With the warmth, and sun of the summer months fast approaching, many of us are reconsidering how we will apply our makeup. We may re-examine when to apply SPF, whether we will need to switch to cream formulations, include setting sprays, increasing or decreasing our foundation, and more. Here are a few things to consider before you apply your makeup on a warm summer’s day:

THE SECURITY OF AN SPF:

Though many might argue that SPF is not universally necessary, consider the fact that a proven anti-age treatment is the consistent use of moisturiser and SPF throughout ones life. Aside from the other dangers that excess exposure to the sun’s rays may bring (melanoma chief among them) consistent unprotected time in the sun can cause the face to age prematurely. Picking the right SPF is tricky, given the fact that the number system involves knowing, and understanding your own skin. Sun protection factors measure sunburn protection on a more personalised level than you may suspect. If you are fair and normally burn after 10 minutes exposure in the sun, SPF 15 would allow you to stay in the sun fifteen times longer than you would be able without sunscreen, 10 x 15 = 150 minutes. Use what’s recommended (typically SPF 15-30) correctly, always applying twenty to thirty minutes prior to sun exposure.

TO PRIME, OR NOT TO PRIME?: 

Even dry complexions are prone to makeup sliding off the face more quickly during warm weather. Although primers cannot stop sweat production, many can aid makeup’s longevity. Applying a lotion style base when you’ve already applied sunscreen or a sunscreen-enhanced moisturiser may not be desirable, and silicone based primers can feel heavy on the skin in warm weather. Opt for a makeup setting spray such as Urban Decay’s All Nighter , it boosts makeup durability on all skin types, or De-Slick, perfect for oily skin types.

CREAM, NOT POWDER:

Cream products have a distinct advantage over powder during the summer months. Not only are they often quick and easy to apply rendering them perfect for busy days, but they tend to outlast powders during the heat. Cream eye shadows are an easy way to dress up simple makeup, while cream based blushes, bronzers, and highlighters blend seamlessly. Effortlessly outlasting their powder cousins that we tend to favour during the cooler months.

Though we may be considering cosmetic wardrobe colour transitions from deep berry, and tawny shades, to neons, nudes, and bright corals may be at the forefront of our minds we also ought to consider the importance of far more crucial factors to the health of our skin and durability of our makeup. SPF is a must during the summer, and for many of us primers and cream products are also indispensable.

Be sure to stay sun safe, and beautiful this summer!

The stunning Arizona Muse has been named as the new face of Estée Lauder. Makeup artist, Tom Pecheux, says Muse has “a twist, also, in her character, and in her personality. She is one of the few girls that you can transform,  but no matter what you do, she’s always herself. It’s what we call a fashion dream.” Muse is most definitely the perfect woman for the job – having to balance work, and motherhood is not the easiest thing to do, but she does it wonderfully. Even Aerin Lauder agrees saying that the healthy sense of balance is “what the brand is all about: relating to women and instilling family values while still being luxurious.”

Virgin Atlantic has partnered with Bare Minerals to launch its first red lipstick titled “Upper Red Class.” While it may seem odd for the airline to be releasing such a product, Virgin Atlantic is synonymous with luxury lifestyles, and their crew reflects its brand image. Looking dull is not an option for the “hottest flight attendants in the sky.” The lipstick will be worn as a part of the uniform and passengers will be available for £16.

Deborah Lippmann has created a set of nail polishes to represent the good vs. evil nature of  Snow White and the Huntsman. The two shades, a pretty light pink, “Kiss”, representing the sweet, good side, and a deep purple, “Dark Side of the Moon”, representing the seductive,dark side. Genius.

Doing something for your skin whilst seemingly doing absolutely nothing is truly relaxing. And a face mask is the ultimate relaxation tool. New this month from Decléor is the Aroma Pureté  range with products, aiming to rebalance combination skin. And the new 2 in 1 Purifying and Oxygenating Mask  is the perfect way to feel great and exfoliate.

