Sustainable Summer “No-Makeup” Essentials

Alice Hartwell

The “no-makeup” makeup look is coveted by many of us throughout the summer months, and this has been only bolstered after the steadfast “clean girl” trend. Not only is it practical to go lighter (I would wish the dreaded foundation melt on no one), but it also captures the essence of healthy, high summer beauty – slightly tanned, flushed and glowing. Another bonus is that, when nailed, you can create a look in about five minutes, so here’s all the conscious beauty tools you’ll need on hand.

Skin tints

A healthy slathering of high-factor SPF every day and regular use of actives in your skincare routine might mean that your face is a little lighter in tone than the rest of your body during summer. Get a quick tan catchup with a skin tint, lightweight moisturiser or BB cream. These products will allow gentle coverage and blurring, without becoming sticky and heavy in warm temperatures.

Good Skin Shaker Super Dew – Lixirskin

Slip Tint Dewy Tined Moisturiser – Saie

Super Serum Skin Tint SPF30 – ILIA

Cream Blushers

Blush is a non-negotiable summer makeup essential. While you don’t have to go down the cream route (maybe if you have particularly oil-prone skin) I think it’s the best way to achieve that natural flush, like you’ve been caught a bit too long in the sun. Stick products allow you to be much more precise with application – take a little over the high points of your cheekbones and a little on the bridge of the nose for a faux sunburn effect.

Flush Balm – Merit

Unreal Liquid Blush – Hourglass

Baby Cheeks Blush Stick – Westman Atelier

Sun-kissed bronzers

Did you just get back from St Tropez or an afternoon down the local pub beer garden? A few dabs of cream bronzer and the world will never know. Again, this consistency is the best for a natural payoff, and make sure to take it around the high points of your face – wherever the sun would naturally hit. Double your bronzer up as a wash of colour across the eyelids to tie the look together seamlessly.

Gel Bronzer – Jones Road

Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bonzer – Tower 28

Radiance Gel Bronzer – Chantecaille

Dewy highlighters

If the prior hasn’t quite given you your glow fix, dab a little highlighter over the tops of your cheeks, nose bridge and cupid’s bow. If it’s warm enough to get your shoulders out, take a little of it to your collar bones and the highest points of your shoulders, giving your bod a bit of summer gleam.

The Impossible Glow Drops – Pai

Cream Highlight Stick – 19/99

Redimension Hydra Dew Luminizer – RMS Beauty

Hydrating glossy balms

During heatwaves, no one wants to be contending with heavy matte lipsticks, and even a gloss can feel overly sticky and gloopy. Find the best of both worlds, and an added boost of hydration for sun-quenched lips, with a tinted balm.