It’s summer when everyone wants a piece of the feel good factor that the sunshine brings.

It’s also a time when we need to add or adjust our colour cosmetics to fit in with our summer lifestyle.

Lips and eyes need special attention remember strong vibrant colours work the best for lips whilst for eyes shimmer is the keyword.

Ditch the blush and use a bronzing powder to highlight, accentuate the cheek bones and to generally give you a wonderful glow.

There’s lots of new and advanced colour cosmetics on counters this summer and we’ve picked out some of the newest products to help you face up to summer.

And don’t forget this season is  also the time when we need to give our face and body a little tlc and pampering so we are ready to face up to the many great activities and events that will be happening in the sunshine. So here’s a few suggestions of new and much loved products to help you on your way.

Chanel’s Les Beiges Healthy Glow Collection is a burst of sun, freshness and energy. Perfect for every social occasion from summer parties, balls, weddings and events to the perfect companion to wear on those sun kissed beaches or indeed any place you want to look glam in during your summer vacation. The collection is a real summer treasure.

The collection includes a five shade eye shadow pallet from golden sand to soft brown, a healthy glow liquid blush that’s fresh, water infused with a hydrating formula that gives cheeks a healthy glow and a highlighter. For lips  two shades of Rouge Coco Flash deliver immediate hydration and comfort and a luminous finish. Completing the collection is a volume and definition mascara and an aqua blue and sandy beige nail lacquer. – see some of the range featured in our main picture

Clinique’s UV Solutions Suncreen in SPF 50 is a new daily  hydrating and mattifying sunscreen powered by skincare and safe and ideal for sensitive skins. This sunscreen is powered by skincare , weightless, non sticky, blends easily and layers seamlessly under makeup. A product you just cannot be without this summer.

Created by Senior Perfumer Mathieu Nardin Molton Brown’s Tea Ceremony EDP  is a must for those looking for  a beautiful summer fragrance. Nardin has infused two tea notes: earthy, meditative matcha accord brewed with crisp green tea energy and tinged with mild sweetness through a top note of nashi pear. The wood aromatic facets of rich amberwood in the base are amazing and are released, slow and steady.

Tea to Tan Face and Body by Terry is one of my must go to products when I want to create a just back from a sun kissed beach look for that important event. It is an effortless instant bronzing mist that gives a believable  sun-kissed tint with a natural matte finish. Its light weight and gives and all-over bronzing for both face and body. Fast-drying and transfer proof, delivering buildable colour and making it the perfect wash off glow solution for summer skin. Available from Space NK.

A new men’s fragrance  Intuition by Aramis has taken the market by storm and is becoming a must have product for the discerning male who appreciates a top class fragrance.  Intuition Eau de Parfum is energizing, bold and magnetic. This is an Aramis fragrance re-imagined for a new generation.

With crisp notes of Grapefruit, a rush of Lavender scent, an earthy base of Vetiver all wrapped  in the velvety seduction  of Cuirissima LXR the exclusive Aramis leather essence this is a woody green neo-fougere energizing, sophisticated  bold mens fragrance. Perfect for any occasion it’s the ultimate fragrance for the those special occasions and the ultimate choice for weddings.

The Light Reflecting Luminizing Collection – All that Glimmers from Nars is  a makeup inovation in a range of ethereal shades.  There’s a Light Reflecting Luminizing Blush in 7 shades for a sheer rush of radiance that features a serum-powder hybrid texture and glides on effortlessly and a Luminizing Stick, featuring a dewy, glasslike finish for a light catching look across the cheeks, eyes and lips.

If you’ve never tried Kiko Milano then I suggest you do. They have just launched a new skincare infused foundation the Love Fusion 24H Moisture Radiant Foundation that gives 24 hours hydration and barrier protection combined with 16 hour wear and is comes in 49 shades. It’s naturally luminous, gives medium coverage perfection and evens out skin tone.

