Login / RegisterBeat the heat from head to toe in these summer styles
Coif coverage
It's become second nature to put sun block on your skin; now it's time to turn your attention to your tresses. Hair-care companies have introduced a wave of products designed to shield you from rays that make colour fade and follicles dry out. BC SUN Guardian from Schwarzkopf Professional is offering a trio of products designed for before, during, and after UV exposure: a Hair and Body Shampoo to soothe sun-stressed scalps (250 ml); a UV Protection Spray to pack to the beach (200 ml); and an After-Sun Treatment with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E (125 ml). The set is $38.95 at salons. New this year is Aveda's Sun Care line, complete with a water-resistant spray with wintergreen and cinnamon-bark oils that ward off UV rays for 16 hours ($32 for 100 millilitres, at salons including the Aveda Academy and Salon at 1228 Robson Street), as well as a masque that moisturizes and restores sun-exposed hair ($32 for 125 millilitres). Meanwhile, Nexxus Salon Hair Care has put UVA and UVB protection in its entire line, including the Veneer Shine Shine Serum Spray ($13 for 60 millilitres) for fighting the frizz on humid days and the Therappe Luxurious Hydrating Shampoo ($10 for 250 millilitres), at drugstores.
> Janet Smith
Foot fitness
Whether you're walking to the office, working the stroller, or serving on the patio this summer, your feet don't have to ache. France's Mephisto has spent the past three years engineering the new Sano shoe, which blends Euro styling with the kind of attention to wellness that seems custom-made for Vancouver. The men's and women's designs feature 11 shock absorbers in the heel and a curved “rocker” sole that helps propel you forward. PCP–free leathers, natural latex, and vegetable fibres make them Earth-conscious, to boot. For her, we like the mary-jane-strapped Excess in metallic, white, and black; for him, we favour the sneak-styled Raptor. Foot-friendly trainers that actually look good? Ask Charlize Theron, Cate Blanchett, and Jennifer Aniston—they've all been spotted wearing Sanos (about $325 at shops including the Mephisto Store [755 Burrard Street]).
> Janet Smith
Sporty style
In Vancouver, you can't go a block without seeing a Lululemonaut; in Sweden, the sportswear brand of choice is Peak Performance (919 Robson Street). The company, which offers both activewear and casual lines, puts a little sports style in each of its pieces. Among this season's highlights are the Hanna Check dress ($130), a mid-length cotton frock with a ruched top and twee button detailing. Easy to dress up or down, the print adds just a little preppiness, while the adjustable shoulder straps ensure a flattering fit.
> Miranda Nelson
Saucy sunshades
All good Vancouverites have an umbrella or two in their closet for those rainy days. But when the sun comes out, you should have a parasol on hand. The Umbrella Shop (1106 West Broadway and 526 West Pender Street) has an array of these other-century staples. The tone-on-tone embroidered parasols ($64.95), which come in bright raspberry or translucent ivory, feature bamboo handles and UV50+ protection. Bonus: they can double as umbrellas during light summer showers. Or, if you're looking for a brolly on a budget, take a wander through Chinatown, where you can find pretty paper parasols for under $15. They only last a season or two, but you'll be the envy of everyone you meet.
> Miranda Nelson
A hip way yo help
You can make a splash in some of H&M's new swimsuits for men and women and at the same time help raise money for WaterAid, a charity that works to provide clean water around the globe. This year's looks find wild tropical graphics on men's trunks and women's bikinis; we like brown and orange for him, orange and hot pink for her, as well as florals in red, yellow, and pink or turquoise, blue, and lime for her. (Tops and bottoms are $14.90 per piece, with 10 percent of proceeds going to WaterAid.) The styles are fun, but the stats aren't: one in eight people don't have access to safe water. Something to ponder as you dive into the pool.
> Janet Smith
