Nothing compares to fish and chips on Manly Beach, or a holiday party in your bathers (swimsuit) at the ocean in Sydney, Australia. A country where BBQs just happen, beer is the national drink, and the men are alternate versions of Thor meandering around town, shortening people’s names from Darren to Dazzer, or Suzanne to Suzzer. Crikey!

It’s a laid back, surfers lovers’ paradise on acid. In another life, I lived there for three marvelous years, and I’m still recovering. Could it have been the cute Aussie boyfriend? Or the Sydney Opera House looming with quiet magnificence in the distance?

Whatever it was, Australia holds a magical place in my heart. That being said, the women had sun-worshipping and looking pretty perfected down to an art form. With that at top of mind, today we look into an Aussie woman’s notebook on how to rock the no-foundation makeup look.

The ABCs of SPF

Australians know full well that prolonged exposure to the sun causes skin cancer. That’s why hats, sunblock, rash guards, umbrellas, and reapplication of sunblock every two hours is a religion. For this reason, it’s important to know the ABCs of SPF.

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and it’s how we measure the protection from the sun’s UVB rays. For example, SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97%, and SPF 50 blocks 98%. Experts recommend staying between 30 and 50 SPF and reapplying every two hours.

Also, be sure your sunscreen is “broad spectrum,” as it protects from both UVA and UVB rays. An easy way to distinguish between the two is UVA(ging) and UVB(urning). Both overlap each other, but UVA are mostly responsible for fine lines and dark spots, while UVB rays mostly cause skin cancers and sunburns.

I recommend using a good sunblock like Image Skin Care Prevention SPF 30 under your makeup, and then use a bronzer in either powder or gel form to match your face to your body.

Powder vs Cream Bronzer

Without bronzer on my face during the summer, I look weird. With my many happy outdoor activities and perpetual reapplication of sunscreen, my face remains pale, and my body manages a sort of farmer’s tan depending on what I’ve been wearing and if I remembered to apply sunscreen to my body parts. Many of you can relate. That being said, before you buy a bronzer, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Do you like a dewey or matte look to your makeup? If you prefer a dewey finish, then a cream bronzer is in order. Try Clinique Sun-Kissed Face Gelee Complexion Multitasker Bronzer for a lovely finish. Besides having way too long a name, this is an affordable cream bronzer that doesn’t turn your skin orange.

For a more matte look, try a powder bronzer like Bobbie Brown Aruba Bronzer. Using a large kabuki or powder brush, evenly distribute it on your face. If you have oily skin, then I recommend you stick with a powder, and for dry skin, a cream will work best.

Shine Killer

When you’re out in the heat, do you have to mop up your face sweat every 10 minutes? If this sounds familiar, then try Shine Killer by NYX. It’s inexpensive and manages to keep the glow to a minimum in hot weather or under hot lights. Apply this easy to spread gel on your skin before bronzer, and stay cute even when your armpit sweat is down to your navel. Yikes.

Whether you blast off to Australia, bake in the warmth of a Florida beach, or dive into a delicious medley of fish and chips and BBQ in your backyard, remember to wear your SPF and bronzer with your cute summer dress. As you step outside after a year of pandemic cooped-up-ness, no doubt you will welcome the warmth, beauty, and joy it brings. Enjoy.

Have you been to Australia? What do you think of Aussie makeup? Do you follow the SPF and bronzer application rules? If you were to go to Australia, which month would you pick? Please share why in the comments below!