Return to the bronze age (From Halesowen News)

Return to the bronze age

7:00am Saturday 21st July 2012 in NewsXtra

Forget gold and silver and opt for a medal winning bronze look this summer. Lisa Haynes reveals how to be a golden girl.

The Olympic athletes may be gunning for gold or silver this summer, but bronze is the winning look to strive for in beauty.

Few of us are sporting natural tans thanks to the unseasonable weather. However, your make-up bag has the perfect antidote to sallow complexions. If the sun won't play ball, bring out the bronzer.

A believable sun-kissed glow can be yours with transforming bronzing and highlighter products.

"The healthy bronzed goddess look has always been a summertime favourite," says Liz Pugh, Avon professional make-up artist.

A bronzed and beautiful summer? Oh, glow on then.

Glow getter Ditch the dark matte bronzers, this season is all about a healthy, natural complexion.

"When applying your bronzer, be sure to sweep the brush over your forehead, chin and nose - all the areas the sun would naturally catch," advises Pugh.

"For summertime nights out also brush along your shoulders and collarbone, this will provide the ultimate sun-kissed look."

The trick to a believable 'tan' is to find a bronzer with just the right mix of red and browns - more like the colours you might find in your natural tan rather than anything too TOWIE-esque orange.

Fake the sporty glow you would get after a day on the beach with an extra flush to your cheeks using blusher.

Shimmer features A bronze eyeshadow is this season's make-up bag must-have. One light stroke of an antique, molten shade and you can look elegantly polished in seconds.

Up the intensity for an evening of summer cocktails with a deeper, rusty copper shade and lashings of mascara.

If one shade isn't enough, try layering neutral bronze, taupe and sand dune shades. An unexpected vibrant flash of colour like sky blue or citrus yellow will also make your eyes smoulder against a tan.

Dick Page, artistic director for Shiseido, says: "Blend a shimmering pale gold on the entire upper lid up to the brow line and a bronze copper just across the lid.

"Define the inner corners with a surprise pop of aquamarine blue colour."

Body beautiful There's one bronze beauty look that's never going to catch on and that's the two-tone dark face/pale limbs effect.

For an all-over glow, try an instant bronzing lotion to look luminous in 20 minutes flat. Self-tan products today are intelligent enough to be rain and sweat resistant but wash off in the shower.

"A self-tan can illuminate your skin helping you not look as tired and washed out," explains Athena Skouvakis, Piz Buin make-up artist.

"It's important not to make the skin appear too dark - a natural shade is key to pulling off that sun-kissed radiant look. From my experience, you should only ever aim to go two shades darker than your current natural skin tone."

Sun-baked limbs Once you're basking in your own bronzed glory, emphasise the look further with some magic metallic enhancers.

"A bronzed body is seen as a priceless accessory all year round," says make-up artist Daniel Sandler.

"Try a body shimmer to add a glamorous finishing touch and warm, golden highlights to your skin whether you have a natural or faux tan."

Make the most of the fact you can flash your pins before they're back in thick opaque tights. Create supermodel-long legs using a contouring bronzing technique.

Sandler suggests: "Apply down the centre of the backs of legs, concentrating in a straight line from backs of thighs to ankles. Gently blend edges to achieve reflective dimension but avoid a stripe effect."

Tried & tested Claire Macdonald gives the mascara wand the elbow with eyelash extensions.

I wanted a dramatic lash look for my wedding which would a) mean I could avoid panda eyes if crying ensued and b) last until I unpacked my honeymoon clothes. With a hectic pre-wedding schedule Flutter was the answer to my skinny lash prayers as the eye-enhancing therapists come to your own home. A thorough inspection of my eye shape and current lash length and thickness was the first step. Due to my long lash length, my therapist thoughtfully advised me against my intended feline look so we went ahead with the 'Va-va-Voom' featuring longer lashes in the centre and shorter at the corners for a fuller effect. The entire treatment is bespoke to your own eyelashes and as I'm blessed with relatively lengthy ones, the therapist used the longest extensions available for full impact and to achieve a curled effect rather than poker straight. Goodbye mascara AND eyelash curlers. Tens of long, luscious lashes were painstakingly and individually applied for 90 minutes. The extensions are carefully glued onto your existing eyelashes so they shed when your own lashes naturally fall out. Though the treatment is long, as your eyes remain closed throughout and you're lying back, it's pretty relaxing - and the results are worth it. I open my eyes to fuller, thicker, longer looking lashes that didn't look remotely fake. I take note of the therapist's aftercare advise for extra lash longevity - use a non oil-based eye make-up remover or cleanser and a dry mascara comb to keep any unruly extensions in check. Mascara can be worn although it's tricky to remove and I didn't feel I needed it. My Va-va-Vooms were perfect for a long holiday but after three weeks I felt that they'd run their course and started twisting and falling out so returned to my therapist to have them professionally removed. And that's the hardest part - I'm missing my extra Flutter already.

:: Flutter full eyelash extensions, priced from £100, available nationwide. Prices vary regionally. (01372 386312/www.fluttereyes.co.uk) Buy it now Sport an Olympic 2012 look with a very British brand. Berkeley Square London has launched a new W1 range of products in quirky Brit-girl packaging, priced £7.95 each (www.bsquare.co.uk).

Beauty bulletin :: Denim delight Fashion meets beauty with Wrangler's new jeans concept that moisturises legs. The Denim Spa range for women features ingredients which are micro-encapsulated into the fabric and nourish the skin as they're worn. A 'Smooth Legs' style even boasts circulation-boosting and cellulite-reducing elements. Each spa variety comes in three designs and three different washes. The range is due in stores next spring.

:: Recessionista alert Make your skin smile with Clinique's latest offer. Buy any two Clinique skincare purchases and get a free kit to suit your complexion concerns. Choose from De-ageing, Uneven Skin Tone, Anti-Blemish, Radiance or Pores. Available at www.clinique.co.uk today and Clinique counters nationwide until August 2.