Kiko Milano has just opened a boutique in Leeds at 143 Briggate, Leeds with a full range of all their products or they are available on line.

From Shiseido comes Expert Sun Protector Cream SPF30 and SPF50. It has a protection veil strengthened by heat and water, hydrates and helps prevent signs of ageing. This product gives a seamless protection against UVB ad UBA and micro dust. Light weight and breathable it becomes even stronger with heat, perspiration and water and is perfect for an active life. Blends easily and prevents dryness  it comes in both cream and lotion form.

Naturally rich in omega-3 and -6, almond is known to effectively soften and moisturize your skin, leaving it with a gourmet and divine scent!

Sweet almond comes from the almond tree, an emblematic fruit tree of the Mediterranean basin, recognizable for its delicate blossoms and its shell-covered fruits that contain the almonds. From these almonds, a precious vegetable oil is extracted — naturally rich and renowned for its nourishing and softening properties. A star ingredient at L’Occitane en Provence, sweet almond helps to nourish and hydrate the skin, while softening and soothing it every day. It also helps preserve the skin’s hydrolipidic film, the natural barrier that protects the epidermis from external aggressors and limits dehydration, leaving the skin more supple, comfortable, and durably protected. The collection includes a Body Serum, Hair and Body mist, Shimmering Body Oil, Body Balm, Shower Oil plus lots more.

The ultimate summer ready look comes from Clarins with their Cryo Plumping Lip Oil and Lip Oil Balm that now have a cryo twist with the addition of menthol and wild mint essential oil, alongside their iconic trio of plant oils – Sweetbriar rose oil, jojoba oil and hazelnut oil for nourished lips, with a high-shine finish and an ultra-fresh signature scent.

A summer must is their Limited Edition Bronzing Powder, with 98% natural-origin ingredients, including organic coconut oil to leave skin nourished, and extract of safflower to prime skin for a longer-lasting tan in two sun-kissed shades they are designed to be mixed, offering buildable intensity and natural radiance

Another  must for summer  from Clarins the UV Plus Skin Barrier SPF 50+, a next-generation daily screen delivering 360° protection against six key environmental aggressors including UV rays, pollution, blue light and pollen, all while helping strengthen the skin barrier. Powered by advanced plant extracts and the latest Anti-Pollution Complex, its ultra-light, invisible formula protects against premature ageing while hydrating and perfecting skin on the go.

From MAC New  Multisculpt Matte Liquid Colour is designed for the warm weather. This long-wearing liquid eye and face colour allows you to sculpt, shade and define with buildable, blendable pigment in a natural soft-matte finish. Highly customisable, resistant to water, sweat, humidity and transfer, the formula integrates seamlessly I into any routine.

Ideal for high days and holidays  Maybelline New York’s Lash Sensational Sky High Tubing Mascara delivers  glossy, extension-like length with zero compromise on comfort. Designed to wrap each lash in lightweight tubes, it creates visibly longer, lifted lashes with a sleek, high-shine finish that lasts up to 24 hours. Smudge-proof and tear-proof it removes easily with warm water. Infused with shea butter and castor oil, it leaves lashes feeling conditioned and healthy

AND FINALLY……

This year The Body Shop celebrates its 50^th birthday. I can hardly believe its 50 years since the late  Anita Roddick, who I interviewed many times when I worked on national magazines in London and later on the large regional newspapers, started the iconic British high street brand which challenged the industry and reshaped British beauty culture.

To celebrate its 50^th years The Body Shop has re-launched its most requested icon: Dewberry first launched in the 90’s – when I had just returned from Australia and was working as Womens Editor on a large regional newspaper and fell in love with its fragrance and so did my readers.

Sparked by and overwhelming demand from fans across the world now the fragrance has been re-imagined for a new generation with a new and exciting collection which includes Body Butter, Body Yogurt, Hand Balm, Fragrance Mist and Perfume Oil.