As the summer months hurtle nearer, consider getting on top of your body prep now to avoid a last-minute panic. To help fast-track your endeavours I caught up with a few of London’s best beauty pros to crowdsource their secrets for a smooth transition into shorts, sandals and swimmers season.
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Caroline Hirons
Skin expert and founder of Skin Rocks
Fresh does some of the best body products of all time and the Sugar Lemon Body Lotion (£30, fresh.com) is sunshine in a bottle. By Terry Tea to Tan Face & Body (£59, spacenk.com) is fantastic too, because I can’t ever be bothered to wait for tan to develop. Spritz it on and everyone will ask if you have been away.
That said, I take care of my feet and limbs all year round. Why wait for summer? A full pedicure, including feet filing, is a non-negotiable. No one wants to see frightening trotters. And my ultimate summer hack? Using an antioxidant serum alongside your daily SPF will give you even more protection against UV-induced damage — Skin Rocks The Antioxidant (£75, skinrocks.com) is clinically proven to do so. The glow you’ll get is an added bonus.
Melanie Grant
Skin guru and founder of Melanie Grant London Studios
Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 Corps (£151, embassyofbeauty.co.uk) is the essential step in my summer routine. An acid-based toner, it handles the heavy lifting of exfoliation, brightening and refining skin texture and tone as well as preventing ingrown hairs. I spritz it all over my body every other night before applying my lotion. Talking of which, the Tronque Triple Active Body Milk (£114, harveynichols.com) is peerless for those needing nourishment. Its high-potency actives hydrate, plump, brighten and smooth.
And because an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, sunscreen is always at the top of my list. Augustinus Bader The Solar Shield SPF 50 (£120, augustinusbader.com) improves skin elasticity, tone and texture while it protects the body. A true multi-tasker!
Michaella Bolder
Skin expert and founder of The Bolder Movement
My top summer prep tip is to book a pedicure with Milly Mason at the Dorchester (£300, dorchestercollection.com). Nothing makes me happier than smooth, soft feet, and French-pedicured toes are a must to be sandal-ready.
I revive my dull, winter skin with a brisk dry body brush, or Estrid The Essential Exfoliant (£7.95, boots.com) used two to three times a week, but it’s a fresh layer of self tan at the start of the season that gives me the confidence to bring out my summer wardrobe again. Begin with a light formula like St Tropez Gradual Tan (£18, cultbeauty.co.uk). I then book
in with Natali Kelly for an EmSculpt treatment (natalikelly.com) and head to 111Cryo (111harleystreet.com) to reduce inflammation and puffiness.
Milly Mason
A-list pedicurist and beauty expert
Get your summer pedicures now rather than waiting for the first sunny weekend. After months hidden away in boots and socks, our feet are often dehydrated and rough so, realistically, it can take two to three appointments to get them sandal-ready. At home, use the LCN 10% Urea Foot Mask (£7.40, lcnuk.co.uk) daily to keep them feeling super-smooth.
Treatment-wise, I cannot recommend Michaella Bolder enough. Her deep tissue and lymphatic drainage treatments (£350, michaellabolder.com) leave the body toned, sculpted and feeling energised. When it comes to body creams, Acqua di Parma Rosa Nobile (£93, acquadiparma.com) is my favourite. It smells incredible and leaves skin velvety-soft. Clarins Tonic Sugar Polisher (£39, clarins.co.uk), meanwhile, works beautifully to exfoliate and nourish skin. It’s 10/10.
Nichola Joss
A-list facialist and founder of Nichola Joss Clinics
Self Glow by James Read Sunblush Hydrating Tan Mist (£39, jamesreadglow.com) is so easy to use, offering a luxe finish and fabulous colour. And I always travel with Mauli Body Stimulating Duo (£94, maulirituals.com). The tool boosts circulation and lymphatic drainage to tighten and brighten, while the oil leaves skin feeling nourished.
To improve muscle tone and sculpt limbs I recommend my full-body contouring massage (nicholajoss.com). It’s a great reset and can be maintained at home. Sarah Bradden is a must-see, too. Her Bradden Method Treatment (£545, sarahbradden.com) calms the nervous system, reduces inflammation and restores balance across your hormones, circulation, lymphatic flow and skin health. It’s the perfect way to kickstart summer!
Flavia Morellato
Lymphatic drainage specialist and founder of the Flavia Morellato clinic
At this time of year I advise that my clients focus on circulation and lymphatic flow over aesthetics. After winter, bodies tend to retain more fluid and feel heavier, while skin can look dull. Daily movement, dry brushing, hydration, magnesium and lymphatic drainage can all transform how the body looks and feels. Spend time walking and stimulating the circulation rather than starting any restrictive “beach body” diets.
On my bathroom shelf? Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil (£84, fruugo.co.uk), which leaves you with beautiful, glowing skin, and Harrogate Organics Magnesium Oil Spray (£19.51, harrogateorganics.co.uk) to improve circulation and muscle recovery. Last but not least, This Works Perfect Cleavage & Neck Serum (£45, thisworks.com) brightens your décolletage.