Ladies, let’s be honest. The signs of ageing are not usually welcomed with open arms. As we know, it is super important to take care of our skin, especially in our younger years. One thing that we can all achieve, is a good skincare regime. But what type of skincare? Which ingredients? We hear you ask frantically. Here are some of our favourite age-defying ingredients that will no doubt turn back the clock:

Acai oil 

Fight the signs of ageing with this renowned formula derived from the acai berry superfruit. Bursting with antioxidants that cleanse the skin from within.

Alpha-hydroxy acid (AHAs)

AHAs include Glycolic, lactic, citric, and tartaric acids. Breaking the bonds between dead cells, causing them to shed more easily, and leaving you with smoother, healthier skin. Hello radiance!

Alpha-Lipolic acid

Did you know that this powerful acid is found in every cell in our bodies? It builds up our defenses against free radicals, reduces pores, and leaves our skin with a glorious glow.

Essential oils

We hear this term all the time, but what are essential oils? In short form, a hybrid of hydrophobic liquid, and aroma compounds found in plants. Restore, replenish, and rejuvenate your skin in one go.

CoEnzyme Q-10

As we age, our body’s natural production of CoEnzyme Q-10 declines. Thus creating more susceptibility to free radicals, and sun damage. This antioxidant not only protects the skin, but prevents wrinkles from forming, especially around the eye area. Crows’ feet will be a thing of the past.

Green Tea Extract

Not only does this antioxidant-wonder cleanse our systems, it also stagnates the rate of ageing. Win.

Hyaluronic Acid

Our bodies produce hyaluronic acid naturally in order to cushion and lubricate tissue. Unfortunately, this natural production decreases with age, unhealthy diets, and other factors. Hyaluronic acid-rich products restore the skins natural moisture level and help us to regain, and maintain a youthful look.

Salycilic Acid

Usually used for treating acne, it penetrates pores, and reduces blackheads and whiteheads. It also exfoliates the skin, which in turn, can reduce the signs of ageing.

Shea Butter

Wrinkles will be less noticeable with this well-loved ingredient. A high concentration (around 20%) improves elasticity, and evens skin tone.

SPF

Create a sun shield against UVA, and UVB rays, whilst brightening and nourishing your skin. Remember, the higher the SPF, the higher the protection.

Vitamin A, C and E

Skin-softening vitamins which stimulate the production of collagen. Effectively minimising the appearance of fine lines, and wrinkles; whilst improving skin tone.

Now that we’re in the know, we’ll be able to select appropriate skincare products for our skin. Little did we know, that our bodies actually produce some of the ingredients that we scour the market for!

When it comes to beauty regimes, we don’t always have the time to be as strict as we’d like to be. If we’re honest, we’ll admit to bending the rules sometimes. Here are my personal top five beauty bad habits:

1. Falling asleep with your makeup on:

Forgetting to take your makeup off is probably the worst thing you can do to your skin. Most makeup is comedogenic, which means it will clog your pores. Now imagine all that makeup, and the dirt from the entire day just sitting on your face all night – no-one wants that! Make sure you always keep makeup wipes by your bed – that way, if you’re too tired to even get up, and wash your face, you can at least remove some of the makeup with the wipes. If you want to be more thorough, enforce a night skincare routine.

2. Biting your nails:

Nail biting is one of the hardest habits to break. I used to bite my nails when I was younger, and I became so self-conscious about it! Not only does it make your hands look terrible, it can be very dangerous to your health as well. If you can’t seem to stop, just think of all the nail polish you’re ingesting – that can’t be healthy!

3. Not washing your makeup brushes:

Makeup brushes touch our faces everyday. Naturally, dirt builds up, which could result in bad skin . Be sure to use a cleanser on your brushes, like ELF’s super affordable Daily Brush Cleanser, and wash your brushes every week with a very gentle shampoo.

4. Washing your hair too much:

I wash my hair almost everyday, and it’s a habit that I have been wanting to break for years, but haven’t been able to do so. If you’re washing your hair every day because it’s so greasy, there are plenty of oil-combatting products on the market to choose from. Perhaps we should go a few days without washing our hair, especially if we aren’t going out. We could also opt for a dry shampoo, if we’re on the go.

