From reliable setting sprays to UV proof haircare, Noctis Beauty Editor Charli Avery shares the products that earned a place in her beauty bag this summer.
As the UK braces for yet another heatwave, our beauty routines continue being put to the test. Rising temperatures, humidity and long days in the sun can quickly turn flawless make-up into a melting mess, making lightweight, reliable products more important than ever. The good news is that many beauty retailers are currently running summer sales, making it the perfect time to refresh your beauty bag before your next holiday or long weekend.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been testing the products that genuinely perform when the temperatures rise. From invisible SPFs and hardworking setting sprays to lightweight complexion heroes and haircare designed to protect against the sun, these are the products that impressed me the most in each category.
SPF
No matter how good your make-up is, it all starts with your skincare, and SPF remains the most important product in any summer routine. The challenge is finding one that offers high protection without feeling greasy or causing your make-up to separate. After testing countless formulas, these three stood out for all the right reasons.
Beauty Editor Tip: SPF shouldn’t be a one-and-done step. If you’re spending long periods outdoors, remember to re-apply every two hours. Facial SPF mists are one of the easiest ways to top up your protection throughout the day without disturbing your make-up.
CeraVe Hydrating Fluid Sunscreen SPF50 50ml, LOOKFANTASTIC £13.43
If you’re looking for an affordable SPF that doesn’t compromise on performance, the CeraVe Hydrating Fluid Sunscreen is hard to beat. Offering high UVA and UVB protection while helping to support the skin’s natural barrier, the lightweight fluid absorbs quickly and feels virtually undetectable once applied.
Verdict: This has become my everyday SPF. It disappears into the skin within seconds, leaves absolutely no white cast and creates the perfect base for make-up. I’ve tried products at twice the price that don’t perform nearly as well, making this one of the best beauty bargains I’ve discovered this summer.
Darling Cloud Drop SPF50, £40
Darling’s Cloud Drop is one of those products that immediately feels luxurious. The feather-light formula delivers broad-spectrum sun protection while doubling as a moisturiser, making it ideal if you prefer a simplified morning skincare routine.
Verdict: This is definitely an investment product, but it’s one I genuinely enjoyed using. The texture is beautifully lightweight, it leaves skin looking healthy rather than shiny, and I love that it combines hydration with SPF in one product. The clip-on pouch is also a thoughtful touch for holidays or keeping close by in your handbag.
Antipodes Supernatural Ceramide Silk Facial Sun Cream SPF50+, LOOKFANTASTIC £28
Made with 100% naturally derived ingredients, this nourishing sunscreen combines ceramides and botanical oils to protect the skin while delivering lasting hydration. Water-resistant for up to two hours, it’s particularly well suited to anyone spending time outdoors.
Verdict: If your skin is sensitive or on the drier side, this is a fantastic option. Although the cream has a richer texture than the other SPFs I’ve tested, it never feels heavy and leaves the skin feeling incredibly comfortable. It layers beautifully under make-up and gives the complexion a healthy, hydrated finish.
SETTING SPRAYS
Setting sprays have become one of the hardest working products in any summer beauty routine, but with so many promising long-lasting wear, hydration and SPF protection, knowing which ones are actually worth buying can be overwhelming. Whether you’re spending the day in the office, heading to a festival or jetting off on holiday, these are the three that earned a permanent place in my beauty bag.
Beauty Editor Tip: If your skin starts looking shiny in the heat, resist the temptation to keep layering powder. Instead, gently blot away excess oil first, then refresh your make-up with a light mist of setting spray. Your skin will look fresher, and your make-up will last much longer.
Garnier Vitamin C Brightening All Over Make-up Mist SPF50+ 75ml, Boots £9.33
If you’ve ever wondered how to re-apply SPF without ruining your make-up, this clever mist is the answer. Designed to be sprayed over your finished make-up, it refreshes the skin while adding an extra layer of SPF50+ protection, making it ideal for long days spent outdoors.
Verdict: This is one of those products that has become a handbag essential. The 75ml bottle is perfect for travelling, festivals or keeping close by during a heatwave, and unlike some facial mists, it never leaves the skin feeling sticky or heavy. It’s one of the easiest ways I’ve found to top up sun protection throughout the day without having to start my make-up all over again.
One/Size On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Setting Spray, Sephora from £18
This setting spray has gained a huge following for its long-lasting, waterproof formula, promising up to 16 hours of wear while helping to control excess shine. Infused with green tea extract and witch hazel, it locks make-up in place without leaving the skin feeling dry or tight.
Verdict: There are plenty of setting sprays that claim to keep your make-up in place, but this is one of the few I’ve tried that genuinely delivers. It’s available in both a travel and full-size bottle, making it just as useful for holidays as it is for everyday wear. Even during the hottest days, my make-up stayed looking fresh for hours, without that uncomfortable, hairspray-like feeling some formulas can leave behind.
Milk Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray 50ml, Sephora £20
Part setting spray, part hydrating mist, Milk’s Hydro Grip has quickly become a favourite amongst beauty lovers for its ability to lock make-up in place while maintaining a fresh, healthy-looking glow. The dual-phase formula helps extend wear without sacrificing radiance, making it ideal if you prefer a more natural finish.
Verdict: This has become one of the most versatile products in my kit. I use it before applying make-up to add hydration, after make-up to lock everything in place, and there’s one extra trick I swear by – spray it directly onto your beauty sponge instead of water before blending foundation. It gives the skin an incredibly fresh, seamless finish that lasts throughout the day.
