Beauty: Get ready to glow with a hint of a tint

SO sheer, they are invisible to the naked eye once applied, yet designed to subtly enhance, colour and illuminate, tinted moisturisers are a summer must.

They may not cover blemishes or hide skin sins, but choose right and you can still glow with health come summer rain or shine.

However, ditch all preconceptions that slathering on a tinted moisturiser will replace your usual face cream. It won't. Instead, layer it on top of your usual lotion or potion - which should always have a high SPF - to leave your skin feeling hydrated and looking instantly more radiant thanks to its ultra-flattering light reflecting particles.

And ignore the major foundation beauty rule of matching it to your skin tone. Go for a shade darker than normal for a healthy-looking boost that will also help to even out skin tones - which also means that older skin can still benefit from using it.

Nivea Visage's Daily Essentials Tinted Moisturising Day Cream is a bargain at just 4.07, and contains just the right amount of colour for good coverage. Plus, this hard-working tinted moisturiser lasts all day while keeping skin hydrated.

But, if you need extra hydration and a luxurious finish then nothing beats the multi-award-winning Tinted Moisturising Balm by Bobbi Brown (33). Containing a SPF 25, this ultra-rich formula blends easily and gives skin a dewy finish. Also try Clarins Hydra Care Tinted Moisturiser (26.50) which offers the benefits of a rich day cream combined with the colour of a foundation, resulting in an enhanced skin tone.

For those with combination skin, snap up Bobbi Brown's Tinted Moisturiser Oil Free (27), a unique gel-based formula that offers coverage without the extra hydration. Clinique's Moisture Sheer Tint (22), is another cream-gel formula that offers a natural, dewy finish with SPF 15.

Then there is Estee Lauder's DayWear Sheer Tint Release Anti Oxidant Moisturiser (32), which contains SPF 15. One shade suits all and this wonder product is ideal for those on holiday and working up a tan.

If you already have a tan, then try Origins VitaZing SPF 15 (25), an energy boosting moisturiser that offers a healthy hint of radiance. Slather this hard-working cream on, and you'll look like you've had a week's rest and relaxation in an instant.

And if you do want to hide any skin nasties? Tap a little concealer on to the offending areas and blend, blend, blend.

Of course tinted moisturisers are not all you need in your summer make-up bag. Skin can be quickly dehydrated should the sun ever appear, so try spritzing on a skin revitaliser such as Neals Yard Remedies Zest Spritzer (11.65), a citrus-based spray which "energises" with its uplifting blend of organic essential oils, or the Body Shop's Vitamin C Energising Facial Spritz, (8) which has an infusion on vitamins C and B5, plus cabbage rose water.And avoid chapped and sunburnt lips as well by slathering on Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lip Balm which has an SPF15 (1.29),

if you do want a little more colour than a tinted moisturiser can offer, then try dusting some of Benefit's Hoola Bronzing Powder (23.50) across your brows and cheeks. Or go for gold with St Tropez Skin Illuminator Gold (12.26).

Just remember that in the summer, some make-up, like your woollies and wellies, should be forgotten about until winter.