Here's Your Ultimate List of Essentials for a Stylish Summer

It goes without saying that this summer is far from what we all expected. With most of the country still on lockdown from the pandemic, the only summery thing we have going for us right now is the rise in temperature. Our options for some fun-in-the-sun are extremely limited, but that doesn't mean the season is completely ruined. After all, after a year in isolation, we've pretty much mastered the art of entertaining ourselves at home. And if your go-to for some R & R is shopping, then brace those online shopping carts! This year, we're reviving the Preview Girls' Choice Awards and giving it a special summer-focused spin.

Preview Girls' Choice Awards: Summer Edit

Together with the Preview Clique and our trusted contributors, we have curated a comprehensive lineup of essentials in the categories of beauty, fashion, and lifestyle. Each one of our picks is bound to sprinkle some fun back into your summer, even if you're spending it at home. We're talking beauty products, swimsuits, accessories, refreshing drinks, cool gadgets, and many more! Discover them all below:

Jump to category: Beauty | Fashion | Lifestyle

Beauty

Jump to category: Skincare | Body | Hair | Fragrance | Makeup

Skincare

Best Cleanser: Senka Perfect Whip Acne Care

The rich foam on this salicylic acid-infused cleanser washes off every bit of oil, sweat, and dirt on the skin in the most satisfying way sans the dryness.

Perfect Whip Acne Care, P299, SENKA, Lazada

Best Exfoliating Cleanser: Celeteque Exfoliating Cleansing Stick

This spill-proof cleansing stick isn't just travel-friendly. It contains tea tree oil and turmeric root extract, which help combat stubborn body breakouts and rough skin while reducing the appearance of dark marks.

Exfoliating Cleansing Stick, P295, CELETEQUE, Watsons

Best Cleansing Device: Foreo Luna 3

While waiting for your next derm appointment, take your cleansing routine to the next level with the Foreo Luna 3's soft, antibacterial bristles that’ll let you achieve a deeper clean.

Luna 3, P11,800, FOREO, Lazada

Best Hydrating Toner: Hada Labo Hydrating Lotion

This hydrating lotion from Hada Labo, for one, has four types of hyaluronic acid to protect your skin from moisture loss and leave it smooth and supple even without a heavy moisturizer.

Hydrating Lotion, P685, HADA LABO, Watsons

Best Exfoliating Toner: ZO Skin Health by Zein Obagi Oil Control Pads

If your summer skin woes are getting out of control, the combination of BHA and AHAs in this toner will fight excess sebum, breakouts, and dark spots, all in a few convenient swipes.

Oil Control Pads, P4500, ZO SKIN HEALTH BY ZEIN OBAGI, shop.belomed.com

Best Moisturizer: Hello Glow Rosewater Soothing Gel

Gel moisturizers are a no-brainer way for the summer, and this product from Hello Glow isn’t just lightweight—it's formulated with rosewater to balance the skin, hyaluronic acid to retain moisture, and aloe vera extract to soothe.

Rosewater Soothing Gel, P150, HELLO GLOW, Lazada

Best Sunscreen: Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk SPF 50+ PA++++

This light, milky sunscreen from Anessa offers matte, sweat-resistant protection in this blistering heat, with the welcome addition of green tea leaf and yellow flower extracts that prevent photo-aging.

Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk SPF 50+ PA++++, P749 (20ml)-P1990 (60ml), ANESSA, Lazada

Body

Best Body Wash: Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance Brightness Reveal Body Wash

This gentle, hypoallergenic body wash from Cetaphil will bring out your summer glow naturally, addressing dull skin with a brightening combo of white sea daffodil and niacinamide.

Bright Healthy Radiance Brightness Reveal Body Wash, P649, CETAPHIL, Shopee

Best Spray Deodorant: Nivea Naturally Good Bio Aloe Vera Deo Spray

Formulated without alcohol, aluminum, and parabens, this convenient spray deo helps your underarms stay fresh and smooth all day with 95% naturally-sourced ingredients like organic bio aloe vera and glycerin.

