Today we’re going to make sure that your summer makeup routine is going to leave your skin feeling comfortable in the heat. There are three basic rules you should stick to and you’re makeup will look perfect all day long.
Let your skin be imperfect and it’ll look more perfect.
You’d like your summer makeup to look splendid? Then get the textures right. Foundation always creates more flawless skin but in the summer consider switching to something more lightweight. A tinted moisturiser or a bb cream would be great. These textures will blend into your skin and look natural. They’ll last longer in the hot conditions too, even on oily skin. They won’t give you the same skin perfection that a foundation would, so if you need to cover some unevenness or blemishes apply concealer. Pat a tiny amount to the most uneven areas and blend well. If you absolutely must use foundation; I’d advise you to apply it sparingly just to your T-Zone and blend outwards, keeping your cheeks nearly foundation free. Thick foundation that is sitting on skin in heat might melt of your face living you looking sweaty and patchy.
One makeup staple that can make you look old!
Stay clear from powders as much as you can, or invest in a high quality finishing powder. Thick powdery textures can look very ageing and create the illusion of a mask, especially in harsh summer light. Powders are also more likely to crease, sit in a lines and go patchy in the heat. But there’s some good news! Times have changed and you no longer need a ton of powder to set your makeup and keep the shine at bay. Most formulas nowadays are smart enough to stay put even without setting powder.
Is your skin extremely shiny? Use a matt base. Try Sébium Pore Refiner from BIODERMA to tighten pores and keep shine away. This way you won’t need to use much powder to keep your complexion matt. Of course not all powders are banned in the summer. But if you’ve stuck with the same stuff for years, you’ll be probably better of without it. If you can’t live without powder at least use HD powders. There’s great products from L’Oreal or Cargo both are inexpensive. These powders are allowed :) as they’re very finally milled and on the skin will blend to nothing. My current favourite finishing powder is Hourglass Ambient Lightening Powder in Ethereal Light. It’s perfect for setting anything; tinted moisturiser, foundation or concealer. Even when you’re working with these new formulas, try and use them sparingly and only on the T-Zone to avoid looking ‘caked’.
Don’t be dumb by sticking to what you know best.
First of all you may end up looking dated. Secondly, you’ll loose out on some astonishing products. Be smart with summer colour cosmetics. There is some serious science going into our makeup products, bringing us better formulations season after season. This summer switch to stain or cream blushers. There are some lovely formulas in this category from By Terry, Clarins or Clinique. On your lips use lip stains, glosses or balms and keep your dark, bold lipstick for a night out. Nowadays, newly formulated cream shadows are pigmented, easy to use and won’t go anywhere. Try KIKO. Their eyeshadow sticks are affordable, won’t budge and you can apply them with your fingers. If you’d like to splash out on a high-end product try shadows sticks from By Terry or Chanel Illusion D’Ombre eyeshadow pots. They will stay put even on oily skin and some even when you go swimming.
This is my current natural summer makeup routine. A quick look for every day. Perfect when you’re have only a few minutes to get ready. This is my go to look for weekends away as all the products are easy to blend without makeup brushes. Most of the products have travel friendly packaging too. I hope it’ll be your inspiration to create your very own summer look.
Do you change your makeup routine for the summer? What are your most favourite summer makeup products?