Although many worship the sun, there’s no doubt that it presents a range of beauty challenges. With these tips and product suggestions, we’ll put you on the right track for the summer beauty season!

Skincare
While skin becomes parched in winter, in summer those heavy creams may not absorb so easily. If you find your moisturizer suddenly feeling a little too rich, consider switching from a cream to a lotion. And, if you’ve got oily skin, look for an oil-free lotion with SPF, like Proactiv’s Oil Free Moisturizer with SPF 15.

While you examine your regime, take a look at how your other products are performing. If you’ve been product-loyal for many years, you may want to examine different offerings from the same brand. Or if you’re just not happy with the results you’re getting, it may be time for a complete assessment and overhaul.

Sun Protection
Of course, sun protection should be integrated throughout your skincare regime all year round. But this becomes even more important in the summer when the sun’s rays are at their strongest.

While protecting your skin through SPF-enhanced products is a first step, think about other areas too. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes (and to look Hollywood chic!) and apply sun block to other exposed areas of your body (neck, arms, legs and ears).

Of course, every dermatologist’s top advice is avoidance: Stay out of direct sunlight, especially around noon. And wear layers of light fabric and even a sun-hat to deflect those dangerous rays.

Self-tanning and bronzing
No matter how much we hear about the negative effects of the sun, we still love that tanned look. Thankfully, you can achieve this effect with many products without causing aging and dehydrating sun damage. None of us wants to look like an old, leather boot in 20 years!

If you’ve tried self-tanning products in the past and found the results unsatisfying and the process messy and smelly, rest assured: Things have improved. Today’s self-tanning products make light work of tanning.

And, for a more temporary look, try bronzing powders like Smashbox’s Desert Chic Fusion Body Bronzer. Applied to the cheeks and decolletage, this will give you a glowing, sexy look that’s ideal for evenings full of summer seduction… even if the only seduction you’re getting is from the chicklit novel you read while on vacation!

Make-up
Finally, make-up should also lighten-up. Nobody wants to see their face slide down their crisp white sun-dress. So consider skipping foundation and choosing a tinted moisturizer instead.

We all know trouble areas don’t just go away, so choose non-heavy but highly effective products. YSL’s Touche Eclat is a legendary product that gets rid of under-eye circles without feeling caked-on or heavy. And if, like me, you suffer from an oily t-zone, try blotting papers or a powder like Laura Geller’s Matte Maker Blotting Powder.

Rather than wearing layers of eyeshadow and liner, keep it simple. Curl those eyelashes and apply a waterproof mascara so you look bright-eyed and vibrant.

The finishing touch is a wipe of blush or bronzer, applied to the apples of your cheeks (not beneath the cheek bone). This will give you that radiant flushed look. I love Stila’s Colour Push Ups

Whether you’ve got the complexion of a bronzed beauty or an English rose, there are products out there to help you get stay radiant all summer long.

Discover what the 20 beauty-ful days of our Summer Beauty event have in store for you.