Naturally Good Bio Aloe Vera Deo Spray, P154, NIVEA, Shopee

Best Roll-On Deodorant: Dove Deodorant Dry Serum Intensive Renew Collagen + Vitamin B3

Dove's Dry Serum deodorants work double time to solve your underarm concerns while keeping you sweat-free. Our pick for the summer? The Collagen + B3 variant, which works to improve skin elasticity and fade dark marks that could get worse in the heat.

Deodorant Dry Serum Intensive Renew Collagen + Vitamin B3, P145, DOVE, Lazada

Best Body Moisturizer: Ever Organics Ice Jeju Aloe Soothing Lotion

You won't regret swapping your usual body lotion for this ultra-light soothing gel made with Jeju aloe and ice plant extract. Store it in your beauty fridge for a stronger cooling effect!

Ice Jeju Aloe Soothing Lotion, P188, EVER ORGANICS, Shopee

Best Intimate Care Product: Gynepro Ultimate Protection Feminine Wash

The summer heat will inevitably make red days more uncomfortable, so it's best to be prepared. This feminine wash from Gynepro is formulated with chlorhexidine digluconate that will protect you from odor, itch, and irritation better than soap can.

Ultimate Protection Feminine Wash, P163 (150ml), GYNEPRO, Lazada

Hair

Best Shampoo: Babe Formula Blossom Shampoo

Babe Formula's Blossom shampoo is a triple threat: It's shelfie-worthy, boasts of a sweet floral scent, and last but not the least, it cleanses and treats your strands with an impressive pH-balanced formula boosted with hydrolyzed keratin and argan oil.

Shampoo in Blossom, P249, BABE FORMULA, babe-formula.com

Best Conditioner: Cream Silk Rich Organic Powerfusion Ultra Conditioner Rich Lustre

Treating your locks to this fresh-smelling conditioner loaded with bamboo, aloe extract, and more natural oils and organic moisturizing balms will compensate for all the salon trips you've been missing.

Organic Powerfusion Ultra Conditioner Rich Lustre, P262, CREAM SILK, Watsons

Best Leave-in Conditioner: Aveda Nutriplenish Leave-in Conditioner

Any time your hair is feeling dry and frizzy, put on a few spritzes of this moisture replenishing rinse-free treatment for instantly softer and shinier locks.

Nutriplenish Leave-in Conditioner, P2000, AVEDA, Lazada

Best Treatment: Mise En Scene Perfect Serum

With the help of seven naturally-derived oils, this hair serum treats signs of damage, split ends, and dryness in a matter of days. It’s no wonder that it’s a best-seller in Korea!

Perfect Serum, P559, MISE EN SCENE, Lazada

Best Hair Fragrance: Dior Miss Dior Hair Mist

Hair mists are always a good idea for a mid-day refresh, and this product will envelope your locks in Dior's signature Miss Dior fragrance without drying it out like a regular perfume would.

Miss Dior Hair Mist, P2900, DIOR, SM Aura Premier

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Fragrance

Best Perfume: Bvlgari Rose Goldea Eau de Parfum Kathleen Kye

This dainty bottle by Korean designer Kathleen Kye breathes new life into the fruity floral classic from Bvlgari. Summer-perfect through and through, Rose Goldea opens with a burst of pomegranate that mellows into a rose-jasmine heart and a warm, woody base.

Rose Goldea Eau de Parfum Kathleen Kye, P9550, BVLGARI, Zalora

Best Body Spray: Avon Summer White Sunset Eau de Toilette

Summer White Sunset is a no-fail, fresh-off-the-shower scent that screams beach-ready. Its bottle is the perfect size for toting around, too, because the summer heat always makes us want to do a second (or third) spritz.

Summer White Sunset Eau de Toilette, P399, AVON, avonshop.ph

Makeup

Best Brow Product: Benefit Brow Microfilling Pen

This product makes faking full, feathery brows such a breeze even if you aren't a pro. All it takes are a few gentle strokes and you'll have natural-looking arches the entire day!

