Waiting impatiently for some colour in your cheeks, some moisture in your skin, and a glow in your overall appearance that only summer's sun can deliver? Escape the cool-weather doldrums by stepping up your summertime beauty routine right now.

Wash away winter skin
The key to a summer look is a healthy-looking glow, says Tasleema Nigh, a makeup artist and hairstylist with The Artist Group in Toronto. "Focus on your skin care. You expect makeup to do all the work for you, but makeup can actually highlight your problem areas rather than mask them." Begin by exfoliating and sloughing away dead layers of skin. Nigh recommends Dermologica's Daily Microfoliant ($68), followed by moisturizer to help bring out the glow. Be sure to use a moisturizer for your skin type, cautions Nigh: "Don't use a heavy one if you have an oily face."

Show off your flawless skin
Or at least let others think it's flawless. The secret is in the base -- like a trendy tinted moisturizer. "You can go a shade warmer to get a bit of colour," advises Nigh, who's worked with Canadian songstresses Skye Sweetnam and Metric's Emily Haines. "Because tinted moisturizers are quite sheer, you won't get that demarcation line." Try Clinique Moisture Sheer Tint ($35, available at department stores), which also has SPF 15, or Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer ($7, available at Shopper's Drug Mart). Next, conceal anything that may still be showing, such as undereye circles. Stay away from powder concealers at this time of year, says Nigh, as skin is still a little dry. Instead, opt for moist alternatives, such as Nars Concealer ($25, available at Holt Renfrew or www.narscosmetics.com).

Freshen up your makeup
When choosing your makeup palette, think angelic, innocent. Muted metals, such as gold and bronze, rather than the more glittery silver, are perfect for that summer look now, says Nigh. Go for a blurred effect on the eye with Laura Mercier Metallic Crème Eye Colour in Gold ($30, available at www.sephora.com) and skip the eyeliner, which is too heavy for the season. Apply a liquid or liquid cream shimmer to the cheeks, temples or anything else you want to highlight. Try Stila All Over Shimmer Liquid Luminizer ($27, available at Holt Renfrew, www.sephora.com and www.stilacosmetics.com), which can be used on both eyes and lips. Lips can also be dressed with a sheer gloss in red, berry or tangerine. M.A.C offers Lipglass in Saplicious ($16.50, available at www.maccosmetics.com), while Nars has Lip Lacquer in Capucine ($28, available at Holt Renfrew or www.narscosmetics.com).

Go for colour
If you're more of a makeup person, then a bronzer is a best bet. Apply it to normally "sun-kissed" areas, such as your nose and cheekbones. Smashbox makes a liquid version with its Photo Finish Bronzing Primer ($48, available at www.smashbox.com and www.sephora.com) while Cargo offers a range of powder palettes ($26, available at department stores and www.cargocosmetics.com). If you're hoping for a week's worth of colour, then a self-tanner is the way to go. Be sure to exfoliate first (or use a product that includes an exfoliant) so colour is distributed evenly. Try Neutrogena Build-a-Tan ($13, available at Shopper's Drug Mart) or Tantowel Self-Tanning Towelettes ($29). But be warned: "It's not popular anymore to look like you've just been to Brazil," says Nigh. "Milky skin is in. Scarlett Johansson is beautiful and she never has a tan."

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