1. Twist and shout
Have fun with your makeup — try wind-up pencils for eyes and crayons on lips and cheeks for a quick update. Pick an unexpected cheerful colour to line above your lashes. We like the sunny yellow Clinique Skinny Stick in Lemon Slice, $41, one of 12 shades.
2. Beat the heat
Cooling mists and sunscreens are staples of summer and there's plenty of each to choose from, but this is the first product we've found to put them together. Coola SPF30 Makeup Setting Spray, $59, is a matte finish fine mist that locks in your look under a veil of protection including moisture-locking hyaluronic acid and skin soothers.
3. Balmy days
You want soft, smooth, supple lips. Balm is your best friend, tinted for a touch of colour, but when you want to amp up the effect, look for a hybrid product that hydrates while offering the intensity of lipstick and the slick of gloss. Giving you the best of all worlds, is Estee Lauder's Pure Color Envy Liquid Lip Potion, $59. Kendall Jenner wears it well. We show the shade called Not So Innocent.
4. Tip to toe
Mani-pedi time. Cuticles oiled, heels smoothed. Now the toss up of what colour(s) to coat your nails. For hands may we suggest nude (check out O.P.I's options) or pale pink (Essie's are excellent). Feet can take a heavier hit. We're toying with Topshop Nails in Green Room, a steal at $12.
5. Glow girl
Warm up your complexion with subtle sweeps of bronzer. Don't forget the decollete. Matte bronzers are best for contouring and sparklers for illumination, or try a tonal combination to unify and intensify. Try Guerlain's renowned Terracotta bronzer in this Terre d'Ete limited edition, $120, in a large-sized slim compact that will see you through summer.
6. Top up the tan
The sun safe message means we all know it is wise to fake not bake, but who doesn't want a hint of healthy golden glow before stepping out in a bikini? The Sugar Baby range of self-tanners, each $27.99, makes the painful pre-season process fun with its retro appeal and effective creams, mousse and sprays.
7. Fresh start
Envigorate yourself with an early morning stretch session, followed, if you're brave, by an exfoliating dry body brush to get the circulation going and cellulite retreating, then a splash in the shower with a refreshing body wash. Try a nourishing plant oil for its skin conditioning qualities. We're smitten with Jo Malone London Shower Oil, $90, in a favourite energising aroma of Lime Basil & Mandarin.
8. Limber limbs
A lightweight way to hydrate is the holy grail of formulators, no-one wants a greasy finish to their bodycare. Body butters are often unctuous, so one that settles seamlessly into skin is the aim. New to New Zealand cult American bodycare brand Lalicious — out of LA naturally — even squeezed its butter into a tube rather than the usual tub. The zesty floral Sugar Lemon Blossom is one of six Lalicious Hydrating Body Butter scents, priced at $55.
9. Sophisticated style
Hair that just hangs about is never so smart as something styled. Keep it easy, but aim for some uplift. Off the face with a scarf, pony tail, or casual knot. Begin by building some texture into dry hair and finish with hair spray, it may sound old hat, but will save you from topping the lot with precisely that. For our model look on this page, as seen at Moochi's summer show at New Zealand Fashion Weekend, Redken Fabricate, $38, was the base, hair was blown dry directionally to a short-side parting with a boar bristle brush and a large barrel curl tong created gentle wave, held in place with Redken Forceful, $36.
Stockists: Guerlain exclusive to Smith & Caughey's Queen St (bronzer in store from October 18); Coola from selected beauty salons, department stores and pharmacies; Sugar Baby from Farmers and selected pharmacies; Clinique and Lauder from selected department stores and pharmacies; Topshop from Queen St store or The Department Store, Takapuna; Jo Malone Britomart ph (09) 309 4418; Lalicious ph 0800 223 288; Redken ph 0800 657 666.
