Everything under the sun: your ultimate guide to summer beauty buys

While we adore the sunshine, who with a standard Irish complexion is ever equipped for it? MELANIE MORRIS calls on some modern helpers to up her game.

A pioneer on so many levels, Coco Chanel swapped de rigueur pale skin for a more sun- kissed complexion in the 1920s and since then, generations of Tanorexics followed suit. At last, her beauty house has also embraced the sunny side with the divinely scented Chanel L’Eau Tan, €56 – fake it, don’t bake it… what’s not to love?

Chanel L’Eau Tan, €56

Tanning Thursdays should be preceded by prep Wednesdays, and now that process has been made easy, thanks to Cocoa Brown Fresh Start, €9.95, a tan eraser that, quite simply, works: thoroughly, quickly and efficiently.

But what if you haven’t done the prep and now it’s the weekend? Buff skin into shape with the limited edition Elizabeth Arden Dare to Bare Bronzing Gel Pearls, €30. The lightweight gel refreshes skin, while the pearls burst to boost overall colour and glow. Or if you fancy skin sheen without any colour, Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Dry Body Oil, €33, gets a make-over for summer 2018 – presenting the multi-award- winning hero in a new, polka dot bottle.

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Dry Body Oil, €33

On any night of the week, apply Isle of Paradise Tanning Drops, €26, sparingly to your favourite skincare and wake up the next morning with a far sunnier disposition; the vegan-formula brand caters for all, from hint-of-a-tint to fully edged sun-goddess.

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Neither a stain, nor a sticky gloss, Clarins Water Lip Stains, €21 each, pack a juicy punch of colour without feeling heavy or tacky on the mouth. Meanwhile, cheeks will flush beautifully when kissed with sweltering shades from Tom Ford’s Soleil Sheer Cheek Duo, €67.

Tom Ford’s Soleil Sheer Cheek Duo, €67

Sweep 7 Giorgio Armani Neo Nude A-Blush, €40 – glorious, transparent textures of blush, bronze and glow – over the face for some effortless, luxe summer lovin’.

Long weekends are made for fresh, make-up-free faces, so stay safe and enjoy some CC-style coverage with Eau Thermale Avene Tinted Mineral Fluid SPF 50+, €21. Or prime skin with 8 Trinny London’s magical BFF, €42, a clear gel that turns to tint when on your skin to offer pore-minimising, complexion-evening benefits and an SPF 30 too – a hard-working, multi-tasking gem of a product.

Trinny London BFF, €42

Finally, don’t let hair get out of control in sunnier climes; ghd Heat Protect Spray with UV Protection, €15.50, will tame frizz and keep it safe to style whilst also protecting tresses from the evils of UV rays.

This article originally appeared in the June issue of IMAGE Magazine, on shelves now.