Ad – contains affiliate links and press samples – all views are my own
After 10 years of blogging and half a decade in beauty journalism, I can instantly tell which new launches are going to become everyone’s new obsession. I try dozens of products every season, and this summer, it appears that brands have been busier than ever and show absolutely no signs of slowing down.
Throughout July, I have swatched, spritzed and swiped my way through some of the newest industry releases, from glow-boosting cleansers, glowy SPF formulas and summer-ready scents to see which ones are genuinely worth adding to your wishlist – and which you can probably save your money on.
Liz Earle Cleanse & Glow Brightening Cleansing Balm – £30
Liz Earle has long been known for creating gentle, botanical-led skincare, namely, their award-winning Cleanse & Polish, which remains one of the UK’s most-loved cleansers. This month, the brand has expanded its cleansing range with a new balm and is arguably one of its strongest launches yet.
The Cleanse & Glow Brightening Cleansing Balm (£30) is designed to melt away makeup, SPF and daily grime while gently exfoliating dull skin. Its hero ingredients include acerola cherry, which is naturally rich in vitamin C to brighten the complexion, prickly pear seed oil and antioxidant-packed sea buckthorn to help protect skin while boosting radiance by buffing away dead skin cells.
Despite being a die-hard Elemis fan, I’ve really enjoyed using this one. The balm transforms into an oil before emulsifying into a milky cleanser when water is added for a luxe texture that doesn’t leave behind a greasy residue. It removes makeup effortlessly – even stubborn waterproof mascara – leaving skin clean, soft and noticeably brighter. If you love balm cleansers, this is definitely worth trying.
CIROA Bodycare Collection – from £8.95
Australian beauty brand CIROA is fresh on my radar, launching into Boots earlier this year and quickly earning a reputation for creating affordable products that combine skincare ingredients with uplifting fragrances. This month, they debuted two new hero scents across a range of products, including body serums, fragrance mists and a handy Sleek Stick for slick back hair styles.
But what I found particularly interesting is that these products aren’t just the same formula with different scents – they both have different actives to deliver specific results. For example, the Mango & Coconut Body Serum combines niacinamide, mango extract and coconut extract to brighten and deeply hydrate skin, while the Raspberry & Vanilla version uses centella asiatica alongside raspberry and vanilla extracts to soothe and comfort dry or sensitive skin. Both formulas have a lovely lightweight texture that absorbs almost instantly, making them perfect for summer when heavier body creams can feel too much.
The matching Bodycare Mists are equally as lovely and layer really well for greater longevity. They’re ideal for spritzing on holiday, at the gym or throughout the day when you want to freshen up while hydrating the skin.
Finally, I’ve been wearing my hair up more often due to the warmer weather, so the Mango & Coconut Sleek Stick has been a dream for smoothing down flyaways without leaving hair crunchy or greasy. It’s.packed with nourishing oils including argan, avocado and castor oil, and has become something of a handbag essential this summer.
Aveeno Daily Moisturising Comforting Cocoa Vanilla Body Oil Spray – £9.29
Aveeno’s original body oil spray is one of my absolute favourite products for hydrating my dry and sensitive skin. It’s my go-to in summer when wearing shorts or mini dresses to give my legs a glossy look – and this new vanilla version just elevated the experience tenfold.
The lightweight spray combines oat oil and jojoba oil to replenish the skin’s moisture barrier while adding a healthy-looking glow. Despite being an oil, it absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave behind that slippery feeling some body oils can have. The cocoa and vanilla fragrance is nothing short of a dream, offering a warm and comforting scent that lingers on the skin without being too heavy. The spray bottle makes application quick and mess-free which is exactly why it’s going to be coming on holiday with me next month.
Rhode Pocket Bronze – £25
Hailey Bieber has made Rhode one of the most talked-about brands in the business, with many of her products going viral, be it her Glazing Milk or Peptide Lip Treatments. I must admit, I love the Pocket Blushes – so much so I have three shades – so I was genuinely excited when the brand launched Pocket Bronze and purchased the lightest available shade, Pebble, as soon as it was in stock.
The cream bronzer promises buildable warmth in a hydrating, lightweight formula that blends seamlessly into the skin. While the texture is the very same I know and love from the blushers, unfortunately the shade range was a bit of a disappointment.
I had high hopes that Pebble would find itself on the list of pale girl-approved bronzers but it was too deep and too warm for me, which meant I struggled to make it look natural. When I find myself having to work that little bit harder to get a product to do what I want it to do, I simply defer to a different product that doesn’t demand the extra effort.
I really wanted to love this one because the blushes are genuinely great, so hopefully Rhode expands the shade range in future because the formula deserves it.
Bubble Sun Rise Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF30 – £14
Another month, another SPF stick, which appears to be one of the most popular formats this summer, with Dr Jart and Rituals launching similar in recent months. What’s different about Bubble, though, is the sub-£15 price point, making sun protection reapplication more affordable – not to mention a little bit fun, too.
Its new Sun Rise Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF30 taps into the growing trend for portable SPF that can easily be reapplied throughout the day, both under and over makeup. It uses zinc oxide for broad-spectrum protection alongside squalane, aloe vera, shea butter and argan oil, for a smooth and hydrating glide..
It’s perfect for throwing into your handbag, especially during beach days or festivals, and feels like a particularly great option for teens to take out and about this summer holidays.
Naturium Dew-Glow Moisturiser Mineral SPF50
Naturium has nailed the brief when it comes to their new Dew-Glow Moisturiser Mineral SPF50. Unlike some mineral sunscreens that can feel thick and chalky, this one has a lightweight moisturiser texture that blends beautifully into the skin.
It combines high-level sun protection with skincare ingredients including niacinamide and 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid to help brighten uneven skin tone while defending against environmental damage. And the finish is exactly as the name suggests – dewy without looking greasy, sitting well under makeup to leave skin looking healthy and glowy. Consider this also packed in my suitcase.
Rodial Bronzing Glow Drops – £75
Rodial’s new skincare-infused Bronzing Glow Drops are a great addition to summer makeup routines, but something tells me I’m going to be reaching for these year-round, too. The customisable drops can be worn alone, mixed into moisturiser or blended with foundation depending on how much warmth you want and I’m pleased to report that, even applied directly to skin, it’s pale girl-approved.
The formula includes skincare ingredients such as niacinamide, collagen-supporting technology and True Unicorn Root which helps improve the skin’s appearance while providing a natural bronzed look. They’re lightweight and blend well, adding warmth to the skin without looking orange or sparkly. I’ve even found myself adding the drops to my neck and shoulders for a nice cohesive glow.
Rodial Salmon DNA Water Oil – £150
PDRN-powered skincare has been a massive trend this year, so it was only a matter of time before Rodial threw their hat into the ring with its Salmon DNA Water Oil. The bi-phase formula combines polynucleotides (PDRN), RejuveNAD and Epitensive with nourishing oils to support skin regeneration, strengthen the skin barrier and improve elasticity.
After shaking the bottle, the water and oil phases combine into a silky treatment that can be used as a serum, facial oil or mixed into moisturiser. I’ve become slightly obsessed with PDRN skincare this year, and this is one of the most luxurious formulations I’ve tried – which is to be expected for the price. It leaves skin looking plump and radiant, while helping soothe any dehydration or irritation.
And that brings us up to date for the year so far. August is set to bring a sensational setting spray to the market, so be sure to subscribe to beffshuff.com to find out all about it next time.
