Summer Skin Stars (Enter to Win!)

Summertime and the skin care is … well, if you’re like us, in need of an overhaul. With winter’s rain, hail, sleet and snow finally behind us, we’re making a beeline for warmer weather and plenty of sunshine-y days—and elevating our beauty game to match. Lucky for us, Shoppers Drug Mart is a one-stop shop for all things summer-skin-care related. Below, our roundup of must-have products for the upcoming season (plus an amazing contest), all available at Shoppers Drug Mart and beautyboutique.ca. —Noa Nichol

spf savvy. When it comes to the sun, safety is job 1. For that reason, our go-to sunscreen for face ($34) and body ($41) this summer is Clinique Mineral Sunscreen Lotion—lightweight and invisible protection that blends effortlessly into all skin types. Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart, this blend-able formula is non-acnegenic (no breakouts!) and—major bonus—provides an added barrier against environmental aggressors.

lotion love. Innovative, fast-absorbing, matte finish—in other words, everything we look for in a lotion. Perfectly suited to sensitive skin, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra Fluid Lotion with SPF 60 for face ($29) contains patented sunscreen tech and other powerful filters that provide full-out beach-day protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays.

bb beauty. It’s sunscreen! It’s makeup! It’s both—and more! Tinted, transfer-resistant and available in three shades, Shiseido’s WetForce BB SPF 50+ for Face ($48) includes the beauty brand’s Ultimate Sun Protection formula, plus a WetForce innovation that, believe it or not, actually becomes more effective when exposed to water or perspiration for 30 minutes. Canonball anyone?

fake it & make it. Forget the red carpet—the standout colour at Cannes will always, in our opinion, be bronze. This summer, we’re achieving the same tanned skin as our fave celebs with St. Tropez One Night Only Wash Off Face & Body Lotion ($20). Natural looking, streak-and-transfer-free, this miraculous self-tanner lasts for up to 24 hours and comes in light/medium or medium/dark shades. Simply exfoliate skin 24 hours before use, moisturize dry areas and apply using the reusable St. Tropez Prep & Maintain Tan Applicator Mitt ($9) in long sweeping motions, from the ankles up.

prime time. A longtime leader in the foundation game, Smashbox has smashed it again with its Photo Finish Radiance Foundation Primer ($50 for 30ml). Packed with—we love this—4K high-definition spheres and micro-fine amber and bronze pearls that together work to blur imperfections and create warmth, its satin-smooth all-day-moisturizing formula makes for smudge-free makeup application and gives our skin an instant magic-summer-hour glow.

lip lock. While greasing up and laying poolside all day has—let’s face it—become passé, we find a little oil on our lips can do a lot of good. Glossy and gorgeous Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil ($25 for 7ml) contains a blend of pure plant oils (think Mirabelle plum, jojoba and hazelnut) that instantly soothes and nourishes our kissers, providing a high shine with deep hydration that last all summer-day long. (Editor’s tip: Shade 07 Honey Glam provides a shimmering result not unlike the sparkle of a zillion stars in a clear summer night sky. Perfection.)

Enter to win a $100 Shoppers Drug Mart BeautyBOUTIQUE gift card here!