Would you consider wearing cyan eyeshadow on your next holiday? Or maybe a neon fuchsia lip shade? I know what you’re thinking — no way. Traditionally, summer is the time to go low maintenance with your make-up. A few dabs of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream all over, or a slick of lip gloss when you’re feeling wild.
This year, however, it’s all change. Lily Collins recently stepped out in pastel purple eyeshadow on a boiling hot day in Paris, while Charlize Theron was seen with an acid-orange lip at a Berlin film premiere. Similarly, the SS17 catwalks are on board with bold: at Byblos, models’ eyelids were awash with strong yellow or pink eyeshadow, while at Kenzo, we saw glossy, electric-tangerine pouts.
As a result, the beauty brands have upped their game with new state-of-the-art formulations that make wearing bold make-up easier than ever. Try a gel eyeliner such as Nars Larger than Life Eyeliner (£19; lookfantastic.com), which promises to stay on in the midday heat, and budge-proof lipsticks such as Clinique Limited Edition Pop Lip Colour & Primer (£16.50; clinique.co.uk).
These innovations mean there is a strong case for you to experiment. Not sure where to start? Here’s our foolproof guide on how to get creative with summer colour.
It all starts with prep
Excess sun, sea and one too many late nights (oops) leaves skin more dehydrated than usual. The first thing you need to do is replenish it with water. Drinking H2O counts, but the key is to use a product that quenches thirsty skin, such as Clarins Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream (£36; selfridges.com). This does more than your standard moisturiser: it boosts the skin’s production of hyaluronic acid, which means more hydration for longer. Otherwise, a good under-£10 option is Simple Water Boost Hydrating Booster (£7; boots.com). If you tend to wear foundation on holiday, opt for the newest hybrid, Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer (£30; smashbox.co.uk), a primer and moisturiser in one. It preps for make-up and claims to increase your moisture levels by 127%.
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Try colour combinations
“The most on-trend colours this summer are pink and orange combos,” says Denise Rabor, a make-up artist and founder of Wow Beauty. However, stick to similar tones: keep both eyes and lips neon, or pair up pastels. “This helps to pull the look together,” Rabor says. Keep in mind that too much product on both areas may be overpowering, so apply with a light hand.
Amp up your lashes
If this is your first foray into brighter summer colour, then a good place to start is a hot-hued mascara. Blue is great for brightening the whites of your eyes, while a plum shade makes brown eyes pop. Go all out with several coats, or layer on top of your trusted black for a subtle hit. Try Marc Jacobs O!Mega Lash in Think Ink (£22).
Rethink pink
Pink on eyes is more wearable than it sounds. A feline fuchsia flick with lashings of black mascara is edgy rather than girly, and poppier than classic black. Keep the rest of the face neutral. For something softer, sweep on a rose-toned eyeshadow such as Burberry Eye Colour Cream in Dusty Pink (£25; burberry.com) for a boho effect. Pair it with clear mascara and brushed-up brows. For on-the-go, try a creamy multi-use, easy-to-blend product such as Ilia Multistick in Tenderly or Cheek to Cheek (£30), which is good for cheeks, lips and eyes.
Choose your textures
Different rules apply for different parts of the face. For skin, “look for an oil-free foundation, as the humidity in the air can make skin glow more than usual”, says Caroline Barnes, UK & Ireland brand ambassador for Max Factor. For mascara and eyeliner, “the key is to use waterproof everything”, says the make-up artist Tracey Gray Mann. The creamy Lancôme Le Stylo Waterproof eyeliner (£19; lancome.co.uk) promises not to smudge or streak, and the twist tip means you never need a sharpener. The same goes for lips: It Cosmetics Your Lips But Better All-Day Waterproof Lip Liner Stain (£16; selfridges.com) will last for eight hours and is packed with hyaluronic acid, which helps with hydration. Your summer face, sorted.
The kit
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Make-up: Siddhartha Simone