W&H shopping edit: What to buy in May
Our May shopping edit brings you all the latest and the best buys in beauty, fashion and lifestyle this month, as recommended by our team of expert editors
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May is a month of hopeful fresh starts and exciting plans as the weather begins to warm up, the mornings and evenings are lighter and we begin to look ahead to the summer season.
With the warmer, sunnier weather comes considerations about sun safety, whether that's stocking up on face moisturizer with SPF, the best bathing suits and sunnies that have launched along with the latest swimwear and sunglasses trends, or ensuring that you have your best water bottle to hand at all times to stay hydrated.
In our May shopping edit we've included all of the latest launches and brilliant buys that will help you get set for summer, so once you've decided on the best places to visit in June, July or August, you can start planning your holiday wardrobe straight away…
What to buy in May: The W&H shopping edit
Why you can trust Woman & Home Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Beauty
1. Chanel Les Beiges Oversize Healthy Glow Sun Kissed Powder
RRP: £66
Size isn't everything, but when it comes to this giant, almost unreasonably beautiful new bronzer by Chanel, we'd argue that it is just that—everything.
As well as pleasingly generous proportions, this pressed powder fits seamlessly into Chanel's Les Beiges cannon, offering expensive-looking, subtle bronzing in three tones to suit all skins. It's not sparkly, has an ultra-fine texture that blends out beautifully, and will make your friends coo with approval. Oh, and did we mention it's absolutely enormous? It really is huge.
2. Supergoop! (Re)Setting 100% Mineral Powder SPF30 PA+++
RRP: £28
It's a no-brainer to slap on a bit of facial sunscreen on a sunny May morning. What's less of a clear-cut case is what to do by lunchtime, when you know you should reapply but don't really fancy smearing greasy cream over your carefully applied makeup.
Here is an excellent solution. A loose soft-focus powder that also offers broad spectrum UVA/UBV protection with a built-in brush. Keep it in your bag, tap the end and buff on translucent mineral-based particles. It'll act as an oil-absorbing setting powder as well as sun protection, which is just so clever and easy you wonder why nobody thought of it before.
- Supergoop! (Re)Setting 100% Mineral Powder SPF30 PA+++ at Beauty Bay for £28 (opens in new tab)
3. SKIN + ME DAILY DOSER
RRP: £24.99 monthly
Sponsored
Discover a personalised solution to achieve your unique skin goals, delivered directly to your door. From soothing wrinkles to boosting texture, clearing acne, pigmentation and more – each dermatologist-designed treatment is packed with powerful active ingredients to supercharge your routine for a long-term, feel-good glow.
Try your first month for just £3.50 with code WHSHOPPING
- SKIN + ME DAILY DOSER at SKIN + ME for £24.99 monthly (opens in new tab)
4. Acqua di Parma x Forte_Forte Mirto di Panarea limited-edition eau de toilette 100ml
RRP: £124
Have you been watching Stanley Tucci eating his way around Italy on the BBC iPlayer? (if not, do! Have a glass of Chianti and some traditional Italian dishes ready) Or have you just generally been dreaming of a perfect Meditteranean getaway? If so, this gorgeous limited-edition fragrance will bring a taste of la dolce vita to your dressing table.
Part of a collaboration between the iconic fine perfumers and a Veneto-founded, family-owned fashion house, this splashy limited-edition bottle contains ADP's timeless bergamot, basil, and sea-breezy scent. It smells as good as it looks and is a long lasting perfume. The 100ml size means it'll last for ages and we defy anyone to spritz it without smiling (or looking up villas in Sicily) Prego!
- Acqua di Parma x Forte_Forte Mirto di Panarea 100ml at Selfridges for £124 (opens in new tab)
5. NEW ESPA Tri-Active Resilience Rest and Recovery Night Balm
RRP: £63
Sponsored
A brand new product from best-selling brand ESPA, this night balm replenishes and fortifies skin whilst you sleep, leaving you with healthy, glowing skin in the morning.
To put their new product through its paces, ESPA had 120 people test the night balm over 4 weeks, and the results were overwhelmingly positive - with 90% of people agreeing their skin looked more luminous and healthy after 4 weeks and 88% saying upon waking their dull and tired skin looked refreshed.
- ESPA Tri-Active Resilience Rest and Recovery Night Balm at ESPA for £63 (opens in new tab)
Fashion
1. Belted Midi Shirt Dress
RRP: £89
A midi shirt dress is the perfect transitional piece - layer up on colder days or pair with sandals and bare legs on warmer spring weekends.
