The weather is finally beginning to warm up and the sound of champagne popping open is happening more and more frequently. Ladies, just like you, I couldn’t be more thrilled!
The promise of a glorious summer is on our horizon, which is the best excuse to clean out the porcelain toned foundation from your makeup kit and get your hands onto five of my favourite bronzed beauty products – and this year’s selection is worth getting über excited about.
Hi, I’m Elle, and today I‘m here to help you nail the best summer beauty trends. I want you to look your best; whether that may be keeping cool poolside or sipping a delicious cocktail at the most chic party in town.
Now, I think I’d actually lose my Napoleon-trained credentials if, as your makeup artist, I didn’t emphasise to you that, “Not to prime, is a crime!” As the wise makeup sage, Napoleon Perdis stresses, primer is a necessity in achieving the perfect base. In summer, you must add a high-level SPF sunscreen to that base too. My go-to sunscreen is from O Cosmedics, and if foundation isn’t your thing, but you’d still like a bit
of an extra glow, pick it up in the tinted version – you can’t go wrong!
Honestly, picking my absolute favourite makeup trends for summer is tough, as there are so many beautiful looks this year to mention. The one trend that stands out to me though is that women are embracing their own skin. I love it! As there’s nothing that irks me more than being approached by a client that has amazing skin, yet they want to completely hide it under an overly heavy base.
Trust me, if I could use M.A.C Cosmetics Face and Body on everyone, I would! If you don’t already own this product, I suggest you race to your nearest M.A.C counter and treat yourself with some. I love to use the Laura Mercier Radiance Primer underneath the M.A.C foundation to give you that flawless, dewy glow, as you can see on the beautiful Lilly (pictured). You’ll need to buff this product right into your skin and to do so I recommend using the Rae Morris Radiance Brush, as it will give you the most polished finish.
The detail being applied when contouring and highlighting have really gone crazy lately. Unless you’re keen to get wild with your highlights, it’s probably not worthwhile diving into one of those ‘rainbow’ pallets that are currently popping up all over YouTube. Instead, I recommend paying a visit to the lovely ladies at Alchemy Hair & Makeup in Traralgon and picking up the Make-Up Store, Gleam Dream in gold. I love products that serve multiple functions – who doesn’t?! The first application for the Gleam Dream is to pat it onto the centre of your eyelid to give you a gorgeous golden glow and then blend it out onto the upper point of your cheekbone for the ultimate summery highlight.
This product is so quick and easy to apply from its chic mirrored compact – perfect for application on the go. A bonus tip, just for you, if you want to be really thrifty, it looks amazing if you mix a little Gleam Dream with Egyptian Magic skin cream and use it as a body highlight on your arms and collarbones.
Now Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow Kit…need I say more?! This product is my new best friend. Eyebrows have been a talking point in the makeup trend reports for quite some time now and I can’t see brows becoming any less a focal point anytime soon. So you best get yourself to WAXX Bar and get them on fleek by Gippsland’s best shapers. Then visit a Sephora stockist and purchase Aqua Brows to keep your brows on point even after a swim, as this awesome product is waterproof!
Another multi-use product line that I’m currently obsessed with is The Base by Lara Bingle, and her Lip To Cheek Tint is the best. Pop a tiny amount onto the apple of your cheek to achieve a youthful sun-kissed glow and then onto your lips for the perfect pout.
I can’t wait to see all your glowing, radiant faces this festive season and if you have any beauty questions, please feel free to send me an email - I’m here to help!
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Elle James is a professional make-up artist and serial blogger taking on the fashion world from her home town of Sale – elle@mimonmoi.com.au.
Photo Credits:
Makeup Artist: Elle James (@ellejames_makeup)
Model: Lilly Katharina (@lillykatharina from @londonmgtgroup)
Photographer: Peter Soulis (@petersoulis)
Hair: Mikaela Javor (@brushes.by.mj & @rawelementhair)
Fashion: Mijanou Resort
Ladies, I know you’re busy so here’s a quick re-cap on my summer makeup picks:
1. O Cosmedic Tinted SPF
2. M.A.C Cosmetics Face and Body
3. Laura Mercier Radiance Primer
4. Make Up Store Gleam Dream
5. Make Up For Ever Aqua Brows Kit
AND, THEN AS A BONUS: The Base By Lara Bingle Lip To Cheek Tint