Brow Microfilling Pen, P1660, BENEFIT, Lazada

Best Eyeshadow: Spotlight Cosmetics Scene Stealer Gel Eyeshadow

This gel-to-powder formula will give you a smudge-proof sheen of shimmer even without pro blending skills. If you're after a bold glow, have it double up as your highlighter!

Scene Stealer Gel Eyeshadow, P295, SPOTLIGHT COSMETICS, Shopee

Best Powder: Careline Oil Control Mattifying Loose Powder

A list of summer must-haves isn't complete without powder, and this loose compact from Careline provides the fresh matte finish and natural-looking coverage that keeps shine at bay.

Oil Control Mattifying Loose Powder, P220, CARELINE, Lazada

Best Blush: Colourette Coloursnaps in Waves

For a dewy yet undetectable flush, you can't go wrong with this moisturizing brick red balm from Colourette. You'll look like you just had a bit of sun!

Coloursnaps in Waves, P299, COLOURETTE, Lazada

Best Multi-Use Product: Ever Bilena Advance Power Paint Multi-Use Color Cream

A little goes such a long way with this product that you can create a matte monochrome look with as little as two pea-sized dots. You won't need a brush to blend it in either—your fingers will do the job perfectly!

Power Paint Multi-Use Color Cream, P199, EVER BILENA ADVANCE, Watsons

Best Lipstick: Blk Cosmetics Airy Matte Tint

With its impressive pigmentation and airy matte feel, this product blurs the lines between a lip tint and a liquid lipstick. Did we mention that it's also maskproof?

Airy Matte Tint, P379, BLK, Watsons

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Fashion

Best Sleepwear: Eve the Label Clelo Top and Zola Shorts

Level up your sleep experience into a more relaxing and luxurious one with this set from Eve the Label. Handcrafted in the Philippines using mulberry silk, you’ll rest easy as this fabric naturally regulates your body temperature, keeping you cozy in cold nights and cool in summer.

Clelo Mulberry top, starts at P1850; Zola Mulberry shorts, starts at P1850, EVE THE LABEL, evedesignstudios.com

Best Swimsuit for Surfing: Shaka Swimwear Tala swimsuit

Riding the waves never looked this chic! Shaka Swimwear has mastered making surf-friendly suits that will also look cute on the ‘gram.

Tala swimsuit in Slate, P1950, SHAKA SWIMWEAR, shakaswimph.com

Best Swimsuit for All Body Types: Float Swimwear Clara swimsuit

One-piece suits are the trendy swimwear of the summer so be sure to stock up on a flattering piece like Float Swimwear’s Clara suit. It’s made with a body-inclusive design in mind so whatever your shape or size, it will highlight your best assets!

Clara in Coral, P3490, FLOAT SWIMWEAR, floatswimwear.com

Best Loungewear Set: Eighth Mermaid Cooper Set

Staying at home doesn’t mean you have to settle in tattered tees or shorts. You can look put together and feel breezy at the same time in Eighth Mermaid’s dainty Cooper set.

Cooper Set, P2300, EIGHTH MERMAID, eighthmermaid.com

Best Loungewear Dress: Style Stape Alice Dress

LWDs are the go-to of everyone on the 'gram this summer. Don’t fall behind the chic trend and reach for a frock yourself. We recommend celeb-approved Style Staple's Alice dress featuring a flattering square neck, smocked bodice, and puff sleeves. So cute!

Alice Dress, P3150, STYLE STAPLE, instagram/stylestaple

Best Active Wear: Adidas Formation Sports Bra and Tights

Summer is the best time to get moving. Live in your activewear sets for an easy transition from lounging to exercising in no time. For this, go for a bright set that hugs your body for support in the right places while allowing you full body movement comfortably. Find the perfect match with this adidas Formotion set.

Formotion Two-tone bra in True Orange / Screaming Pink, P3100; Formotion Two-tone tights in True Orange / Screaming Pink, P4800, ADIDAS, Two Parkade, Taguig City

Best Summer Pants: Levi's High-Waisted Wide Leg Crop Pants in White

In case you’re looking for casual bottoms that will match your fresh OOTDs, Levi’s cropped wide leg will end your search! This pair is easy on the eyes and feels comfortable to wear (yup, even in the summer heat), giving the wearer endless possibilities in styling.

