Easy ways to tweak your summer beauty routine
Switch up your make-up bag and maybe summer will actually arrive. Beauty director Sonia Haria has faith
I’m a firm believer in the principle that as soon as the season changes, so should your make-up and skincare. Admittedly the weather still leaves quite a lot to be desired, especially now that it’s May, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t stay hopeful for some sunshine. There’s a certain flush to the cheeks that comes with a little optimism.
There are three key changes which will freshen up your make-up routine for the (in theory) warm months ahead. First, and probably unsurprisingly, switch to a moisturiser with added broad-spectrum sun protection. If the thought of slathering a thick sun lotion on your face every day fills you with dread, there are some rather smart products on the market that feel – and have the look of – your regular moisturiser, but with an added boost of SPF factor 30 or 50.
My current favourite suncare brand is Heliocare. Its 360 Airgel SPF 50+, (£28, heliocare.com) is dispensed like a hair mousse (hear me out) but leaves a sheer, moisturised film of protection on the skin. This innovative texture is a total triumph for all skin types. It also has a slightly tacky texture, similar to that of a primer (which any make-up artist will tell you is the secret to long-lasting make-up). Avène and La Roche-posay are two other excellent, reliable brands best known for their sophisticated, well-priced sun protection. As for summer make-up tweaks, there’s a quick switch in base that makes a big difference. Rather than applying foundation – which usually leaves a heavier, matte finish along with evening out the complexion – try using just a concealer and bronzer instead.
Conceal wherever you feel you need coverage (under the eyes, redness around the nose, and any blemishes you may have) but leave as much skin free of make-up as you can. Instead, add a little warmth to the skin with a bronzer. The mere mention of bronzer strikes fear in many women, understandably, but I feel there are two conditions for a good bronzer for women over 30 – choose a matte shade in a sheer cream formula. The best by far is Chanel’s classic Soleil Tan De Chanel, (£40, chanel.com) which comes in a satisfyingly large tub that lasts for months and months. Apply it with your fingers or a big synthetic blusher brush on areas where you’d naturally tan – tops of your cheeks, temples and down the bridge of your nose. It’s a one-shade suitsall modern bronzer that deserves a place in every make-up bag this summer. The concealer-bronzer trick epitomises summer beauty to me. It’s about skin looking like skin, just better.
Next, try switching from powder textures to gel formulas where you can. This applies to lips, cheeks, lids and brows. The beauty of gels is that in cosmetics they typically “stain” the skin with long-lasting colour, and they leave a grown-up sheen when applied.
For a pop of colour, I love The Body Shop’s bargain Lip & Cheek Stains (£8, thebodyshop.com) which come in a few flattering shades. The product leaves a semi-transparent flush of colour that is easy to build. Smile and dab the product on to the chubbiest part of the cheek, and for lips, just layer on until you reach the desired depth of colour. With my brows, I often reach for the Arch Brow Volumising Fibre Gel by Hourglass (£22, hourglasscosmetics. com) which is easy-peasy to apply and fills the brows naturally without the telltale matte look of a pencil.
Finally, for the all-important eye make-up, a wash of Charlotte Tilbury’s Eyes to Mesmerise gelcream eyeshadow in the taupegold shade Marie Antoinette (£22, charlottetilbury.com) is just enough to enhance the eyes for a pretty, fresh look. The hint of sparkle within the cream catches the sunlight (that is, when it finally appears) beautifully.
There are three key changes to freshen up your make-up regime