Beauty tips: Summer beauty favourites

Here are some products I’ve had an opportunity to test and enjoy recently.

India Hicks Island Living Spider Lily Body Polish. In April, I met India Hicks at the Canadian Fragrance Awards. A creative partner to Crabtree & Evelyn who lives in the Bahamas, Hicks is a model and an author (her lifestyle/decor books are dreamy gorgeous) and the mother of four children.  She had just run the London marathon (and not for the first time) to raise money for Whizz Kids, a UK charity that supports disabled young people. Immaculate graciousness does not begin to describe Ms. Hicks (but then, she has serious British pedigree). I spoke with her but briefly, but she left an impression. When I got home I remembered that Crabtree had treated me to a tube of this body polish. I cracked it open, and am now addicted. It has grapefruit peel and avocado, and  leaves a wonderful tropical/citrus slightly heady fragrance, but appropriately faint for hot weather. It’s also paraben– and sodium-lauryl free. $27

Lancôme The Star Bronzer Compact Tanning Powder. How cool’the compact powder emulates waves of sand. It has a touch of gold (not so much to scare me away) and used with a light hand it evens out the complexion in summer with a little illumination. $46.  Also loving Lancôme Sôleil Reconfort After Sun face cream (when you’ve overdone it a little, it’s perfection for soothing). $33.

Ombrelle SPF 45 Face. Non-greasy and fragrance- and colorant-free, this lotion in a handy flip-top tube provides high protection without leaving a film or irritating my skin‘I’ve been using it  when I know I’m going to be driving in the car for a distance. Because you can feel that sun wrecking your skin through the car window. $17.

What’s your must-have beauty item this summer?