MAKE-UP
When the temperature rises, less really is more. A heavy full-coverage foundation can quickly feel uncomfortable in the heat, so instead I’ve been reaching for products that offer lightweight coverage, long-lasting wear and effortless application. These are the three that impressed me the most this summer.
Beauty Editor Tip: When temperatures are high, swap full-coverage foundation for a skin tint and use concealer only where you need it. You’ll achieve a fresher, more natural finish that lasts far longer in the heat than if you were layering heavier products.
Pixi H2O SkinTint 35ml, LOOKFANTASTIC £23.40
If you’re not quite ready to give up foundation, but want something lighter during the warmer months, Pixi’s H2O SkinTint strikes the perfect balance. The innovative gel formula delivers breathable, water-resistant coverage that evens out the complexion while allowing your natural skin to shine through. Available in a wide range of shades, it offers a fresh, healthy finish that feels comfortable from morning until late in the evening.
Verdict: This has become my summer alternative to foundation. It gives just enough coverage to blur redness and even out the skin tone without ever feeling heavy or looking cakey. Even on the hottest days, it stayed looking fresh, and I loved that it still let my skin look like skin rather than masking it completely. The shade range is also far more inclusive than many other skin tints I’ve tried.
Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-Eyes Easy Eyeshadow Sticks, Space NK £27
Cream eyeshadows are having a real moment, but finding one that genuinely lasts all day can be difficult. Charlotte Tilbury’s Exagger-Eyes sticks glide effortlessly onto the lids, delivering rich colour that sets quickly into a crease-resistant finish. Available in twelve flattering shades and a variety of finishes, they’re designed to make creating an eye look quick and easy.
Verdict: I’m always sceptical when a product promises to be “crease-proof”, but these eyeshadows won me over. The colour payoff is beautiful, they blend easily before setting, and once they’re in place, they stay put. Best of all, I didn’t feel the need to add powder over the top, making them ideal for quick summer make-up that lasts from day to night.
Violette_FR Plume Lip, Liberty London £32
If heavy matte lipsticks aren’t your thing, Violette_FR’s Plume Lip offers a refreshing alternative. The lightweight gel-cream formula creates a soft-focus finish that delivers bold colour without ever feeling dry or uncomfortable. From wearable nudes to brighter statement shades, there’s a colour to suit every summer look.
Verdict: This product completely changed the way I think about matte lipstick. It gives that effortless, blurred finish that’s become so popular, but without the dry, tight feeling that many matte formulas leave behind. It’s comfortable enough to wear all day and instantly elevates even the simplest summer make-up look.
HAIR
It’s easy to focus solely on protecting your skin during the summer months, but your hair faces many of the same challenges. Exposure to UV, chlorine, and salt water as well as frequent washing can all leave hair feeling dry, faded and lacking shine. These are the products I’ve been reaching for to help keep my hair looking healthy throughout the season.
Beauty Editor Tip: If you’re spending time by the pool or in the sea, rinse your hair with fresh water before swimming. Hair absorbs less chlorinated or salt water when it’s already wet, helping to minimise dryness and colour fade. Bonus points for wearing a hat!
Clara Care Essentials Leave-In UV Protection Spray. £15
Sun protection shouldn’t stop at your skincare routine. This lightweight leave-in conditioner helps shield hair from UV exposure while delivering lasting hydration. The dual-phase formula works to detangle, soften and protect without weighing the hair down, making it a simple addition to your everyday routine.
Verdict: I love products that work hard without feeling heavy, and this conditioner does exactly that. It keeps my hair feeling hydrated, helps smooth any tangles and gives me peace of mind knowing it’s also protecting against sun exposure and heat styling. It’s one of those products that’s easy to overlook, but makes a noticeable difference over the course of the summer.
Osmo Colour Revive Conditioner 225ml, Sally Beauty £16.11
Designed to refresh faded colour in as little as three minutes, this nourishing conditioner helps bring tired-looking hair back to life while leaving it feeling soft and conditioned. Available in 11 shades, the range caters for everything from blondes and brunettes to vibrant reds, coppers and fashion colours, making it easy to find the right match for your hair.
Verdict: As a redhead who colours my hair, this has become one of my summer essentials. Sun, swimming and frequent washing can quickly dull colour, but this conditioner gives it an instant boost between salon appointments. It only takes a few minutes to use, yet the difference in colour and shine is immediately noticeable.
Hair by Sam McKnight ‘Lazy Girl’ Dry Shampoo, LOOKFANTASTIC £26
A good dry shampoo is a summer staple, and this one instantly refreshes hair between washes while leaving it feeling clean, soft and full of movement. Suitable for all hair types and textures, the lightweight formula can be reapplied throughout the day whenever you need a quick refresh.
Verdict: Firstly, it smells incredible. More importantly, it actually works. Unlike many dry shampoos, it doesn’t leave behind a chalky white residue, so hair looks genuinely refreshed rather than powdered. It’s become a permanent fixture in my handbag during festival season and weekends away.
Words: Charli Avery
Cover Image Credits
Photography: Adriana Iaffa
HMUA: Charli Avery using Armani Beauty and Sam McKnight
HMUA Assistant: Freya Davey
Styling: Libby Keizer
Model: Kahaia at Elite Models
All prices accurate at time of posting