As temperatures rise, so too do the rhythms of our lives: our wardrobes, social calendars, daily habits and diets all begin to shift with the weather. Yet one area often left unchanged is our approach to beauty. Warmer days, extended sunlight and busier schedules demand more from our routines, and thus call for different products than those we use in autumn and winter. Sure, we all know to apply SPF every day in summer, but it’s equally important to adapt our choices across skincare, makeup, perfume and haircare to better suit the season.
Ahead, HELLO!’s in-house beauty experts share the standout brands they return to each summer, along with the hero products they trust to carry them through the height of event season. Better yet, you can purchase all of them under one roof at Beauty at Next...
ghd
Josie O'Brien, Creative Content Writer, says:
One of my New Year’s resolutions was to make more effort with my hair each day – and with summer around the corner, the effort feels even more worthwhile. I have naturally straight strands that carry the occasional kink, and thus need a quick swipe of heat for a polished finish. The best tool I’ve tried is ghd’s new Chronos Straightener: it heats up in seconds, smooths in a single glide and has advanced ceramic technology that ensures even heat distribution to minimise damage – exactly what I need for daily use amid my busy summer social calendar.
I’ve been using the straighteners in tandem with ghd’s Dressing Brush, which has anti-static nylon bristles that reach deeper than natural ones to detangle from the root, making it both more effective and gentler, especially welcome given my hair is more prone to tangling in the heat. The firmer bristles also offer better control when styling, smoothing and shaping without static. Plus, they help spread my hair’s natural oils through the lengths, boosting shine without any extra product – the ultimate win-win.
The perfect liquid partner to my Chronos straighteners, ghd’s Straight & Smooth Spray is a summer essential for making my glossy ‘do last for multiple-day events in summer. Think destination weddings, festivals and city breaks. The formula keeps my strands sleek and frizz-free, and that polished look lasts well into the next day (even in the heat) without any heaviness. I get that fresh 'just-left-the-salon' finish with the added bonus of built-in heat protection.
Jean Paul Gaultier
Melanie Macleod, Deputy Beauty and Lifestyle Editor, says:
I've always considered Jean Paul Gaultier's Classique fragrance as the height of sophistication – especially in summer, when scent feels so tied to memory. When I was 12 or so, the teenage daughters of our family friends kept it in their school bags, and I just knew, if I could have that elegant corset-shaped bottle in my bag, I'd be as cool as they were.
Fast forward 20 years, and I still feel the same about Jean Paul Gaultier’s fragrances – Classique especially, though in summer I also find myself reaching for Scandal Absolu Parfum Concentré. With its playful legs-shaped bottle, it doubles as the ultimate sunlit dressing table accessory.
All of the Jean Paul Gaultier scents are instantly recognisable when someone walks past you wearing one of them, and the look of the signature bottles is equally iconic. Next on my hitlist to try is the Gaultier Divine Couture perfume, which I've been told blends an intoxicating mix of meringue and raspberry, leaning perfectly into the trend for fruity fragrances now that the weather is heating up.
Kate Somerville
Cassie Steer, Head of Beauty, says:
I’ve always favoured a wash-off gel cleanser, but perimenopause has nudged my skin away from that comfort zone. Enter Kate Somerville’s Goat Milk Moisturising Cleanser, which I turned to after post-cleanse tightness. Don’t be put off by the goat milk; it has a subtle sweetness, not a trace of farmyard. Milk enzymes gently lift away dirt and impurities, while nourishing ingredients leave skin soft and soothed, never stripped – ideal during summer event season for removing makeup, SPF and city grime without upsetting balance.
I follow it up with the intensely hydrating HydraKate Recharging Water Cream, which delivers as close to ‘glass skin’ as my 48-year-old complexion is likely to get. A long-time staple, its lightweight, quenching formula (thanks to aquaport technology) never disappoints. I keep it in the fridge in warmer months for a cooling hit, and it doubles as the perfect travel companion.
Plus, having avoided it for years, I’ve finally entered my retinol era, and Kate Somerville’s +Retinol Vita C Moisturiser is a favourite. It pairs retinol with ascorbic acid for powerful brightening, alongside hyaluronic acid and soothing wild gooseberry. The result is a visible glow by morning with no compromise on comfort, which is perfect for the event season in summer, when you want skin looking refined, radiant and ready for the next outing.
Estée Lauder
Leanne Bayley, Director of Lifestyle & Commerce, says:
In case you haven't heard, Estée Lauder's iconic Double Wear foundation has been reformulated for 2026, and I'm seriously converted. The lightweight formula, which is SPF 10, blends seamlessly and helps even out the complexion. What's more, it's super buildable and long-wearing, which is ideal for wearing as a wedding guest in summer. It also balances skin with oil control and hydration.
For me, summer starts with my first spritz of Bronze Goddess perfume, and the new beach-in-a-bottle EDP for 2026 is divine. With notes of tiare flower, coconut, amber, sandalwood and vanilla, it's made even richer with a higher concentration of fragrance oils. Get me on vacation!
Another summer essential of mine is a lip balm – and Estée Lauder’s Futurist HydraPlump Tinted Lip Balm caught my eye because the packaging is oh so pretty; it screams spring. It packs a punch too: the science-powered formula delivers results from the first touch. Expect instant plumping and instant line smoothing. There are plenty of shades to choose from and each colourful shade is uniquely flattering, with a tint that self-adapts when activated by your personal pH.
Armani
Hollie Brotherton, Digital Luxe & Commerce Editor, says:
Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation is an investment, but one I’m always happy to make. I’ve been repurchasing it for over 12 years because I’ve never found anything that compares. Although it was recently reformulated, I honestly haven’t noticed any difference, which I’m very pleased about. For me, it delivers the perfect balance of natural, seamless, buildable coverage with a glowy finish that works just as beautifully for everyday wear as it does for evening looks.
And no makeup look is complete without a dash of colour over the lip. Armani sadly discontinued my all-time favourite lipstick, but its Lip Power Matte Long Wear comes very close. The perfect matte, it's velvety, not drying and really lasts. I love shade 111 for a pinky nude, which is ideal if anything too beige or pale washes you out.
If you like your bronzer to have a radiant rather than matte finish, then the Luminous Silk Summer Glow Bronzer is for you. The powder to cream formula has the silkiest texture that blends like a dream and it can be used in multiple ways, from contour to an all-over glow and even as an eyeshadow. And yes, it layers gorgeously over the cult foundation from the same range.
