Livia Mercer :: December 2006
livia@thebeautyreview.com.au

Living through the hot summer months requires more planning than just deciding on the brand of the sunscreen you will use. Not only do most of us have to switch to a lighter moisturiser but we also have to rethink most of our other cosmetics too. In the hot summer sun, anything that can smudge or run, will do so. Therefore the trick is achieving a smooth flawless look with the least amount of products. This is where tinted moisturisers come handy.

Look for one that has a high sun protection factor such as Megan Gale Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear SPF30+ $28.95 or Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation SPF30+ $50.00. Cream blushes are also fantastic to use in the hot summer months either over the top of your foundation or over bare skin. Try Bobby Brown Cream Blush Stick $58.00.

You must nor forget the lips as this area is so delicate and can get easily damaged. A fantastic product to use during summer is Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Lip Moisture Cream $42.00. This cream not only moisturises the delicate lip area but also plumps the lips and has sunscreens in the formulation. Follow by a sheer lip gloss such as She Gloss Pots $13.95. If you are after a lipstick with sunscreen try Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick Sheer Tint SPF15 $34.00. This will again moisturise as well as protect your lips. Or if you are after a more solid colour on your lips try Lancôme Le Rouge Absolu SPF15+ $45.00

(Summer Smarts: It's more than Sunscreen...con't)

Of course no outfit is complete without a fragrance. But the alcohol in most fragrances can cause sun sensitivities on the skin, resulting in those unsightly brown blotches on the skin. Thankfully, a few companies are thinking ahead and have developed some fantastic fragrances for summer. On such company is Clinique, who have re-created the classic Aromatics Elixir Fragrance. The Aromatics Elixir Velvet Sheer 30ml, $95.00

This is a luxurious liquid perfume gel that just glides on to the skin. It comes in a pour bottle with a glass stopper so you simply dab it onto your skin and rub it in with your fingers. The perfume is in the chypre family, meaning it has a more herbal, earthy smell rather than a sweet or fruity scent. This version is also lighter than the original fragrance. Because the gel is absorbed into the skin the scent will last on your skin all day, saving you reapplication at the beach.

If your taste runs toward the soft floral fragrances, try my favourite product for the season: Narciso Rodriguez For Her Hair Mist 30ml $78.00. These clever people have come up with a very nice unique concept.


A fragrance for your hair. Yes, this beautiful perfume is designed to be sprayed into your hair. Her hair mist works to refine and polish the hair with a weightless yet effective control and provides hair with a lustrous, silky aspect enhancing the hair's natural beauty for several hours.This not only infuses the delicate scent of the perfume but will also shine your hair. And as an added bonus every time you move your head, you and all around you will get a whiff of your perfume. I can't tell you how many compliments I have received when wearing this Hair Mist.

So armed with all these helpful tips you can confidently face the hot summer months.