The transformative power of clothes and make-up is undeniable—just think of how a sharp blazer can power up a casual t-shirt and jeans ensemble, or how a sweep of creamy blush instantly livens up the face with natural freshness. When it comes to being transportive, however, no season does it quite like resort, always sweeping us away to exotic, far-flung locales both snazzy and tranquil—even if it’s from the comforts of our closets… and vanities. From the heart of Puglia to a dreamt up Mediterranean paradise, we take a beauty trip with Dior and Chanel to discover their three focal points (complexion, eyes, lips) to looking ultra-fresh and effortlessly sun-kissed, perfect for zoom meetings or for easy wearing under your masks for cute, quick dinners out.
Dior’s fresh, youthful flush
Set in the stunning baroque city of Leece, Italy, the Dior resort 2021 runway show highlighted the town’s local savoir-faire and rich native spirit, with a collection featuring hand-knit sweaters, natural leather corsets, a rare tombolo embroidered dress and kerchiefs in models’ hair. And the matching beauty look? Delicately fresh, flushed and doe-eyed. “For this young woman with ultra-natural beauty, I favoured a luminous and transparent complexion as well as a slightly underlined, subtly intensified eye,” described Peter Philips, creative and image director for Dior Make-up.
Get the look
For complexion, Philips first prepped skin with the plumping and revitalising routine of Capture Totale C.E.L.L Energy Super Potent Serum and Face Cream, followed by Dior Backstage Face & Body Primer 001 Universal to even out complexions and blur away any unwanted imperfections. This created a smooth base for Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation to glide on, while Dior Forever Skin Correct came into play for light, untraceable touch-ups.
For eyes, upper lashes were curled and coated with the new Diorshow Iconic Overcurl in 090 Black for subtle eye-opening definition. And framing them were arches that were naturally filled and fluffed with the help of Diorshow Brow Styler and Diorshow Pump ‘N’ Brow.
For lips, a “natural plump effect” was achieved with Dior Lip Sugar Scrub 001 to gently exfoliate and smoothen pouts, making way for a healthy sheen created with a blotted slick of Dior Lip Maximizer in 001 Pink.
Chanel’s effortless, golden glow
Called Balade en Méditerranée, or A Mediterranean Jaunt, Chanel’s resort 2021 collection was meant to be shown in Capri but was instead shown behind closed doors at Chanel’s atelier in Paris. Bringing this idyllic vision to life was a backdrop of the Caprese sunset; a wardrobe of effortlessly chic, multi-functional clothes; and models glowing with golden complexions and laidback allure. As Lucia Pica, Chanel global creative make-up and colour designer, described, it was all about the “freshness and glow of girls having been out in the Mediterranean on an early summer day”, like “a very natural enhanced version of the model’s own beauty”.
Get the look
For complexion, Pica was brought “the light through the texture of skin by using a mixture of very transparent foundation and balm”, reaching for the Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint, which can be used as a hydrating primer or glow-booster over foundation; Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Touch Foundation; the Éclat Lumière face pen for precise highlights; and Poudre Universelle Libre loose powder to set with a sheer, lightweight finish. She then used the Palette Essentielle blush, contour and conceal palette with Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick highlighter in Transparent to create “creamy cheeks” with a just-been-sun-kissed flush. All this, not before prepping skin with Hydra Beauty Micro Gel Yeux around the eyes, and the Hydra Beauty Micro Serum and Camellia Water Cream from forehead to décolletage.
For eyes, it was all about “subtle shadows”. On lids, she created soft but masterful strokes with Les 4 Ombres eyeshadow in 308 Clair-Obscur and Stylo Ombre et Contour eyeliner in 12 Contour Clair, topped off with a luscious coat of Le Volume Revolution de Chanel mascara in 10 Noir. Brows were just lightly shaped with a combination of the Stylo Sourcils Waterproof eyebrow pencil and Le Gel Sourcils eyebrow gel.
For lips, things were kept ultra simple and fresh with a quick outline of Le Crayon Lèvres in 156 Beige Naturel and a moisturising layer of Les Beiges Healthy Glow Lip Balm in Warm from the Summer of Glow collection.
