Summer brings lots of simple pleasures, but it can also throw a wrench into your beauty routine. Fortunately, many makeup companies have started to address warm weather woes with new product innovations. A combination of these plus a few application tricks can streamline your routine and keep you looking cool for hours.
“Women used to really dread the summer — the heat, the humidity,” says Lois Joy Johnson, author of The Makeup Wakeup: Revitalizing Your Look at Any Age. “But it’s gotten a lot easier.”
Try these tips to beat the heat.
Tip #1: Prime your face
Nothing will extend the wear of your makeup like a foundation primer — a longtime staple of makeup artists that has recently made its way into the mainstream.
“Primers have really changed a lot of the issues women have had with makeup,” Johnson says. “It prevents your makeup from collecting in lines and creasing, and it eliminates the need for powder.” She suggests storing it in the refrigerator, so that when you apply it — ideally after your moisturizer but before your makeup — you get a cooling and de-puffing effect.
What to try: Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation Primer, $30; Maybelline Age Rewind Primer, $9.99
Tip #2: Combine sunscreen and foundation
With so many foundation options on the shelves these days, there’s no need to add another layer of product to your face. Instead, choose a foundation with a high SPF. “It’s worth making a switch like that for the summer, even if you’re devoted to your foundation,” says Johnson. She recommends a compact foundation, which is also easy to throw in your bag for quick touch-ups throughout the day.
What to try: Shiseido Sun Protection Compact Foundation SPF 34, $26.50; Neutrogena Healthy Skin Compact SPF 55, $11.99
Tip #3: Ditch all but the eyeliner
“It’s more important than eyeshadow in the summer,” says Johnson. Eyeliner can define your eyes and make them look bigger, and even add a pop of color with a minimum of fuss. The waterproof pencils on the market really will stay all day, even if you sweat.
What to try: Sephora Flashy Waterproof Liner, $8; NYC Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil, $3.99
Tip #4: Try a lip stain
Shiny lip glosses are fun for the summer months, but for a truly long-wearing, natural beauty look, try a lip stain or tint. “It’s very fresh right now to use a stain with a tiny bit of gloss on top,” Johnson says. And unless you’re addicted to lip liner, skip it. It’s one more product that’s prone to migrate in the heat.
What to try: Tarte LipSurgence Natural Lip Tint, $24; Palladio Lip Stain, $5.99
Tip #5: Commit to touching up
Touching up is an unfortunate fact of summer life, especially if you’re spending the day outdoors. But a mid-day refresher can be a breeze. Toss a clean foundation sponge in a plastic bag and stash it in your purse. Then just dampen it and use that — without any extra product — to refresh your look.
“Dab around your expression lines, and other areas where your makeup tends to collect,” says Johnson. “It freshens you up fast, and it’s very easy to do.”
