July 7, 2009

Tips for Minimal, Fresh, Natural Summer Makeup


I’m always looking for a few tips and tricks to keep my makeup fresh, natural, and above all else, minimal in the Summer. Who wants to wear tons of foundation and eye makeup when it’s humid and sticky outside? I’m sure you agree minimal is where it’s at when the temperature is tipping into the 80’s and 90’s.

Check it below for some tips to keep makeup on the low down this Summer!


For my look above I kept it really minimal. Here’s what I used:

Face:
Jurlique Lavender Hydrating Mist
Korres Face Primer
Stila Convertible Color in Poppy

Eyes:
Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer
Shu Uemura Lash Curler

Lips:
Clarins Instant Gloss

  • Go Without Foundation

I know I’m crazy right? Go without foundation? Nuts! But I highly suggest going without if you can pull it off and truly if your skin is fairly clear you shouldn’t have a problem doing so.

Try out these simple tips for getting glowing skin.

  • Scrub, Scrub, Scrub!

Exfoliate your skin in the shower or at the sink in the morning. In the Summer, I always prefer exfoliating my face in the morning as it gives my skin a certain fresh, glow that lasts almost all day plus it makes it easier to go without foundation. Try a gentle exfoliator such as Philosophy Microdelivery. Gentle scrubs are best as they shed dead skin cells and don’t dry skin out. If you’re sensitive and can’t stand the though of a scrub try out Cargo Polishing Clothes to get skin glowing!

  • Light Moisturizer

You’re not going to want to use a heavy moisturizer on your face in the Summer. I tend to get oily if I go to heavy with moisturizer so I’ve been using Korres Primer as my moisturizer if I want to keep things minimal or a moisturizing mist or toner. Try out primers that aren’t silicon based but have a water base for a moist, dewy finish. If your skin is oily but you desire a bit of moisture try misting with a moisturizing toner of some kind.

  • Tint It!

If you fear heading out of the house naked, try out a tinted moisturizer or a lighter foundation. If your skin is slightly dull or you have uneven skin tone you can easily redeem it with a light tinted moisturizer or foundation. My favorite picks for tinted moisturizer Laura Mercier’s and DuWop. If you aren’t a fan of tinted moisturizers try a light foundation such as Too Faced Magic Wand Illuminating Foundation or if you have oily skin try out Bourjois Paris Fond de Teint Pinceau for a matte finish.

  • It’s All In The Eyes

Goops of mascara and tons of eye makeup hold little appeal when it’s hot outside. For a fresher look try ditching it all! I find if I concentrate much of my time on my eyes and concealing them correctly that my entire face is radiant. Use a pigmented concealer to blend away dark circles, tired eyes, fine lines, and puff. Top with a very fine layer of powder to set and you’ll be golden all day. Prepped and primed eyes will make your face look ten years younger and you’ll look and feel your best! If you’re daring you can even go mascara-less! Forget mascara and curl your lashes up with a good curler. Press and hold for a minute or more for longer, fuller lashes. Tuck your curler in your makeup bag for quickie touch ups through out the day. No icky mascara to deal with to make lashes heavy just simple, fresh doe eyes.

  • Flush With Healthy Color

Put your powders away and haul out your creams and stains for long wearing color. Flush cheeks with popping shades of cheek stain or creamy long wearing cream blushes. I find that tacky, sticky cream blushes wear best in Summer and longest. If you’re wanting to go waterproof head for stains as they’ll last all through a day at the pool or beach. I find that stains and cream blushes not only give a healthy burst of color to cheeks but also light my face up so it’s barely noticeable if I’m going foundation-less.

  • Don’t Over Do Your Lips

Wearing layers of lipstick does not appeal in the Summer sun. Try to lighten it up with balms, color changing glosses, and simple glosses. Clarins has a color changing gloss that makes lips slick with just a hint of pink as does Too Faced and Smashbox. Try out these glosses for a very simple look. Try a lighter moisturizing lipstick like Lipstick Queen Medieval for a touch of color without a weighted down formula.

Above All Else, Don’t Forget Your SPF!

I hope you enjoyed some of these Summer tips for keeping your makeup minimal and fresh during the hot, humid weather. Feel free to share your tips for a fresh, glowing face in the comment box!

2 Comments

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Cat

    What pigmented concealer and powder would you recommend? I have very bad eye bags that I’m super insecure about (malar bags. If you’ve never heard of them, look them up, they’re absolute misery and can only be diminished with surgery, so being able to conceal them effectively is the only way I’ll even leave the house). I need something that won’t settle or draw attention to any fine lines or wrinkles as that just makes them worse. As does anything illuminating (I feel. I haven’t quite figured out how to flush them with my cheekbones). And I’m combo/oily t zone so it’d have to be pretty heavy duty in warmer weather as well. I’ve probably bought 10 foundations and concealers and 20 different powders. But it’s like solving calculus equations trying every possible combination to conceal my under eyes! I know that’s a lot to throw at you but you sound like you’ve tried this out a few times and quite frankly, I’ve gotten so discouraged I’ve just stopped leaving the house. It affects every aspect of my life. I’m otherwise fairly pretty but then I have these eyes of an 80 year old! Any thoughts? Forever grateful, Cat

    • Isabella Muse

      I don’t really use powder, I have try skin. If you need a good concealer that’s pigmented, It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye is the way to go! 🙂 hope this helps!