Nothing says sweet summer like sun dresses, wavy locks and luscious, glowing skin. As soon as the warm weather hits, we toss our tubes of lipstick and matte powders aside in favour of moisturizing, lightweight products in our make up bags that keep us looking young and fresh. But beware of the cardinal summer skin crime — shiny, slick or oily skin (gasp!). To keep looking dewy without the shine we asked make up artist Sandy Gold for her tips on how to get the right kind of glow all summer long.

1. Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate!
For the ultimate summer skin look — it can’t just start and stop at the face. The rest of your body needs a little TLC during the hot months. The key is exfoliating away dead and dry skin cells daily to keep your skin looking supple and radiant (try Tone Sugar Glow Body Wash which exfoliates, moisturizes, brightens and smells delish to boot.) For an easy at-home exfoliation solution Gold recommends mixing a bit of course sugar with honey for an au naturel way to reveal radiant skin on your body and face.

2. The melt-proof face
The biggest summer make up mishap? A melting face. It’s happened to us all and we all know it’s not a pretty sight. To melt-proof your make up, Gold says you need to wave goodbye to the heavy foundations and the powders. "They don’t have the staying power during the summer and they are just too heavy for your skin to breath," explains Gold. Opt for a tinted moisturizer to give sheer coverage and moisture all in one and if necessary a touch of translucent powder on the T-zone. Otherwise, blotting papers are a girl’s best friend for humid days. A quick swipe down your nose and across your forehead takes away access oil without removing your make up. You’ll be glowing, not shining.

3. Bronzed beauty
A key essential in achieving a summer glow is to turn your pasty winter white skin into a sun-kissed bronzed beauty — courtesy of a faux tan, of course (a sun-kissed glow never comes in red!). To get a more natural look use a gradual tanner with built in moisturizers (and remember that exfoliated skin is best for streak and blotch-free faux tans!). For and instant fix, mix a touch of your liquid face bronzer with a few drops of your body moisturizer and voila! A perfect summer glow without the fuss. Nix the dirty orange effect on your face by using a large powder brush (brush excess on the back of your hand before going near your face) then ever so lightly draw the number 3 on each side of your face (starting at forehead, down the cheekbone and down to then chin) building up the colour if needed. A light sweep down your T-zone and you’re a bronzed goddess.

Do you have a healthy relationship with the sun?


Pale is in! Sunscreen tips

get-glowing.jpg

4. Bright eyes
A heavy eye would throw off the simple summer skin look, so keep it ultra light says Gold. "All you need is eyeliner and mascara, but the key in making it stay put all day long is how you apply it." The trick to keeping your eyeliner on your eyes and not smudging? Tight lining. "Lift up your upper lid and apply the liner under the lashes," says Gold. It takes a bit of practice but the result is liner that makes your lashes look thick and full without an obvious line. Top it off with volumizing black mascara and you will have emphasized eyes, minus the goop.

5. Luscious lips
Winter and fall call out for the matte lip, but your fave lipstick should not be taking part in your summer beauty routine. "You need to use a gloss to complete the glowing look," says Gold. "A high-shine shimmery pink or nude gloss will look amazing on anyone and fits this look perfectly." If it’s a bit too glossy for you, blot your lips with a tissue, or try patting it on your lips with your index finger to control the amount of gloss that hits your pucker.

Sandy’s fave summer products:

1. Armani bronzer in #1
"It looks dark, but with light application it’s perfect for just about anyone!" In fact, Gold recommends people try opting for a darker hue of bronzer, applied lightly so you use less product.

2. Annabelle Kohl black eyeliner
"It’s only $1.99, but it stays put for a really long time!"

3. Bobbi Brown Illuminator in Shimmer Brick Beige
"If you’re looking to add a highlight anywhere, this palette is perfect."


4. Tweezerman Facial Blotting Roll paper

"It comes in a roll so it’s easy to get just the right amount of paper."

5. Laura Mercier oil-free tinted moisturizer
"It’s so light and sheer — a great summer choice!"

Read more
Look of the Day: Sweet shop

Summer hair protection tips

Get that vacation glow!