High-waisted wide leg crop pants in White, P2399.50, LEVI’S, levi.com.ph

Best Sunglasses: Sunnies Studios Ronan Sunglasses

What’s summer without a pair of sunglasses in your summer closet? But don’t make the mistake of reaching for another dark-tinted pair. Go for a sweet and playful sunglasses to add a pop of color in your OOTDs.

Ronan Pilot Sunglasses for Men and Women Dune, P499, SUNNIES STUDIOS, Lazada

Best Bag: Louis Vuitton Mini Capucines

When it comes to bags, it helps to invest in quality! So if you plan on splurging for a tote this summer, better put your best buck into Louis Vuitton’s classic Capucines bag. We’re obsessed with the blush pink and mini version that also boasts a snake-skin texture, making this arm candy both a sweet pick and a statement bag.

Mini Capucines, P316,000, LOUIS VUITTON, Greenbelt 4

Best Watch: Citizen Citizen L watch

Here’s an everyday sparkler that will instantly add a luxe vibe to your summer looks. Plus, this dainty watch will last you a lifetime. Who are we to say no to a functional and stunning investment?

Citizen L watch, P26,350, CITIZEN, Citizen Watch Store Makati

Best White Sneakers: New Balance 574 Classic in White

This sneaker will win your heart in all ways. Out for a quick walk around the block? Need a sporty pair for your retro-inspired look? Double check! Quick errands will look extra fun and stylish once these kicks are on your feet.

574 Classic in White, P3995, NEW BALANCE, Zalora

Best Beach Shoe: Keds Trio Eco Sandal

Keds' Trio Eco Sandal is a trifecta of a shoe. It's comfy to walk in, fits anyone's style, and most importantly, it's eco-friendly! As if we needed more reasons to fall in love with this shoe, it also features the trendy dad sandal silhouette, making it your new go-to for any adventure you'll have this summer.

Trio Eco Sandal in Cloud Mauve, P2695, KEDS, Keds stores nationwide

Best Everyday Summer Shoe: Sperry Crest Vibe Platform in Canvas White

Here's a canvas shoe that will literally elevate your daily 'fits. This platform sneaker from Sperry will comfortably give you extra inches without giving you ankle pain. Instead, its memory foam footbed will cradle your feet for all-day comfort. Oh, did we mention it has a lightweight and breathable fabric, too?

Crest Vibe Platform in Canvas White, P3695, SPERRY, Sperry stores nationwide

Best Jewelry: Suki Jewelry Pierced Collection

Ear piercings have been a welcome and stylish self-expression trend lately, so if you’re ready to curate yours, Suki Jewelry is here to provide you with the best dainty and gorgeous selection of baubles.

Pierced Collection, starts at P3000, SUKI JEWELRY, sukijewelry.ph

Best Versatile Accessory: Issa the Brand Nudes Scarf

If there's just one piece of accessory to add to your summer rotation, it better be Issa the Brand's scarf. It's a versatile and functional stylish piece that you can use multiple ways. More than a scarf, it’s a hubadera top, headpiece, choker, belt, bag accent, headband, and even a flatlay buddy all rolled into one.

Nudes scarf, P2500, ISSA THE BRAND, issathebrand.co

Best Sandals: Muni Muni Studio Santan Sandals

Looking for a heeled shoe to match your neutral outfits? Muni Muni Studio's handwoven pair will give your OOTDs an elegant vibe. The thong sandal features natural fibers and is strengthened by vegan leather so you're sure it'll last a while.

Santan Sandals, P1850, MUNI MUNI, munimunistudio.com

Jump to category: Beauty | Lifestyle

Lifestyle

Best Furniture Piece: By the Form’s Kuji Foldable Chair

This handmade foldable chair made from rattan and beechwood will fit perfectly with any rustic-themed home. Not to mention its solid, sturdy make is guaranteed to last you a long time.

Kuji Foldable Chair, P7600, BY THE FORM, bytheform.ph

Best Home Decor: HEIM Round Mirror in Gold

With a simple design and sleek gold frame, this round mirror is a no-frills accent piece that’s sure to open up your space. The Instagram-obsessed will be happy to hear that you can take full body selfies with it, too.

