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Hands up if you unpack the same summer fashion every year, adorning a dress you bought five trips to Spain ago in the hope you'd see more than a few days of sun? Although there's nothing wrong with recycling your summer wardrobe year after year (it fundamentally doesn't change that much - and we never get more than a few wears out of it before it gets retired back to the cupboard,) it's nice to change things up a little and feel like you're keeping up with the latest trends; beauty provides a quick, affordable and effective way of doing just that. This summer our favourite high street store is once again encouraging us to try something new and experiment with beauty, even in the smallest of ways, in order to inject a bit of life back into your look; Boots are known to bring the latest launches to every high street, but they're also at the forefront of encouraging women to embrace bright colours and bold-yet-wearable looks. Because I'm all about trying something new, we teamed up to film some little videos to help provide inspiration and get you in the mood for a little experimentation. With five different options to choose from, each provides a super simple way to update your summer wardrobe and try out a new look; which one has got your vote?
1. COLOURED TIPS
From green-tipped French manicures to graphic moons, the cool way to wear colour on your nails this summer is in small doses. The idea is to give nails an ultramodern take on the classic manicure by using a pop of colour on the tip; we teamed an understated nude pink shade with a bold and bright blue, for a chic yet wearable look.
HOW TO: Coat nails in a nude base coat and leave to dry for a mimimum of an hour. Apply French manicure strips to the tips of nails, partitioning off the edge of the nail, and add two coats of a super bold shade. Leave to dry for five to ten minutes before peeling away the strips; finish with a clear topcoat to ensure it stays in place for longer.
2. GLOW BRICKS
Festival makeup is all about faking luminous, glowing skin - even if you’re only running on a few hours’ sleep. Dusting cheeks with a touch of shimmer can really lift your complexion and catch the light, perfect for summers evenings. Compact palettes are perfect for saving on space, especially as you can use the colour on your eyes as well as your cheeks, and are great for using on the go.
HOW TO: Opt for a shade that's warm against your natural tones (3D shades with three or more shades look fab,) and apply to the tops of cheeks using a fluffy brush where the light would naturally catch skin. Don't overdo it; the key is for it to look like your skin is glowing from within.
3. PERFECT POUT
No7 Beauty Advisor Samantha Greeves says: "Getting the perfect pout is key to making sure your favourite selfie pose is on point. Make sure you’re not needing constant top-me-ups by choosing a lipstick that's specially formulated to be ultra-long lasting." My top tip is to apply a light coat of lipbalm beneath lipstick to hydrate and condition lips, leaving them ready to take a pop of colour over the surface.
HOW TO: Add a touch of non-greasy lip balm to lips and apply a nude lipstick over the surface using your finger, rather than applying direct from the bullet. (This helps to pack colour in and minimises transference.) Pose. Take selfie.
4. GET TWISTED
Seen all over the catwalk last season ahead of the summer months, this style is simple yet chic. Like plaits, it's quick, easy to achieve and can be worn in any number of ways. If you struggle trying something new with your hair, this is an effective way of updating your look while keeping the majority of your barnet away from your face - important when you're busy bopping away to music or taking in the heat on the beach.
HOW TO: Spritz a touch of dry shampoo at the roots and through the ends of hair to create texture and volume. Take two sections of hair from the top of your head, as if you were creating a half ponytail. Twist each end delicately until the whole section is wound around itself, pinning in place with two kirby grips in the centre of the head. Pull out a few strands around the face for a messy effortless style.
5. COLOUR CLASHING
This summer it’s all about breaking the matchy-matchy makeup rules, embracing colour and having the confidence to try a new look that really pops. There are no longer any makeup rules when it comes to colour clashing - the bolder the better. Whether you're feeling super brave and want to opt for a bold eye and bolder lip, or a pastel shade of shadow with an understated pink gloss, the possibilities are endless. I went for a green eye and orange-red lip.
HOW TO: Buff your chosen eye colour into the lids of lashes, up to the crease, using a short and compact blending brush. Don't take the colour too high or too far out, as this is what makes it look a bit dated; for a subtler look, blend in a lighter shade beneath and work in from the inner corners of eyes. Apply a bold lip colour to lips, taking care to blot and re-apply for staying power, and finish off with a slick of mascara.
Which is your favourite look? Which will you be trying out yourself this summer?
(PS: I hope you enjoy some of the 'behind the scenes' shots from our little shoot!)
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This is a sponsored post on behalf of Boots; all opinions are my own.
HOW TO: Coat nails in a nude base coat and leave to dry for a mimimum of an hour. Apply French manicure strips to the tips of nails, partitioning off the edge of the nail, and add two coats of a super bold shade. Leave to dry for five to ten minutes before peeling away the strips; finish with a clear topcoat to ensure it stays in place for longer.
2. GLOW BRICKS
Festival makeup is all about faking luminous, glowing skin - even if you’re only running on a few hours’ sleep. Dusting cheeks with a touch of shimmer can really lift your complexion and catch the light, perfect for summers evenings. Compact palettes are perfect for saving on space, especially as you can use the colour on your eyes as well as your cheeks, and are great for using on the go.
HOW TO: Opt for a shade that's warm against your natural tones (3D shades with three or more shades look fab,) and apply to the tops of cheeks using a fluffy brush where the light would naturally catch skin. Don't overdo it; the key is for it to look like your skin is glowing from within.
3. PERFECT POUT
No7 Beauty Advisor Samantha Greeves says: "Getting the perfect pout is key to making sure your favourite selfie pose is on point. Make sure you’re not needing constant top-me-ups by choosing a lipstick that's specially formulated to be ultra-long lasting." My top tip is to apply a light coat of lipbalm beneath lipstick to hydrate and condition lips, leaving them ready to take a pop of colour over the surface.
HOW TO: Add a touch of non-greasy lip balm to lips and apply a nude lipstick over the surface using your finger, rather than applying direct from the bullet. (This helps to pack colour in and minimises transference.) Pose. Take selfie.
4. GET TWISTED
Seen all over the catwalk last season ahead of the summer months, this style is simple yet chic. Like plaits, it's quick, easy to achieve and can be worn in any number of ways. If you struggle trying something new with your hair, this is an effective way of updating your look while keeping the majority of your barnet away from your face - important when you're busy bopping away to music or taking in the heat on the beach.
HOW TO: Spritz a touch of dry shampoo at the roots and through the ends of hair to create texture and volume. Take two sections of hair from the top of your head, as if you were creating a half ponytail. Twist each end delicately until the whole section is wound around itself, pinning in place with two kirby grips in the centre of the head. Pull out a few strands around the face for a messy effortless style.
5. COLOUR CLASHING
This summer it’s all about breaking the matchy-matchy makeup rules, embracing colour and having the confidence to try a new look that really pops. There are no longer any makeup rules when it comes to colour clashing - the bolder the better. Whether you're feeling super brave and want to opt for a bold eye and bolder lip, or a pastel shade of shadow with an understated pink gloss, the possibilities are endless. I went for a green eye and orange-red lip.
HOW TO: Buff your chosen eye colour into the lids of lashes, up to the crease, using a short and compact blending brush. Don't take the colour too high or too far out, as this is what makes it look a bit dated; for a subtler look, blend in a lighter shade beneath and work in from the inner corners of eyes. Apply a bold lip colour to lips, taking care to blot and re-apply for staying power, and finish off with a slick of mascara.
Which is your favourite look? Which will you be trying out yourself this summer?
(PS: I hope you enjoy some of the 'behind the scenes' shots from our little shoot!)
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Boots; all opinions are my own.
Features PR samples unless otherwise stated. To read my full disclaimer, click here.