Summer Perfection: When Lace-Up Sandals, Glowing Skin and the Knot Braid Team Up

There are some pieces that are just too hard to wear. In this realm lives trendy culottes, unforgiving white pants and, yes, even summer's It shoe—lace-up sandals. Cute as they are, the shoe can veer costume-y at times and can even cut the leg length, shortening our proportions.
So why even bother? When paired with the right beauty looks and clothing counterparts, this tricky trend can be your ticket to a winning summer look.
E! News tapped the E! Style Collective powers that be—celeb makeup artist Julianne Kaye, Hollywood hairstyling duo Riawna Capri and Nikki Lee and style expert Lindsay Albanese—to show us how to nail three seemingly difficult looks that work just as well together as they do alone. Hey, it takes a village.
As lifestyle vlogger Allie Marie Evans can attest, no sun-kissed visage is ready without a pop of color. Why bother with regular braids when you can wear an intricate version that's just as easy (and worn by Julianne Hough)? Let's go beyond the expected bohemian seasonal vibes with a sleek, chic outfit.Check it out below:

 

Step 1

Start off with applying primer. "Next apply tinted moisturizer with SPF," advised the makeup pro. "Or you can use a light foundation, but usually tinted moisturizer will have more SPF in it so you have that extra protection. It's also great for the summer when you don't want your makeup to melt off." Use a small dab of concealer to cover any blemish spots (Allie's face is pretty much flawless). Then, using a brush (not a puff), apply powder to lock in the concealer. "I don't always do this when I'm leaving the house, but when I do, I just hit the T-zone because I want to keep that sheer lumosity on my face," Julianne noted. The makeup maven then used Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base along the hallows of the cheekbones. "It's not reflective; it's just the perfect bronzer for everybody," Julianne gushed. "I like to use this to contour as well." Added tip: You don't need an entire contour palette; opt for a color that's two shades darker than your skin to avoid any severe, "Tony the Tiger-type of contouring," she added. "If there's one thing you take to the beach, it's Stila Convertible Color, because you can use it on your cheeks and lips," said Julianne. "Just swirl this on the apples of your cheeks and blend into the bronzer." The pro suggested adding a little bit extra to ensure a long-lasting summer glow."This is my favorite trick: Kiss the cheek with Nars Illuminator and work it up into the temple," noted the pro. "Who doesn't want radiant skin?" You can even apply just a smidgen to the cupid's bow to accentuate the lips. For a bold lip that's not too intense, use a brush to apply your lip color instead of applying it straight from the tube. Start from the center of the lip and brush it out toward the sides for a more sheer look. "It's still bright but not too saturated," she added. Maintain that glowy look with a terracotta-hued, matte eyeshadow. Then use a copper shadow and champagne shimmer to blend it out.After you line the lower lashline with shadow, finish it off with mascara for a look that's just as perfect at a backyard BBQ as it is on a rooftop party. Part your hair with a side part. Use the side with more hair to make two small sections and tie it in a knot as you would with a shoe lace. Use one hand to secure the knot in place with a bobby pin and the other hand to hold the two pieces of hair. Pull additional hair into the two sections you're already holding from the previous step, much like you would when doing a French braid, then make another knot with the strands.Secure the second knot with a bobby pin and repeat the process down the length of the shaft stopping at the ear.Use a small hair band to anchor the braided section to a piece of hair close to your scalp—this will prevent the braid from moving. Hide the plastic band beneath your hair.Remove the bobby pins and gently fan the braids a bit to fatten them up. "Fuzz is good," said Riawna. "It doesn't have to be perfect," Nikki added. Bringing the makeup and hair looks together is the outfit—and i am calling special attention to the statement shoes. One of summer's biggest trends, the lace-up sandal, can be pretty difficult to style because of its proportions and major boho vibes. Luckily, style expert Lindsay Albanese showed us how add a modern touch with a full ensemble you can wear anywhere this season.

To balance out the intricacy of the shoes, Lindsay outfitted Allie in a streamlined, tailored monochrome two-piece with simple gold cuffs. "Keep nice and clean pieces on top and let the sandals make the impact," she advised. "I also love mixing black and brown. There's an old style rule [that says] you can't mix black and brown, but I always buck those old-fashioned rules! It makes it more interesting."
C/MEO Collective top and bottom; ShoeDazzle shoes