Water baby beauty

It's official, this summer has been a bit of a washout.

But with holiday season approaching you might soon be jumping into crystal blue oceans instead of puddles.

Cue panic time; almost half of women (47%) admit that they would never step onto the beach without wearing make-up, a new QVC survey reveals.

If the thought of ditching the mascara puts a dampener on your vacation, it's time to waterproof your routine. Splash-proof make-up on the beauty counters allow you to take a dip - without losing face.

Natural beauty A summer holiday can also mean a vacation from a full face of make-up.

"When wearing make-up by the pool or on the beach, keep the application sheer and not too heavy," advises Chase Aston, international make-up artist for The Body Shop.

"Cheeks should look fresh and glowing with subtle tints of cheek stain and a sheer luminous golden glow."

Great for adhering to excess baggage limits, try a multipurpose waterproof stain that you can use on both lips and cheeks and won't budge easily.

You might even be able to forgo the mascara wand, according to Aston: "For long-lasting, hassle-free luscious lashes, try tinting both your brows and lashes with a DIY tint kit. There'll be no need to worry about messy mascara on the beach!"

Make waves If the thought of going bare-faced brings you out in a hot flush, don't panic. You can still achieve bold make-up that won't splash off in the sea.

"Line, define and accentuate the lash line using a product like The Body Shop's water resistant Metallic Eye Definer (£8)," suggests Aston.

"This instant pop of shimmer liner will open up the eyes and last throughout hot summer days and balmy nights."

A priming potion will be your best friend for summer staying power, and ensure smudge and crease-proof eyeshadow and liner that really lasts.

Aston says: "Smooth an oil-free primer onto the lids, allow to fully absorb, then apply a powder format shadow (this will absorb any excess oil/moisture) and team with a waterproof eyeliner."

Just go with it If you're big on low maintenance looks, this summer's wet-look is the way to go.

Water was a key theme on Chanel's spring/summer runway, with shimmering pearls dotted through models slicked back hair.

If you've already got the sunkissed skin, all you need is a slick of juicy gloss, highlighted cheekbones and just-stepped-out-of-the-sea tresses.

"Hair can look so amazing after a swim in the ocean," says Antonio Corral Calero, Moroccanoil's artistic director.

"The saltwater provides natural-looking texture, but it can dry out the hair so run a product like Moroccanoil Treatment through it when you get out of the water, and then just let it dry naturally for sexy, beachy waves."

Avoid the frizz factor with a top-up product when your hair is dry. Try a glimmer shine spray or gloss to maintain your mermaid locks.

Beach bag essentials Ensure your make-up has holiday staying power with a few emergency supplies thrown in with your SPF bottles. Make-up artist Jemma Kidd has these suggestions: :: Carry cotton buds with you to clean up any smudging under the eyes so your make-up looks polished all day long.

:: If your foundation starts to melt in the heat, blot with blotting tissues.

:: Mineral make-up is so effective in warmer weather to avoid the melted look. Carry a product like my Mineral Skin Nourishing Tint SPF20 (£28), which is protective and water-resistant.

:: Sheer balms and glosses look far more summery and natural than lipstick. Pack a tinted lip balm containing SPF to keep lips hydrated and protected.

:: Tried & tested Lisa Haynes attempts to go au naturel with the Summer Splash treatment.

An approaching sun holiday teamed with a brave attempt to travel hand-luggage-only meant I drastically needed to cut back on my make-up haul. Karidis's Summer Splash treatment was a good starting point for dodging the excess baggage queue. The dual treatment combines a HydraFacial with lash extensions so you can pretty much wave goodbye to heavy bases and mascara wands. This is no ordinary facial. With more of a clinical, cosmeceutical feel than a relaxing beauty spa, my therapist assessed my skin for any red areas, brown spots and sun damaged areas and then introduces me to the HydraFacial machine's vacuum-like pen. Used in sucking strokes across my skin, focusing on any areas that require extra 'suction', the procedure feels abrasive but not painful. While the exfoliation process removes dead skin cells and impurities, the antioxidant serum that follows calmed and moisturised my face. My complexion is red in places but, as it calms, I'm able to lie back and close my eyes as Lash Perfect's semi-permanent eye lash extensions are applied. As it's only a half set at the outer corners, the therapist focuses on the cat eye look I want to achieve, using longer extensions to frame my eyes. After two hours and a generous application of SPF before heading outdoors, my face is glowing and my lashes require just a touch of mascara in the inner corners to balance them out. Both the subtle falsies and hydrated face last for a couple of weeks rather than days and best of all I managed to seriously downsize that bulging make-up bag for my getaway.

:: Karidis Summer Splash treatment, from £199 for two hours, for HydraFacial and half set of Lash Perfect lashes (www.karidis.co.uk).

:: For nationwide HydraFacial availability visit www.hydrafacial.co.uk :: For nationwide Lash Perfect availability visit http://lashperfect.co.uk/salons Buy it now If you can't afford a Jenny Packham designer frock, dress up your make-up instead. Lancome has collaborated with the British designer to offer a vintage-style cosmetics purse. Customers can bag one free, along with a selection of travel-size cosmetics, by purchasing two Lancome products (one to be skincare) from Lancome counters, while stocks last.

Beauty bulletin :: Glow getter Disappointed by the sun? Embrace your inner bronzed goddess and roll-up a St Tropez Spraycation. The self tan brand is taking to the road with a luxury pop-up beach over June and July, bringing rays of faux golden sunshine to selected cities nationwide, whatever the forecast. The tour offers bespoke skin finishing treatments, free samples, and prescriptive consultations with a tan expert. Find your nearest Spraycation at www.st-tropez.com/spraycation :: Recessionista alert Complete your summer look with Bourjois. The beauty brand are offering 3-for-2 on all their products, plus a free pair of oversized sunglasses with pouch. The offer is available in Boots, Superdrug and Tesco, until July 11, while stocks last.