Summer is here, and with it comes the promise of long, sun-kissed days, balmy evenings, and a natural desire to look and feel our absolute best. It’s the season for lighter textures, effortless beauty, and a renewed focus on self-care that truly makes us glow from the inside out.
Forget complicated routines; this summer, it’s all about curated essentials that deliver maximum impact with minimal fuss. From nourishing hair rituals to skin-enhancing elixirs and chic accessories, these are the must-have items to elevate your summer beauty arsenal and ensure you radiate confidence all season long.
Hair rituals: Indē wild Champi Hair Oil & RYS Hair and Beauty collaboration
As we embrace the longer days, our hair often needs a little extra love and attention to combat the effects of the sun and heat. Enter Indē Wild’s Champi Hair Oil, a game-changer rooted in the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda. This traditional blend features 11 powerful Ayurvedic botanicals, including castor and hibiscus oils, combined with five nourishing carrier oils like sesame, coconut, and almond.
It’s a lightweight, fragrant concoction that deeply nourishes the scalp, strengthens hair roots, and encourages healthy growth, all while offering stress relief. Unlike many other hair oils that can feel heavy, the Champi Hair Oil is a delight to use, leaving hair feeling soft and revitalised without any greasiness.
Adding to its allure, Indē wild has partnered with the luxury West London salon, RYS Hair and Beauty, located on the fashionable Walton Street in Chelsea. This collaboration introduces two exclusive Ayurvedic hair and scalp treatments that seamlessly blend traditional wellness rituals with modern salon expertise. Reshma Shah, founder of RYS Hair and Beauty, beautifully articulates the philosophy: “Ayurveda teaches us that beauty is a reflection of inner balance. By integrating these ancient practices into a modern salon setting, we are giving our clients more than just great hair, and they are walking away with a sense of calm and connection.”
The RYS x Indē wild Ayurvedic Massage Enhancement (£25) is an express treatment, lasting under 20 minutes, that features a soothing head, neck, and shoulder massage using the Champi Hair Oil. Guided by the skilled hands of RYS Hair and Beauty experts Prital and Hemangi, this treatment promotes deep relaxation, calm, and holistic wellness. I can personally attest that this was an experience I’d recommend to anyone; it was wonderfully relaxing and soothing.
For a more comprehensive experience, the RYS x Indē wild Integrated Hair Care Ritual (£65) offers a full-service indulgence. It begins with a restorative head massage using the Champi Hair Oil, followed by a calming spa mist, a luxurious hair cleanse and condition, and a professional blow-dry, leaving hair soft, shiny, and visibly revitalised. Both treatments are inspired by the time-honoured Indian tradition of Champi, an art form recognised for its healing benefits, including enhanced blood circulation to the scalp, hair growth, strengthening, increased hair moisture, and stress relief. Created by Prital, founder of Prital Brows, these rituals honour Ayurvedic roots while enhancing them for today’s beauty and wellness world, offering salon-goers a chance to engage with Ayurvedic self-care in an accessible, luxury experience.
Chic hair accents: The Silk Edit by Duck & Dry
Sometimes, the simplest additions make the biggest statement. For effortless summer style, look no further than The Silk Edit by Duck & Dry, designed by Eka Kapanadze. This chic collection of hair accessories, crafted from 100% twill silk, blends beauty, function, and Duck & Dry’s signature flair. The range includes scarves, twillies, scrunchies, and sleep masks, each designed to protect your hair, enhance your look, and add effortless elegance.
I’ve recently found myself embracing hair accessories, especially the scrunchie, which has undeniably made a huge style comeback. These silk scrunchies from The Silk Edit are perfectly suited to my daily London routine. I wear them at home, to Pilates, with a casual outfit for dog walks, and of course, when I’m getting glammed up for a day or evening out!
The scarves are also a beautiful addition to any holiday attire and can be styled in myriad ways, even incorporated into Duck & Dry’s signature blow-dries. They are timeless, versatile, and made to be treasured, providing the perfect finishing touches your hair (and wardrobe) will thank you for.
Summer skin transformation: The Inkey List Exosome Hydro-Glow Complex
Achieving that coveted summer glow often starts with a robust skincare routine, and The Inkey List Exosome Hydro-Glow Complex has proven to be an absolute game-changer for me. This powerhouse serum visibly boosts glow, smooths, and renews skin, offering clinic-worthy results without the hefty price tag.