Round Mirror in Gold, starts at P3739, HEIM, Wilcon

Best Scented Candle: LEV MNL’s Kairos Candle

This candle’s warm and woody scent will easily waft a pleasant and sophisticated smell throughout your room. Bonus points for its gorgeous holographic glass jar!

Kairos Candle, P1550, LEV MNL, levmnl.com

Best Dinnerware: HomeMNL Meet Marielle Collection

Add a major pop of color to your table setting with these exclusively designed vibrant and aesthetic dinnerware. Alternatively, you can use them as home decor, too, if you think they’re too pretty to use.

Meet Marielle Complete Set (Dinner and Salad Plates), P5999, HOMEMNL, myhomemnl.com

Best Kitchen Appliance: Midea 5.5L Digital Multi-Functional Air Fryer

Make oil-free cooking, and baking easy with this multi-functional air fryer. Don’t fret because its digital controls are simple enough to understand and will make your kitchen experience all the more fuss-free.

5.5L Digital Multi-Functional Air Fryer, P8495, MIDEA, Lazada (available by May 2021)

Best Coffee Machine: Nespresso Lattissima Touch

Anyone who can’t go without their cup of coffee in the morning will appreciate how straightforward it is to operate the Lattissima Touch. With this, you can step up your coffee game by taking advantage of its multiple options which allow you to make at least five different-espresso based drinks, alongside a detachable milk frother, no less.

Lattissima Touch, NESPRESSO, P27,000, Lazada

Best Air Purifier: Dyson Pure Cool TP04 Air Purifier Tower Fan

This sleekly built air purifier not only clears out the harmful pollutants in any size room, it also doubles as a fan and can even show you the air quality within your space. Additionally, it’s definitely a must-have for anyone with allergies.

Pure Cool TP04 Air Purifier Tower Fan (White/Silver), P44,500, DYSON, Lazada

Best Dessert: The Lost Bread Campfire Smore’s

The heatwave getting you down? Beat the sweltering summer season with this cool and scrumptious chocolate flavored ice cream, topped with torched marshmallows and graham crackers.

Campfire Smore’s, P250 (Pint) / P450 (1L Tub), THE LOST BREAD, Grab Food

Best Cold Beverage: FRNK’s Golden Beri Miruku

If you’d rather have a refreshing beverage instead to help you cool down, you’ll love this nutritious, plant-based drink made with homemade spiced turmeric, strawberry jam, coconut milk, and chia pudding. Its promise of an immune boosting, healthy experience absolutely doesn’t undermine the drink’s fruity flavor either.

Golden Beri Miruku, P135 (small) / P165 (tall) FRNK, Grab Food

Best Alcoholic Drink: Tanqueray London Dry Gin

Summer means you’ll have more time to unwind and chill. And what perfect way to do just that than having a refreshing drink in hand? All you need is a glass (or two) of Tanqueray gin! With its flavorful base of piney juniper and feint lemon zest taste, you’re off to a relaxing day.

London Dry Gin, P750, TANQUERAY, Available in supermarkets nationwide

Best Fitness Accessory: Recess Personal Space Mat

Work comfortably on your best summer bod ever with this anti-microbial, rubber-lined yoga mat. Apart from providing ample cushioning and firm support for your body, its material will keep you from slipping while working out.

Personal Space Mat, P2798, RECESS, ourrecess.com

Produced by Nicole Arcano (Beauty), Steph Sison (Fashion), and Jam Nitura (Lifestyle)

Art by Bacs Arcebal, Jico Joson and Mixi Ignacio

Product Testing by Teta Melo, Yma Cuervo, Patricia Gapay, Yasmeen Al Fardy, Iya Omaña, Chrissean Mae Fuentebella, Dan Soliman, Janny Miranda, Kaila Concepcion, Reins Mika, Ryan Kyle Correa, Mara Go, Bettina Francisco, Maura Rodriguez, Steph Sison, and Nicole Arcano

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