By Napoleon Perdis
For this year’s summer makeup, I’m all about no-fuss looks that go the distance and hold up against heat and humidity.
1. One of my favourite Summer beauty looks: brighter-than-bold lip colours. Coral, fuchsia and raspberry-red hues are an on-trend way to introduce some colour into your world – not to mention an instant image upgrade . Bright is right, right now! With bold lips you need to ensure your skin looks fresh but flawless (employ camouflage tactics!) and that your lips are balanced with a little eye attention. I always use an eye primer as a great neutral base to make your eye colour pop and of course, lashings of mascara to open and define the eyes. If you’re busting out a bold lip for day, make it matte. You can then glam it up with a slick of gloss for evening or for a bit of fun, add a little disco by pressing an ultra fine glitter into your lipstick.
2. A faux lash is a great way to get a party look started; it’s instant glamification with minimum time and effort. Whether you choose some subtly defined individual lashes added to the outer corners or a more eye-catching statement, faux lashes help to make eyes look even more alluring. Always apply mascara before you apply any type of false lash. This will not only help you to choose the right size and length (depending on the mascara you use, your lashes can gain considerable length and volume), but gives support and more precise placement. You may need to trim your new lashes to fit to your eye size. The easiest application tip: run the tip of the glue along the base of the lash, allowing a few seconds for it to get tacky before applying to the eye. You should then get a quick and easy fit with great hold.
3. I also love the return of bronzed skin. Just remember to always practise safe sun; faking it is the skin-smart option. For the most natural looking effect, make sure that you bronze only the areas of the face where the sun would hit naturally: the cheekbones, the bridge of the nose and around the top of the forehead. In high Summer I recommend using a bronzing powder instead of a cream bronzer which can be less stable on the skin. However, highlighting your features with cream textures not only gives you the loveliest, light-reflecting finish, but also helps to create flattering contours and shape into the face. It’s a great option for an evening look. Oilier complexions should reach for a luminizing powder as too many extra creams or liquids on the skin will only up your oil count.
HOW TO AVOID MAKEUP MELTDOWN: Skin prep is key to avoiding makeup meltdown. If your base is not well-prepped your foundation will be sliding down your face by the afternoon. Which is where primer comes in; there are a variety of primers to choose from. Hydrating primers are great for drier or more mature skins and you can mix a little in with your foundation for a fresher, lighter base. Pore-minimizing or mattifying primers are ideal for oily types to help your foundation last the distance and keep your natural oil in check, while radiance-boosting primers help to revive dull, drab skin. Finding the right base is key; choose a semi-matte or satin finish formula that’s lightweight in texture as overly dewy foundations don’t tend to work too well in the heat and humidity. Keep it on the light side; anything too heavy will just make you sweat. A light hydrating mist can be a great way to cool down but also to revive your foundation and keep it looking fresh.
The other key to keeping your makeup looking fresh and fabulous during Summer is in finding the middle ground between sheen and shiny. Which really comes down to knowing how to mattify what I call ‘hotspots’: the nose, chin, between the brows and the centre of the forehead. Areas to highlight include the top of the cheekbones, cupids bow, bridge of the nose and brow bone to catch and reflect the light. If you can master the art of highlighting it really can take years – and kilos – off the face, trust me. Invest in a good contouring palette that incorporates a blush, bronzer, and highlighter.
MY THREE SUMMER MUST HAVES:
1. A mattifying mineral primer to correct an uneven skin tone, keep shine at bay, and help foundation last through the day, minimizing makeup meltdown.
2. A good luminizer to add some radiance to the skin and some definition to the features. It’s a great beach-to-bar product that makes a subtle but definite difference. Apply to the cheekbones, the brow bones, the decolletage, even a stripe down each calf to accent your legs.
3. A bold lip colour to keep you on trend and up your glam count in an instant. Apply with a lip brush for a more polished pay off. If you don’t want to make such a strong statement you can still toe dip the trend by pressing a little into your lips with your fingers.
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