Ageless beauty
Two experts, one beauty conundrum: this week, Lisa and Annabel discuss how to update your make-up for summer in your 40s and 50s
Lisa
Do you wear foundation in summer? I waver – it’s so hard to find the right, light texture but I’ve recently discovered an ultralight biscuity coloured foundation that shows real skin, from Ammiel De Mamiel called Atmospherique Exhale Daily Hydrating Nectar,
£83 (cultbeauty. co.uk); it’s a tinted cream with SPF 30 (I always wear a separate SPF on top). It’s very expensive, but packed with antioxidants, gives a lovely glow and seems to last for ages.
Annabel
I’m a big believer in investing in one great piece for your make-up bag each season, and for me it’s usually base. I‘d rather spend more on getting my complexion right then save on the rest. It’s a bit like investing in a beautifully tailored coat in winter, it elevates everything else. This summer, that product is Omorovicza Complexion Perfector SPF20, £62 (omorovicza. co.uk). At first I thought the shade wouldn’t suit me as there’s only one light and one dark, but it morphs into your natural skin tone and leaves you with this luminous finish that has just enough coverage.
Lisa
A subtle dose of holiday “colour” is a good goal this summer when many of us aren’t going away. I’ve begun using a pink powder blusher. I know cream blush is meant to be more youthful as it doesn’t get stuck in any fine lines, but the newest powders are amazingly sheer. Rose Hermes Silky Blush Powder in Rose Pommette, £63, (hermes.com) is fresh and youthful looking and would last me a couple of years. On a more affordable note, Blush Matte Cheek Colour in
Pale Pink, £21 (bobbibrown. co.uk) is equally lovely.
Annabel
I’ve switched to powder blusher too. Dior’s Backstage Rosy Glow Blush in Light Pink, £29.50 (dior.com), recently went viral – I’ve been using the accompanying shade, Light Coral, which is just as pretty. It reacts with your skin’s moisture levels and customises the colour to your complexion. It’s sheer and light – my new obsession.
Lisa
I was never mad about Dior make-up in the past but recently I’ve found a few gems. I’m using their Mono Couleur Couture in 658 Beige Mitzah, £27.50 (as before). It’s a metallic cappuccino colour that has the perfect level of shimmer and stays put all day. Some brown shades can deaden the complexion but this does the opposite. If I have time I’ll blend a tiny dot of orangeypeach shadow in the centre of my lid. It doesn’t read as orange, but it makes everything “pop”.
I’ve been wearing pink on my eyelids, either from my blusher or lipstick. So long as it’s a cool pink it lifts your whole face. I’m a big fan of doubling or tripling up on products in summer.
Annabel
Lisa
I like to keep it minimal too – partly because I only tend to wear small bags these days. My final addition is Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Satin
Kajal Liner in Bronze, £22 (victoria beckham beauty. com). It’s a flattering bronze shade in a super soft formulation that doesn’t drag on the skin. I wear it either in my water line or on my lash line. It’s easy to apply because the pencil is so thin and if it smudges, it still looks good because it’s not harsh or dark.
Annabel
What about lips? I believe that a matte lipstick is best in summer, especially while we’re still wearing masks. Matte lasts longer and offsets a glowy complexion, which looks more modern. H&M do good lipsticks at a reasonable price. I also love E.l.f ’s collaboration with Jen Atkin. The Xxtra Lip Duo in S.e.l.f Made Pink, £8 (boot.com), is as good as it gets for under a tenner. It has a lip liner on one end and lip colour on the other. Or I wear their red shade, Red-y to Go. For evening, I dab a little highlighter on the top of my cheeks. Kevin Aucoin’s the Glass Glow Face and Body Illuminator, £26 (cultbeauty. co.uk), is pretty and lasts ages. Otherwise, an SPF with radiance particles, like Supergoop’s Glow Screen SPF30, £32 (cultbeauty.com), is all you need.
Lisa
And waterproof mascara – essential in the heat. We both love Hourglass, but any budget suggestions?
Annabel
Max Factor, Maybelline, L’oreal Paris and Rimmel all do great cheapies leaving you some change for that luxury tinted base.