May Day! It’s almost summer and who’s prepared for it? Spring is nearly over, and even though it’s the season between winter and summer – which should be treated as the stopgap – somehow, we’re always so surprised when it sneaks up on us!

To ease us in, let’s get a checklist of the top three essentials we need in our toiletry bags for those all-important trips to the beach. Listen up gents, this applies to you too…

Step 1:
First things first, we need to cleanse those pores of all the everyday toxins our skin inhales. To do this I recommend L’Oreal Skin Expert. L’Oreal Paris has introduced its first ever face masks, and they’re worth the wait! There’s a variety to choose from – Detox and Brightening, Exfoliating and Refining, and Purifying and Mattify treatments. They combine three powerful pure clays to unmask your skin.

Choose yours depending on your skin type. Personally, I use the Detox Mask because it is enriched with black charcoal, which acts like a magnet to draw out impurities. We know we all have them! Its creamy texture does feel heavy and it has a thick consistency, but you can really feel it working deep into the pores leaving your skin silky smooth once washed off. Simply apply a layer over your face and wait ten minutes before splashing away with warm water.

Step 2:
Time to take a shower. Embrace a full body cleanse and treat the rest of your skin to a head start of colour with St Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower. This one-of-a-kind tan is the first product to use water to enhance a gradual tan, thanks to a streak-free formula (always a bonus) that activates on wet skin, rather than dry, in just three minutes. No time to tan? Now you do!

Its low maintenance applications means it’s only a quick addition to your daily routine. What’s more, its award-winning formula contains almond oil, which not only smells amazing, but moisturises and locks in your tan, hydrating your skin for up to 24 hours. The best bit about that? No need to moisturise afterwards. Simply shower and go… Or should I say shower and glow!

Step 3:
Time to get the surf inspired hair everyone desires for that ultimate beach look. Salt spray is the most natural way of creating this, but if like most UK residents you’re running low on actual sea salt, fear not. Bumble & Bumble gives you just the right amount of ocean in its modest sized Surf Spray. It gives your hair natural waves of its own with a just-got-out-of-bed look, but without the crunchy texture – so you really can say ‘I woke up like this!’

Spray a mist over your towel dried hair and work through with your hands. Best advice for drying? Don’t. Hair is always at its most beautiful when dried naturally.

Now you’re cleansed, tanned and beach-ready for the season ahead. Surf’s up and summer is on. Will you be ready in time?