Glorious summer is here.
Goooodbye frat row, cafeteria food, ivy-covered buildings and
helllllo internships, high school friends, and warm, breezy evenings of sipping cocktails by the pool. Whether it's reuniting with old friends, starting a new fling, or trying to impress your boss, looking good is as important as ever.
With record high temperatures popping up all across the nation, this is going to be one
hot summer. And with the heat comes the responsibility of keeping your clothes on and your makeup fresh. We all know that high temperature is a catalyst for breakouts and runny makeup. For today, here's some tips on keeping your skin at its best and how to keep makeup from smudging during the summer.
Skin Prep
#1 Exfoliate
Never underestimate the power of exfoliation. In the winter, when your skin tends to be dry, over-exfoliating is definitely a no. However, in the summer, you can easily get away with using a facial scrub three to five times a week, depending on how oily your skin is. I've started using the Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Scrub five days a week and haven't seen a breakout since. Sloughing away the dead skin will make your skin look fresher and create a even base for applying makeup.
A loofah/bath sponge and a body scrub will also help keep your body smooth and beautiful. Bliss Lemon+Sage Body Scrub smells absolutely deeelish, but it's also very pricey. Make your own by mixing a couple tablespoons of brown sugar, some freshly squeezed lemon juice, a dash of olive oil, and a few sprinkles of sage.
#2 Moisturize
Some girls might skip the moisturizer since their skin is not as dry in the summer and they worry that using a moisturizer will cause breakouts, but I always recommend using a light moisturizer. Moisturizers can actually reduce the amount of oil produced by your oil glands by providing your skin with a layer of moisture. Go for something light so it doesn't feel too greasy. I'm a huge fan of Cetaphil's Daily Facial Moisturizer because it has an SPF 15 formula, so handy on the days when I'm rushing out the door without time to applysunscreen.
#3 Sun Protection
I'm sure you've all heard this a million times before, but never forgo the sunscreen! I used be a tan-aholic and didn't listen to my mother, never wearing sunscreen and frequently tanning at the pool. However, then I started breaking out one summer. After that, I dramatically reduced my exposure to the sun and started wearing sunscreen whenever I would be under direct sunlight. Now I no longer get breakouts and my skin looks smoother and younger, too.
When picking a sunscreen, try to get a separate oil-free formula to use on your face. Also, don't spend extra money to get a bottle with SPF over 45. Scientific studies have shown that sunscreens with SPF over 60 don't do much more than an SPF 45.
Makeup
#1 Base
If you want your makeup to last, it's essential to use the right base products. The magical product to your makeup routine is primer: facial primer and eyelid primer. These clear potions might seem like a waste of money at first, but they make
all the difference. A good facial primer evens out your skin, makes concealer easier to apply, keeps your foundation from streaking, and prevents your skin from looking oily. A good eyelid primer keeps your eyeshadow from creasing and prevents that raccoon-eye effect: when eyeliner smears all over your eyes after a night of partying.
The eye primer of choice is of course the industry's cult product: Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion. However, at $18 a piece, they can be kind of pricey. Victoria's Secret also has a great eyeshadow primer (now on sale during their semi-annual sale) and I've even tried
making my own eye primer and it has worked wonderfully for me. As for face primer, MAKE UP FOR EVER's HD line is amazing and Benefit's That Gal also works wonderfully and comes with a pleasant scent.
#2 Conceal and Even Out
After prepping your skin with exfoliation and primer, use a concealer to even out dark spots and cover up blemishes. Try to get a concealer that exactly matches your skin tone or is even a tiny bit lighter. Never get a concealer that is darker than your skin tone because it will only bring out the spot you're trying to conceal.
Use a matte foundation to even out your overall skin afterwards. I recommend a mineral foundation because I find them to be less messy than liquid foundations and less likely to streak. Go for a completely natural formula as they can even be good for your skin. I recommend another cult favorite: Bare Escentuals bareMinerals SPF 15 foundation. This stuff really is amazing and it has even improved my skin since I've started using it a few months ago. Sephora has a bunch of Bare Escentuals value kits on sale for those who are new to the brand. They're definitely worth a try.
If you're looking for something inexpensive, check out
Everyday Minerals. Their products are comparable with Bare Escentuals and you can order a generous sample size kit for just the price of shipping!
What are your makeup tricks for beating the summer heat?
