10 sultry summer make-up tips

Image consultants Colour Me Beautiful share their top tips to ensure you'll look your best no matter how hot it gets this summer

With summer just around the corner you've probably been through your wardrobe and dusted down your summer clothes but what about your make-up bag? Now is the prefect time to give it a summer makeover.

1. Essential protection
Protect your skin from damage this summer by using a moisturiser with an SPF factor of 15 or higher. Use it daily and you'll help to combat those early signs of aging such as sun spots and fine lines. Remember that you'll be exposed to harmful UVA and UVB rays even on a cloudy day. Apply your SPF moisturiser to a clean face and allow 10 minutes for it to absorb before applying your foundation.

2. Lighten up
When the warm weather hits you might find that foundation and powder feels too heavy on your skin. For a fresher, lighter look switch to a tinted moisturiser, apply with a damp sponge and you'll be sure to get an even look. A little concealer dabbed under the eye will give added radiance.

3. Fake it
On a lovely summer's day there is nothing better than the appearance of a healthy glow to make you feel better, and one of the easiest ways of achieving this is with bronzing powder. If you're worried that you'll choose the wrong shade of bronzer and end up looking orange instead of sun-kissed, Colour Me Beautiful has a range of shades that have been specifically created to suit your skin tone.

4. The eyes have it
Eye shadows in lighter, neutral shades are perfect for the summer. If it's really hot and you don't want to go to the effort of applying a full make-up, a touch of mascara and a little eye liner will 'open' up the eye and bring your face to life. For a lighter, more summery appearance, swap your black mascara for one that is either brown-black or brown. To complete your look remember to have your eyebrows professionally shaped.

5. Essential waterproofing
There is nothing worse than running mascara, so if you're planning a beach holiday or going to a wedding, consider your choice of mascara with care. Waterproof mascara is great, but you'll probably need an oil-based eye make-up remover to take it off properly so that you don't get an unsightly build-up. If you don't want the hassle, it's worth getting your eyelashes professionally tinted. If you're particularly fair and have very light eyebrows it's worth getting them dyed too.