5. Buying every new beauty product that comes out:

It’s easy to get excited when we see all of the new products hitting the shelves. But if you really think about it, you could be doubling up on similar products that you already own. For every product you buy, make sure to track how often you use it. Make sure that you’re getting your money’s worth.

It’s time to break those habits!

With the 2012 Pantone Color of the Year being the bold, punchy Tangerine Tango, Spring and Summer are the best times of the year to wear it. Compared to 2011′s Honeysuckle, a dark, vibrant pink, I’ve been finding the orange hues of Tangerine Tango harder to get away with – it’s a very obvious, stark colour on my complexion, and the saturation makes it difficult to integrate it into the rest of a makeup look.

Get The Look:

The below look pairs soft, sorbet-orange lips with sheer coral cheeks, and basic black eyeliner. I wanted to create a really fresh look for the Spring, adding whispers of tangerine where you’d expect to see pinks and plums – sheer, weightless colours.

For a look like this one, start with a sheer base, adding more coverage with concealer where you really need it. Then, add definition in the eye area: fill in your brows lightly, add a small kitten flick of eyeliner to your lids (try a pencil for a soft, smudgy look), and pull a quick coat of mascara through your lashes.

From there, adding the colour is easy. Start by layering it on sheerly, building it up for more intensity, and don’t be afraid of mixing your textures for a lighter look. For the makeup in this post, I’ve used a sheer layer of coral lipstick topped with a small amount of coral gloss, both applied with a fingertip to blot down the shiny finish.

Finally, on the cheeks, try a tangerine with more of a coral lean if you’re on the cool side of the skin tone spectrum. I’m loving a matte cheek for the Spring, but shimmer’s always an option as well- try something with gold rather than silver shimmer for a more natural look. The layering rule applies for the cheeks as well, especially if you’re going for full-on tangerine: start with a little, blend well, and add more colour until you’re happy with the intensity.

Tangerine Tango on the eyes:

To work this bright orange onto your lids, try a “less is more” approach – add it sparingly, and pair with more subtle tones. Tangerine Tango would look great as a pop of colour in the middle of the lid or the crease (try pairing it with medium-browns and rich golds), or as a bold winged eyeliner with matte, contoured lids, for instance.

The eye area is the hardest place to wear an orange shade, but if you’re a tangerine fan – give it a try! Just make sure to really camouflage your under-eye circles to avoid a fatigued look, and keep some anti-redness eyedrops on hand.

Products featured in this post: Senna Sheer Face Color Powder Blush in Clarity, Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick in Coral Crush, Imju Fiberwig Paint-On False Lashes Mascara in Black, Marcelle Lux Gloss Sheer in Nectar, Marcelle Face Powder in Translucent, Physician’s Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Eyeliner Trio in Nude Eyes.

When you think of California, what springs to mind? For me, it’s palm trees, the Regent Beverly Wilshire hotel, the most delicious burgers around at In ‘n’ Out burger, and sunshine, yes that’s right, lots and lots of sunshine. So really, that California tourism ad with Kim Kardashian is not so far off the mark: it’s all about outdoor living and a touch of Hollywood glamour. So looking at this month’s beauty box, it doesn’t take me long to make the connection, and put this to the test.

I’m not the greatest advocate of celebrity fragrance, but I have to admit, putting the packaging aside, some of them are perfectly lovely. And Kim Kardashian’s debut is just the same. A deep sensual oriental number which is a little heavy for me in the day but its great for a touch of glamour in the evening. And the Vintage Cosmetic Company‘s array of lashes gives you the final Kardashian touch.

I’m usually in LA when I visit California to shoot a beauty story: either on location in Malibu or to shoot a celebrity. The jet lag is a killer on the way out there so I tend to download episodes of Modern Family, Sherlock, and spring out of bed at 5am to do a few sun salutations before I face the day. The Lotus Soap is packed with soothing aromatherapy oils that uplift and calm at the same time before I start my day.

