Cute dress….. check. Sandals…check. Ponytail…check. Sweaty face and makeup……..a big mess! It’s summer, it’s hot and the last thing you want to be worrying about is how your makeup looks. Summer makeup doesn’t have to be an overly complicated list of products. Here are seven easy steps to get you on your way and looking flawless.
1. Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisturize.
This is the first and most important step. The summer heat can take your beautiful skin and turn into a nightmare. Applying moisturizer on your face and body will create hydrated youthful looking skin and can even extend the life of your tan. The goal is to keep the face looking and feeling soft this will also make applying your foundation much easier. I personally use Clinique moisture surge gel in the summer. I like to put mine in the fridge and create a nice cooling moisture mask. Depending on your skin will determine which product will work best for you. Now if you are heading to the pool of beach skip the moisturizer and use an SPF of at least 30 and apply often.
2. Concealer
No matter how restful our sleep was we all have those lovely dark spots under the eyes. Dab some concealer a shade lighter than your skin tone under the eyes and around the nose creases. If you have serious dark circles I recommend concealer and also Dior Skinflash on top of that. This product is a miracle worker on those days when regular coverage just won’t do.
3. Foundation
Depending on the coverage you need I prefer a tinted moisturizer or a BB cream in the summer. Stila Illuminating tinted moisturizer is great and also Physicians Formula BB cream. For those of you who need more coverage be sure and follow step one for an easier application.
4. Rosy Cheeks
Nothing says summer like those perfect pink cheeks from being outside by the pool. This is simple to recreate using Benefit’s
Dandelion blush. It is the perfect shade of pink that you can layer to the desired color and a bonus is that you can use it as a shadow!
5. Eyeshadow
Eyes are tricky in the summer. The last thing you want is mascara running down your face. First start with a primer on your lids such as Urban Decay. From there use shades that are natural for your skin tone. This is a daytime look so no need to get crazy with colors. Neutrals, pinks and gold tones work best. I cannot live without my Naked Palette it has every perfect neutral for day and night. Once you have decided on the color you can either use as all over shade or layer a few to create some color dimension. Just beware of anything too glittery on hot days. There is nothing worse than the under eye glitter mess.
6. Mascara and Liner
To line or not to line? This is a personal preference and here is my thought. I love the look of unlined eyes with really great lashes. It looks so natural and soft. On the other hand I know many of you can’t fathom the thought of not having liner so go with a liquid. Liquid wears better than pencil and is less likely to run. There are also plenty of waterproof pencils if you prefer them. Now finish your eyes with a couple coats of mascara. My favorite waterproof is Dior Show.
7. Lips
Lips need SPF as well and many lip balms have it included. I love the Revlon lipstain pencils. There are two ways you can do the lips. Keep the eyes super natural and then add a punch of coral on the lips or play up your eyes and use a neutral gloss. There are so many fun lip colors for summer that I like to give my eyes a break sometimes. Don’t be afraid to try lip color. I know it seems like a lot when you aren’t used to it but played right it can be stunning and perfect for summer!
Leave a Reply