We’re back with Part 2 of Summer Essentials – Make Up. Hot sun and foundation generally don’t mix well, so here’s a list of some of the best products and tips around to make your transition from beach to bar a breeze.
Bright lippy: When it’s hot, you don’t want to be too bothered with a laborious makeup routine, especially if it’s just going to melt off your face five minutes later. Embrace the fresh look and amp up the colour with a bright lippy. Leave the eyes bare apart from a swipe of mascara, apply bronzer and lippy of your choice and you’re good to go. What could be more summery? Model Co Lip Couture in Coral ($28) is the perfect summer shade in an amazing formula; glides on, buildable colour and fantastic hydration, with a bonus of SPF15+ protection. Other fab colours include Australis Colour Inject Mineral Lipstick ($12.95) in Cha Cha, a deep red, or Flamenco for the hottest of pinks. Thick and creamy with a strong pigment, these budget beauties will leave you with enough change to accessorise your new look with a matching cocktail.
Like I said, you want your makeup routine to become simplified over summer. You don’t have time for a multi-stepped routine, there’s a cocktail to sip, a wave to ride. Eyes become easy with Bloom’s Shimmer Liquid Eyeshadow. One swipe over the eyelids (tip: keep them closed until it’s dried to prevent creasing) in the suit-all shade of ‘Sun’ and the liquid to powder formula will be ready for fun. Tip: If you need your eyeshadow to last all day, apply your powder eyeshadow over the top of a liquid/cream, like the Bloom. It acts as the perfect base for the powder, keeping it on all day.
Tinted moisturser with SPF: Bloom Mineral Plus Sheer Mineral Tint spf 15 ($48) is already in prime position for daily use come summer. The light formula moisturises effectively and disappears completely. Fuller coverage can be achieved with a pump or two more, as it blends superbly. The light formula also has just the right amount of illumination, leaving you with a refreshed and glowing complexion. Love it.
If you’re after more coverage than a tinted moisturiser, stay light and airy with Natio Pure Mineral Foundation ($19.95) It gives a natural, luminous finish, with jojoba and Vitamin E to benefit your skin, all the while looking fabulous (on a budget). The plastic bottle is also a godsend during the on-the-go summer months; no more smashed glass on your bathroom tiles, or even worse, in your handbag.
Primer: Not all of us can swan about poolside this summer rocking an au naturale look. If you need your makeup to stay put all day, put a primer to good use. Becca’s Mineral SPF 30+ Primer ($68) is the perfect base, as the mineral formula won’t clog pores (and lead to breakouts) and the high SPF of 30 adds extra protection to your daily routine.
Waterproof mascara: Mirenesse Secret Weapon 24 Hour Mascara $39.50 will take you from the beach to the bar with ease. I’m seriously impressed by its multitasking formula; volume, length, separation and a glossy, dark black pigment – topped off by a waterproof finish. I took my dedication to new levels and even tested in the sauna; it didn’t budge. Now that’s a summer mascara! When you’re ready to remove, warm water will slip the mascara tubes right off your lashes. Too easy. Tip: To coat those often pesky bottom lashes, turn your mascara wand vertical and lightly brush back and forth along the lower lash line. Voila, were you born with those?!
Face bronzer: Most of us can’t get enough of the bronzed look come summer, myself included. Therefore I’ll be going gangbusters with the amazing Mirenesse Flawless Revolution Antiageing 3 in 1 24 HR Bronzer with SPF 15.( $99.50) Not quite a foundation, yet more than a bronzing gel, this will be one of my everyday summer staples. Smooth it onto clean skin for a bronzed, light to medium coverage with glowing luminosity. For those who are naturally quite pale, you might want to mix this with your moisturiser prior to applying. The three in one product includes moisturiser, primer and the Sheer Colour Corrector, and is packed with anti-aging goodies that have been clinically proven to reduce deep wrinkles and improve skin tone.
Blush: Stay on-trend with Bloom’s Sheer Colour Cream in Coy ($24), the perfect peach shade for summer. Simply pat your finger tips in the formula and smooth onto cheekbones in a circular motion. It’s easily blended, so don’t be too scared by the cream consistency if you’ve always been a powder girl. Add a touch of bronzer and it’s the perfect peachy keen summer look.
Lip and cheek tint: Natio, $14.95 If lipsticks are too fussy for you, try a lip and cheek tint. Water-resistant and super long lasting, this cherry red liquid acts as a stain, giving your lips and cheeks a flushed, just-bitten look. Natural mica adds a subtle sheen too. Perfectly natural, and fuss-free; it’s the non-lipstick girl’s lip colour.
Powder Bronzer: Keep ModelCo’s Glow Summer Bronze ($58) in your handbag for quick refreshments on the go this summer. Sometimes, all you need is a quick swipe over the highest points of your face to breathe a little life back into your sunstroke-suffering base. Sheer colour allows option for coverage and infused Shea Butter doesn’t dry out your skin. I think I’ll take it just for the hot pink packaging!
Bright nail polish: Turn up the bright and have some fun with an eye-catching shade of polish you might not usually wear! If you’re a real bright-begginner, start on your toenails for a less noticeable approach. It’s funny how a splash of fluorescent coral here or tangerine orange there can lift your mood! Kit Cosmetics has a great range of nail polish colours to choose from for only $15.95.
