Our Summer State of Mind series focuses on that free, easy-going mentality of summer – we're refusing to pack comparison culture (think: unattainable body ideals or out-of-reach jet set lifestyles). Instead, we’re shining a spotlight on different perspectives and the way we bring summer sentiment into the everyday – from the people you spend time with and the music you play, to the lightweight formulas you lather and fresh scents you spritz. After all, summer is a mindset, not just a season. Here, Team Cult Beauty (including some of our brand founders) share our confidence-boosting beauty essentials that evoke the sentiment of summer for us.Who’s ready for summer? Us too! But what the lighter months means to us might not be the same as to what they mean to you... From cityscapes to countryside, home or abroad, summer is what you make it – whether you’re exploring sun-soaked shores, meeting friends in a packed beer garden or making a splash at your local lido (or back garden paddling pool).
More than just your location though, there’s many other ways to evoke the sentiment of summer. We’re talking: the skin care you slather on, the make up in your beauty bag, the scent you spritz and so much more. And that’s where our Summer Shop and its range of confidence-boosting staples comes into play (more on this later!).
But before we dive into our range of empowering beauty favourites that will instantly transport you to your dream destination, we want to make sure that our message is clear: summer is a mindset, not just a season. No matter if you’re jetting off to paradise or *trying* to soak up the sun (read: clouds) on your city-based balcony, we’re here to help you step into summer – your way.
How? Let’s start with what we’re *not* packing: comparison culture, unattainable body ideals, out-of-reach jet set lifestyles. Of course, we’re still firm in our belief that no body needs to be ‘tweaked’ to be beautiful. This summer, we’re staying true to our Can’t (Re)Touch This values, committing to never retouch or alter a model's appearance on our in-house imagery. This means you’re able to trust that the skin, hair and bodies you see on our site (and our socials!) are reflective of what’s really there — in all of their beautiful, unretouched glory.
So, let’s get to it! We’ve recruited some familiar faces (including some of our brand founders) to find out what uplifting essentials they’ll be packing in their carry-on case to serve up those easy-going summer feelings.
Ready? Summer starts here...
The first product Team CB are reaching for? Gisou's Honey Infused Lip Oil. A sumptuously scented lacquer, it’s not-so-secret ingredient is the brand’s signature Mirsalehi Honey that’s rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants. Bursting with hydrating hyaluronic acid to give your lips a barrier boost, it’s ideal for parched pouts. You only need to hear the brand founder Negin Mirsalehi's words of praise to add this to your summer rotation…
“Wherever I go, I always take the Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil and Lip Oil with me. They’re my ultimate confidence-boosting essentials year-round to glow, especially during summer, because they keep my hair and lips hydrated and shiny. As a final touch, the Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume is another must-have when the weather gets warmer – it refreshes my hair with the irresistible Gisou signature scent! Last but not least, I always have a good SPF, a cute hat, a hair clip, a hair brush and my water bottle to stay hydrated from the inside out.” – Negin Mirsalehi, Gisou FounderSHOP ALL GISOU >>> One swipe of Sol de Janeiro's Brazilian Bum Bum Cream and prepare to be whisked away to the sandy shores of Rio. Blissfully scented with notes of pistachio, salted caramel and vanilla, this moisturising miracle also boasts a blend of nourishing cupuaçu butter, antioxidant-rich açaí and conditioning coconut oil to tighten and firm skin.
“Nothing quite says 'summer' for me like Sol de Janeiro's Brazilian Bum Bum Cream. Not only does the name itself evoke feelings of body (and booty!) confidence, but the delicious scent literally wraps my skin in summer vibes. Hopping out of an Everything Shower and slathering my skin in this rich cream offers a real moment of luxe (but purse-friendly) self care, and the confidence-boosting benefits don't end there as this scent lingers all day long, wafting sweet notes with every move, especially when layered with the Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 62 Mist.” –Jade, Senior Copywriter
SHOP ALL SOL DE JANEIRO >>>Sun not sunning? Not all summer scenarios include sunshine (do you live in England too?), so why not faux a glowand warm up your complexion with Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Hue Drops? Calling on brightening niacinamide, hydrating hyaluronic acid and soothing watermelon extract, this tinted serum not only cares for complexions, but deposits a sun-kissed wash of colour – AKA it boosts your bronze in minutes... There’s no second-guesses as to why this is a must-have. Here's what Leah, our Senior Social Media Creative, has to say..."If you love dew drops (who doesn't?!) then you will love these – they’re perfect for summer! They add a gorgeous glow while helping with texture thanks to the infusion of skin-loving niacinamide. Overall, they’re lovely to wear for an instant glow." – Leah, Senior Social Media CreativeSHOP ALL GLOW RECIPE >>>Another Team CB confidence-boosting essential? Cue: Color Wow’s Pop & Lock High Gloss Finish. Combining the conditioning benefits of an oil with the shine power of a serum, this sparkling formula is infused with humectant oils to help restore elasticity and suppleness for silkier, healthier tresses. Wondering why it’s one of our staples? Kirsty, our PPC Executive, explains:
"I cannot live without the Colour Wow Pop & Lock High Gloss! The serum-like formula is perfect for taming locks, especially during hot and humid weather – it’s my go-to travel companion on holiday. It controls flyaways, enhances colour and smells amazing. It’s my favourite product from my hair care routine!" – Kirsty, PPC ExecutiveSHOP ALL COLOR WOW >>>Offering broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, Gun Ana's UV Stick SPF 50 keeps your complexion shielded – whether you’re working by a window or exploring the great outdoors. Formulated with barrier-boosting oils and moisture-locking butters (like rosehip, wheat germ, oat oils and shea butter), it keeps your skin hydrated, nourished and balanced throughout the day. Simply pop in your bag and whip out whenever the sun decides to shine (or your two hours of wear have passed). “At Gun Ana, we believe in packing smart for summer. Our Face Cream SPF 50 is a given as we use this every day, all year round, and it’s perfect for all-day sun protection. We apply the Body Mist SPF 50 every morning to make sure we have good protection and it helps to hydrate the skin as well for that glowing summer look! We’re also in love with the texture of our Body Repair Serum and the gorgeous cooling effect it leaves on the skin. For us, confidence means using a more minimalistic routine while focusing on skin health during sunny summer days!”– Kajsa Regnér and Sigrid Osvald, Gun Ana Founders
SHOP ALL GUN ANA >>>It should come as no surprise that Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream has made the cut as one of our confidence-boosting summer essentials. The warm weather and increased humidity are famous for being rough on the skin (think: dehydration, increased water loss, sweating, clogged pores – the list goes on…) so keeping complexions happy and hydrated is essential. This dew-boosting moisturiser is packed with squalane and glacial glycoprotein to leave your complexion nourished and soothed as our Senior Designer, Elise, tells all:“My skin is so dry and reactive that I gravitate towards thicker moisturisers to counteract the flakiness. In the summer though, the Ultra Facial Cream is always in my travel bag. It’s much more lightweight but equally as hydrating as any of my winter moisturisers. I also know that if I react to anything, especially while I'm on holiday, this is a tried-and-tested remedy to calm and soothe my skin.” – Elise, Senior Designer
SHOP ALL KIEHL’S >>>And there you have it! No matter how you’re enjoying the lighter days, we hope these beauty products help elicit feel-good feelings of summer... whatever that means to you.SHOP ALL SUMMER BEAUTY >>> 
