summer like naturally glowing skin that’s been kissed by the sun and lived-in hair that’s been graced by the sea. The name of the game this summer is all about no-fuss, low-maintenance beauty. The RVB LAB Blushy Look Liquid Blush – Warm Mauve features a lightweight, serum-like texture with buildable pigmentation and effortless blendability. A few dots are all you need to awaken your complexion with a healthy-looking wash of colour. It’s just as great for minimal makeup days as it is for more glam looks. If you have oily skin, we recommend locking it in place with a long-wearing setting spray.
R525 from Orleans Cosmetics
Scent your summer
Few things capture the spirit of sunny adventures like the perfect summer fragrance. Japanese label Issey Miyake is best known for L’Eau d’Issey, its range of fragrances that became iconic for their airy, aquatic scents. Now, Issey Miyake Lumière d’Issey represents a brand-new era for the house. One spritz opens with a burst of green mandarin – bright and zesty. Then comes the note that feels like summer: Orange blossom, powdery and solar. The base deepens into something addictive – a pistachio wood accord layered with creamy sandalwood. The subtly asymmetrical crystalline bottle adds to the allure.
R1,750 for 30ml, R2,500 for 50ml or R3,380 for 100ml from
Keep your smile in check
Taking a break from the everyday doesn’t mean taking a break from dental care. When we travel, we still like to have access to all our home comforts – and that includes our electric toothbrush. If you’re the same, we recommend the stylish Ordo Sonic Edge Rechargeable Toothbrush. It comes with a USB charging cable and boasts a battery life of over six weeks, making it ideal for long-haul trips. On top of that, it has four brushing modes so you can customise your clean, and its two-minute timer is broken up into 30-second intervals to guide you through brushing. Oh, and it’s compact enough for your toiletry bag.
R399 from Ordo, Smile Shop, Clicks and Yuppiechef
Dial down the look of body acne
Leave it to long days under the Mediterranean sun and sticky bus rides in our lightest layers to remind us that summer only exacerbates body acne. When a bout of breakouts start to sprout on your back and shoulders, restore your pores to a clearer state with the Bioderma Sébium Kerato+ Body. This spray offers a quick fix (or shall we say, quick spritz) to tackling body acne, especially when it’s in hard-to-reach places. Purifying salicylic acid addresses breakouts, blackheads and blemishes. Meanwhile, brightening niacinamide targets hyperpigmentation and post-acne dark spots.
R550 from Dermastore, Cosmetology, SkinMiles, Clicks and Dis-Chem
Sweat less, stay soothed
Strappy sundresses, halterneck tops and sleeveless linen pieces leave little room to hide post-shave razor irritation, putting your underarms on full display. The Shower to Shower Sensitive Shave Anti-Perspirant Roll-On is a gentle yet effective everyday essential that keeps you fresh while caring for delicate underarm skin. It relies on aluminium chlorohydrate for dependable sweat protection, but stands out for its focus on sensitive skin care – providing soothing comfort for freshly shaved underarms, supporting the skin’s natural ceramide production, and delivering immediate and long-lasting moisture.
R22.99 from Clicks, Dis-Chem, Pick n Pay and Amazon
Swipe on something delicious
Solid perfumes elicit the same degree of excitement for us as beauty minis. Pocket-size versions of our favourite scents, they’re significantly less bulky than a 50ml bottle in your luggage and handy if you want to avoid everyone around you catching too strong a whiff in a public space. The Sol De Janeiro Jelly Perfume Balm – Cheirosa 68 – a fruity-floral with notes of Brazilian jasmine, pink dragonfruit and ocean air – is our new obsession. The jelly is housed in a plastic, twist-up tube with a snap cap that’s perfect for the beach. Sliding this along your collarbones also makes for the prettiest highlighter effect.
R445 from ARC Store, Woolworths, Edgars, Foschini, Truworths, Bash, and Superbalist and Takealot
Make it a tropic of conversation
You can technically use your everyday perfume in your hair, but hear us out – most fragrances are alcohol-heavy, which can strip moisture from your strands and leave them feeling dry. That’s especially true if you’re generous with your spritz or have bleached, more fragile hair. If you want a multitasking mist that can be used on your hair and everywhere else, reach for the Playgirl Tropical Blast Body & Hair Mist. A cocktail of mango, pomegranate, raspberry and musk will leave you sneaking a whiff of your locks every few minutes. Bonus: The bottle’s large enough for guilt-free spritzing all day.
R69.99 from Dis-Chem and Pick n Pay
Turn to hyaluronic acid for healthier hair
You’re already familiar with using hyaluronic acid on your skin, but did you know it has amazing benefits for your hair too? Just as you’ve seen hyaluronic acid in basically every moisturiser over the last few years, you’re now going to see it in tons of hair products, from shampoos to leave-in conditioners, thanks to its ability to deeply hydrate your hair and scalp without feeling greasy or causing build-up. The INOAR Hyaluronic Force Shampoo & Conditioner attracts hydration to help dry hair cope with Europe’s hard water (it can dull shine and affect texture) and make curls pop in humid coastal climates.
R505 each from INOAR and Sorbet Hairbar
Amp up volume for that just-left-the-salon look
Lived-in hair belongs on a Euro Summer itinerary – think beach club days in Mykonos, coastal drives through Mallorca and late-night dinners perched on the cliffs of Positano. The Moroccanoil Texture & Volume Powder adds dimension and texture to hair that needs a boost, using ingredients like silica silylate, glycerin and argan oil to restore your zhuzh. The formula is a 10/10 and the brand’s signature scent smells like summer. One thing to know – it has some serious grit, so while it’s fine to go straight in if you have thicker hair, we like to pump some into our hands first before massaging it into the roots.
R775 from Retail Box and Salon500
