12 brilliant beauty and travel buys for your summer holiday, from just £7 at Boots
The original one-stop shop
‘I need to pop to Boots,’ are words that have been uttered by many of us before a holiday. Whether it’s a leisurely browse on the high street (list in hand!), or a last-minute ‘supermarket sweep’ style shop at the airport, you can guarantee Boots has what you’re after.
It’s the place to go for protective SPFs, shine-enhancing shampoos to combat the holiday frizz and soothing aprés-sun products, and we’ve put together a list of essentials you can add to your basket just in time for the summer season. It’s not just skincare and haircare either, as Boots is also home to a wide range of wellness products, from rehydrating electrolytes to flight-ready compression socks.
Standard delivery is free on orders over £25, or for orders over £15 when you select click and collect to your local Boots. Price for standard delivery for orders under £25 is £3.95. Any last-minute panic buyers will be pleased to know this can also be ordered directly to participating airport stores, ready for collection en route to your pre-flight tipple, whatever the time is.
These are the Boots beach bag essentials our beauty team can’t travel without.
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La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF50+
Ask any beauty editor about their favourite facial SPFs and it’s likely they’ll shout out this one. It ticks all the boxes: strong SPF50 protection, no visible white cast and no greasiness. This is one for summer and beyond, and works particularly well for those with oily or combination skin.
If you’re planning on going to any festivals or concerts this summer, earplugs are essential for keeping your ears and hearing protected. They’re also great for blocking out snoring partners and ‘challenging’ fellow flyers. The soft edges mean they’re comfy to wear even while you sleep. And, yes, that includes side sleepers.
Philips Lumea Series 9000 BRI955 / 01 IPL Hair Removal Device
If hair-free legs (or other areas) are your goal, then this Philips IPL is easy to use and will genuinely make a difference, especially if you have darker hair. It uses intense pulsed light to help you reduce hair growth from home. Yes, it’s an expensive initial investment, but with consistent top-ups it can minimise hair regrowth, without costly and time-consuming salon visits.
Hot days and a full face of foundation are a melty makeup disaster waiting to happen. Don’t risk it – instead, try this tinted serum from Sculpted by Aimee, which seamlessly bends into your skin. It gives extra-lightweight coverage as well as a natural glowing finish – perfect for those ‘make-up-free’ days on the beach.
Wellthy By Boots Daily Hydration+ Radiant Skin
Wellthy By Boots Daily Hydration+ Radiant Skin
Whether it’s a hot, sweaty day or a late summer night that’s left you feeling dehydrated, Wellthy electrolytes will help to restore depleted sodium levels. They come in delicious and refreshing flavours, including Lime and Mint or Blueberry, and make a lovely summer drink.
This one needs no introduction – many of us will have reached for a Nivea suncream at some point in our life. It’s a classic for a reason and a good, easy-to-apply SPF is an absolute essential for holiday. The formula is fast absorbing and doesn’t leave any tackiness or white cast. SPF50 at a minimum – protect your skin!
L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler Plumping Glass-Skin Aqua-Fluid SPF30
Hot weather increases the risk of dehydration, which can show up as dry, flaky skin on your face (don’t get us started on that drying air-conditioning). This hyaluronic-rich cream is the perfect antidote as it replenishes the skin by drawing in and holding on to moisture for long-lasting hydration. It’s also formulated with SPF30, which is a great secondary layer of coverage to your base protection.
Hot, sweaty days = greasy hair. But with many a summer soiree to attend, hair wash night might become less of a priority. This dry shampoo can help give you an extra day (or two) without the beauty admin, as it works hard at absorbing excess oil and leaves behind a lovely scent. It’s also great for adding a bit of textured zhoosh to fresh hair.
We’re partial to a bit of a faux glow here at Good Housekeeping, and this is the formula that won hearts and minds in our best fake tans test. It gives a natural-looking tan with even coverage, without any tiger bread patchiness. Plus, it smells divine. No biscuity scent around here. And – more crucially – no basking in skin-ageing UVA rays to achieve bronzed skin.
Biodance Bio Collagen-Real Deep Mask 4 Sheets
Biodance Bio Collagen-Real Deep Mask 4 Sheets
After you’ve dialled up your fan, downed a few ice lollies and decided it’s simply ‘too hot’ to do anything, a cooling face mask might be your best solution. These ones from Biodance are instantly refreshing thanks to their jelly-like texture and can also be placed in the fridge for extra cooling. Leave it on for anywhere between 15 minutes to overnight and the hydrating hyaluronic acid and skin-barrier strengthening ingredients will leave your skin gleaming.
On days when you want to wear full foundation instead of a light skin tint, you’ll want to give it a spritz of this protective setting spray from Korean skincare brand TirTir. Not only does it set your makeup in place for hours, it leaves behind a matte finish to avoid sweaty, oily-looking skin. A couple of sprays will leave your skin looking airbrushed and smoother.
L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic Shampoo
L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic Shampoo
When you can no longer avoid hair wash night, this ultra-hydrating and nourishing shampoo is perfect for breathing some life back into lacklustre ends. The not-so-secret ingredient is hyaluronic acid, which packs in all the moisture – and we need all the hydration we can get in summer. So, if you’re looking for shiny, glossy summer hair, then this is the shampoo for you. Extra points for pairing it with the accompanying conditioner or mask. And why not, when there’s a 3 for 2 deal on to bag the whole range.
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
