Summertime and the living is easy.

On hot, sunny days, barely-there makeup is always a convenient choice, but a little pop of colour can go a long way as this summer’s beauty trends prove.

A mix of easy, natural beauty looks based on neutrals, pinks, and bright colours worn in the spirit of spontaneity summertime brings, this season’s beauty looks are all about versatility and dimension.

With skin enhancing lotions and barely there foundations, natural beauties can shine day or night, while hot pink lips and statement purple eye shadows will ready bolder beauty queens for any summer party.

Fun, feminine and flirty, we love this season’s range of classic and colourful inspirations. Below, how to get these looks at home with our recommendations for the best of this summer’s new beauty products.

With Spring’s dewy beauty trends behind us, try on Summer runway looks like those seen at Versace, featuring matte, carefree makeup styles, perfect for those days where you just want to be fresh-faced and makeup-free (or at least look it).

For skin tones that only go from snow white to burnt red, don’t fret; this summer pale is in! Load up on sunscreens that are perfect for face and body like Kiehl’s Activated Sun Protector with SPF 50, whose oil-free, paraben-free formula is non-comedogenic, preventing oily residue from clogging your pores. For something a bit lighter, try Lancome’s Bienfait Multi-Vital SPF 30 with vitamin-enriched hydration and antioxidant protection.

When rocking the “no makeup” look, staying hydrated is half the battle. In the Summer, an afternoon drink can quickly turn into an evening affair, ending with you waking up to dull, dehydrated skin in the morning. Next time, plan ahead using KORRES’ Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial. The natural ingredients in this light-weight mask, including wild rose and vitamin C, make sure you always wake up to soft, radiant skin.

No time for a late-night facial? Combat dark circles and other skin imperfections on the face with MAC’s Strobe Liquid Lotion, which promises to add natural light and radiance to fatigued skin.

Though barely there may be your beauty look this summer, a bit of contouring here and there will help elevate your look to natural wonder. Try highlighting facial features with MAC’s Temperature Rising Colour Bronzing Powder in Sun Dipped, but be sure to leave the rest of your face untouched to maintain a genuine sun-kissed appearance.

Although pale is on trend this summer, some of us can’t resist that sun-kissed, beach goddess glow — after all, we only get so many months of sunshine! Luckily, designers like Gucci have gifted us with summer beauty trends to keep bronze divas golden all season.

Ever notice how summer dresses always look better with a tan? Look at any photo of Alessandra Ambrosio or Adriana Lima and you’ll know exactly what we mean. To mimic the look, enhance shoulders and décolletage with MAC’s Bronzing Oil. With three infused botanical oils, it helps soften and moisturize skin for a gleam and glamour that’s definitely Victoria’s Secret worthy.

For those who prefer staying out of the sun, use Bobbi Brown’s Sunless Tanning Gel for face and body to build a totally believable tan. The oil free formula is non-acnegenic and dermatologist-tested, so it’s safe to use all summer long.

Now that your body is summer ready, add the same glow to your makeup bag. Sweep Estee Lauder’s Bronze Goddess powder bronzer all over the face for a seductive beach babe look, or try MAC’s Temperature Rising Colour eye shadow quad in Bare My Soul for a warm, sunny finish. Add some smudgy eyeliner like Laura Geller’s Inkcredible Waterproof Gel Pencil eyeliner for an easy transition from day-to-night.

It seems everyone’s been infected with nostalgia this beauty season. Go all out retro glam with a youthful take on ’60s elegance, inspired by Spring/Summer runways like Louis Vuitton.

Achieving a classic, sophisticated look always starts with a smooth canvas. Summertime is too hot to layer on heavy foundations and concealers. Mineral foundations are great seasonal options offering light coverage and a natural finish. Try KORRES’ Mineral Foundation or Bobbi Brown’s Skin Foundation Mineral Makeup to create a flawless complexion consistent in tone and smooth in texture.

No Mod gal is complete without her signature cat-eye. Try the Aqualillies for Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner in black for a look that has Twiggy appeal. The double-ended brush on this liner lets you decide whether you want your look to be runway high-drama, or a lazy Sunday sort of effortlessly pretty.

Finish your retro look with an elegant, nude lip courtesy Dior’s Jelly Lip Pen in Copacabana. Ideal for any skin tone, its sheer finish is soft and subtle keeping the focus all about the eyes. Or try Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte lipstick in Nude Beige, for a softened look.

From retro glam to summer romance, flirty and feminine are back this season with the revival of pink. Evoke your inner Barbie with a look inspired by Donna Karan’s SS13 runway. From bright lips to romantic cheeks, pink is the colour of summer.

Girly-girls rejoice with statement pink lips like Tarte’s Pure-Performance 12-hour lipstick in Timeless or Chanel’s Rouge Coco Shine in Pygmalion. Like a good sorority girl, remember to keep the rest of your makeup look quiet, and let your proud pink pout do all the talking.

For a glossier look, try the Larger Than Life lip-gloss from NARS in Paris Follies. The high-shine and high-impact finish give you just the right amount of drama. The infused ingredients nourish while lip enhancers give you a little extra plump to your pout. You can also try Lancome’s Gloss in Love in Flash N Fuschia for a confident look-at-me colour.

If you’re not feeling the razzle-dazzle of hot pink, try shades of rose for a softer approach to the trend. For the summer romantic, try KORRES Cheek Tint in Eros Coral for a feminine and whimsical look that is irresistible to any Romeo. Ingredients including natural shea butter, guava extract and vitamin C, work to help restore skin’s healthy, youthful glow, while also giving cheeks a natural looking flush.

For habitual multitaskers, Benefit’s Fine One One cheek tint is your kind of makeup product. This cheek tint is great for any skin tone, allowing you to go from naturally soft to bright and cheery by blending and layering the three shades of pink champagne, sheer watermelon and soft coral. Stick it in your purse and use according to mood or event.

With the revival of pink, we also see another comeback trend this season: neon. Rock the technicolour dreamboat in lightning yellows and shocking blues that lets everyone know you’re not afraid of bold hues.

This summer may be all about natural beauty, but neon holds its own and finds a happy home on lids. True to its name, NARS eye shadow in Fashion Rebel lives on the edge combining shades of dandelion and African violet for a look reserved only for the fashion-forward. Dior’s wet and dry eye shadow in Parati from the Bird of Paradise collection is another palette for the daring to sample. A light halo applied with the dry shadow makes a great daytime look, while a wet version creates an intense and vibrant colour, impossible to miss even under the dim sky of a moonlight soiree.

One of our favourite neon looks this season is the futuristic line of colour just above the lid, as seen on the runways at Michael Kors. Achieve the look with YSL’s long-wear cream liner in Jade Black; the long-lasting, vibrant colour has a great shimmer that really makes eyes pop. Or, try Aqualillies for Aqualillies for Tarte’s Amazonian clay waterproof liner in Splash for a look that refuses to fade, whether faced with sweat, tears, or a dip into the pool.

Don’t forget to give your lips some neon-love this summer too with MAC’s lipstick in Feel My Pulse. This stunning magenta shade is perfect for bright days and bold enough for summer nights. Finish off your neon looks with Aqualillies for Tarte Amazonian clay finishing powder to make sure those colours last as long as you do.

Published June 28, 2013