Expert reviews: Holiday beauty must-haves

We’re only a few days away from holidays, which means we’ll be stocking up on the products that’ll see us through to 2017 in one piece.

In this month’s expert reviews, find out what bh’s Rosie uses to fend off summer sweat, discover how bh’s Steph keeps her pucker oh so supple, read up on bh’s Beth’s latest body oil addiction, and find out the secret to bh’s Michelle’s perfect blonde hue.

Make room in your luggage for these holiday beauty must-haves, as recommended by us.

NIVEA Protect & Care Anti-Perspirant Aerosol

bh’s Rosie says:
Aerosol deodorants have always been my go-to for keeping sweat at bay. I find they provide better protection than roll-ons, which tend to leave my underarms feeling wet and sticky. This NIVEA aerosol is perfect for helping my skin feel immediately dry after applying, while feeling moisturised throughout the day. Due to its 48-hour antiperspirant protection, I don’t have to worry about sweat or smells creeping up throughout the day, so I can get on with my day without a worry! Also, I have sensitive skin, so the soothing formula is a dream for keeping my skin irritation-free. I’d recommend this deodorant for anyone who wants to feel dry and protected all day long, without having to reapply throughout the day.

Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Lipstick

bh’s Steph says:
With recent weather changes, I’ve been diligently applying lip balm to make sure my prone-to-dryness lips don’t dry out or crack – which unfortunately means I’ve had to sacrifice on using lipstick. That’s why I was really excited when the Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Lipstick landed on my desk. This formula contains beeswax, moringa oil and raspberry seed oil which claim to keep the lips moisturised, soft and conditioned, which I must say I agree with! This lipstick provides a great wash of colour while feeling really lightweight and nourishing. It’s a great lip product for summer, when you don’t want anything that feels too heavy. I have the shade 501 Blush Basin which is a great neutral shade with a soft coral hue. It’s a ‘my lips but better’ colour you can apply on the go, without having to worry about precision. While this lipstick doesn’t provide the longest wear, the comfortable and hydrating formula is so worth it. This goodie is going straight into my handbag so I’ll always have it on hand for moisture and great colour throughout the warmer months!

Scott Cornwall Colour Restore Iced Platinum

bh’s Michelle says:
I regularly use toning shampoo and conditioner but had never tried a dedicated toner before now – and frankly, I was a bit apprehensive. Would it take my hair from Debbie Harry to Dame Edna? The instruction booklet was a little vague, too: apply a “small amount” to shampooed and towel-dried hair, it said. Small?! Are we talking golf-ball-small or 10-cent-piece-small? In the end, I went somewhere in between, focusing on working it into my hairline and regrowth area, which show brassiness the most. You can leave it on for up to 20 minutes, but I got distracted answering emails, and left it on for half an hour. Thankfully the result was not a shade of lavender, just a beautifully revived blonde. The photo above was taken two days later and as you can see, no brassiness had crept back in – plus it helped to blend my regrowth, too. I’ll definitely be using Colour Restore again, and am pretty sure it will help me stretch an extra week or two between my salon colour appointments, which is a major bonus!

Redwin Perfect Naturals: Coconut Body Oil

bh’s Beth says:
I am a huge fan of using coconut oil on my skin, but I've only ever used pure coconut oil straight out of the jar. Redwin's version contains the coconut oil ingredient I know and love, plus other nourishing ingredients including jojoba oil, sunflower oil and shea butter – so I was excited to give it a go! The formula absorbs really quickly and easily, especially if I use it straight after I get out of shower. After some experimentation, I found seven-eight pumps was all my entire body needed to stay soft and hydrated all day – impressive! If you ask me, body oil is much more intensive than basic body lotion, so well worth a try if you have dry skin. I've also used the oil on my hair to help smooth frizz and can confirm it's very effective. Just make sure you focus on the ends of your strands only, as it can make hair closer to the roots look a little greasy! If I had to find a fault, I would say the coconut scent is fairly strong (I'm really sensitive to fragrance, so I would have preferred a slightly subtler one). Also, while it is easier to apply than coconut oil from a jar, the pump can splutter a bit, so I recommend pumping it into the palm of your hand before applying to your body, to avoid making a mess. Alternatively, you can pop the bottle in the fridge for a few minutes. This will give the liquid formula more of a mousse consistency, which is less messy to pump and just as easy to apply!

What products are on your holiday must-have list?