4 Make-Up Looks to Try This Summer

Words by Jennifer George


Believe it or not, summer is almost upon us, and just like our wardrobes, we’ll be rethinking our make-up bags for the days ahead. The season is set to be filled with events at an array of locations (from beaches to barbecues) and evening soirees that call for a little glam, so it's wise to pack versatile beauty products to match the occasion. Say goodbye to heavy coverage and usher in skin-enhancing, lightweight formulas that boost your skin's natural sun-kissed glow. Although your products may be streamlined, you still want to keep some sparkly eyeshadow for those summer nights, easy-to-use hybrid beauty to apply on the go, and long-lasting foundation formulas that can take a little heat. Below we do some of the hard work for you and break down four make-up looks to suit the summer months, whatever the occasion. All you need to do is ‘add to cart’, and start booking those flights.

Look 1: Subtly Sun-kissed

Let’s be honest: sometimes on holiday, the last thing you want to think about or spend your time on is applying a full face of make-up. For those days when all you want is a little enhancement, look for products that provide a quick pick-me-up. Start with CHANEL’s Skin Enhancer, which can be applied with your fingers on bare skin to add a subtle pearlescent, all-over glow.


Top up with Vieve’s liquid highlighter to add pops of light-catching luminosity, then sweep over NARS’ infamous bronzer if your sun-kissed complexion needs a bit of a boost. To keep the finish natural-looking, adopt a simple approach to your brows with Anastasia Beverley Hills’ Brow Freeze Gel which provides serious hold, and a sweep of an SPF lip balm. This is barely-there make-up at its very best.

Look 2: Glowing Goddess

Match your make-up to your setting with a group of products that will make you beam in the Bahamas, light up in LA or glow in Greece. Start with Shiseido’s new Glow Primer which has added prebiotics to help skin stay hydrated. This will create a brilliant base for Hourglass’ foundation that gives the same famous soft glow as its classic powders and buildable coverage that leaves a lit-from-within finish. Boost this in one fell swoop with Dior’s limited edition Forever Natural Bronze Glow, a lightweight blush-bronzer-highlighter hybrid that adds a sheer hint of warm colour to your skin, or can be built up to add a little more dimension if desired.


For your eyes, Tom Ford’s limited edition Soleil Summer Eye Colour Quad offers four shimmering shades, from a gleaming emerald to a softly shimmering rosy pink. As a finishing touch, nothing gives glossy lips quite like an oil, and Gisou’s Honey Infused Lip Oil is one of the very best.

Look 3: From Beach to Bar

Did someone say beach club? There’s nothing quite like watching the sunset with your companions after a day spent with your toes in the sand. Save precious time by packing glam jewellery and a cover-up in your bag, alongside these must-haves to provide a quick change to your look. Start with YSL’s All Hours Hyper Finish Powder to mattify any afternoon shine on your skin and leave a seamless finish that will stay in place all night long.


Westman Atelier’s highlighter will add a little pizzazz wherever it’s required: the top of the cheekbones, the brow bone, or your cupid’s bow. Sisley’s liquid eyeshadow can be padded on with your fingertips to add a subtle splash of colour, too. To add some dancefloor-worthy drama to your eyes, a few layers of Lancôme’s Lash Idôle Waterproof Mascara will provide jet-black length and lift with serious staying power. And continuing our lip oil obsession, Dior’s in-demand Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil comes in various vibrant shades ideal for adding a glossy pop of colour.

Look 4: An Evening Soiree

Some summer events, from the opera to a black-tie wedding, call for serious glam make-up. To keep things seasonal, try steering away from the smoky eye and red lip and instead lean into sunset-like shades and softly shimmering finishes.


Start with a long-wear but lightweight foundation, MAC’s Studio Fix Foundation is medium to full coverage yet comfortable and promises to stay looking fresh for hours on end. To add some dimension, sweep on some of Tom Ford’s limited edition Soleil Glow Highlighter, which gives a gentle glimmer without being overtly sparkly, and put some colour in your cheeks via Sisley’s Sun Glow Powder, a creamy powder bronzer that melts into the skin for a seamless sun-kissed look.


Make your eyes the main event with Guerlain’s Ombre G Eyeshadow Quad, a palette of highly pigmented shades with varying finishes (from matte to pearl) to create a variety of looks. Try using all four together to create an ombre effect, starting with the lightest in the inner corner. Add some intensity with a flick of eyeliner – Charlotte Tilbury’s The Feline Flick Liquid Eyeliner is precise and easy to use, even for a shaky-handed novice.

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