Summer is fast approaching. Do the thought of sleeveless tops, cropped trousers and open-toed sandals fill you with dread? It is time to shed your winter coat and face the fact that in the very near future you will have to expose yourself to direct sunlight. But fear not! We have whittled down your summer beauty needs to the following 4 pieces of essential kit that will transform you from hairy mammoth to glowing goddess.
Epilator
Forget shaving, waxing and expensive trips to the beauty salon. Invest in a good epilator. You can use it at home, it is not messy, it does not require water or shaving cream and because epilators remove hair from the root, the results last longer than shaving. It is a one off investment that is re-usable and portable. We like the Philips SatinSoft Epilator. Its is cordless and can be used wet and dry. And at it costs less than two trips to the salon. (Argos €67.69 - price correct 10/04/2013)
Micro-Pedi
The shops are full of gorgeous wedges and sandals at the moment so don't forget to groom your feet. Hard, dry, cracked skin on your feet looks dreadful so tackle it with this year's must have beauty gadget - a hard skin remover. Our favourite is the Emjoi Micro-Pedi by Lifes2good.ie. It is cordless, portable, easy to use and gets amazing results. And don't forget to do your significant other's feet too! Priced at only €39.95, it is definitely a bargain.
Exfoliating Mitts
Nothing beats clean, glowing skin. Exfoliating mitts deeply exfoliate your skin by gently lifting and removing dead, dry skin cells using only soap and water. Keep a pair in your bathroom and scrub your face and body every time you bath or shower. They are cheap and reusable and very effective. We love these mitts by Soap & Glory, available in Boots for only €5. Alternatively, you can pick up a decent pair in Penneys for €1.50.
Self-Tanning Body Lotion
Now that you have achieved smooth, hairless, baby soft skin, its time to think about adding some moisture and glow. We love Dove Summer Glow, for Fair to Medium skin. It is an all-in-one moisturiser and self-tan lotion. Apply all over after your bath or shower. It gives a nice light golden colour, but you won't be orange. When applied it has a thick creamy texture but smooths and thins out evenly leaving your skin feeling beautifully soft and doesn't leave patches or streaks when the colour develops. Dove have also managed to get rid of that nasty self-tan smell. It normally retails at €6.32, but it is half price in Tesco (€3.16) until 07/05/13.
