Face
Firstly, preparation is key to ensuring your make-up stays put in hot weather. BeautyCounter‘s Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion is light and glides on smoothly to create the perfect base, without any oily residue. It also does exactly as it claims and keeps skin hydrated for up to 24 hours, adjusting hydration levels throughout the day to match your skins needs, this is down to its Bio-Mimic Technology.
Dewy Cover is the look I go for when the weather warms up. No one wants to be wearing a full coverage foundation, which feels heavy on the skin and is more likely to the melt way and leave residue in the creases in your skin.
This is why I love the BeautyCounter Dew Skin Tinted Moisturiser for the warmer months, it is packed with a mixture of beneficial ingredients such as black currant, peony flower root extract, vitamin C and sodium hyaluronate. This formula makes the product hydrating, weightless and firming. It provides sheer coverage but it buildable where required, as well as having SPF 20 protection – this product really has it all.
If you haven’t yet had the chance to get a real tan, we’re all for faking it. I love the silky finish of BeautyCounter’s Radiant All Over Bronzer. To apply this, I simply sweep it over my cheekbones and hairline. In order to achieve flawless bronzing, it is vital that you have the right tools.
A rounded shape brush like BeautyCounter’s Powder Brush will ensure you have precise control when applying the powder. To complement the bronzer, I like to add a peach blush. This instantly brightens your face and lifts any sign of tiredness.
I like to use the BeautyCounter Color Pinch Cream Blush in the shade Hibiscus, this shade will compliment every skin tone and the cream formula creates a nice dewiness – perfect alongside your dewy foundation.
Lips
Like you prepare your face, the same applies for your lips. I like to prepare my lips with the BeautyCounter Lip Conditioner in Peppermint, the hydrating formula keeps summer chapped lips at bay. It also ensures my lipstick glides on smoothly and prevents flaking.
My current favourite lipstick combination for summer is the BeautyCounter Sheer Lipstick in the shade Poppy, keeping with the bright trend but slightly more subtle with the sheer factor to suit my personal style.
If you want to create the illusion of fuller and plumper looking lips, add a clear gloss finish with the BeautyCounter Lip Gloss in Opal.
Eyes
Again, the trend continues with preparation. I start by my summer eye looks by applying the BeautyCounter Rejuvenating Eye Cream, I apply this under my eyes and on my eyelids – to act as a primer for my eyeshadow.
I start my eye look by applying eyeliner, a vivid line of eyeliner can instantly make you look more awake. I simply start in the inner corner of my eye, draw along my lash line and finish with a small flick at the end (you can make the flick as dramatic as you like, depending on the look you are going for).
Next, I apply my eyeshadow. I like to go for beautiful earthy tones sunset shades with a slight shimmer. To create this look I use the BeautyCounter Necessary Neutrals Palette, tending to use the shades Suede, Flame and Bittersweet.
I use them individually for a day-to-day look my simply sweeping them across my eyelid with the BeautyCounter All-Over Eye Brush, or combine the 3 shades for a more intense look. I use the suede shade as the base colour, place the flame in the crease and sweep bittersweet over the eyelid to finish the look.
Finally, I finish the look with mascara, I like to apply this last due to often getting fallout from the eyeshadow on my lashes. The heat can make our mascara smear, flake and smudge. So, it is important to find a mascara that stays in place.
I find the BeautyCounter Lengthening Mascara delivers on this, it separates the lashes, adds length and the inky black colour stays put throughout the day with zero flaking.
Not forgetting your eyebrows, they have become an important part of my make-up regime. Since I have realised the huge difference they can make, your eyebrows are the first thing someone notices about your face, it frames your face and gives it more structure.
I admire the ladies, who create what can only be described as a work of art with beautiful ombre eyebrows, but to be frank I just don’t have the time or patience to create that.
Instead, day-to-day I like to use the BeautyCounter Brilliant Brow Gel. I use this gel in the shade Neutral Medium Brown (if you look on the BeautyCounter website they have a handy guide for which shade you should go for based on your hair color).
To apply the brow gel, I simply take the tapered applicator and brush it through my eyebrows, following their natural shape. The tint creates a fuller and thicker looking brow, while still looking natural.
If you are lucky enough to be blessed with already thick and full eyebrows (mine are quite sparse), then you have also been catered for with a clear finish brow gel, which will just help to neaten your eyebrows.
Finishing Your Look
When you have spent your precious time creating your masterpiece of a look, you want it to stay in place. To ensure my look does just this I use the BeautyCounter No1 Brightening Facial Mist, but not only does it keep my make-up in place all day, it also gives my skin a healthy and radiant glow.
I often pop this in my handbag to refresh my make-up throughout the day, it also doubles as a great spray to help cool me down as well as keeping me looking my best. To apply the spray hold it at an arm’s length away and spray the light mist in an X shape over your face.
What are your summer make-up must haves? I would love to hear!