Sun-Kissed Make-up

Thursday, May 25th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The effect is fleeting, but the easiest way to add a bit of weekend-at-the-beach color is with makeup. This season, that may mean anything from a pearlescent bronzing cream to gold- or copper-flecked eyeshadow.

Luminescent lotions such as Ultima II's Glowtion, a shimmery tinted moisturizer, or Origins' Sunny Disposition can be used to give faces an all-over glow, or just add a blush of color on cheeks. Francois Nars Body Glow (too oily and heavy scented for the face) is a combo of coconut oil and tiare flower, a Tahitian gardenia - think Gauguin in a bottle.

Bronzing powders - great for adding a few sweeps of color on face or shoulders - can be matte or shimmery, and range in color from pale golden pink for fairer skins to deepest terra cotta. Prescriptives Sunsheen Cool Bronzing Powder is the shimmery camp, but the powder's high percentage of water gives it the added attraction of feeling cool and slightly damp when first applied. Creams and sticks (such as Calvin Klein's new Check Color Wash or Clinique's Blushious Bronzing stick, due in stores next month) give a somewhat sheerer effect, and are generally easier to blend.

Metallic and pearlescent lip and nail colors are also wildly popular this season, but beware of overkill. The goal is subtle glow, not a full-on gleam. Use a light touch and save the most shimmery, glimmery effects for evenings and special occasions.