‘Shall we warm you up a bit?” This statement, so commonly uttered before brands focused as heavily on counter staff training, was always one that made my heart sink. It was an invitation to wear a foundation that was too dark, ostensibly to look “healthier”, but that in practice gave women two-tone heads and the outward impression of being a good five years older. The job of foundation is not to change the colour of your face, it’s to perfect and even the skin tone your parents gave you. It’s the job of bronzer to add artificial colour at judicious points over the top.
But what if proper bronzer application is beyond your capabilities, inclination or time constraints? What if you just want to perk up your summer face with a sheer wash of colour that requires neither skill nor thinking time? There are easy products that deliver. Among my favourites, and rarely boasted about by its makers, is Estée Lauder’s DayWear Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Sheer Tint Release Moisturiser SPF15 (£42). No, it’s not cheap, but it does offer big bang for your buck, as is perhaps implied by the rather verbose name. It’s an ideal day moisturiser for anyone who is not dry-skinned: on contact, it releases a sheer brown tint that seems to suit all but the whitest faces. It also has perfectly adequate sun protection for those whose sum total of daytime outdoor activity is running for the bus or popping out for a lunchtime sandwich.
The outdoorsy and sun-worshipping will need more, and would be better served by SkinCeuticals Mineral Radiance UV Defense SPF50 Universal Tint (£40.95, and suitable for even the most sensitive skins), which has a similar but more protective effect, has accompanied me on my travels for at least five summers on the skip. Slugging it out with that for space in my suitcase is a newer find from British facialist Sarah Chapman. Her Skinesis Skin Insurance SPF30 (£49) offers noticeable tan while blurring any unevenness, leaving behind not a hint of chalkiness.
Most natural-looking of all on pale faces is the brilliant Olay Complete Everyday Sunshine SPF15 (£9.99), which I adore in just about every regard. It gives comfortable, glowing moisture and decent protection, and includes gradual tanners that develop subtly but noticeably in an hour or two. And all for less than a tenner.