We love the bright pop of colour provided by this piece, after all, dopamine dressing is one of the top fashion trends this year and anything that looks this good must feel good to wear too.
- Belted Shirt Dress at Cos for £89 (opens in new tab)
2. Slim-Fit Crop Denim Jacket
RRP: £195
Yes we're looking ahead to summer, but we still need to be prepared for those late spring temperatures and cooler (or cold) evenings that arrive after even the sunniest days in May.
Me+Em's latest collection for May includes this versatile and stylish Slim-Fit Crop Denim Jacket made from 100% organic cotton. Pair with trousers, wear over a dress, add to a jumpsuit ensemble - it's a go-to spring layer.
- Slim-Fit Crop Denim Jacket at Me+Em for £195 (opens in new tab)
3. Zimmermann Anneke cuffed linen shorts
RRP: £375
Sponsored
A great pair of linen shorts should be a summer capsule wardrobe staple for anyone who loves smart/casual dressing.
Perfect for dressing up or down depending on the occasion, these white shorts would look just as good with a pair of summer sandals on the beach as they would worn with one of your best shirts and heels out for dinner with girls.
- Zimmermann shorts at LUISA VIA ROMA for £375 (opens in new tab)
4. SUPERGA 2750 COTU CLASSIC
RRP: £57
No spring/summer wardrobe is complete without a pair of the best white trainers.
Our fashion team (and the Duchess of Cambridge) rate Superga as one of the best casual trainer brands out there at the moment, and this affordable pair features a cushioned footbed for added comfort if wearing them all day.
- Superga Cotu Classic 2750 at Superga for £57 (opens in new tab)
5. Pure Linen Oversized Shirt
RRP: £29.50
Sponsored
Worn with shorts or loose trousers for a relaxed summer look, or thrown on as a beach cover up over your bikini, and oversized shirt is this summer's must-have piece.
Plus, as there as so many ways to style an oversized shirt this will soon become one of the most versatile and easy-to-wear options in your wardrobe. Luckily it comes in five different colours so you can stock up for every day of the week.
- Oversize linen shirt at M&S for £29.50 (opens in new tab)
6. Soma Cross-Back Dress With Built-In Bra
RRP: £70
Dresses with built-in bras are a lifesaver in the summer when pretty strappy dresses don't quite lend themselves for use with your existing bra collection.
This dress can be worn to both casual events and summer weddings, providing an easy outfit solution. Fashion Editor approved!
- Soma Cross-Back Dress With Built-In Bra at Soma for £70 (opens in new tab)
7. 2 Pack Tummy Control Padded Swimsuits
RRP: £55
Sponsored
Whether you're looking for the best plus size swimwear for the summer or just want a bathing suit that you can feel comfortable in, M&S have handy sets of swimsuits made from smoothing Tummy Control fabric with added stretch for a flattering finish.
We love that these swimsuits come in a 2 pack, with one block colour suit and one in a bright, summery pattern. It makes shopping and packing for holiday simple and means you don't have to splurge on the same swimsuit twice if you find that this is the style for you.
- 2 Pack Tummy Control swimsuits at M&S for £55 (opens in new tab)
8. WUKA Perform™️ Swim Bikini Briefs
RRP: £21.99
Sponsored
Designed as a a complete tampon and pad replacement for in the pool, in the sea or just hanging out on the beach, these new period bikini briefs are the latest launch from WUKA - the brand behind some of the comfiest period pants on the market at the moment.
The briefs hold up to 10ml of period flow - around 2 small tampons' worth - so are perfect for light days where you don't want to have to worry about carrying around tampons and changing them whilst out and about. The high leg cut means you either wear them as bikini briefs or under your swimsuit, whatever feels comfortable to you.
- Bikini Briefs at WUKA for £21.99 (opens in new tab)
9. Ray-ban RB3447 phantos-frame sunglasses
RRP: £137
When it comes to sunglasses trends, Ray-bans never go out of style, and these phantos-frame sunglasses have been popular for years.
Even better is Selfridges are currently a 50% off deal if you buy two pairs of sunglasses (opens in new tab) in store or online, meaning that you could get a pair of Ray-Bans for less than £70 if bought with another pair.
- Ray-bans at Selfridges for £137 (opens in new tab)
Lifestyle
1. Elephant Gin Miniature Tasting Set
RRP: £19.50
New for Spring 2022, the award-winning brand Elephant Gin (they've just picked up the accolade of 'Taste Master' at The Spirits Business’ Gin Masters Awards and have previously been awarded the 'world’s best gin') have launched a Miniature Tasting Set.
