Be a bronze beauty
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OLYMPICS fever may be hotting up, but until next summer beauty fans are going for bronze not gold.
Just about every make-up brand you can think of has unveiled a limited-edition bronzing line, on sale for one summer only. From sun-kissed radiance to smouldering metallics, these are the seasonal cosmetics to give you that elusive beach babe look - without so much as setting foot on the sand.
Make-up artist Terry de Gunzburg, who has launched a Terrybly Summer collection, calls the effect "virtual sunbathing".
The finshed look is down to you. Whether you fancy a subtle glimmer or a deep bronze, choose a product to match your complexion and wait for endless 'Have you been away?' compliments.
Sun-kissed rose
If you're more English rose than Mediterranean beauty, go for a radiant summer glow rather than attempt to transform your skin tone completely. And steer well clear of obvious orange circles on your cheeks!
Those craving a deeper glow should invest in a subtle spray tan first, so they can darken their bodies before attempting to bronze.
"If you have pale skin, don't use bronzer straight on the skin," warns Rae Morris, author of Express Makeup.
"Mix a little with your blush colour. Before you apply bronzer, add a hint of rose-coloured blush to your cheeks for a natural healthy glow."
Keep tones in mind and don't plump for Beyonce blush shades if you've more of a Debbie Harry complexion.
"Women with pale skin should stick to peachy pinkish blushes, not brown, because the latter is too dark and heavy, making skin look 'dirty'," Morris advises.
Try: Clinique Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator, £19 (www.clinique.co.uk); MAC Bronze Everyday Lustre Drops in Pink Rebel or Sun Rush, £17 (www.maccosmetics.co.uk); Estee Lauder Limited Edition Bronze Goddess Sea Star Bronzing Blush, £29 (www.esteelauder.co.uk).
Desert goddess
In keeping with the Seventies trend on the spring/summer catwalks, models' skins were topped off with retro tans. Think deep, dark skin - as though you've just stepped off the jeep during a desert safari.
Best suited to medium to dark skin tones, the desert tan is all about matte textures.
"For a bronzed complexion, I always layer bronzing powder and gels to create a natural-looking golden glow," says Body Shop make-up artist Chase Aston.
"First, take a tinted sun gel and mix with a little moisturiser and smooth all over the face and neck, blending to a sheer, even wash of colour."
Next comes your all-important bronzing powder, which Chase recommends applying with a brush, tapping first to remove any excess.
"Dust over the highest points of the face and body where the sun would catch you naturally, forehead, cheeks, across the bridge of the nose, chin and décolletage," he advises.
Try: The Body Shop Honey Bronze collection, from £9.50; Marks & Spencer Golden Goddess Holiday Palette, £7.50; Clarins Limited Edition Mosaique Summer Bronzing Compact SPF10, £26 (www.clarins.co.uk); Guerlain Terra Indigo eyeshadow palette, £37 (01932 233 887).
Bronzed glamazon
Get your gleam on with shimmering copper and golden hues for apres-sun glamour.
Metallic hues are your way to shine this summer, but they do require preparation.
The night before you need to sparkle, exfoliate the skin and apply a self-tanner to your face for a warm base to work with.
Max Factor make-up artist Caroline Barnes says: "Give your metallics extra intensity by layering them up.
"Start by applying a soft shimmering eyeshadow on lids. When dry, use a precision applicator to overlay a complimentary metallic colour."
Apply your bronze-toned metallic with a damp brush for a more dramatic look.
If you prefer to keep eyes neutral, keep the glamazon focus on your face instead.
"Gleaming skin is a pretty alternative to metallic eyes," suggests Barnes. "Use a gold shadow for subtle highlights on the cheekbones for extra glamour."
Try: Institut Esthederm Self Tanning Face Cream Intense Tan, £27.50 (www.spacenk.co.uk); No7 Sunset Metallic Eye Palette, £13.50 (Boots); Max Factor Max Effect Dip-In Eyeshadow in Ibiza Sunrise, £5.99 (nationwide).
Buff up on bronzing
Bronzer is the most misused make-up product on the market, according to make-up artist Rae Morris. She shares her tips for a beautiful bronze:
• "Know your bronzing limit. Choose a bronzer that is only a few shades darker than your natural skin tone. If you have light skin, choose subtle bamboo shades; for medium skin, go for terracotta; and for dark skin, choose deep tan shades."
• "Be careful when applying bronzer around your jawline. If you overdo it, you'll look as if you have a five o'clock shadow."
• "Don't use shimmery bronzers if you have excessively oily skin or fine lines. Instead, opt for a matte version."
• "Make sure you blend bronzers down to your neck area - don't stop at your jawline. Your neck is always paler than your face because your chin shades it from the sun."
• "For a light, even finish, always apply bronzer with a clean brush. Professionals like the 'kabuki' style brush."
Tried & tested
Cheryl Cole may be feeling flat after her X Factor axe but her US blow dry legacy lives on. Our testers pump up the volume with three texturising hair powders:
Schwarzkopf got2b POWDER'ful Volumizing Styling Powder, £4.07 (Boots/Superdrug)
With a consistency of fine talcum powder, this product initially gave my hair a big boost but it lacked hold and started to flatten through the day.
3/5
TREsemme 24 Hour Body Sky High Plumping Powder, £5.50 (nationwide)
This dry powder almost felt wet as it was massaged into my roots - an effect that didn't suit my fine hair. There was increased volume at the roots but it felt sticky and unnatural.
1/5
OSiS+ Dust It Texture Mattifying Powder, £12.30 (01296 314 000)
Applied to my roots this light, dry powder gave my limp locks some incredible volume. It lifted my hair, minus the blow dry, for an impressive 24 hours.
4/5
Buy it now
Spritz on the statement fashion fragrance for summer, the (untitled) l'eau by Belgian fashion house Maison Martin Margiela. The scent launched exclusively at Selfridges on May 23, priced £60 for 100ml (www.selfridges.com).
