In the summer months the weather is glorious, sunny and hot and we tend to spend a lot more time outdoors, enjoying nature, going to the beach, playing sports or just hanging out with friends having a good time. But the hot and humid weather also means that your makeup can melt and run down your face, fade faster and there’s always the risk of sunburn.
That’s why in summer it’s best to change your makeup routine and choose waterproof and longlasting products that will stay put for hours. And even though I’m one of those people that likes to wear what I want whenever I want regardless of the weather, on particularly torrid days, I follow all the tips below as well or my face would end up pretty messy! Here’s what I do:
1. Slather on sunscreen all over your body
Wearing a broad spectrum sunscreen is important all year round but even more so in the summer when we spend more time outdoors and at the beach. Choose a sunscreen that protects from both UVA and UVB rays and apply it about 15 minutes before heading out the door on your face, neck, arms, legs and on any other body part exposed to the sun rays. And don’t forget to reapply every couple of hours!
2. Ditch foundation
Most foundations are too heavy to be used in the summer and, unless you need very heavy coverage, it’s best to opt for other options. If your skin is in good condition, you can skip foundation altogether and just dab on concealer where needed. If that’s not enough for you, you can opt for a tinted moisturizer instead. They have lightweight formulas that don’t feel heavy on the skin and provide a very light and natural coverage perfect for this season. You can also make your own by mixing your regular foundation with some of your moisturizer!
3. Waterproof mascara is your friend
I like to use waterproof mascaras all year round but in the summer they are a must. Although they can be a pain to remove sometimes, they give you long, glossy and beautiful lashes without you having to worry about your mascara smudging, flaking or melting in the heat resulting in horrible panda eyes.
4. Substitute powder and glosses with stains
Powder blushes can be too heavy and melt away in the heat, so to give your cheeks a natural and healthy flush, opt for gel blushes or stains that blend into your skin and stay in place for hours. Stains are also perfect for your lips as they give just a hint of color that lasts a lot longer than glosses. And because they’re not sticky, you don’t have to worry about your hair or sand (if you’re at the beach) getting stuck in your lips.
5. Prime, layer and set
To prevent makeup from melting in the heat and to make it last, it’s important to wear layers. Start by applying primers on your face and eyes (you can use them on lashes and lips if you want to as well) to give the makeup something to better adhere to and improve its staying power. Then proceed to apply your makeup as usual and finish off by dusting a layer of powder on top to set it so that it’ll last longer.
6. Blotting sheets are your best allies
If you have oily or combination skin with oily and greasy patches, carrying blotting sheets with you is a must. These little and inexpensive sheets are perfect to remove excess sebum and sweat without ruining your makeup underneath.
Do you change your makeup routine in the summer? If so, how?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Good stuff, Gio, and I especially agree with 1, 2 and 6. Sunscreen? Check. No foundation? Check. Blotting sheets? Oh shoot, I need to pick up some of those…
Trisha´s last [type] ..Enter the Avon Lotus Shield Giveaway Before It Ends-
Trisha, thanks and you’d better stock up on oil blotter then.
I think minimal makeup is definitely the best option for very hot days.
I ease up on the foundation!
fabulessbeauty´s last [type] ..Essie Nail Polish in Demure Vixen
Fabulessbeauty, that’s good. Less and lighter foundation is always better when it’s really hot, you don’t want everything to melt.
I totally agree with No 2. I don’t wear foundation in summer (actually I kind of skip it in the rest of the year too) unless it’s really necessary and when that happens I use Max Factor Second Skin Foundation. Has a very light formula and feels so soft and light on my face, I don’t really fell like I’m wearing foundation at all.
Tavia´s last [type] ..Lola Masquerade Collection for Summer 2010
Tavia, lucky you for not needing foundation! I think that’s a product one needs to use if they have an uneven skintone, blemishes or other things to conceal. But if one has good skin, there’s no reason to use it regardless of the season. I wish I could not wear it so often! I heard great things about the Max Factor foundation but sadly I haven’t found a match for me.
#2, #3, #5, #6 – I practise them here most of the time, as we practically have summer all year long. But I do wear foundation, depending on the occasion(s).
Slathering on sunscreen on whole body…for me, only the exposed parts like the extremities.
Vonvon´s last [type] ..EOTD Marathon- Vol 1- All Four LOreal Paris Open Eyes Chrome Intensity Palettes – Part 2
Vonvon, I wish it was summer all year long here too. Well, maybe not this hot (summer has its cons too) but I’d love to live in a place where winter isn’t freezing cold.
Yeah, I think sunscreen should be applied only to the parts that are gonna be exposed to the sun. It’s just that in summer people tend to wear skimpier clothes but still apply sunscreen only on their faces (at least most people here do that). Maybe they forget, I don’t know but a reminder is always useful.