4 Easy Ways to Look Fabulous This Summer

Summer Beauty

What goes better with sun-kissed skin than an impossibly gorgeous glow? Make the most of your summer beauty and get a lit-from-within air with the best bronzers, shimmery shadows, hair highlighters and last, but not least, the perfect lip gloss. The countdown to warmer, look-and-feel-good weather is on.

Photo by Geneviève Charbonneau

Golden Glow

The best way to fake a faux glow is with a high-quality, finely milled bronzing powder. The secret to looking naturally tanned is to apply the powder where the sun would naturally hit your face. “Using a slanted powder brush, start at your temples and sweep along the side of your face and under your cheekbones. With the leftover pigment on the brush, sweep it lightly across your forehead, the bridge of your nose and your chin for a light kiss of warmth,” says Carmindy, a New York-based makeup artist and author of the new beauty book Bloom. Still feeling unsure? Cheat your way to an I-holiday-in-the-islands look with the help of a large contoured brush that naturally fills in the planes of your face – just be sure to dust the protruding point of the brush only for best results.

Pick the most flattering shade by looking for a bronzer within two shades of your current colour and with a similar undertone to your skin.  “Bronzers can be red or yellow in undertone,” says Caitlin Callahan, senior artist for M.A.C Cosmetics.  “If you have a neutral or cool skin tone, look for golden, yellow-based bronzers. Really bronze powders tend to be redder and complement a warmer complexion.”

Remember to also blend the colour onto your neck, shoulders and décolletage for an even look (especially in photos).  Just be sure to line your neck and sleeve holes with tissues first if you’re sporting a light-coloured top or dress.

Matte versus Shimmer
A flat, matte bronzer will give you a natural, shine-free finish, which is especially beneficial to those that tend to be extra oil-prone in the warmer months. However, that doesn’t mean you have to be afraid of a little shine. “Shimmer reflects light in the same way that natural, dewy skin would – as long as it’s not too glittery – giving you a natural-looking, sun-kissed glow,” says Caitlin Callahan, senior artist for M.A.C cosmetics.

1. Guerlain Terracotta Joli Teint Natural Healthy Glow Duo, $60; 2. Elizabeth Arden Sunkissed Pearls Bronzer and Highlighter, $48; 3. Chanel Création Exclusive Lumière d’été, $76; 4. M.A.C High-Light Powder in Freshen Up, $41; 5. Lise Watier Rivages Bronzing Powder, $39

Eye Shimmer

Warmer weather usually translates to pared-down makeup, but that doesn’t mean you can ignore your peepers. Look for shimmery formulas that highlight your lids and help bounce the light around your eye area for a flattering, wide-awake look. “Stay monochromatic and use shades like bronze or rose gold for a natural look, or go bold with complementary colours like green or cobalt, to make your bronzed skin stand out even more,” says Callahan.

To really make a statement, try drawing attention to your eyes with golden yellow, peach or coral shadow. “These colours enhance bronzed skin, and make their own summery statement,” says Callahan.  For the best application, Carmindy says to simply use your fingertip to lightly dab the shadow across your eyelid for a subtle wash of shimmer.

See Blue
Blue is one of the hottest colours of the season, but its retro vibe turns some people off – especially those who used it the first time around. (Hello, last century!) If you’re wary, steer clear of lighter hues that have a frosty feel and instead opt for super-saturated colours in shades of turquoise, cobalt and navy for a sea glass effect.

1. Flower Color play crème Eyeshadow in Awesome Blossom, $9; 2. The Body Shop Shimmer Cubes #32, $22; 3. Sephora Collection Colorful Duo Reflects Eyeshadow in Mermaid Tail, $16; 4. Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow in S-404, $24

Hair Highlighters

Add sexy shine and treat your locks at the same time with a hair gloss that will help protect against sun and colour damage. Apply a nickel-size amount (a quarter for extra-long locks) to towel-dried hair to help seal and protect your hair cuticle before styling.

For some temporary sparkle, skip the salon and add easy-to-DIY temporary highlights. Apply a gold or bronze hair highlighter to half-inch pieces of hair around the crown of your head and your face to fake a week-in-the-sun halo effect that will wash out naturally.

Pantene Expert Fade Defy VIBRANT Color Magnifying Gloss, $10; Garnier Color Styler in Bronze Attitude, $11

Lush Lippy

Add some shine to your everyday lip look for a fresh and youthful effect. “A creamy lip gloss will capture light and make your lips look full and plump,” says Carmindy. Look for a tingly formula with nourishing ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and vitamins A and E, to leave your pucker refreshed, hydrated and protected in the heat. Shades like peach and coral are universally flattering and will play up your natural lip colour.

Buxom Full-On Lip Crème in Bellini, $23