Deep bronze, glow glow glow, eyes framed and plump rose-toned or crimson lips. Think Iman, Lauren Hutton, Sophia Lauren. But, as always, before makeup, I like to talk “skin”. A lot of sun and salt water can leave the skin dry and sensitive, so I like to use non-abrasive exfoliants and creamy cleansers. I can’t stress enough the importance of cleansing the face, in the summer especially. With sunscreens, sweat, pollution, chlorine pools and salt water from the ocean, the face and the pores in particular can take a beating. Tonics, post-cleanse, also help rejuvenate and refresh the skin as well as give an extra protective barrier.

Photo credit: Sébastien Goldberg

For moisture, I’ve been using only a face oil this week after spending a lot of time in the sun and pool, Costa Brazil’s Oleo Para A Face is my favourite. Not only is it free of toxins, light and highly absorbent, it’s great for the environment, created out of love and respect for the Amazon.

Tip: Mix a little pigment with the oil to create an all over glow.

Non-toxic mineral pigments are best. Roen Beauty makes gorgeous metallics in both warm and cool tones that work for all skin tones and ‘Summer Disco’ is a current favourite. I also love to mix and couple of drops of face oil with the 111SKIN Rose Gold Booster, this works for all skin tones.

Model: Olamide | Photographer: Guy Aroch | Hair: Rudy Martins | Makeup: Deanna Hagan

For Complexion

Try thinning your foundation with your moisturiser and only using to soften areas of redness, dark spots, or to cover blemishes. This keeps the texture of the skin light and it will have a more believable glow. After evening out the complexion, I love to build the warmth of the skin with a bronzer. Some of my favourites are the Westman Atelier’s Beauty Butter, plant butters allow this powder bronzer to melt into the skin, RMS Beauty and Kjaer Weis also make beautiful summer glow products. For an extra summer boost, swipe a touch of fuscia, 70’s red-orange, or baby pink high on the cheeks to mimic that extra sun-kissed feel.

FOR LIPS

I like to keep them luscious and low maintenance. I’ve been obsessing over La Bouche Rouge Paris and their “ No More Plastics in Beauty” mantra for a while. A few favourites to try are 70’s America (matte tomato red), Rosewood and Peach Balm. The cases are refillable, eco-friendly, and free of PP and POMP. You can even customise your own color. Tres chic!

Tip: apply to the centre of the lips using your fingers and soften the edges with a tissue to give a stained look.

Long afternoon naps in the grass, night swims, waking with the morning symphony of birds, ocean blue, shiny sun-kissed skin, carefree hair, tomato red toes, leather sandals, farmers markets, linen sheets, fireflies…these are a few of my favourite things.

The experience and nostalgia of which carries me through until summer arrives once again.

Photo credit: Sébastien Goldberg