How to nail an effortless summer beauty look, according to Elle Ferguson
If someone asked us to describe effortless beauty, we’d show them a picture of Elle Ferguson. The girl has just got the *whole* entire thing down pat. From her signature wavy mermaid hair and cool-girl balayage, to her perfectly bronzed skin and lust-worthy sun-kissed makeup look – she absolutely oozes quintessential beach babe (just ask her 677K Instagram followers).
In between making us want to be her, the model, influencer and entrepreneur is casually becoming Australia’s next big beauty boss. She recently joined the Olay family as one of the beauty brand’s ambassadors, as well as launching her popular rose-scented tan, Elle Effect, this year. So, when we picked her brain to find out all her beauty secrets, we knew we were in for a good time.
So, let’s get into it. Here’s how Elle Ferguson nails THAT naturally sun-kissed beauty look we all want (and need) this summer.
1
Focus on a solid skin care routine
First things first, a good skin care routine is the basis of healthy, glowing skin. “Be proactive with your skin care regimen early on and stick to it no matter what, and always prioritise hydration - it is the key to healthy, youthful skin,” says Elle.
“As my skin tends to be quite reactive, I prefer to stick to minimal products that I know really work. At night I use a simple cleanser and only use warm water in the mornings to wake up. The three-step program I’m currently using includes my favourite skin care ingredient, retinol.
“Once my face is cleansed I use the Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence from Olay that activates anti-ageing ingredients. I then follow this with Olay’s Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream - when used together with the Pre-Essence it strengthens the skin barrier for healthier-looking skin. My third and final step is Olay’s Regenerist Micro Sculpting Night Cream - it locks all the moisture in to deeply nourish my complexion overnight.”
2
Start with a bronzed base
Does anyone one else tend to freak out about the whole tanning your face thing? Because SAME. It can be scary because it feels like so much can go wrong! But according to Elle, this is actually the key to the golden glow of someone who looks like they just got back from a beach vacay – so don’t stop fake tanning at your neck! “I start with a bronzed base using my Elle Effect tanning mousse, which I re-apply to my face every three days,” she says.
For a flawless tan, we recommend prepping your face the same way you would prepare your whole body, and exfoliate with a gentle scrub. Elle also suggests washing your face (and body) with cold water to close your pores. After drying your face, apply the tan like a moisturiser, and spread a coin-size amount around your face, using your fingertips. Focus on the areas where the sun naturally hits (like the nose, cheeks, chin and forehead) and make sure you blend it in around your hairline.
3
Use a BB cream
To even out the complexion and brighten the skin, Elle suggests opting for a light, sheer coverage (as opposed to a heavier foundation), as this will give your skin a healthy, fresh radiance. “I prefer to keep a minimum makeup look, particularly in the warmer summer months,” she says.
“I add a touch of foundation with the Olay Total Effects 7 in One BB Crème, which also includes SPF 15 - an important addition to protect against UV rays, as I spend a lot of time in the sun during warmer months for work and play. The vitamin-enriched formula also fights dullness and sticks when the heat hits.”
4
Add a sun-kissed tint
For that spent-the-day-island-hopping flush, apply a cream blush to the apples of your cheeks. Elle says she also dusts some bronzing powder across her jawline, cheekbones and forehead to add a little extra luminosity. “I reach for my By Rosie Jane Essentials Cheek & Lip Gloss and, if I feel like being extra golden for a night-time look, I will also add some NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna around the perimeter of my face,” she says.
5
Style your hair in your sleep
To create ready-to-go tousled tresses, Elle says it’s all in the night prep – and to be honest, we’re all about nabbing an extra five minutes in bed in the morning. “My hair routine is fairly simple,” she says. “I usually spray TRESemmé Instant Refresh Cleansing Dry Shampoo into the roots of my hair before I go to bed to add a gritty texture and volume for styling the next morning.” This way, your dry shampoo can get to work absorbing any excess oil at night, and ensure you don’t have those telltale white powder marks.
6
Use a curling tong in the morning
If you want to add a little more volume and shape to your hair, reach for a styling wand. “My essential hair tool is the GHD curling tong, I take it everywhere with me and curl my hair with it most days,” says Elle. “To create an effortless beachy look, I always curl away from my face and then brush the curls out so that they look ‘less’ styled.”
Want more tips on how to nail Elle Ferguson’s signature ‘do? Hit play on the Get Lippy ep below to find out her secrets.
If you’re looking for more celebrity beauty tips, check out Rebecca Harding’s secret to healthy-looking skin and Elyse Knowles’ favourite beauty discoveries.
What’s your go-to summer beauty look? Let us know in the comment section below.
Main image credit: Getty
Erin Docherty is a Beauty Writer for BEAUTYcrew, Beauty Editor for Women's Health magazine and a Grooming Writer for Men's Health magazine. She has a keen interest in cosmeceutical skin care and is currently working on minimising her 9-step skin care routine – because ain’t nobody got time for that. When she’s not writing about the latest beauty news, or applying copious amounts of serum, you can find her spending all her money in Sephora.
