You have probably said or heard this a hundred times, but IT’S HOT! Right now, wearing make-up is the last thing on my mind, so all my focus has been on body and hair products to feel my freshest self. Here are some of my current favourites that are keeping me clean and smelling good.
1. Hask shampoo and conditioner
I often change shampoos because I can’t help but try out new things, but I might just stick with this brand for a while. It’s sulphate and paraben-free (just FYI, this doesn’t always mean it’s a great ‘natural’ product), and has variants for different hair types. Hask is surprisingly cheap compared to other sulphate-free brands and I bought mine in a chain supermarket, so it’s very accessible. The shampoo doesn’t strip my hair but still cleanses very well. The conditioner is light so doesn’t weigh down my thin hair or leave any residue on it. I’m left with soft, easy-to-manage hair, thanks to this no-frills combo.
2. Lush Plum Rain shower gel
When I first saw this dark, purple gel, I expected it to have a rich, musky smell. But I was very surprised to find that this smells like how biting into a juicy sour fruit would taste. It’s super energising and perfect for a refreshing shower when you get back home from work. The zingy scent comes from fresh plum juice, umeboshi (ickled ume fruits) infusion and mandarin oil — yum! I literally had to stop myself from tasting the gel the first time I used this product.
3. FarmHouse Fresh Agave Nectar body oil
Body lotion during summer nights is a no-go for me. Even with the A/C on high, it’s just too sticky. To prevent lizard-dry skin, my go-to moisturiser is this nifty little oil. After rinsing off the soap during a shower, I slather a few pumps of this oil over my whole body. When it mixes with water it turns into a milky white liquid and rinses off without leaving a thick oily residue. There will still be a bit of oiliness, but it’s tolerable.
4. Burberry Brit Sheer
Fresh and light is what I look for in a summer perfume and this one is spot on. It features notes such mandarin, peony and white musk. While this doesn’t make for a complex or unique blend, it’s still a winner and is something I reach for regularly. If I want to turn the scent into something special, I combine it with a few sprays of a cheap summer favourite, Bath and Body Works body mist in Hello Beautiful.