Perfect for those who are new to the brand or for a Father's Day gift, the illustrated mini set features a 50ml bottle each of Orange Cocoa Gin, Strength Gin, and London Dry Gin. Plus, for every miniature bottle sold, 15% of profits go directly to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust who nurture orphaned elephants who have been found in the wild.
- Elephant Gin Miniature Gin Set at Amazon for £19.50 (opens in new tab)
2. The ‘Street Party Crowd-Pleasers Case’ by The Wine Society
RRP: £99
As well as ensuring you have some brilliant Jubilee decorations up for the bank holiday weekend, it's also essential to have a good variety of wine if you're hosting a party. Enter The Wine Society, who never fail to offer wine of an exceptional standard in some of the best value cases and collections you will find anywhere - bar none.
Ready for the Jubilee The Wine Society have released their ‘Street Party Crowd-Pleasers Case’, which includes 12 bottles for £99. Amazing value aside, you also get a fantastic selection of five different bottles of both white and red wine, alongside two rosés (these are our favourite of the bunch!)
- The ‘Street Party Crowd-Pleasers Case’ at The Wine Society for £99 (opens in new tab)
3. bottlegreen Lime & Mint Cordial
RRP: £3.75
Sponsored
Add a splash of zing to your glass with this refreshing new cordial, which offers a perfect blend of zesty lime and crushed mint.
We love to enjoy ours with still or sparkling water for a truly refreshing thirst-quencher, or mixed into a summer cocktail.
- Bottlegreen Lime & Mint Cordial, 500ml at Waitrose for £3.75 (opens in new tab)
4. Miller Harris Reed Diffusers
RRP: £65
A brand new launch for May from respected couture British fragrance house Miller Harris, the six new reed diffusers from the brand feature eco-friendly scents created with natural rattan reeds in stylish bottles that would go with any interior paint colour trends.
Each diffuser delivers a soft scent to embrace any mood and are ideal for creating the ideal environment to enhance daily life. Our favourites are Santal and Figue.
- Miller Harris Reed Diffusers at Miller Harris for £65 (opens in new tab)
5. The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
RRP: £7.37
Shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2022 and Booker Prize last year, this epic and ambitious tale won the hearts of the judges and makes a fabulous holiday read.
One of the best books of 2022 this fictional tale brings together the lives of orphan Marian Graves and Hadley Baxter, the Hollywood star set to play her in a brand new biopic.
After vanishing without a trace when she was circumnavigating the globe, 1950s aviator Marian is surrounded by myth and rumor. But Hadley isn’t about to play her without trying to get to the bottom of what really happened all those decades before as she delves into the long-buried secrets of the pilot’s life.
- Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead at Amazon for £7.37 (opens in new tab)
6. Gymshark Power High Rise Leggings
RRP: £45
Designed specifically for strength training, these leggings are part of Gymshark's latest Power release. Available in sleek black, cherry brown and bright turquoise, they have a high waistband with mesh on the inside for added security and breathability. 100% squat-proof, these leggings are ideal for perfecting any lift or lunge in the gym or at home.
- Gymshark Power High Rise Leggings at retailer for £45 (opens in new tab)
7. HOKA Women's Mach Supersonic
RRP: £140
As the mornings get brighter, we're taking to the streets in these colorful Mach Supersonic trainers from HOKA. It's a limited release from the brand, known for its fail-safe approach to creating the best running shoes.
Designed for racing but suitable for all kinds of runs, these have a low-key cushion bed to keep your foot closer to the ground, offering more stability.
- HOKA Mach Supersonic from retailer for £140 (opens in new tab)
8. DIRTEA Mushroom Cacao Super Blend
RRP: £39.99
With hot chocolate that tastes (and does) so good, we're not surprised that mushroom coffee is also one of the biggest coffee trends for 2022. DIRTEA's mushroom cacao blend might be an investment but it's a low-calorie alternative to traditional caffeine-free chocolate powder and it comes packed with raw Cacao, and 725mg of pure and potent Organic Reishi and Ashwagandha per serving.
- Mushroom Cacao Super Blend at DIRTEA for £39.99 (opens in new tab)
An internationally published digital journalist and editor, Rachael has worked as a writer and editor for both news and lifestyle websites in the UK and abroad including Metro UK, Homes & Gardens, Ideal Home, GoodTo.com, honey.nine.com.au and body+soul.
Rachael's published work covers a broad spectrum of topics and she has written about everything from the future of sustainable travel, to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the world we live in, to the psychology of colour.
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