Summer is swiftly approaching, and like your wardrobe, staple items are exactly what your make-up bag needs. From foundation to blusher, mascara to a simple moisturiser -- summer skin should be sun-kissed, fresh and feminine, just like 90210 star AnnaLynne McCord. Here are my summer staples.
Let's talk about the essentials first. If you don't wear a lot of make-up during the summer, always focus on great skin and a bit of lip colour to make you look fresh and awake. Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation, available at Debenhams, is perfect for summer. It is thick and durable enough to wear all day, without looking like you have 'caked' your make up on. With an SPF10 in it, wear a light skim of this during the day and re-apply for the evening.
During the summer everyone needs a great concealer at their fingertips. One of my personal favourites is YSL Touche Eclat, which is light-reflecting and so is a great way to distract from those dreaded bags under your eyes.
Finally, a fresh lip colour is always a good investment. Try opting for a lipstick that has a protecting SPF in it and a moisture base, rather than a simple matte colour. Korres Mango Butter Lipstick is available at House of Fraser in a range of summer colours. With an SPF 10, this mango butter lip colour is perfect for daytime and its glossy sheen is also perfect for wearing at night.
Aside from lips, concealer and foundation, moisturising your skin should be a daily ritual. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream is a fabulous product that should be in your make-up bag all year round. It protects against all weather conditions and acts as a great primer for your day to day make-up looks.
I also love Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, an exceptional beauty booster that eliminates signs of fatigue and redness on the skin (perfect for traces of sunburn in the summer).
The balm works on reducing lines on the face, which is great if you want to wear little to no foundation and still feel confident. Clarins now has its own online store dedicated to Northern Ireland (clarins.ie) where you can snap up some exclusive staples for your summer make-up bag.
The best way to get dazzling eyes is to work the bronzed goddess look, which will give you a sparkly edge. Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Shadowstick duo is a great way to save on space. This double- ended liner stick allows for a softer bronze shadow end and a more defined liner for that extra glow, all on one pencil.
It's also a good idea to invest in a great waterproof mascara. Get an extended lash look without extensions or lashings of mascara with the Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara.
My last tip is to invest in a good cleanser and toner. It's imperative to have a key regime in place -- if make-up is wonderful, it also needs to be taken off properly at the end of the day. Try Clinique Take The Day Off Cleanser, which promises to clear your skin of all blemishes and impurities that gather during the day. Exfoliating your skin as part of the cleansing routine is as equally important a step. La Prairie Essential Exfoliator, is perfect for lifting all the dead cells from your skin.
Summer may be about being bronzed and fabulous, but to bare all on the beach, your skin needs to be beautiful. Cleansing routines and moisturising tips go hand in hand in providing a great make-up base for day to night looks. Don't be afraid to experiment, but remember to keep your make-up bag light and invest in staple pieces that you can re-use.
Source: yellowbrix