When I’m out on location, on Malibu beach perhaps, even if its not humid and there’s a definite wind blowing, the sun is deceptively strong. Green People’s SPF 15 tan accelerating sun protection is brilliant for coverage, particularly on the more sensitive parts of my skin that are not used to be exposed to the sun after a winter of being hidden under my heavy Joseph knits. After a day of checking shots by the sea, I like to pack on some soothing, nourishing creams that will help to calm any redness from facing the great outdoors. Snowberry’s Bright Defence Night Cream  fights inflammation in the skin’s layers, and great for that reddy burn I often find myself with after the last shot’s been taken.

Then for the way back, i’m often in and out in just two nights. So before the jetlag can even take its toll, I’ll be heading back to London, bleary eyed and desperate for my own bed in Twickenham. Snowberry’s Smoothing Eye Serum, and Soothing Facial Oil are great to keep my skin hydrated on that gruelling long flight, while I carry on, with my California Dreaming.

Our skin is a dynamic organ: the interface between our outside world, and our inside world, and our core skin type is affected by external influences daily. I recently discovered a new natural skincare brand at The Vitality Show: Nourish Skincare. The stand stood out to me as it was nicely branded, products were clearly laid out into different colourful sections, and it was bright and clean! We were greeted by the PR Manager who was keen to learn more about our blogs, and introduced us to founder, Dr. Pauline Hili, who was the director at Neal’s Yard for over 20 years! Pauline was very passionate about Nourish Skincare, sharing the concept behind the skincare range, and eager to hear our thoughts.

Makeup and superheroes are not usually in the same sentence. However, Marvel (the creative geniuses behind Captain America, the Hulk, and Spiderman) and Benefit Cosmetics have teamed up for the first ever beauty-inspired comic crime fighter. Let us introduce SpyGal. She’s a bad guy zapping, vintage-inspired cool girl, and the newest title character in Marvel comics. Benefit’s latest product, POREfessional primer, was the inspiration for the comic beauty. And even though she was born in the makeup world, she is one fierce page turner. You can pick up a copy of the comic at any Benefit counter.

H&M recently released an ad featuring a deeply tanned Isabeli Fontana, laying on a beach. After the photo was released, H&M received quite a backlash. The Swedish Cancer Society wrote, “The clothing giant is creating, not least among young people, a beauty ideal that is deadly… Regardless of how the H&M model got her tan, through sunning or computer programme, the effect is the same: H&M tells us we should be very tan on the beach.” H&M apologised for the ad stating their intentions were not dangerous, but only to show their new swimsuit collection.

Haircuts that obscure the eyes (or one eye) may possibly have long-term effects on the overall health of your eyes, according to an Australian optometrist. Andrew Hogan, an executive member of Optometrists Association Australia, warned that they lazy eye –amblyopia – could result from obstructed vision. The hair over the eyes could result in the eye not getting enough sensory stimulation.

They say nothing is ever free. Luckily for all you mascara lovers, Clinique is taking free to a whole new level. Clinique is offering a free new mascara to replace your old one. And there is no catch. At Clinique counters in Debenhams stores, you can take in your old, dried, and possibly clumpy mascaras in, and swap it for a deluxe sample of their High Impact Mascara or High Lengths Mascara. The offer lasts until May 20th. What do you have to lose, other than clumpy eyelashes?

The classic red lip is undeniably timeless yet continually reinvented to keep up with the current trends, and latest fashions, it is the one makeup look that screams elegance and class and remains so inspirational to this day. The red cult lip was forced into prominence when the 50′s pin up girls and seductive sirens like Marilyn Monroe were gracing the screens, and causing a stir with rolls in their hair, curvaceous figures and that alluring red pout. Paired with dark, smouldering eyes and porcelain skin, a red lipstick can transform any look into a classic, sophisticated finish fit for the red carpet. Modern day beauties Dita Von Teese, and Gwen Stefani are the epitomy of femme fatale as they show us all how to rock the red, and add a slick of glamour instantly. Whether it is Hollywood glam, a vintage inspired appearance or an everyday look – the red lip is adaptable and fitting for all occasions, providing the colour and application is perfect. Some may be cautious of  red lipstick but with a few tips, tricks, and a desire to rock the red, you will be fitting in with the Mad Men cast in no time.

