Summer is fast-approaching - hooray! And it will (hopefully) bring with it some significantly lovelier weather. Much like your skincare regime, your make-up and products need to change to reflect the season and the needs of your skin as the days get hotter.
In warmer months, you need products that will not only enhance your holiday glow, but also withstand heat and high temperatures so that they remain flawless all day long. We spoke to online hair and beauty retailer hairtrade.com to bring you a list of products you need to put to the back of your beauty cupboard and what you should be swapping them for...
1. Swap foundation for BB cream
Instead of thick liquid foundations, let your skin breathe a little more with a BB cream. Or if you want to go even lighter, a tinted moisturiser will do the job nicely - with a built-in SPF of course. This will deliver hydration, coverage and sun protection in just one easy step.
Product tip: Nars Velvet Matte Skin Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 30, £30.
2. Wear a translucent powder
If you feel like you need fuller coverage than just a BB cream or tinted moisturiser, try using a sheer foundation with a translucent powder over the top. This will prevent your complexion from looking too matte, and the translucent powder will set your foundation without adding too much colour.
Product tip: MAC Blot Powder, £21.50.
3. Invest in a good primer
Sweating off your make-up - and all that hard work - can be frustrating, as it means you have to keep re-applying. To lock in your look all day, invest in a good primer that contains glycerine, which will bind your foundation to your skin and keep it looking fresh for much longer. Even better if your primer of choice contains an SPF.
Product tip: Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer, £27.
4. Swap all powder makeup for gel
If your skin tends to get a little hot, using powder-based products is a no go, as they won’t melt into the skin properly and will instead sit awkwardly on the face. In summer, it's best to opt for gel and liquid based products.
5. Highlight, highlight, highlight
Highlighter works so well with a tan and gives your skin an irresistible glow. Simply sweep it across the cheekbones, onto the tip of the nose, dab it onto the cupids bow and add a touch just below your eyebrows. You can also pat it along your collarbone and the very top of the arms if you're wearing an off-the-shoulder number.
Product tip: Iconic London Limited Edition Illuminator, £29.99.
6. Go for a clear or slightly tinted mascara
Mascara can be pain to use on holiday if you’re spending a lot of time by the beach or the pool. Use clear or slightly tinted mascara instead of a black or brown one. This will make your eyelashes stand out without the worry of water or sweat smudging them. If you’re heading out and want a more dramatic look, use a waterproof formula in a highly-pigmented black shade.
Product tip: Estée Lauder Little Black Primer, £20.
7. Swap moisturiser for serum
While it’s important to give your skin plenty of hydration in winter, ultra-rich creams may cause makeup caking and creasing under harsh heat. Try switching to a serum instead during the warmer months. A serum will hydrate the skin without being too heavy.
Product tip: Estee Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher, £47
8. Make sure your products contain SPF
Make sure all of your tinted moisturiser/BB creams/foundations contain SPF - the higher the factor, the better. If they don’t, always remember to apply suncreeen before putting make-up on.
9. Swap blush for bronzer
You should already have a rosy glow in the hotter months, so swap your blush for a gently shimmering bronzer. Add a touch to your cheekbones, across the top of your forehead and just below the jawline for natural-looking warmth and a subtle sculpted effect.
Product tip: Rimmel London Sunshimmer 3 in 1 Shimmering Bronzer, £5.59.
10. Wear a top coat of nail polish
Light nail varnish colours like sheer pastel, pink and beige tones tend to turn yellow after being exposed to the sun for too long. To avoid this, always remember to use a clear gel top coat with built-in UV protection.
Product tip: OPI Top Coat, £12.50.
