Ready for festivals and functions: here's how the beauty experts get set for summer

Kate Demolder finds the best beauty tricks when it comes to beating frizz, applying glitter, keeping nails chip-free and more

Tue, 11 Jun, 2024 - 15:04

Glitter, SPF, and frizzy hair. It can only mean one thing: summer is upon us.

Beauty editor Kate Demolder asked the best in the beauty business for their top tips for acing everything from keeping a curl in your hair to avoiding chipped nails as we make the most of festival and wedding season.

How to stop foundation from separating

“There are so many reasons why your foundation might separate on your skin,” makeup artist Ciara Ryan, @paintedbyciara shares.

“A damaged skin barrier, lack of exfoliation, improper skin prep for your skin type, excessive products, products that don’t mix (ie a water-based primer and a silicone-based foundation.) Choosing the correct skin prep and foundation for your specific skin type is the absolute key to avoiding separation, as well as a good skincare routine. Your foundation is only as good as your skin so it’s important to take proper care of it!”

How to find what colour(s) suit you

“Here are two easy steps,” Luke Nolan from Lukey Lukey Beauty says.

“1. Do you prefer silver or gold accessories? If you prefer gold, you’re probably warm, and if you prefer silver, you’re cool. If you prefer rose gold, you’re likely neutral and can wear both.

"2. You need a neutral backdrop to really look at your skin tone. Wearing colour may distract your eye from seeing your true colour.

"Put on a plain white T-shirt and look in the mirror. If your skin looks pink in comparison to the top, you’re cool. If it looks more yellow, you’re warm, and if an obvious undertone doesn’t show, you’re neutral. I am a firm believer in wearing any colour that you like or gravitate towards, but for some, knowing what ‘suits’ you in a textbook sense makes choosing makeup a little less daunting.”

Keilidh Cashell, make-up artist and head of Kash Cosmetics.

How to apply glitter at festivals

“Festivals are all about using what you already have and avoiding over-packing,” Keilidh Cashell of KASH Beauty shares.

“So to make sure your glitter lasts I’d use your eyelash glue as a base. You’ll already have it with you if you’re applying lashes, so lightly apply a thin layer to the skin and apply the glitter on top. For extra hold, apply your setting spray before and after.”

How to get your hair to keep a curl

“To ensure your hair lasts all day, it’s crucial to understand your hair type and choose products accordingly, much like caring for your skin,” Emma King, hairstylist and founder of Cascata Hair shares.

“For instance, I rely on L’Oreal Professionnel Tecni.ART Pli Shaper (€19.95, Look Fantastic) for my curls to stay frizz-free; it’s versatile and suits a wide range of hair types. Many overlook the importance of using a prepping product, which can make a significant difference. Additionally, using hairspray alone to maintain curls can backfire if the foundation isn’t right. Without the correct styling product, hairspray might weigh down the hair, causing curls to droop rather than hold.”

How to avoid chipped nails

“Try to avoid leaving your nails bare, especially if they are prone to snapping or breaking,” says nail technician and former Dragons’ Den contestant Pamela Laird.

“It’s a myth that nails need to ‘breathe’, they actually prefer a layer of protection from daily elements like handwashing. Try using Sally Hansen Complete Care 7 in 1 (€10.99, Marrons Pharmacy) it works as a treatment and a base coat you can use under your favourite nail colour. Reapply every three days for a strengthening treatment. Also always file nails from side to centre in a sweeping motion — never see-saw the nail file. This can leave the edge of your nails frayed and can contribute to peeling.”

How to beat summer frizz

“One of the first steps in combating frizz is using a good smoothing shampoo and conditioner,” Stephanie Maher, award-winning colourist and owner of The Sober Colourist shares.

“Look for products specifically designed to combat frizz, such as the Silk’n Glow line by Oway. These products are formulated to target frizzy, dry, and porous hair, and the conditioner helps to seal the cuticle for a polished finish. Prep is essential when it comes to combating frizz, so using a smoothing fluid or serum before blow drying is crucial. Look for products that offer thermal protection, such as the Oway Smoothing Fluid (€42, oway.com) or Redken ABC Leave-In Treatment (€29, Peter Mark).

"These products will not only help to tame frizz but also protect your hair from heat damage. After blow drying, it’s important to seal the cuticle to keep frizz at bay. Set your dryer on a cool setting to help achieve this, which will also help to cool you down on a warm summer day. If you’re still struggling to control frizz, a keratin smoothing treatment done in the salon may be the answer.”

Drag performer Paul Ryder on eyeliner: 'Practice!'

How to do a feline flick

“Practice! Practice! Practice!” Drag performer Paul Ryder shares.

“Liner is one of the hardest things about make-up and precision in general across all areas. You don’t get on a bike and ride it on your first go, you’ve to fall off and go again and it’s the same with make-up and especially with a winged liner.

"When I started there were no liner pens, so if you wanted precision you had to practice with the angle brushes — and believe me, I had more panda eye than not. Don’t believe in the gimmicks, there are so many ‘tools’ on the market that just don’t work! You’ve just gotta practice.”

NAIL YOUR BASE

Ensure you are cleansing correctly

“When it comes to cleansers, the harsh chemicals associated with sudsy gels are generally too much. I would recommend leaning more into gentle milk cleansers for the skin,” leading skin health expert Melissa Ferguson says.

“Also avoid doing this with hot water, like in the shower. Keep hot water away from your skin when cleansing.“

Incorporate retinol

“Retinol is an alcohol form of Vitamin A, it can cause photosensitivity and irritation upon acclimatisation,” Jennifer Rock, The Skin Nerd shares.

”However, perseverance will pay off long term as it’s hailed ‘the holy grail,’ of skincare, in a topical sense. I tend to use an analogy of the gym. When you first go to the gym, you will be sore for a few days, but once you keep going, that will be less.

"Knowing what strength of retinol you’re using is always advantageous — be it 0.25 or 0.1 or whatever and ensure that you patch test, and use it at nighttime only.

"So either cleanse and use retinol on straight to dry skin or if you’re particularly sensitive, try cleansing, a serum, a moisturiser and then retinol until your skin adjusts. Also, always, always apply an SPF after.”

Find your perfect SPF

"The single best thing you can do for your skin is wear sunscreen every day," Louise O Brien, Education Manager at Dermalogica Ireland says (and most skincare experts).

"Make sure you select a suncream that's labelled Broad Spectrum, this means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays as we are exposed to harmful UV rays all year round not just in the summer months. You can also pick a suncream that has skin health benefits along with UV protection — these will not only suit your skin type i.e dry, oily, sensitive but will also treat skin conditions.”

Don't forget your scalp

“Start with a clean scalp and clean hair!” Helen Reavey of Act + Acre says. “Just like you prime and prep your skin before putting on makeup, you should do the same for your scalp.

"Also, choose the right products — it’s important to consider your hair type and desired style when choosing which products to use. For example, if you’re going for a sleek look, opt for a smoothing serum or an oil. Finally, avoid touching your hair. Constantly running your fingers through your hair can disrupt the style and cause frizz or oiliness.”

I’m a style editor — here's how I pack a capsule travel wardrobe for my holidays