Summer Beauty Tips
Ease up on your normal routine by following these handy hints.
* Under a blazing sun, a full face of makeup can run and smudge - not a good look - so be strategic about what you apply. Opt for a powder formulation. It will help soak up any oil. To cover a blotch or a blemish, skip an overall foundation and use a spot concealer instead.
Opt for Multitasking Makeup
* The easiest way to both moisturize and even out skin tone, is to opt for multi-tasking makeup. Use a tinted lotion that contains sun protection and because its sheer, you don’t have to match it to your skin exactly, as you have to with foundation. You can even go slightly deeper to warm up your complexion. Apply it like a basic moisturizer.
* Heat makes blood rise to your cheeks, so you don’t need to add much colour to your skin. Use something more subtle like a stain, tint, or liquid blush that won’t run or smear.
* Matte makeup stays on better than creamy or glossy makeup, and since its formulated without mineral oil or petrolatum, it won’t crease either. By definition, matte makeup is oil-absorbing. If you need shine control but matte makeup is not for you, try adding a salicylic acid toner to your morning routine, right after you cleanse: It whisks away the dead cells that sit on top of the skin and retain oil. To avoid stripping skin, look for a toner that contains either 0.5 percent salicylic acid or salicylic acid that is naturally derived.
* Because eyeshadow can crease or run in the heat, swap it for a simple eye liner instead. If you feel naked without shadow, sweep on a primer before applying it: The primer will give it longevity and help prevent slippage.
* To avoid runoff, go for a water-resistant or waterproof formula, since any kind of moisture - humidity, tears, or sweat - will make regular mascara come off. Lightly touch the wand to your lashes and apply in quick layers before the formula starts to dry.
* Steamy heat tends to melt lipstick, causing it to smear and run. Spend 30 seconds applying lip liner first to keep colour in place. (Lip pencil will also keep color from migrating into lines around your mouth, should you have any.) Keep liner from looking too severe by matching it to your lipstick or to your natural lip tone - your best bet when choosing a sheer lipstick or gloss.
* When wearing gloss, prep your lips first with an emollient balm. Glosses may look slick, but they don’t provide the moisture your lips need: Unlike your skin, your lips have few oil glands and can get chapped, even in summer. Ultrasensitive lips are also susceptible to UV damage, so go with the highest SPF you can find. Bonus: A balm will also help color go on more smoothly.
* Summer is a great time to experiment with bold hues, which look incredible against (self-) tanned skin. Ever purchased a polish that looked vibrant in the bottle but turned out to be disappointingly sheer? No need to toss it. Just brush on an inexpensive opaque white polish before applying the color: The white will perk it up.
* For summertime radiance, nothing beats well-done bronzer. Powder bronzer is easier to apply than a liquid or cream. Pick one that is no more than two shades deeper than your skin tone. After dabbing on your tinted lotion, wait a few minutes before sweeping on the bronzer; if your skin is still damp, the color will go on patchy or streaky. Swirl the brush over the top of the compact and tap off any excess on the back of your hand. Sweep the brush along your temple, down toward one cheekbone, and then to your jawline, completing a number “3” figuration. Repeat on the other side. Finish by dusting the powder over your nose and neck (even the back, if your hair is up), making sure to blend at the neckline.
* Sunscreen should be part of your regular routine, but when you’ll be outside for an extended time, you need to be sure you’re applying one that’s broad-spectrum. Look for a sunscreen with stable UVA shields, like Mexoryl and Helioplex, which can be used on the body, too. Be careful where you stash it, though—as in, never in a glove compartment, especially during the summer (ditto for lip balm with SPF). Once the car heats up in the sun, the high temperatures can cause the sunscreen’s active ingredients to degrade, which means you won’t be getting the SPF that’s indicated on the bottle. In fact, you might be applying nothing more than a thick moisturizer. (And the lip balm can melt, to boot.)
