The key to summer make-up is in the formulas – lightweight, sheer textures that aren’t going to cake and clog – as well as seeking out those with built-in protection against those damaging rays to keep you skin safe.
We’ve pulled together our seven favourite sweat-proof products and tips on how to stay fresh-faced in a heat-wave, plus this summer’s hottest beauty trends and tips on how to apply your make-up so it lasts all day.
Skin Prep Primers
Bobbi Brown’s Primer Plus Radiance has added SPF35. Not only will it protect your skin from damage but the hard-working skin-prep will illuminate the complexion, blur imperfections and help even out the skin tone too. Think of it as the wingman to your foundation; creating a ‘non-slip’ base for your foundation to cling to when the mercury rises.
Sweat-Proof Foundations
When it comes to your base, you can go one of two ways: embrace the dewy look (we won’t say sweaty) and go for a glowy, lightweight base like Glossier’s Perfecting Skin Tint with diamond powder to give a soft-focus effect and a light wash of colour. Or, if you’re looking for a more velvet, mattified finish to your skin, Bare Minerals original powder formula has been soaking up oily t-zones for over 20 years. Giving SPF protection, it allows skin to breathe while offering a fuller coverage without drying skin.
Coloured Eyeshadows
Citrus yellow and sunset peach are the two shades of the summer. Whether you opt for the acid bright (great for making blue eyes pop and actually surprisingly wearable) or a slightly safer warm, neutral peachy tone, they are both quick ways of creating a pulled-together look on an otherwise bare face. Ensure you prep with an eyelid primer to keep your shadow in place all day. Try Illamasqua for punchy pigmented eyeshadows and Nars for a tinted eyeshadow base that creates an invisible, budge-proof canvas for your colour.
Statement Lashes
Panda eyes are a summer beauty pitfall. With hay fever causing sensitivity and the prospect of swimming (not to mention sweating), eye make-up that doesn’t budge is a tough brief. This season lashes are going large, with volume and drama a key look on the catwalks; if you are going for statement peepers, do keep your lips and base pared back and simple. Look for naturally warm coral pinks and dewy balms to allow the eyes to remain centre-stage. We’ve tried and loved Dior’s ‘Pump and Volume’ mascara for XXL lashes and La Roche Posay’s Toleraine Volume Mascara, which is perfect for sensitive, itchy eyes since the gentle formula gives dramatic lashes with zero irritation.
Cream Contouring
From blush to highlighter, bronzer to contouring – formulas need to be kept sheer, cream or gel-based to avoid caking and breakouts in humid conditions. Look for textures that blend into the skin seamlessly and enhance your natural summer glow. There have been many beauty column inches dedicated to the re-formulation of Chanel’s iconic Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream, a universal shade that flatters and adds warmth to the skin with a velvet finish.
Bright Pink Lips
Pillar-box red lips are to winter what watermelon pink lips are to summer. This season, the hottest shades are magenta pinks with blue tones, which are great for making teeth look super white. They’re great pared with sun-kissed skin (fake or otherwise), with matte textures giving a modern, clean finish. Try MAC’s saccharine shade Candy Yum Yum for a sophisticated creamy yet no-shine formula.
Feathered Brows
While strong, structural brows have been the buzz word in beauty since Cara Delevingne made caterpillar-brows cool again, this season they are going au natural and with a feathered finish – perfect timing if your beauty regime has taken a back-seat during lockdown. A great low-maintenance look, simply ditch your eyebrow pencil and instead, fluff up brows with a sweep of a brow brush, such as Benefit’s Gimme Brow. With ten shades available they have a clever online ‘brow try on’ virtual simulator to allow you to find your perfect match.
By Lydia Mansi
June 2020
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