Summer is well and truly here, and given the heat and humidity is on the rise, its time to reevaluate the beauty stash.

Here is a line-up of a few summer essentials every girl should have in her beauty bag:

1) Sunscreen

We should be wearing sunscreen whenever we are out, regardless of seasonal changes. Yet in the summer, it becomes imperative.

The summer sun is harsh as it is hot, and we also tend to be outdoors for longer periods of time. Up the SPF!

Remember you need to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours to keep skin safe. Carry sunscreen where ever you go! Click on the below image for more details:

2) Water

Experts recommend 8 glasses of water a day for optimal hydration. The humidity of the UAE summer means we sweat it out even more during this season, and need to up our water intake.

If chugging down plain water sounds too tedious, snack on water-rich fresh fruits like watermelon, drink fresh coconut water.

Carrying watermelons or coconuts in your bag would be pretty challenging, so remember to have a bottle of water handy at all times.

3) Facial Mists

The stress and tiredness of a long day out in the heat really reflects on the face. Facial mists are a God-send for days like these.

I’ve been raving about Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Frankincense Hydrating Facial Mist, and this nifty product has become a staple in my beauty bag. One spritz really brings my tired face back to life.

4) Minimal Makeup

A face loaded with make-up not only looks out of place in the summer, but can clog the pores and won’t allow you to slap on the sunscreen or spritz on the facial mist.

Keep the look clean, fresh and simple. The keyword for summer is ‘fresh’.

Mascara and a bright lipstick are my go-to products for summer. I’ve shared my love for Lush lipsticks with you here, and today I want to introduce you to the brand new No7 Lash Impact Intense Volume Control mascara.

I am very skeptical about trying out new mascaras. Being a contact lens wearer, I’ve suffered from irritated eyes thanks to clumpy formulations.

I was attracted to No7 Lash Impact Intense Volume Control mascara’s sparkly red packaging; very Dorothy of Oz I thought! Although this mascara does not say it is waterproof, I’ve found it lasts me all day without smudging. And it really does deliver on the ‘volume’ side of things; one sweep really lifts the lashes and opens up the eyes, and a second coat gives the false-lash look we all crave. This pretty mascara will look great in your beauty bag, and retails for a mere AED 99 at all Boots Pharmacy stores nationwide.

5) Why bake it when you can fake it?

Achieving bronzed, summer goddess skin does not mean you have to risk lying about in the sun using up bucket-loads of sunscreen and tanning oils.

Tanning beds have also got a bad rapport after studies have found they emit harmful UV rays.

Why bake it when you can fake it? Soap & Glory’s Glow Getter products are your answer.

Apart from having ultra cute retro-style packaging loaded with quirky lines, the Soap & Glory range (available at all Boots Pharmacies nationwide) offers high-quality products at very reasonable rates.

Soap & Glory’s Glow Getter One Night Tanned Instant Beach-Bronze Butter Gel promises to deliver an even, streak-free bronze glow that looks very natural. The product is loaded with Shea and Illipe butters to keep skin moisturized. The product washes off easily with soap and water.

Soap & Glory’s Glow Getter Sun Powder Spray comes in a convenient spray can that allows you to spray on a beautiful bronze tone. The product has a pleasant scent, and can be easily washed off with soap and water.

6) Dry Shampoo

During peak summer days, I have the urge to shampoo my hair every day. Every. Single. Day. However, shampooing daily can really take a toll on the tresses and strip away vital natural oils making the hair dry, brittle and lifeless.

I’ve decided to give my mane a break and only reach out for the shampoo bottle 3 to 4 times a week tops.

In the interim, dry shampoo is a savior for limp, oily summer hair. Just a few spritz onto the scalp followed by a rigorous rub-down with a towel refreshes the tresses like they’ve just been shampooed, and even adds volume.

My current favorite is the TRESemme Instant Refresh Dry Shampoo. The product has a refreshingly light floral scent and is super easy to use.