Post summer soothers (From Dudley News)

Post summer soothers

7:00am Saturday 1st September 2012 in NewsXtra

Feeling sun frazzled? Lisa Haynes reveals the top 10 products for your recovery routine.

 

It was the syndrome that swept the nation in the wake of London 2012, coined 'POD'.

But if you thought Post Olympic Depression was bad, wait for the Post Summer Blues. After a jam-packed few months of national events, holidays and endless celebrations, the sun will soon be setting on the summer.

But whereas POD is all about gold medal withdrawals, the Post Summer Blues have physical symptoms: frazzled hair, sun-stressed skin and a rapidly-fading tan.

"Exposure from the sun and UV rays can deeply damage the skin and hair, which is why it is so important to pay extra attention to your routine after sun exposure," says Edwige Aboudaram, brand manager for Kae Argatherapy.

If you haven't already started feeling the after-effects, take action now. The beauty shelves offer a range of remedies to maintain your summer glow right through to autumn.

Your Post Summer Blues beauty rehab starts here.

:: Glow extender

Prolong your summer glow - and enhance it - with Famous Dave's Gradual 10 Self Tanner And Tan Extender. Ingredients like aloe vera, cocoa butter and vitamins A and E keep your skin blissfully hydrated while the touch of self-tan builds up a natural-looking glow that will keep everyone guessing, £17.99 (Boots/Superdrug).

:: Pigment perfector

Excess sun exposure can result in uneven skin tone, brown spots and dark patches. Undo the damage with Skinceuticals Pigment Regulator. This corrective serum breaks up and removes melanin clusters on the skin's surface, reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation, £79 (056 0314 1956). For a more affordable option, try Garnier's new Dark Spot Corrector Daily Illuminating Moisturizer, £9.99 (nationwide).

:: Masque miracle

If your hair is feeling rough around the edges after too much sun, sea and sand, try Aveda's Dry Remedy Masque. Used once or twice a week, this intensive moisturising treatment will soon restore sun-overdosed tresses back to their soft and sleek best, £23.50 (0870 034 2380/www.aveda.co.uk).

:: First aider

Ouchy red bits to contend with? If you haven't long unpacked your suitcase, soothe sunburnt skin with First Aid Beauty's Aloe Plus Soothing Gel. The aloe calms and comforts while the borage oil reduces irritation and inflammation, £14 (Boots).

:: Bronze beauty

Shhh, nobody needs to know if you spent your holiday in rainy Bognor rather than sun-soaked Bali with Lancaster's Adjustable Tan Glow. Like sunshine in a tube, the fake-tan-free moisturiser adjusts to the colour of your skin and simultaneously stimulates melanin production to heighten your natural tan, £20 (www.selfridges.com).

:: Hair hero

Give sun-distressed locks the kiss of life lathering up with Naked's Rescue Intensive Care Shampoo and Conditioner. Dry, frizzy and dehydrated hair will drink up the shea nut butter and sweet almond and sunflower oil ingredient, £4.19 each (Boots).

:: Post-summer smoothie

Keep your suntan fresh and glowy, rather than flaky and patchy, with regular exfoliation. Remove dead skin cells with Kae Argatherapy's holiday-inspired Savon Noir Black Soap, £20, and Exfoliating Hammam Glove, £8.50 (020 7016 7705/www.kae-argatherapie.co.uk).

:: Mask magic

If your face is looking more sun-ravaged than summer goddess, try Kanebo's Sensai Silky Bronze Soothing After Sun Masks. This luxurious 10-minute treatment promises to deeply hydrate and restore suppleness while prolonging your golden glow, £75 for eight sheets (www.harrods.com).

Tried & tested

Now the Olympic tears have dried, get lashes worthy of a gold medal. Our testers maximise their eyelashes with three volumising products:

:: Max Factor False Lash Effect 24 Hours Mascara, £11.99 (Boots/Superdrug)

The spiky fat brush separated my lashes but I found it difficult to apply to the corners. After two coats, the final effect wasn't quite dramatic enough for me.

3/5

:: No7 Fanomenal Lashes Mascara, £12.95 (Boots)

This small twisty star brush looks messy and the formula looks dry but the clever cogs deliver. My lashes are lengthened and separated for an exaggerated but clean finish.

4/5

:: Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara, £17 (0870 034 2566/www.clinique.co.uk)

One coat packs a punch but after two coats I'm into false lash territory. Fat tube, fat spiky brush, resulting in fat lashes. At last, a mascara that delivers the wow factor.

5/5

Buy it now

With Julia Roberts as its face, Lancome's new fragrance La Vie Est Belle is sure to fly off the shelves. The feminine iris scent is priced from £39 for eau de parfum, available exclusively at www.selfridges.com now and nationwide from September 1.

Beauty bulletin

:: Gold rush

Jessica Ennis and co have sparked a trend for gold nail varnish. QVC saw sales of the metallic shade increase 500% above average in the wake of London 2012, as customers replicate their favourite sporting stars' looks. The retailer's Nails Inc 3-piece Liquid Metal Collection (£21.27) has seen the highest spike with sales increasing fivefold since Ennis was seen matching her gold manicure to her medal.

:: Recessionista alert

Benefit are celebrating the first birthday of best-selling They're Real! mascara with a booster set. Get a full-size tube and deluxe mini in a box for the same price as They're Real! £18.50, available nationwide.