Whether you want to streamline an over-complicated makeup regime, curb excessive beauty spending (guilty!) or simply streamline the products you take on holiday, a capsule collection of five colour cosmetics really can do it all.
1) Everyone needs a dynamic duo.
Top MUA Louise Constad says, ‘You can’t go without lipstick and mascara. Lipstick brightens your whole face as well as emphasising your mouth, while mascara adds vital definition to your eyes. After that, what else you need depends on the colour and condition of your skin and perhaps the balance of your features. Most of us take our favourite lipsticks on holiday anyway, but Nars Multiple doubles up as blusher and lipcolour – and even bronzer if you choose a golden shade.’ The best selling shade is the rosy-hued Orgasm, but Louise loves the Matte Multi-Use version in Anguilla, £25. Of course not everyone needs blusher, especially after developing a hint of natural colour, but pink-ish hues will counteract any sallowness with a soft, blended-away-to-almost-nothing pop of warmth. The heat from your fingers will help spread and disperse the product, so dab it on your cheeks below the outer corners of your eyes, then blend in circular motions, fading it outwards towards your hairline. Remember that the rubbing itself brings temporary colour to your skin, so let it settle before you assess the final effect.
2) Darken those lashes
Most MUAs recommend having your eyelashes and eyebrows tinted before a holiday because the sun often bleaches them. However, unless you have naturally lush lashes you’ll still need mascara to add thickness. Waterproof formulas are best as they won’t melt in the heat and end up smudged under your eyes. They can also be worn on the beach or in the pool when you might not be wearing any other makeup. That way you won’t look as though you have no eyes. (That isn’t only me, right?!?) Rebecca in the office swears by the Boots No7 Extreme Length Waterproof Mascara, £13.50 – “I suffer from constant watery eyes and this is a life saver! I think it’s the best waterproof mascara on the market!”.
3) Lighten your base
We’re talking about texture, not shade. As Louise says, ‘It’s not usually worth taking your usual foundation because your skin will probably change in colour and, on freshly tanned skin, a base that’s too pale will look ashy. That means you’d have to take two shades and blend them together until your skin matches the darker shade. Can you really be bothered? Besides, warm weather makes skin shinier, which seldom looks good with foundation, so switch to a lighter, more moisturised-looking product.’ Try Bobbi Brown Nude Finish Tinted Moisturiser, £29.50.
If you prefer powders, either in the evening or simply to get rid of shine, international MUA Ariane Poole says, ‘Susan Posnick’s wonderful Brush On Block, £26, mattifies skin so it looks better in holiday photos, but the SPF30 adds a demi-matte finish so it’s not completely dry-looking. I’m a big fan.’ It’s available from Fenwick stores or from John Bell & Croyden. Alternatively, St Tropez Sculpt, Bronze, Highlight 3-in-1 Bronzing Powder, £18, contains three soft powder shades – shimmer, soft bronze and deeper bronze – which you can use on your eyes, too.
4) Don’t forget concealer
Even if you mostly rock a bare-skinned look for summer, concealer is a makeup gem that reduces the look of undereye circles, dark shadows and blemishes. It helps you look brighter eyed – if not bushier tailed – in a jiffy. I love Wunderlift 60 Second Wrinkle Reducer, £19.95, which not only softens shadows but helps blur fine lines and wrinkles under the eyes and also firms the skin.
If you still need heavier coverage, multi-colour palettes let you mix-n-match shades for the perfect camouflage, even if your skin colour is changing. Try Ariane Poole’s award-winning Customised Concealer Palette, £26, which you can personalise with the three most perfect shades for you.
5) Emphasise your eyes
You don’t need lots of eye makeup on holiday. For the most streamlined packing, take one or two water-resistant crayons which won’t run in the heat. They can also be applied to mimic both eyeshadow (when smudged all over the lid) or eyeliner (when kept close to the lashes). Ariane recommends Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Eyeshadow Sticks, £23, which stay put all day, or the Dual Ended version, £26, which has harmonised shades at either end.
Alternatively, try Clarins Waterproof Cream Eyeshadows, £18, which are long-lasting and are available in golden sand, peach and neutral shades. If you feel you need it, add a long-lasting pencil liner for extra definition – but only if you can still find the space in your suitcase…
What are your must-have makeup items when you go away?
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