The gloss brigade

Look your best under the harsh light of a hot day. Photo / Babiche Martens

Look your best under the harsh light of a hot day, with glowing skin and healthy hair. Protect and nourish to beat the drying effects of hot weather.

We've chosen a range of products to help keep you looking smooth and supple, with an emphasis on oils, one of the better warm weather ways to lock in moisture for smooth, supple conditioning. We've looked beyond widely available staples like Bio-Oil to some refined plant-based products, with emollient qualities to keep skin in tip-top condition.

1 Antipodes Organic Heavenly Massage Oil $50

Containing oil from an average of five avocados in each bottle, plus macadamia and jojoba bean extracts, this New Zealand-made treat is fragranced with lavender, rosewood, ylang ylang and jasmine. Company founder Elizabeth Barbalich says: "Body oil is pure skin adoration because oil has the ability to permeate the epidermal layer, carrying across the essential vitamins and minerals."

She recommends it to improve scars, heal sun damage and reduce age spots, saying avocado oil is rich in the plant compounds phytosterols that help regeneration.

A non-organic version of the Heavenly Body Oil retails at $39 and is available online at www.antipodesnature.com (The organic oil is a retail only product, from leading pharmacies, health food stores and department stores.)

2 Dr Hauschka Almond St John's Wort Body Oil $44

To soothe dry and sensitive skin, organic almond oil combines with calming St John's Wort extracts in a marzipan-fragrant oil that is ideal for massage. The Lemongrass Body Oil is recommended for firming skin prone to cellulite. (From health stores and selected pharmacy and department stores. Stockists, 0508 423 737).

3 Estee Lauder Sensuous Sheer Body Oil $94

This fine oil sprays on lightly to infuse the skin with one of 2008's top scents and leave it subtly glossy. An indulgent treat for fans of Sensuous in the same handsome rose-gold capped bottle as the eau de toilette. A tub of body cream ($125) and perfumes also extend the range. (From selected Estee Lauder counters.)

4 Gatineau Vital Feeling Regenerating Beauty Oil for the Body $72

With a light uplifting fragrance, this grapeseed-rich oil is designed to spray on for all over massage. Has the bonus of being non-greasy so you can dress immediately after indulging. How very French - from the company that pioneered slimming creams. (For salon stockists call toll free on 0508 776 232.)

5 This Works: Skin Deep Dry Leg Oil $100

Developed by former Vogue beauty director Kathy Phillips, and picked by several international magazines as a best beauty buy, this oil is plant-based. It's ideal for dry rough skin. Smells great, with rose notes most evident. (From Mecca Cosmetica, Ponsonby Rd. www.meccacosmetica.co.nz.)

6 Bobbi Brown Shimmering Body Oil $65

Essential oils moisturise while pink and platinum pearls give a glow to skin. A new Bobbi Brown scent, Bobbi's Party, lingers lightly. (From Bobbi Brown counters.)

7 Invisible Zinc Face + Body Sunscreen SPF30 $24.95

Elle Macpherson has lent The Body to this product line, saying she wished she'd had it to use in her youth before sun damage was done. It's high-protection, broad-spectrum with a light feel and comes in a moisturising facial version too. (From pharmacies and department stores.)

8 Clarins Total Body Lift $91

Stubborn sponginess is the target of this rich cream-gel from Clarins, which has a whole range of body firming potions. This contains caffeine and plant extracts to tighten and smooth skin while moisturising. Feels firming, but the self-massage "body contouring method" requires the sort of dedication foreign to us New Zealand women, so I can't say I've followed the regime thoroughly enough to banish all my wobbly bits. (From Clarins counters and selected salons.)

*French ranges specialise in body creams, there's also Lancome's Sculpturale and various salon brands available.

9 Le Tan Fast Tan Le Tan in Le Can $20.99

Nothing beats a healthy tan for an instant hit of summer and faux is the fastest - and safest - way to go. This old favourite range is Australian (despite the cod-French name) and we should give our Aussie cousins credit in the sun stakes. Le Tan delivers a fine spray in a streak-free fast dry formula, infused with vitamin E and with a light vanilla fragrance. Just the ticket then for an economical quick tan if you're confident air-brushing yourself. If not, the trusty Fast Tan formula comes in a rub-on cream. (From selected pharmacies and supermarkets.)

10 Nivea My Silhouette Body Refining Gel Cream $15.09

One of the first mass-market versions of a firming cream available here, this is an affordable way to test if you're likely to persevere with the recommended once or twice daily application. Contains white tea and anise extract and something called a Bio-Slim Complex. Smells nicely energising, which you'll appreciate given results are said to take four weeks of work on hips, thighs and waist. (From bigger supermarkets and pharmacies.)

11 Za Wonder Shaper Body Shaping Essence $22.50

Another budget option for shaping from the range owned by Shiseido. Contains caffeine and capsicum, plus Vitamin E. Light and soothing, but smells a tad medicinal. (Department stores and selected pharmacies.)

12 Oasis Sun SPF30 Travel size $16.80 (full size $38.50)

This New Zealand developed sunblock contains specially coated zinc oxide to guard against particles absorption into the skin. Used on Everest and endorsed by international mountain guide Marty Schmidt. Its non-greasy formula also suits our outdoors. (Available online at www.oasisbeauty.co.nz)

13 Joico Design Collection Humidity Blocker $31.50

Finishing coat to fight frizz and lock out humidity. It's more of a hair spray than a coating mist so gives decent control. (For stockists ph 0800 456 426.)

14 Kerastase Soliel Bain Apres Soliel $36

Shampoo after sun and salt with this nourishing product designed to eliminate build-up and strengthen hair, while leaving it soft and preserving colour. The Soliel range includes conditioner, mask and protective sprays and is a summer release from this month. (Salons stocking Kerastase and selected shampoo shops.)

15 The Body Shop Spa Wisdom.Polynesia Monoi Body Balm $44

With Samoan-sourced coconut oil, but not overwhelmingly smelling of the stuff, this body balm is a rich cream that's new in store. The Spa Wisdom range draws on the Pacific, Morocco and Asia for inspiration and has plenty of skin soothing items on offer. (At The Body Shop from Monday.)

16 Vani-T Bronzing Custard $45.85

This is a gradual tanning moisturiser from an Aussie company that uses natural ingredients, including plant oils. The tropical smell is thanks to coconut, vanilla and pink orchid. Builds nicely to a warm glow, but you can control the depth of colour by applying top-up daily or every other day. Liquid Sun Velocity is a one-hour fast version. (For stockists call toll free on 0508 776 232.)

17 L'Oreal Professionel Solar Sublime Advanced Protection Conditioning Spray $29

A light spray that adds a protective film to hair, while leaving it shiny and feeling supple. A sleek option to add a touch of control and coverage from a range for summer. (From selected salons and shampoo shops.)