The Guide to Summer Makeup

SUMMER MAKEUP GUIDE - Amour Ophelia — With the heat rising, humidity increasing and faces becoming sweatier, Summer is the time to mix up your makeup kit and what goes on your face each day. Just like your wardrobe, things that are lighter tend to be far more comfortable - think linen over cotton = tinted moisturisers over foundation - and creams usually rule when it comes to keep things looking healthy and dewy. Summer shouldn’t mean no makeup, just slightly different products, techniques and formulas.

Keep The Bases Light… Still adding coverage and evening out your complexion, a light base is a safe bet for makeup in the heat. Whether it’s a BB, CC or skin tint, there’s something for everyone in this category, even those who still desire coverage. For enviable radiant skin and a barely there look, the Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser is ideal. Brightening tired complexions, this illuminating base product is the key to a ‘no makeup, makeup’ look. Concealing any small blemishes, evening out skin tone and providing a healthy tint of colour, it makes skin glow and lasts all day. There’s also the magnificent Omorovicza Complexion Perfector* that acts as a skin tint and concealer in one as the sheer formula corrects skin tone and leaves a luminous, flawless finish. For super easy mornings then the Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defense CC Cream* that offers SPF50 UVA/UVB protection as-well as light coverage and a glow is the one to reach for. With it’s buildable coverage you can tailor this day to day depending on how much coverage you desire and never does it appear ‘caked on’, heavy or matte due to it’s lightweight consistency that blends seamlessly into the skin.

A Wash of Bronzer… No summer makeup look whether you’re in the city or by the beach is complete without a wash of bronzer and the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzing Powder* is a totally irresistible way to give skin that straight out the sun, sun-kissed look. Blended with bronzed pigments and the famous glow of the Ambient Lighting Powder, this soft and illuminating bronzer sculpts the face whilst adding definition and a golden finish. Coming in 4 flattering shades, there’s one for all. For a matte yet creamier finish then something like the Rosie for Autograph Starstruck Contour Stick* is an easy, ‘swipe on and buff’ option that in seconds warms up the complexion for a beachy island look.

All Things Cream Cheeks… Sticking to the light and glossy theme, when it comes to adding blush something in cream or liquid will provide the ultimate healthy flush of colour that comes naturally when walking on a cold Winter’s day. This look can be easily mimicked with the Rosie for Autograph Starstruck Lip & Cheek Colour* - a sleek and butter like in texture blush stick that blends beautifully into the cheeks. Applied with fingers, the pigment melts into the skin giving a natural ‘flush’, that provides the ultimate dewy finish and lends far more radiance than a powder would. To achieve the fresh off the beach look then reach for a sunny coral coloured blush such as Glossier Dawn Cloud Paint* and buff into the apples of the cheeks, blending up towards the hairline to make the cheeks pop. In the highlighter department, find something in cream or liquid form that contains light reflective particles - like the NARS Hot Sand Liquid Illuminator - as this will provide skin with a champagne soft iridescent glow that glistens in the sun. Alternatively, for a bronzed apricot finish then NARS South Beach The Multiple is a perfect pick.

Eye Sticks for Ease…. Similarly to painting the cheeks, when it comes to choosing your eye shadow in the Summer you want something quick and easy. No body wants to be touching up their makeup in the heat so colour in lids with the simplest way to achieve your desired look - eye sticks. Laura Mercier Caviar Stick, Chanel Stylo Eye Shadow and Glossier Lidstar* all offer an abundance of colours from neutral and bright hues that make the eyes pop, last all day, never crease and most importantly look fresh.

A Non-Smudge or Waterproof Mascara… If you don’t want to leave your lashes bare then either opt for a waterproof mascara that yes are a killer to get off but will leave you smudge free all day or if waterproofs aren’t for you, then reach for something subtle yet lengthening. Eyeko is the queen of mascaras when it comes to having an option for all so go curled and waterproof with the Sport Mascara or long and luscious with Lash Alert*.

Lip Tints/Stains/Balms, Either Will Do… You want to keep lips relatively fuss free in the Summer to avoid any dried out, chapped lip look. Choose a hydrating tinted balm such as the Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatments* which are SPF15 and give a sheeny balmy finish or for something a little more glossy then opt for a Lanolips SPF30 Tinted Balm*. There’s no need for lipstick lovers to feel left out here as Lipstick Queen Mornin’ Sunshine which adapts to your natural lip pigment offers a divine soft pink stain that finishes off a sunny and healthy makeup look or for those craving a slightly bolder lip to pair with a low key eye and cheek, Lipstick Queen Medieval can be applied delicately for a stained, nourished and flawless finish.