Beauty tips to help you stay cool in summer!

We all love the summer however looking our best is more challenging than ever! Here are some of my beauty tips to help you enjoy Sun and overcome the season’s challenges!

Waterproof Make Up – Esther Williams would swim with a full face of make up in the pool however I am not sure how long a waterproof product would actually last, so although most products are splash proof I think make up in the pool should be kept to a minimum.  

Waterproof products are great in the summer as we often get very hot and they are longer lasting. Waterproof mascara is an absolute must for sensitive eyes brought on by hay fever. Most reputable brands are tear proof so won’t run at all.

Stay fast Lipstick – I try and avoid wearing a lot of make up in the summer and I am finding myself doing more and more outdoor events (even camping events … eeek!) I therefore try and keep my make up routine simple. I couldn’t be without my stay fast, primary red lippy. I put this on and it isn’t greasy which I find perfect to wear at the beach, as it doesn’t move for 24 hours! Also an essential for picnics in the park.

Up do’s – I love to set my hair and I love wearing my hair down most of the time however when it’s hot you really do want to wear your hair up. Up do’s usually present a problem for most people as it is hard to style the back of your hair therefore most people opt for something simple like a ponytail (a great hairstyle regardless) however there are so many more styles that are easy to do on your self and should be tried! Here are a few easy ways of getting a quick, glamorous beauty fix! 

- A really easy way of putting your hair up is to do it in sections. A good way to do this is to put the hair in a band (creating a ponytail) either at the nape of the neck or higher on the top of the head. Check that the rest of the hair is smooth and sprayed with hair spray. You will now need some good strong Kirby grips. Take the ponytail and split it into sections and roll each section around your finger until you have a big roll of hair then secure this with a couple of grips. Do this with all the strands of hair and you will find you have a very lovely bun. Experiment in placing the hair in different positions each time. This style also works really well as a side bun and is actually easier as you can reach one side of the hair better than the other!

Another really easy way of putting the hair up neatly and for it to look like it has taken you longer than it actually has is to put the hair in a plait. This is a well-loved style that works really well for summer and swimming, you can always brush out the plait towards the end of the day and have lovely waves! Try also pinning the plat up into the nape of the neck into either a sausage shape or a bun. Depending on hair length this can look really lovely.

Other really useful hair tools for up do’s are hairnets, these can be useful to tame curls throughout the day keeping them fresh for evening, donuts are good for winding and rolling up the hair making it easier to pin and shape. Headscarves of course are always an essential for keeping our pin curls hidden out of sight and giving more time for the curls to set.

Water - Water is one of the best beauty tips ever and even more so is the recommended 8 glasses of water going to benefit you now more that ever. Drinking water makes your eyes sparkle and your skin glow … honestly! It also hydrates you too; try a facial mist with mineral water too.

Blotting papers - I couldn’t be without these in the summer months! I find these more useful that a pressed powder as powder tends to go a bit cakey when applied onto hot tacky skin. These really quickly take away any excess oil and look really cute in your handbag!

Skincare - The change in the weather also brings a change in most peoples skin. Most people change their wardrobe to match the warm climate yet their skincare remains the same. Skincare should be a little lighter, consider that during the day the skin is often more oilier and pollution and sun creams also play a part in blocking the pores and making the skin more prone to break out during warmer seasons. I would use a lighter moisturizer (more of a lotion in texture) also perhaps change your cleanser to a wash. Your skin wants to feel fresh and cleansed and needs to be able to breath and rest throughout the night. Other great products include fruit enzyme scrubs and masks and facial exfoliates, these really help remove the dead skin cells and promote healthy cell renewal leaving the skin glowing and radiant! Don’t forget a really good eye make up remover to remove all the waterproof mascara, lookout for a gentle oil based one so you don’t have to scrub to hard to remove the product.

Parasol - Finally most of you vintage lovelies won’t want the sun to damage your porcelain complexion in any way! Trust me ladies the best way to enjoy the sun is in the shade and a parasol is a wonderful way to do this. I have an amazing vintage one which I bought in Hong Kong and it is one of my most treasured possessions. My 4 year old actually owns two!!

Amanda x (Lipstick and Curls)