The glossy magazine you bought on impulse has told you some expensive porky pies: those ‘fuss free and glamourous beauty essentials' were not fuss free, nor were they glamorous.

Your summer was to be full of picnics and swimming pool antics and you were to be looking both natural, effortless and indeed glamorous while doing these summer activities.

It's ok. Below are five summer beauty tricks. Used and abused, tried and tested, that will not clutter the cabinet. They really ARE fuss free and glamorous - by that we mean the natural kind of glamour a` la Jane Birkin. ‘Really?' You say. ‘Yes,' we assure you. You know we're good for it.

Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear

Your sins will be hidden while your skin is protected. This gem is a tinted mineral based moisturising sunscreen. When you have a strappy play-suit or frock going on, you can apply it to your exposed décolletage for perfect skin tone plus SPF.

Benefit Posie Tint

Duck dive to your heart's content because your lips and cheeks will still look pinched pink. Posie Tint is a lip and cheek stain that gives long lasting, natural colour for summer swimming or the day-long picnic.

Becca The Ultimate Mascara

This tube of joy is what it says it is: Ultimate. It will not smudge-it comes off in solid tubular pieces with just a thorough rinse of water. Rock it in the pool with all the glamor of a '50s synchronised swimmer.

Mineral foundation

A wet dream for sensitive skin and salvation for those in need of hot weather mattifying. Mineral foundation gives as much or as little coverage as you want without the chemicals. All the big brands are flaunting their own versions. My favourite is the Ultraceuticals Ultra Active Mineral Colour which is a pressed powder formula, super easy to apply. All you need is a kabuki brush and you are literally covered for the day in just one quick step.

OPI Nail Varnish in ‘MonSooner or Later'

Cobain's chipped black polish looked as angsty as he did and summer is not about angst right? ‘MonSooner or Later' is anti angst, this intense orange-red is as hot and fiery as the setting summer sun. The best bit: it lasts! Start with the OPI Nail Envy base coat and then add a lashing of this stuff. The wide brush makes painting less messy and your nails will be good for near-on a week. No chips, no fuss and glamour to boot.

By Allison Browning