By Vanessa Fontaine
Bright colours, airy textures, and easy-to-apply formulas— these pro tips offer sublime summer makeup that lasts
Brighten your complexion
“Whether you’re 20 or 70, the trend is ultralight makeup,” says Gérald Bélanger, a makeup artist for nearly 40 years, including 20 with Chanel. “Contouring à la Kim Kardashian is over. What we’re seeing is a natural look. It starts with beautiful, healthy-looking skin.”
Bélanger suggests swapping out your foundation for a tinted moisturizer, such as a BB or CC cream, with sunscreen. “Apply as little as possible,” he says. For a healthy glow, he also advises using a skin luminizer on the cheekbones and lips and even on the upper eyelids as eyeshadow.
Colour your cheeks
“I love blush, even in summer,” says Evangelia Pavlakos, a makeup artist and hairdresser. “It adds colour, evens out the complexion, and balances the face.” She advises applying blush fairly high, on the round part of the cheekbones. “It has an instant rejuvenating effect.”
When it comes to texture, Bélanger prefers liquid formulas to powders, which he says can accentuate the appearance of wrinkles. A cream or gel blush—or even a little lipstick—patted on with your fingertips is better for mature skin. “It’s light and sheer, and it blends with the skin.”
Bring out your eyes
Forget Cleopatra eyeliner—black and charcoal harden and age the eyes. Pavlakos prefers colours that reflect the light. “I like earth tones, such as chestnut or grey- brown,” she says. “They’re more natural and look good on everyone. In summer, I sometimes go for warmer colours, such as caramel or orangey brown.”
Bélanger suggests eyeshadows that evoke the sun and the beach—pink, coral, peach, gold, or bronze— and advises sticking to a few simple steps: curl the lashes and apply a single coat of mascara. Beyond that, a touch of shadow is all you need. (To lighten your makeup kit, you can even use your luminizer.) “Apply just one product to the middle of the eyelids,” he says.
Showcase your lips
“You want something light, fresh, and transparent,” Bélanger says. “I would avoid strong colours, such as bur- gundy.” His trick for a luminous finish is to replace classic lipstick with a gloss or a tinted hydrating oil—preferably one containing sunscreen.
