KEY POINTS:
If travelling, go light, and if you're stuck at home relax and revive. And let's hope for warm weather this weekend, rather than the traditional last blast of cool, so that we can really get in the summer mood early.
1 Australis Nail Colour in Summer Lovin $9.90
A cheery coral pink for your toes from a big range of colours. Keep your fingernails natural for low maintenance holidaying, but it's fun to play with colour on toenails with this bargain polish you can take along for touchups.
From Farmers, K Mart, Postie Plus and selected pharmacies.
2 Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunblock SPF 70 $22.95
Of course you need a sunblock, this one is good for the whole family, has a high SPF rating and sprays on easily with a non-greasy mist of block. Whatever you use, make sure it's broad spectrum, waterproof if you need it, and hasn't been sitting around for years losing its effectiveness.
From pharmacies and supermarkets.
3 Olay Touch of Sun $10.99
Make sure your legs don't look too pasty white if you're casting off the layers. The easiest and safest way is with a little help from a bottle. This is a well-priced body moisturiser with vitamin E that adds a light touch of colour which builds up over several days' use and goes on smoothly, without the strange smell of some self-tanning products. In light and darker tones. The facial version (at $16.99) has an SPF 15. Available from leading pharmacies and supermarkets.
4 Redken Real Control Intense Renewal super moisturising masque $44
If your hair is looking a bit worse for wear, check out some of the new masques and leave-in serums. Redken and other leading brands have developed ranges that expand the normal shampoo, conditioner and styling sprays into targeted treatments. This one works best on dense, dry, sensitised hair, so if yours has taken a hammering, this will help restore moisture and shine.
From salons and specialist hair product outlets stocking Redken.
5 Nads Natural Hair Removal Gel $19.99
If you're not into shaving and don't have time for a waxing appointment but want your legs silky smooth, try this easy-to-use gel which melts with body heat and washes away in water. Each pack contains 24 reusable strips that you smooth over the gel then pull off to whip those hairs away - akin to waxing. Developed in Australia by a mother for her daughter who had sensitive skin, Nads is now sold worldwide and comes in packs for bikini and facial hair too. Viva's tester found the gel somewhat tacky to apply, but a breeze to remove - along with the unwanted hair.
From supermarkets, pharmacies, Farmers and Kmart.
6 Elizabeth Arden Bronzing Beauty Kit for Face and Eyes $75
Made to travel, this lightweight fold-out kit contains pretty much all you'll need on the go. There's a bronzer, a blusher and four natural tones for the eyes. Throw in a lippy and you're away.
From Elizabeth Arden counters for a limited time.
