Brighten up your summer beauty routine

If it feels like your skin has been in long-term hibernation, kick-start your summer through your make-up bag.

Whether you're home or abroad, put your staple cosmetics on vacation and indulge in brighter products, bronzing wonders, and lighter formulations during the sunshine season.

Achieve the hottest look with our shortcuts to a summer glow.

Bright beauty

Combined with dewy skin, a bright eye or lip is the equivalent of a statement summer accessory.

If you're usually attached to your big sunglasses, work an eye-popping pout. Even classic red lip aficionados can really amp up the tone for summer.

Bright pinks will pop on olive skins, corals look amazing on darker skin tones, and a bright tomato red will flatter a pale complexion.

If you prefer to play on your eyes, pick your favourite rainbow bright and apply an intense liner.

"Eyeshadow pencils are the way forward when it comes to creating bold, colourful looks with minimal effort," says Mel Arter, Max Factor make-up artist.

Lighten up

With a natural golden glow (safely achieved with SPF protection, of course), it's likely you won't need full coverage when it comes to foundation in high summer.

Swap heavy formulations and cakey powder for a lighter tinted moisturiser, BB cream, or this year's new wave of CC creams, which will even out your complexion and protect your face with a built-in SPF.

To add colour to cheeks, stains and gels are practical for summer - they won't budge in the heat and also double up as lip colour.

"This season, I've been working a lot with what I call 'acqua colour'," says Estee Lauder's creative make-up director Tom Pecheux. "It's a gentle, watery look with just a touch of bright, vibrant colour."

Dive in

If you prefer to keep your make-up low-key, add some colour to your talons with a mermaid-inspired mani.

Take the plunge with azure blues and emerald greens for nails that look like they've been dipped into a tropical sea.

"A mermaid manicure is easy to achieve using a mix of oceanic colours - try a basecoat of green and then a second coat of blue," suggests Jessica Hoffman, Sally Hansen UK nail ambassador.

Intensify the marine look with some sparkle. Paint your nails with an intense blue or green base coat and then add a sparkling top coat of Sally Hansen Mermaid's Tale (£6.99) or Nails Inc Bling It On Emerald (£18).

Not only will they make your nails look jewel encrusted, the glitter coat will make your nails more hard-wearing for trips to the actual beach. Eat your heart out, Ariel.

Bronzed babe

You don't need to sit in the deckchair for hours to achieve a golden glow. There are easier ways to do sun-kissed in seconds with natural-look bronzing products.

"I love the bronzed look because it instantly makes you look healthier and more rested," says make-up artist Bobbi Brown.

Look to bronzing gel or liquid formulations for light, even coverage on both the face and/or the body. You can use before or after your foundation to give your skin a sun-kissed sheen.

If you prefer a powder bronzer, apply with a brush in downward motions in areas where the sun would naturally hit your face.

Summer spritz

Find a scent that will be reminiscent of summer long after you've packed away the bikinis and flip-flops.

Switch heavier eau de parfums or colognes for an exotic eau de toilette and walk into the vapours for an all-over fragrance that lingers on body and clothes.

Hydrating mists are also instantly refreshing on a hot summer's day, for face or tired legs and feet.

"Carrying a small water misting spray is a great way to pep-up dehydrated, tired skin during the summer," recommends consultant plastic and cosmetic surgeon, Paul Banwell.

Don't leave your hair out of the spritzing action, especially if it's coloured. Keep your locks protected with an SPF spray for hair containing UV filters to guard your tresses from the rays.

Tried & tested

Kick start your flutter potential with an eyelash curler. Our testers try three eye openers:

:: The Body Shop Eye Lash Curler, £5 (www.thebodyshop.co.uk)

I found these lash curlers easy to use, allowing me to get in close to my eyelids for maximum curl. It also comes with changeable rubber cushions for when one gets worn out.

4/5

:: Models Own Eyelash Curler, £6 (www.modelsownit.com)

With its large pink padded handles, it's easy to steady your hand and get a good grip with these curlers. My usually straight lashes instantly looked curled and longer.

4/5

:: Shu Uemura 24k Gold Eyelash Curler, £20 (www.shuuemura.co.uk)

It's almost a shame to hide these sleek gold curlers in your make-up bag. They make my mascara's job easier with an amazing curl that lasts all day long.

5/5

Beauty bulletin

:: Cosmetic haul

Don't forget to add your toiletries bag to your travel insurance. The contents of the average wash bag is worth £156.69, according to a new holiday report by Travelodge, yet 82% of Brits are clueless about the value of their travelling toiletries. When quizzed, the average adult estimated their wash bag, with contents, was £52.23 - a third of the actual worth. A third (34%) of women said their toiletry bag is the most important item they pack when travelling and a fifth (20%) admitted they purchase more expensive toiletry items before their holiday as a treat.