W&H shopping edit: What to buy in August
Discover the best new products and releases across beauty, fashion and lifestyle this month
We've found all the latest summer must-haves for August, from bond-repairing hair care to stylish skirts and dresses. The sun is still shining, but finessing that transitional summer-to-autumn wardrobe can be tricky, and when it comes to beauty, it's likely you'll be prioritising self-care while making sure you're stocked up on sunscreen for the rest of the month.
Whether you're studying the autumn/winter fashion colour trends 2023 or looking for summer outfit ideas for women over 50, most of us are planning ahead for slightly cooler months while enjoying the last bits of sun this summer (or begrudgingly looking at rainy day outfit ideas with one eye on the unpredictable weather forecast).
And if you're lucky enough to have one last holiday booked in, now is also the time to plot holiday outfit ideas while searching for those last-minute luggage deals and stocking up on the best facial sunscreens. Whatever it is, we've got you covered, with all the latest and best drops in beauty, fashion and lifestyle this month.
What to buy in August: The W&H shopping edit
Beauty
1. Lush x Barbie Pink Shampoo
RRP: £18
With a similar satisfying scent to the brand’s bestselling Snow Fairy range, this pigmented shampoo may temporarily tint very light or fine hair a Barbiecore shade of salmon. For others, it will simply make for bouncy, hydrated and gorgeous smelling locks, with notes of lemon, lime and seaweed. Just be careful not to stain your shower pink…
2. E.L.F Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter
RRP: £14
Somewhere between a foundation and a tinted moisturiser sits this new ‘liquid filter’, whose M.O. is glowing, dewy skin. With squalane and hyaluronic acid, this works well on dry skin after your face moisturiser with SPF, and it can even be used as a highlighter. However, we found it works best as a stand-alone makeup product (applied with a damp beauty blender) for days when you want a glowy finish without a full coverage look.
3. Beauty Pie Traceless Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF30 Sunscreen + Primer
RRP: £60
Sponsored
The sun is officially back, so it’s the perfect time to try this new 100% natural SPF from Beauty Pie. Hero ingredients in the sunscreen and primer two-in-one include Argan oil for moisturising and nourishing properties, and niacinamide to refine pores and reduce inflammation and acne.
4. Olaplex Volumising Blow Dry Mist
RRP: £28
As we noted in our Olaplex Volumising Blow Dry Mist review, this buzzy new hair mist from the iconic bond-builder brand is the ideal product for voluminous hair that looks like you’ve just been at the salon. Preventing frizz, protecting from heat and even speeding up drying time, the Blow Dry Mist really does do it all, so it can be used with the best hair dryer brushes for a 90s blowout, before a rough dry on days where you have less time, or even with the best diffusers for curly hair.
5. Silk'n Infinity Fast IPL
RRP: £297.50
The Silk'n Infinity is one of the best IPL devices out there, so it's no wonder that its recent upgrade has impressed us even more. The technology now uses faster pulses of light, meaning that the hair-removal process will be even speedier, without any compromise when it comes to effectiveness or safety.
6. Noughty Frizz Magic Conditioner
RRP: £5.30
We’ve been a fan of Noughty’s products for a while, so we know they make some of the best vegan shampoo and conditioner for curly and wavy hair that’s in need of a bit of love. The new Frizz Magic range smells divine, and the conditioner is a thick, easy-to-lather consistency that leaves hair feeling silky soft as well as reducing frizz post-wash.
7. This Works in Transit Camera Close-Up Primer
RRP: £33
For a limited time, this holy grail moisturiser-primer hybrid is available in a super-size edition. Reducing redness, puffiness and dull skin, the primer can be applied immediately to cleansed skin before makeup, and features hyaluronic acid and caffeine for a quick pick-me-up.
8. Beauty Pie Super Healthy Hair Elastic Repair Treatment
RRP: £40
Sponsored
If your hair is feeling a little worse for wear and you’re desperate for thicker, stronger strands, this elastic repair treatment is the one for you. Used as a post-conditioner treatment a couple of times a week, the formula works to heat protect, repair colour-damaged hair, and add shine and strength in place of dryness, split-ends and frizz.
Fashion
1. Lee Pleated Straight Leg in Hazy Indigo
RRP: £66.50
These wide-leg jeans are the perfect high-waisted, flared pair for a ‘70s throwback that still feels super on-trend. Made sustainably from Lyocell, cotton and elastane, the thick jeans will see you through the colder months, while featuring enough stretch to be comfortable and soft. We can definitely see these becoming one of our favourite long-lasting jeans.
2. Phase Eight Lucinda Floral Chiffon Midi Dress
RRP: £159
Sponsored
Winter florals are one of the autumn/winter fashion trends we’ll be seeing more of very soon, so get a head start with this striking black dress with oversized flowers. Also one of the best dresses to hide a tummy, this dress would be perfect for a winter wedding or even if you’re already planning Christmas party outfit ideas.
3. Vagabond Eyra Boots
RRP: £225
These boxy-toed, biker-style boots are striking enough to make an otherwise simple outfit stand out, but being black, they're also a perfect staple wardrobe essential that would go with everything. Maxi dresses, denim skirts, jeans, even floaty boho-style dresses in summer: there's no doubt you'll get a lot of wear out of these.
4. Phase Eight Noha Faux Leather Wrap Maxi Skirt
RRP: £85
Sponsored
Looking for long skirt outfit ideas? We think this faux leather skirt would look great with a crisp oversized white shirt and trainers in the office, or with a sweater and a chunky pair of boots as the weather gets colder.
5. Giana Short Sleeve Extra Light Wash Denim Shirt
RRP: £75
Double denim remains one of the most popular (if controversial) denim trends of 2023, so we think this short-sleeve shirt would look great paired with a pair of denim jean-shorts or some boyfriend jeans. It's made from 100% organic cotton denim, so it's kind to the planet while remaining a heavy-duty yet soft and comfy option.
Lifestyle
1. Shokz OpenFit Headphones
RRP: £179
For outdoor runs, walks, and rides, the new Shokz OpenFit headphones are a must-buy. Instead of in-ear audio, these headphones have an open-ear design that transmits sound through air conduction, leaving you able to hear the world around you and stay aware while still listening to your favourite music and podcasts privately.
2. PhD Nutrition Smart Plant Vegan Protein Bars
RRP: £19.95
Vegan protein bars can be hard to get right, but these bars find the perfect middle ground between indulgent and healthy. Available in chocolate peanut brownie, peanut butter jelly, salted caramel or vanilla fudge flavours, we've found they fill us up for hours (and get us through a workout), while not being so intense that they make us feel tired or too full.
3. The White Company Ceramic Glazed Pumpkin
RRP: £20
It may feel too early to start planning for Halloween, festive decorations or pumpkin spice season, but we personally can't wait for autumn/winter decor to return. This ceramic pumpkin is made from high-quality earthenware, so it'll last you many years of festivities, and is the perfect table setting for a cosy evening with friends or family.
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Hannah is the UK Shopping Writer for woman&home. As a shopping writer, Hannah has written on everything from period pants to wine subscriptions, and is especially interested in sustainable alternatives to well-known products, as well as books and homeware accessories.
Before she joined the team at woman&home Hannah headed up the social media accounts for Wonderland in 2019, where she was also a Contributing Editor for the magazine’s sister titles. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hannah also explored evolving shopping trends at New York Magazine’s The Strategist UK, researching everything from face masks to status candles and even pens.
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