Expert tips for maintaining a fresh complexion in summer

The skin has specific needs that change with the seasons. Whilst sunny days give you a tan, the heat can also put a strain on your skin by increasing perspiration and sebum production. Check out our guide to keeping your complexion looking fresh all summer long, with or without make-up.

Expert tips for maintaining a fresh complexion in summer

Follow a new summer skincare routine

To keep your skin soft and fresh, even in the blazing sun, it's essential to adapt your beauty routine accordingly. Choose a hydration-activator serum and a light-textured cream that can combat skin dehydration during hot weather.

Does your skin tend to get shiny first thing in the morning? To restore balance and control shine, opt for a mattifying moisturiser.

Finally, never skip cleansing your face in the morning and evening: use a gentle cleanser to rid your skin of accumulated impurities and excess oil, and set the stage for a fresh complexion that lasts all day.

Opt for a mattifying primer

It isn't essential, but a primer offers so many benefits for your make-up that it would be a shame to go without it. This summer, try a mattifying primer enriched with skincare ingredients and featuring a refreshing gel texture for a non-greasy, second-skin finish and a matte complexion that lasts all day. Apply it all over your face or just to shiny areas, either on its own or before applying foundation to create a perfect base and help your foundation last longer. It's the best way to keep your complexion looking flawless from morning to night.

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Choosing a light summer make-up look

This summer, let your skin breathe by adopting a lighter make-up routine

1. Opt for a tinted complexion-enhancing product with SPF to even out your skin tone without looking heavy.

2. Apply a bronzer to contour your face and add warmth to your complexion.

3. Play with light by strategically applying a powder-gel highlighter to the prominent areas of the face (the tops of the cheekbones and the brow bone).

4. Apply make-up to your eyes using a long-lasting, waterproof eyeliner pencil that is resistant to water and sweat.

5. Go for a glossy, nourishing lipstick to add a sheer touch of colour to your lips.

6. To complete this look, a dusting of loose mattifying powder ensures flawless wear and a velvety finish that lasts until the evening.

Don't forget your sun cream

The secret to a fresh complexion lies, above all, in protecting your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. To combine pleasure with protection, make high-factor sun protection the final essential step in your beauty routine. Choose an anti-ageing suncare product to apply before sun exposure for protected skin and a radiant tan.

From there, let summer do the rest...

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Frequently asked questions about summer make-up

What effect does heat have on make-up?

Heat and humidity have a direct impact on how well make-up stays on and how it looks. In hot weather, sebum production increases and pores dilate, which can cause make-up to settle into fine lines and lose its evenness, compromising the fresh look of the initial result.

How can you make your make-up last when you're sweating?

The secret to flawless make-up lies in preparing the skin and choosing the right products. Start by applying a mattifying primer and always set your make-up with a light dusting of loose powder. Finally, rather than applying more product during the day, use blotting sheets to absorb excess perspiration without smudging your make-up.

Which products should you choose for a dewy finish without looking shiny?

To achieve that dewy glow without the shiny look, opt for a highlighter with a hybrid texture – somewhere between powder and gel – and apply it strategically to the parts of your face that light hits first (the tops of your cheekbones and the brow bone). The trick is to keep the centre of the face (forehead, nose and chin) perfectly matte using a loose mattifying powder whilst allowing natural light to reflect off the rest of the face.