Summer is almost here!  That means warmer temperatures, water fun, and tans!  There are a few makeup/skin care products that I believe are essential for summertime.

SPF – Wearing SPF on your face and body while out in the sun is the BEST thing you can do for your skin.  It will protect it from the harmful sunrays and it will prevent premature aging and wrinkles.  You can accomplish wearing SPF in a few different ways.  (1) Purchase SPF products (aka sunscreen products) that are for the face and body (usually sold separately). (2) Make sure your daily facial moisturizer has SPF in it.  (3) Use a complexion product (foundation, BB cream) with SPF in it.

Bronzer – I personally like matte bronzers or ones without a lot of shimmer in them.  They do a great job of adding warmth to the face.  I even use bronzer as a light contour when I don’t want a super sculpted look.  Use a large fluffy brush, like the Real Techniques Blush brush, to apply so it does not go on too heavy.  Bronzers with shimmer in them are great for summer too.  I like to apply them on my body to get that all over glow (great for poolside photos)!

Beauty Blender – I LOVE MY BEAUTY BLENDER!  It is life!  It is also the perfect tool to apply and sheer out complexion products such as foundation and concealer.  Summer is not the time to have a face caked with makeup (especially if you live in a warmer climate like me).  The sheerer the coverage, the more your skin can breathe and the less likely you will be to have clogged pores, which could lead to breakouts.  I always use my Beauty Blender damp.  In my opinion, it works best this way.  There are also several Beauty Blender dupes; however, none are quite like the original.  The best dupe I’ve found is the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge.

Mattifying powder – If you like your makeup to stay matte, this is probably an essential product for you all year round.  In the summer months, I find myself reaching for it a lot more often.  As I’ve mentioned several times before, I have oily skin, which can look extremely greasy and shiny in the summer months if I don’t address it.  Most days I will use a mattifying powder in my t-zone, where I get the oiliest.  You can wear this powder alone, under foundation/concealer, and/or on top of foundation/concealer.  Any way you decide to wear it, it will help you battle the oil that always seems to seep through! My favorite mattifying powders are MAC Blot Powder and BH Cosmetics Studio Pro Matte Finish Pressed Powder.

Highlighter – Everyone loves to have that extra glow!  Highlighting the parts of your face that the sun hits naturally (cheekbones, bridge of nose, cupid’s bow, brow bone) is the best way to use this product. Use a fluffy tapered brush (such as Sigma’s F35 )in order to control the application of the product.  Applying it too heavy is not a good look!  The Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed highlighters are my all-time favorites!

Cream eyeshadow – This product is so clutch in the warmer summer months!  Do you have issues with your powder eyeshadows fading and creasing?  Well, cream eyeshadow is your answer!  This product has lasting power that powder eyeshadow does not.  It sticks to the eye and stays put.  Most also have intense pigment, which saves you from having to apply more than one layer.  Once you apply, set it will a similar color powder eyeshadow to increase the longevity of wear.  Apply cream eyeshadow with your fingers or a small, rounded synthetic hair eyeshadow blending brush like the Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Crease Shadow Brush.  My favorite cream eyeshadows are the MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pots.

Waterproof mascara – I know people who LOVE waterproof mascara and I know people who HATE it.  Either way, it is a great product to use when necessary.  I recommend it when you are going to be swimming or around water.  It’s not necessary for daily use, even in the summer months.  Please be sure to carefully remove it from your lashes at the end of the day.  I’ve found that baby shampoo works incredibly well for waterproof mascara removal!

With the products mentioned above, we will be able to take on the hot summer months and still be glamorous! Please comment below and let me know your go-to summer makeup products.

Till next time gorgeous,

Sarah Robyn