I have so many favorite summer makeup products that one post just wouldn’t cut it. Here are the rest of my essentials for long-lasting and flawless summer makeup:
1. Tinted Moisturizer:
A tinted moisturizer can completely replace your foundation if you’re comfortable with a sheer coverage. I, on the other hand, still use a light coverage foundation on top of my tinted moisturizer because I have minor skin imperfections. If you are blessed with great skin, a tinted moisturizer is all you will need in the summertime. Tinted moisturizers do exactly what they sound like they do. They tint the skin, covering discolorations slightly, and moisturize. If you decide to strictly use a tinted moisturizer, make sure it has a high SPF of 30+. A great money-saving trick I love is to use your daily foundation and your daily moisturizer and mix equal parts together to make your own version of a tinted moisturizer. It works just as well. I have finally found the ultimate tinted moisturizer I’ve been searching for:
NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30, $42 at Nordstrom
This moisturizer gives great coverage, while still letting your natural skin show through. I absolutely love the texture and feel of it. It leaves my skin feeling very hydrated and not tacky, like some tinted moisturizers tend to. It has a long list of luxurious ingredients that actually help to improve your pigmentation after 4 weeks of use. I’ve tried a lot of tinted moisturizers and this one exceeded all of my expectations, so it will stand alone on my list of favorites. In fact, this product is so good that it’s what Gwyneth Paltrow wore at the Golden Globes this year.
2. Bronzer:
It wouldn’t be summer without bronzer. Summer is the only time of the year you can get by with looking like a bronzed goddess without being questioned if you just came back from an exotic vacay. With that being said, bronze away! While the sun is one of my favorite things, I prefer not to lay out in it because of its harmful effects, so I definitely put my bronzers and self-tanning creams to good use in the summertime. One of my least favorite things in a bronzer is one with an underlying orange tint. If you’re trying to be cast as the latest Jersey Shore housemate these bronzers are NOT for you:
NARS Bronzer in Laguna, $34 at Department Stores
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder with Real Cocoa, $29 at Sephora
Bare Escentuals Warmth, $19 at BareEscentuals.com
3. Bright Pink Lips:
Bright pink and fuchsia lips happen to look amazing with muted down makeup and luminous summer skin. In the summer, keep it easy and choose one focus point or just keep everything simply neutral. My lovely cousin Arantha, author of the blog Gourmet Beauty, recently did a post on fuchsia lips. You can view her favorite colors here. One of the colors she has recently recommended on her blog has become one of my new daily favorites! These colors are very stylish and fun this season, so give them a try!
Nicki Minaj for MAC Viva Glam, $14.50 at MAC stores
Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Candy Pink, $8.99 at drugstores
4. Finishing Mists
I am in love with finishing mists. One of my favorite things about them is they feel refreshing, like you’re giving thirsty skin a drink of water. They set your makeup and give it staying power. It’s Indy 500 week here in Indianapolis and for those of you that don’t know, that means a long, 90 something degree day in the direct sunlight. My makeup has to withstand the heat and also last for hours. These products will help it to do just that:
Urban Decay All Nighter, $29 at Sephora
MAC Fix+, $20 at MACCosmetics.com
Are there any essentials you must have for summertime? Everyone have a safe & happy Memorial Day!
