A guide to looking and feeling fabulous for summer

With rising temperatures and long summer nights ahead, there are lots of fun summer activities coming up for you to look forward to: barbecues, pool parties, days chilling on the beach with friends, to name just a few. You will no doubt want to look and feel your best for these summer activities, and summer fashion does require certain considerations to ensure that you stay cool whilst looking cool. For some summer fashion tips and tricks, read on for a guide to looking and feeling fabulous for summer.

Sandals

With higher temperatures, you are unlikely to want to wear closed-toe, unbreathable shoes all day, as they can make your feet sweaty and uncomfortable. However, is there an alternative to wearing flip-flops all the time? The trick is to build up a summer footwear wardrobe. Flip flops are fine for the beach and pool parties, but you may want to invest in a pair of comfortable but smart sandals for office and everyday wear. For parties and special occasions, look for a glamourous heeled sandal. Espadrilles with a wedge heel provide comfort and glamour for a fun look for summer parties. If you lead an active lifestyle, your feet do not have to sweat in sneakers during the summer: look for sturdy and protective sports sandals that properly support your feet when exercising.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses are an essential element of summer style as not only do they add a fun finishing look to your outfit, but they help to protect your eyes from the harmful effects of UV rays from the sun. Make sure that you purchase sunglasses that have been awarded the highest UV protection rating for the peace of mind that your eyes will be protected from all spectrums of harmful UVA and UVB rays. Sunglasses can be found in a huge number of styles at all price points, meaning that you will find a pair that you like whatever your budget. Find a pair that suits your face shape and brings out your best features. For example, cat’s eye sunglasses look great on round faces, whereas oval faces can suit most styles of sunglasses.

Sun hat

Like sunglasses, sun hats provide you with both style and protection during the summer months. If you are spending a lot of time outdoors in the heat of the day, a sun hat will keep the harmful rays of the sun off your head and neck, helping to prevent sun-related illnesses like sunstroke. Sun hats can be found in a variety of styles to compliment any outfit. For instance, a classic baseball cap looks great with a sporty outfit and is bang on trend for summer 2021, the peak additionally helping to keep the sun out of your eyes. Alternatively, you might prefer a smart and elegant look for more formal occasions with a traditional panama hat. For beachwear, you cannot go wrong with a floppy, wide-brimmed hat for ultimate style and sun protection whilst sunbathing.

Perfume

Perfume can give you the confidence that you still smell fresh and pleasant even in hotter, sweatier temperatures. However, they might not have the same longevity that they would in colder months. Look for longer-lasting perfume oils that stay on the skin and last longer in hotter weather. Also, consider what fragrance notes will be most pleasant for summer; florals, aquatics, and fruity perfumes are all great light scents for summer. A women’s perfume subscription box is a great way to explore and experiment with different perfumes, providing you with mini samples of fragrance to suit any occasion. You can also tailor your subscription box to your taste, allowing you to try out a perfume that you have always been intrigued by, and helping you on your way to finding your signature scent.

Lipstick

Bright lipstick is great for lifting the face during the sunny summer months. Go for a classic red, eye-popping magenta, or sunny coral. If you are unaccustomed to wearing bright lipstick, start off with a sheer balm for a more subtle look; you may find that you like it so much that you soon graduate to in-your-face mattes. Consider your skin tone when finding the perfect lipstick to suit you and light up your face. Warmer skin tones look great in oranges and bright tomato reds, whereas cooler tones are stunning with bright berry reds and blue-toned pinks. It is also worth bearing in mind that after spending a lot of time in the sun, your skin tone may deepen and what shades suit you at other times of the year may not make you look your very best now.

Nail varnish

Like lipstick, nail varnish can add a bright and fun finishing touch to your summer look. You can experiment with lots of different colour options on your nails to reflect your mood, such as an aquatic turquoise, mouth-watering tangerine, or funky purple. You could even stick with a bright and classic red or use a shade that compliments your favourite summer lipstick. You might want to carry out some TLC on your hands and feet before applying your nail varnish to pamper them and ensure that they are summer-ready. Trim and file your nails into an attractive shape, remembering to cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails. Then, apply a rich, nourishing cream; you may also want to file away any dead skin on your feet for a smooth, sandal-ready finish. Apply a base and top-coat before your nail varnish to ensure that the colour does not stain your nails and to protect your manicure for added longevity.

As you can see, these summer fashion essentials not only help you look your best and more confident during the summer months but also help protect you from the heightened temperatures and harmful UV rays of the sun. Choose a few key pieces to update your summer look while sticking to a budget.