BEAUTY: Beauty trends for summer 2024

When it comes to makeup, most of us are creatures of habit, using the same old skincare, foundation and lipstick since Adam was a boy. When did you last try a new foundation or lipstick shade? Did you ever think you’d like to experiment with something new? Well now might be the time. Summer is naturally a time for change. Here are some current beauty trends and recommendations to help guide you on your way to a new look.

Dewy skin
Rather than a heavy foundation, the glowy look is more appealing this season, and lipsticks in 2024 are brighter and shinier. For a glow, you can use either a dewy foundation or a highlighter over the cheekbones. It’s all about looking like you’re not wearing anything on your face, except a slick of lip balm.
Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter for €19 is a fantastic way to try the product, as the full size is €50. The glow-inducing formula contains airbrush polymers for a perfect finish.
Irish brand Sculpted by Aimee is a beautiful range that offers high quality at affordable prices. Their Second Skin Dewy mini €15 is great value. It glides onto the skin creating a luminous finish. If you buy three mini products online you’ll get them for €35. How could you go wrong!
Bellamianta, previously known for its great tanning products, has diversified into makeup and skincare in a big way. I love the Glow Base 3 in 1 Illuminator (€24.99), which is both serum and primer. It comes in three shades, Pearl, Champagne and Bronze. I often use it on its own if I just want a natural look.
B Perfect have a gorgeous Perfection Illuminating Primer enriched with vitamins A and E, as well as Camellia oil. It really improves the coverage of make up. Wear on its own or mixed with a bit of moisturiser, and the result is instant radiance. It comes in four fab shades and costs €16.95 – or try the travel mini version for €9.95, which is the one I use.

Cheeky cheeks
Blusher is a huge trend, and the liquid ones are great for a sunkissed look. This season the blush will be more pronounced. Remember the dolls with the red cheeks? That’s the look. Blusher goes right on the apples of your cheeks.
I always recommend a cream blusher for ageing skin as it gives a nicer finish; if you use powder it tends to sit in the cracks! Max Factor Miracle Cream Blush gives a lively, natural burst of colour while hydrating at the same time. It comes in three shades, Berry, Rose and Coral. The normal price is around €11.95, but I saw it on lookfantastic.ie for €9.45.

Colourful eyes
When it comes to eyebrows, ask yourself, do you want to fill in non-existent eyebrows or just add a bit of volume? I find pencils can be harsh, and prefer the little powder kit which includes a brush. This gives a much softer finish. SoSu Light/Medium (€9.95) is a unique mousse formula that’s long lasting.
For the ever stylish eyeliner flick, try Kash Beauty Duoflex liner and eraser. It gives a precise, razor sharp application, but if you go wrong with the line, it can be fixed with the eraser. Magic in a pen! You’ll get it for €21.95 at kashbeauty.com.
Current eyeshadow looks come in an abundance of bright colours, blue and green in particular. Mascaras too – L’Oreal do a gorgeous purple one, and Maybelline have some great blue shades.

Statement lips
Lips looks are glossy and bright. Red lipstick is having a real moment, as it makes such a statement. A liner is advisable if your lipstick is prone to bleeding into the fine lines around the mouth.
As for liners, I’m using the Bellamianta Speak Easy one, which has a gorgeous creamy consistency. It’s the best I’ve ever used, as it glides on – unlike a lip pencil which can drag across the lips. I have a huge problem with it though: I can’t see any way of paring it solid casing. I actually rang the company for help, and was hugely unimpressed with the short, curt email reply, which simply said ‘yes, you can pare it’. Not good enough!

So there you are. Whether you want to experiment with the current blue eyeshadows or mascara, try an illuminating primer or foundation, or maybe even go all out with the red lipstick, there’ll be plenty of choice out there. Happy experimenting!

Maggie Gibbons is an image/style consultant based in Louisburgh. She can be contacted at living@mayonews.ie.