12 Beauty Hacks To Try This Summer

Blend Your Perfect Base

One of the few downsides of getting a tan is having to shelve your favourite foundation. But mixing it with a few drops of Cover FX’s Custom Cover Drops – a genius bronzing liquid that can be mixed with any base to adjust its tone – solves that problem, pronto.
 
Available at CultBeauty.com

Use Colour-Protecting Shampoo

Even if you don’t colour your hair, this is still key. Most contain UV-absorbing filters and extra moisturising ingredients, so they’ll prevent dulling and dryness better than your regular shampoo. SL recommends the new Briogeo Color Me Brilliant Mushroom & Bamboo Color Protect Shampoo and Conditioner, from £26. With fruit extracts and nourishing bamboo leaf, hair is conditioned and protected from UV and colour fade. Genius.
 
Available at CultBeauty.com

Treat Sunburn Fast

Experts recommend you get clever with your ice cubes by pouring aloe vera gel into the trays then freezing them. It’s an easy hack that’s said to take down swelling, irritation and raw sunburn fast. Well worth a go. Use a squeeze of Dr Organic’s Aloe Vera for an affordable option.
 
Available at Holland&Barrett.com

Get Holiday Skin in 60 Seconds

For an easy, sun-kissed look, moisturise well, then apply a layer of tinted moisturiser, like Drunk Elephant’s Daily Defence SPF 30. It makes for a great under-eye concealer/brightener when you have a tan, too. Blend cream blush into the fullest part of your cheeks and lips before finishing with mascara.

Available at CultBeauty

Invest In Summer Skincare

Sticky skin is unavoidable in warm weather and sometimes, it’s easier to just embrace it.  But small, skincare tweaks can help you feel fresher. Stash away your heavy-duty winter products and instead, invest in a hyaluronic acid-packed gel-cream, like Sunday Riley’s Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream, to hydrate without heaviness. Avoid over exfoliating too, as too much will result in your skin barrier being affected and irritated by high UV levels.
 
Available at CultBeauty.com

Bag A Time-Saving Body Smoother

With nourishing antioxidants, red algae, melanin-boosting extracts and a creamy formula that melts into the skin, Elemis’ new Total Glow Bronzing Body Lotion is the perfect all-in-one summer skin treat. You’ll notice a realistic hue appear within days on your limbs.

Available at JohnLewis.co.uk

Opt For A Darker Bronzer

A sweep of bronzer is so pretty and youthful when used just to add warmth. Experts recommend you pick one that’s two shades darker than your skin tone and apply with a medium-sized brush in a figure or three, down the sides your face – forehead, cheekbones, chin, then sweep your brush down the middle as well. Try NYX’s California Beamin’ Bronzer or Charlotte Tilbury's Glowgasm Face Palette.
 
Both available at CultBeauty.com

Swap Your Textures

When it comes to highlighter in summer, you want to look for a powder formulation as it’s usually easier to control than cream. Try dusting Giorgio Armani’s Highlighting Fusion Powder lightly over the high points of your face, using a large make-up brush with loose bristles like Morphe’s Large Soft Fan Brush, as it won’t pick up too much of the metallic shade.

Available at CultBeauty.com

De-Frizz With Hand Cream

It’s nice to have one in your bag anyway for your hands, but it also works in a pinch to take the fluff and frizz out of your hair without saturating it. If you have any leftover cream, you can always just put it back onto your hands. Clarins Hand & Nail Treatment Cream is still our go-to.

Available at Boots.com

Switch Up Your Eyes

Metallic shadows add depth without looking heavy, making them perfect for holidays. Ditch black liner and heavy eyeshadow for Stila's After Hours Eye Shadow Palette. It has tan-enhancing flecks of gold and the shades look beautiful when gently smudged over lids. Or, softly line the eyes with Laura Mercier’s Caviar Stick in Matte Azure. A flash of colour can look surprisingly flattering and fresh.

Available at CultBeauty.com

Be Open To Corals

Orange-toned corals bring light to your face and are relatively suits-all thanks to a new array of formulas. Try NARS sheer Afterglow Lip Balm in Bang Bang or BECCA’s Ultimate Lipstick Love in Poppy over a warm, nude lip for a soft modern take this summer.

Available at CultBeauty.com

Erase Tanning Mistakes

Mixing a paste of baking soda and water will remove any little self-tanner mistakes, but if you’re looking to cover a wider surface area or the colour just won’t budge, you can also spritz on Isle of Paradise’s Magic Self Tan Eraser – it works every time.

Available at Boots.com