Powered by three million plant-derived Exosomes, this innovative formula brings professional facial results directly to your daily routine. Cica Exosomes, 300 times smaller than a skin pore, act as hero ingredients, carrying actives directly to skin cells for maximum effectiveness. Clinical studies show they help boost collagen production by 300%, reduce inflammation by 55%, and improve skin repair by 63% in just eight hours.
This creamy, lightweight, and non-fragranced serum effortlessly sinks into the skin without any tackiness, making it perfect for summer. It almost gives a blurring effect on bare skin, acting as an excellent primer for makeup. I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my skin texture after just a week of use. Given its impressive efficacy and incredible affordability, this is an item everyone can have in their bathroom cabinet at all times for that “just had a facial” summer glow.
Effortless radiance: Giordani Gold Fabulous Beauty Face & Eyes Palette
For those who prefer a “less is more” approach to makeup, the Giordani Gold Fabulous Beauty Face & Eyes Palette is an indispensable summer essential. This compact, multi-use palette from Oriflame’s Giordani Gold Eternal Love Collection features eight universal shades in both matte and shimmery finishes, designed to suit all skin tones for both face and eyes.
I’ve primarily been using this palette as a blush and bronzer, and its compact size is a major plus. The velvety smooth texture, crafted with nourishing ingredients like Vitamin B5, Cloudberry Seed Oil, and Barbary Fig Oil, ensures comfortable, all-day wear while caring for your skin. The peach-toned blush shades in particular suit my dark autumn skin and hair tone beautifully, helping me maintain a fresh, nude-looking complexion.
Whether you’re highlighting cheekbones, adding a natural flush to cheeks, contouring, or defining your eyes, this fragrance-free, Vegan society-certified palette offers a luxurious and versatile makeup experience. Its portability is fantastic; it’s perfectly sized for even a tiny bag, ensuring you’re never without the option for quick touch-ups when out and about.
Urban shield: Grown Alchemist Skin Defense Primer
Living in London, I’ve become incredibly diligent about skincare that offers protection not just from the natural elements but from pollutants too. The Grown Alchemist Skin Defense Primer is a dedicated product that works a treat in this regard. This advanced primer creates an invisible, breathable barrier that shields the skin from environmental aggressors, including pollution and free radicals.
Beyond its protective qualities, it also preps the skin beautifully, creating a smooth canvas for makeup application and helping it last longer throughout the day. Infused with beneficial ingredients, it feels lightweight and comfortable on the skin. As a crucial first step in my morning routine, applying diligently beneath SPF and makeup ensures my skin is well-protected and primed for whatever the urban environment throws its way.
Defining eyes: Hildun Beauty Silk to Set Kajal Liner in Chocolate
For a touch of subtle definition, the Silk to Set Kajal Liner by Hildun Beauty is an absolute dream to work with. These liners are known for their incredibly slick application and impressive staying power, gliding on effortlessly to deliver a rich, pigmented line.
While the chocolate shade is my personal favourite, perfectly complementing my Dark Autumn palette, I’m confident that any shade within their selection would perform just as flawlessly. It’s a versatile product that allows for precise application or a soft, smudged look, depending on your preference. For those quick summer evenings out or simply to enhance your everyday look, this kajal liner provides a lasting definition that elevates the eyes.
Serene sleep: Spa Ceylon Sleep Intense – Herbal Infusion
No summer glow-up is complete without prioritising rest and relaxation. As someone who loves to wind down with a hot drink before bed, the Spa Ceylon Sleep Intense – Herbal Infusion has become a cherished part of my evening ritual. This thoughtfully crafted herbal infusion is designed to promote deep relaxation and prepare the body for a restful night’s sleep.
Infused with a blend of natural herbs known for their calming properties, this beverage offers a soothing and aromatic experience that helps to quiet the mind and ease tension. It’s the perfect way to transition from the day’s activities to a state of calm, ensuring you wake up feeling refreshed and revitalised, ready to embrace another beautiful summer day. Prioritising quality sleep is fundamental to overall well-being and, of course, a truly radiant glow.
