Experts

Angelina has been a travel and beauty writer for over 15 years, writing for consumer magazines, newspapers and her own blog: www.angelinascasa.wordpress.com.  She'll be setting off to Montenegro, Mauritius and Peru this year, with her Doria Resort Clutch by JAUNT in hand.

Sunny Side Up

Sand, water and sun can make wearing make-up on the beach a disaster zone. But choose your products wisely, says beauty blogger Angelina Villa-Clarke, and you can achieve a look that won’t streak or smudge – ideal for those sizzling summer days ahead.

A few years ago, the idea of wearing make-up on the beach was a laughable affair. While I’m certainly not advocating a full-face of make-up while lounging on a sun bed, thanks to a new tranche of cosmetic advancements and innovative products, these days it is possible to achieve a natural, glowing look that will not look too ‘done’.

All About the Base

Forget foundation – it is far too heavy for the beach. Powders are also a no no – they can become sticky and cloying. If you have blemishes or an uneven complexion and can’t face going out with some coverage, then choose instead a lighter option in the form of a BB or CC cream, and dab on a waterproof concealer to touch up any imperfections.  Clinique’s Moisture Surge CC Cream (£28, www.clinique.co.uk) has an SPF of 30 and gives a medium, even coverage. It hydrates and products against environmental factors making it ideal for time spent basking in the sun and sea breezes. The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Cool BB Cream (£10, www.thebodyshop.com), meanwhile, is ideal for hot climates. It has a cooling effect and keeps skin fresh throughout the day. One of my staple products is the most brilliant Amazing Concealer by Amazing Cosmetics (£9.99, www.marksandspencer.com). The cult Hollywood product – with a host of celebrity devotees – covers all manner of skin complaints, such as dark circles, blemishes and rosacea. Not only is it water resistant but it also contains highly concentrated pigments and has a lovely emollient texture meaning that it blends in effortlessly and stays put throughout the day.

Rosy Glow

For a natural glow that will not look too overdone, give skin a soft glimmer of colour by using a cream or liquid formula. Avoid powder blushers and bronzers – which will clog when applying sun creams – and opt for a tint, such as Becca’s The Beach Tint (£24.50, www.beccacosmetics.com) or Soap & Glory’s Cheekmate Cheek & Lip Stain (£8, www.boots.com). RMS’s Lip2Cheek (£28, www.cultbeauty.co.uk) is a fab multi-tasking cream that gives a ‘pop’ of mineral colour to both cheeks and lips (and comes in a choice of seven shades). Because of its high concentration of mineral pigment, you only need a dab for long-lasting colour and luminous skin. What’s more, it contains organic virgin coconut oil, organic jojoba oil and organic argan oil to hydrate, protect and nourish.

The Eyes Have It

Keep it simple by applying a light shimmering shade and use a cream formulation. Jouer’s Long-Wear Crème Mousse Eyeshadow (£23, www.cultbeauty.com) provides colour to last all day and goes on like a dream. Moonlight – a soft gold – and Starlight shades – a gold-pink – are both fantastically flattering, especially on tanned skin, and give a barely-there shimmer. Alternatively, add a slick of waterproof eyeliner – which can look really effective on bare skin. Try a brighter colour than usual, such as the Teal shade of Chantecaille’s 24 Hour Waterproof Eyeliner (£22, liberty.co.uk). When it comes to mascara, apply sparingly – on the top lashes only to avoid smudges under the eye. Urban Decay’s Cannonball Ultra Waterproof Mascara, (£15, www.urbandecay.co.uk) has a light gel formula and refuses to budge even if you are in and out of the ocean all day. Give brows a slick of gel to keep them groomed and tidy. The Body Shop’s Brow and Lash Gel (£10, www.thebodyshop.co.uk) holds eyebrows in place and can also be used as a clear mascara to enhance natural lashes.

My Lips Are Sealed

To complete the natural look, add a slick of colour to lips with a tinted balm – a full-on lipstick will look too much and a lip-gloss will be too sticky for beach conditions.  What’s more a lip balm will stop lips from drying out and becoming chapped. Among my favourites are Korres’ Lip Butters (£8, https://www.debenhams.com/), which come in a variety of shades, and give a glossy finish. Clinique’s Chubby Stick Moisturising Lip Colour (£17, https://www.clinique.co.uk/) is another must-have. I especially like the Bountiful Blush shade. A practical pencil-style, it relieves cracked lips and give a sheer colour. For those who are not bothered about colour, you can’t go wrong with a swipe of Carmex’s classic Moisturising Lip Balm (£2.75, www.thisisbeautymart.com).

Final Touches

A pop of bright, shiny lacquer on nails doesn’t look better than in the sun. Invest in Givenchy’s Le Vernis bright yellow shade for impact. Gorgeous against tanned skin. Once you have achieved your natural look – keep it all in place with a spritz of Mac’s refreshing Prep + Prime Fix (£15.50)and take a pack of blotting papers, such as Jane Iredale’s Facial Blotting Papers (£11, www.janeiredale.co.uk) which come in a portable compact and absorb excess oil from the face without disturbing make-up. Ideal for when the temperatures rise.