Poolside Perfection: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Glowy, Low-Effort, High-Impact Holiday Glam

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When you’re lounging by the pool, you want a cold drink, a well placed lounger and maybe even a good view (🫦), you don’t want to be worrying about your makeup. This effortless, long-lasting, and so-glowy-you're-practically-solar-powered look, is our recommendation for Poolside Perfection, a full face that survives sun, splashes, and SPF without breaking a sweat.

Step 1: SPF, always SPF

Protect your gorgeous face with SPF 50+ – we love the Garnier Vitamin C Daily UV Invisible for a lightweight, glowy finish (even though we don’t currently stock the product). Let it sink in fully before doing anything else (brush your teeth, put your swimsuit on, sip a smoothie).

💡Top tip:  If you apply makeup on top of still-wet SPF, it will pill (that horrible thing that happens where the makeup flakes or turns into little balls). Nobody wants their glam rolling off like toast crumbs!

Step 2: Filter Skin IRL

Glow up time! Apply Catrice Cosmetics Soft Glam Filter Stick (010 Fair Light). This wonder evens out your skin tone while still looking natural and dewy – think "your skin but after eight hours of sleep and a spa day". It’s also easy to apply, and you can blend with your fingers, a sponge, or a brush – basically whatever’s closest to hand.

Step 3: Bronze Me, Baby

Time to bronze like you’ve already been on holiday for a week! Dab the Catrice Melted Sun Cream Bronzer (030 Pretty Tanned) across your cheekbones, forehead, and even your eyelids (yes, really).

Why? It sculpts the face and adds warmth to the eyes – who needs eyeshadow when your bronzer is multitasking? 

Step 4: Bright-Eyed & Poolside (Optional but cute)

Had a late one (or a few)? Tap on a bit of the Catrice Under Eye Brightener (010 Light Rose) with your finger and say goodbye to dark circles. It’s lightweight, hydrating, and keeps your base soft and fresh – while leaving room for concealer later if you're heading out-out.

💡Top tip: Your sunglasses are going to be on all day anyway, so don’t stress too much about your under-eyes (unless you want the extra pick-me-up).

Step 5: Optional Powder, Major Payoff

Want your bronzer to last through pool dives and all those sangria runs? Set it lightly with the Catrice Holiday Skin Bronze & Glow Palette. It locks in the warmth without killing the glow and can be touched up later to add a little intensity for the evening.

💡Top tip: If you skip powder, your base won’t last quite as long, but cream products are super easy to touch up or build on later for your evening glam.

Step 6: Waterproof or Bust

It’s hot. You’re sweaty. And the pool is right there. The only answer? Essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Waterproof Mascara. This stuff holds up through water, humidity, and unexpected flirty splashes.

💡Top tip: If you’re going out out for the evening, you can top up this mascara and add falsies later for full drama.

Step 7: Brows That Don't Budge

Time to lock in those brow hairs like they signed a contract. Brush up with Catrice Super Glue Brow Styling Gel (010 Ultra Hold) for a laminated, lifted vibe that stays put. With a clear finish and no flaky residue, this product is a personal fave.

💡Top tip: If your brow hairs are stubborn, apply the product to clean, dry brows before skincare or SPF, let it fully set, then do the rest of your face (you can thank us later).

Step 8: One & Done Lips

Line once, sip cocktails all day. The Essence Line n' Stain! Tattoo Lip Liner (03 Make A Mauve) gives your lips definition that won’t fade (no matter how many piña coladas you manage to get through - hey it’s hot, we get it)! It’s basically lip commitment in pen form.

💡Top tip: Because this is so long lasting, you can deepen the colour with lip liner later, and add lipstick or lip-gloss to speed up the process of getting ready for the evening.

Step 9: Kiss of Colour + Protection

Seal the deal (and protect that pout) with Catrice Holiday Lips Caring Lip Balm (040 Tropic Feels). It’s got SPF 25, feels dreamy, and adds the perfect tropical tint. 

Step 10: Set It & Don’t Sweat It

You’ve come this far – don’t let it melt away! Lock it all in with Essence Fix & Last 18H Long Lasting Makeup Fixing Spray. Your waterproof ticket to look that lasts. 

5 Pro Tips for Poolside Slay

  1. Brow game tip: If your brows are rebels, apply gel before skincare and wait till fully dry. It makes a huge difference. From personal experience, this achieves more longevity from your eyebrow products, and prevents the hairs from falling so easily. This is essential for a hot day by the pool! 
  2. Powder vs cream: Cream = glowy and buildable, but less long-lasting. Powder = more locked-in, slightly less shine, but better for hot days. Choose your fighter!
  3. Hands off! Touch your face = disturb your masterpiece. Also, clip or tie your hair back to avoid the dreaded makeup smudge.
  4. Blush lover? Add a dab to your nose and forehead for a believable sun-kissed flush – not burnt, just beach babe.
  5. Trust your shades! You’ll be wearing your sunglasses for most of the day - so don’t worry too much about applying eye makeup - let your bronzer and a little brightener do the work and be a buildable foundation for the evening!

 

@welovelashes Here’s your step by step guide for the perfect pool side glow this Summer ☀️. Don’t break a sweat or the bank this Summer with these make up must-haves. Shop below now. #summertimeglow #tiktokmademebuyit #poolsideglow #summermakeup #summertrends #spf ♬ shine on - choppy.wav

 

Final Thoughts

Poolside glam is about vibes, not perfection. This look is fresh, fast, and foolproof – perfect for when you want to look incredible and live your best life. You deserve to glow without stress.

The Poolside Perfection Collection

You can find everything mentioned in this guide (except the Garnier) right here!