SHOPPING THE SHADES
Red lipsticks come in all manner of shades and finishes, it can be a bit overwhelming to decide on the one that is right for you. As a rule, if you have fair skin, coraly-reds will flatter your complexion best. Try Topshop’s Sartorial. For medium skin tones, you have the choice to opt for true reds or berry pink shades to really compliment your colouring. For a classic red try MAC’s Ruby Woo. And for darker skin, you can flaunt deep colours like a rich brick red or a warm burgundy. Illamasqua’s Howl lipstick is a perfect shade.

PREP AND LINE
Before applying the lipstick, it is crucial to prepare your base. With such a bold, show-stopping colour, your lips will be under the spotlight more than ever so perfectly prepped lips are paramount. Create a base to erase your natural lip colour and make your lipstick last longer. Either lightly dab your foundation over your lips or dust with translucent powder to make the colour more intense, and achieve a flawless finish. Red lipstick can sometimes feather and leave your lips looking anything but perfect so line your lips with a matching lip liner or a nude lip liner, to create an invisible barrier to stop the lipstick bleeding. Too Faced Perfect Nude Lip Liner is a good choice.

TONE IT DOWN
Red lipstick is a statement in itself, so make the rest of your makeup empower your bold lips and tone down the blusher and heavy eyeliner. Flawless, even skin compliments red lips perfectly, and if you can’t go without a flush of blush then gently contour and use a bronzer, such as Nars Laguna, to add colour to your face. Keep eyes simple but smouldering with a flick of liner or a smudge of dark eyeshadow over the lids. Finish with lashings of mascara to complete the look. Benefit They’re real! Mascara will give you the show-stopping length, and volume you crave to compliment your ravishing red lips!

Did you know that the single most effective anti-ageing product available is a simple SPF?  It’s not new or glamorous, but it does more good in the long term than a boatload of fancy formulas, and posh potions. So as summer settles in and you’re spending longer hours in the sun, remember to step up your sun protection – whether at a café for a quick lunch or basking on a beach for a long weekend, the new generation of lightweight, multi-tasking SPFs has your complexion covered.

When looking for the perfect sun protection, remember the basic necessities – a minimum SPF 15, broad spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays, and a gentle, non-irritating formula are all good requirements, but most importantly, make sure you choose one that you’ll actually wear, day in and day out. Choose a formula that feels good on your skin, and that you’ll use consistently – there’s no point buying a luxurious, high protection cream that you don’t like the feel of, or that leaves your skin shiny or tacky. Below are four of this year’s best new offerings – which one is right for you?

Tried, tested and improved, Clarins UV Plus HP Day Screen SPF 40 is a reformulated and revamped version of their already excellent sunscreen, providing even more protection, and skin brightening benefits in the mineral based, antioxidant rich liquid.  Organic cantaloupe brightens, and rejuvenates while plant polymers form a smooth, silky base for makeup, leaving skin weightlessly and invisibly protected.

Add sun protection into your current routine seamlessly with Kate Somerville’s Protect SPF 55 Serum – a clever new offering from the Hollywood skincare maven. Providing the high spectrum chemical SPF in a serum form means you can layer it easily and weightlessly under or over day creams and makeup, while the gentle aloe base soothes even the most sensitive, and reactive of skins.

Keep things natural but effective with Super by Perricone’s Sun Kissed SPF 25, a light, smooth mineral block that adds a healthy glow with its hint of warm tint and nourishes complexions with a pinch of antioxidant-packed turmeric. Skin is left with a dewy, glowing finish, and a soft, summery scent of creamy orange.

Correct past mistakes and protect for the future with NIA 24’s Sun Damage Prevention SPF 30.  Available in both chemical and mineral formulas, NIA 24 harnesses the power of the Niacin, a vitamin that brightens skin and reverses existing damage – so you’re actually improving your skin while you protect it. The formula blends beautifully into a velvety, matte finish, perfect for oilier and combination skins.

Sunshine is good for the soul, just not for the skin – so remember to protect your complexion before you head out to enjoy the beautiful weather on the way!