It might not be summer just yet, but the season is quickly approaching and the official marker of the end of the semester is a good indicator of the fairest season. Patios, swimming pools, a sunkissed glow, longer days and no assignment deadlines are all awesome perks of summer, but summer is my favourite season for beauty goodies. Fall owns the runways, but summer rules the makeup counters.

Sunshine calls for punchy shades that can stand up to the bold hues of your sangria. Take vivid nails to a whole new level of fun by swiping on a scented shade. Revlon has long since been the dominant beauty brand to make scented nail polish for grown-ups, and they have done a fabulous job of convincing the population over age six it's as fun a beauty trend now as when we were younger. Fruity flavours like Passion Fruit and Orange Pop are joined by more adventurous scented shades like Cotton Candy and Gum Drop. Dior debuted their version this past spring season to amazing reviews (and mentions on nearly every beauty editors ‘must have' pages of all the major glossies). Creating only two shades, one deep mauve, one shimmery mint, both colours release a gorgeous rose scent once dry. Beauty mega mecca Sephora created their mini bottled summer set in the form of Bohemian Brights. The collection features six bold shades, including bright green, pink, orange, neutral beige, brown and olive.

Lips are my favourite facial feature to accentuate with gutsy colour. Brights, bolds and even pastels are all great choices when going for a statement lip. Lancome's Rouge In Love collection moisturizes like a balm but wears like a lipstick. It's creamy and gives a good dose of colour without being overwhelming at all. Rose Boudoir, a gorgeous pink shade, is universally flattering and will look extra sexy with your summer tan. For those who are not faint of heart and are looking for a bit more adventure, Smashbox's Be Legendary lipstick was created to stand out from the crowd and be as unforgettable as the legendary, iconic beauties best known for their glamour. Mandarin, an electric coral, will certainly fulfill the desire to be noticed, and its brightening effect and compliments you'll surely receive will keep your disposition as sunny as the season.

Although I can't deny I am still a little shadow shy, playing up eyes can be a really fun and expressive way to shake up your beauty routine in the warmer months. To dip your toe in the trend — seen on runways this season from Dior's retro, bright shadows to Gucci's dramatic black bold look — start with a liner. Fendi's incredible gold and silver lids can be taken from the runway to the real way with Make Up Forever's award-winning Aqua Eyes eyeliner. When traced close to the lashline, the gold or silver shimmer can still make an impact and draw attention to the eyes. Keen on something bolder? Go allout with Dior's amazing new formulated five-colour eye shadow sets in Petal Shine, as seen on their Spring/ Summer 2012 runways.

Whatever trend you try this season, remember to have fun with it and WEAR YOUR SUNSCREEN! Happy summer, everyone!