Dolling ourselves up to go to the beach or out on the town with the girls for martinis this summer has become more vibrant and colourful.  Whether it’s on your eyes, cheeks, lips or nails, expect brilliant purples, flirty pinks, bright blues and teals.

“It’s becoming more accessible to wear colour on a daily basis, brighter coloured eyeshadows (especially),” says Tarina Tarantino, makeup artist and famed jewelry designer.

“For the longest time we have been told natural means natural, it has to be a brown eyeshadow, it has to be a neutral lipstick, less is more,” continues Tarantino. “While I love that, less can be more with colour.”

Don’t be afraid to try something new. With the right tools - brushes and colours - you can accomplish a fabulous look. The trick is in the blending and working with colours that compliment your eye colour.

Strong eyeliners are also coming back. A really sharp dark line with a sturdy lash is beautiful, and a hot commodity this summer.

Tarantino says shimmer is also another trend re-emerging this summer. It can be playful or sultry or both. You can use shimmer on your eyes, lips, cheeks - just keep in mind a little goes a long way.

“[Glitter, sparkle, and shimmer] - it’s very wearable,” she says. “Purple is a really strong colour this year, shimmery purple with flecks of sparkly pink: it’s just a really strong colour that can go from summer to fall.”

Fast forwarding to fall, look for metallics to make a mark on the beauty world. Nothing like liquid metal, but Tarantino suggests there will be a new way to wear metallics this September.

Without further ado, our 8 Must-Try Beauty Picks of the season:

(1) CARGO Swimmables Waterproof Pencils, $18

(2) Mary Kay Liquid Lip Colour in 'Sherbet', $17.50

(3) CoverGirl Shineblast Lipgloss in 'Heat', $9

(4) Tarina Tarantino Sparklicity Shimmer Dust, $39

(5) Tarina Tarantino Eye Dream Hypershadow in 'Peacock Pearl' $19, and Dollskin Cheek in 'Parasol' $25

(6) Annabelle Glitterama Liquid Eyeliner in 'Plutonium', $7.95

(7) Annabelle Mineral Eye Pigment Dust in 'Violet Vibe', $7

(8) Josie Maran Eye Shadow in 'Bali', $20

by Sandy Caetano