I know summer is about half over, so this post is coming a little bit late. But better late than never, right? I am not a beauty expert by any means, so take that into consideration as you read this post. Over the last two years my summer beauty routine has changed as I’ve noticed that my skins needs different products at different times of the year. This change surprised me because I’ve always had dry skin and have used the same products year round. But when the weather started warming up back in April, my thick, creamy moisturizer started to feel heavy, my eyeliner was suddenly on my cheeks, and my foundation started to slide around on my face. Not pretty. So I’m going to share how I changed up the products I was using to create a fast summer beauty routine. (A lot of these products won’t be skin type specific, so read on even if you don’t have dry skin like me!)
Cleansing and Moisturizing
First of all, I have a dirty secret. No a literal dirty secret. Most nights I don’t wash my face. I know, I know, this is a terrible habit, I’m going to look old before my time and it’s just, well, dirty. I’ve struggled with this bad habit since high school and have gone through spurts of trying to fix it. Here is the compromise I’ve come up with. Makeup Wipes.
For those of you who know more than I do about caring for your skin, you may still be horrified, but for me it’s a baby step in the right direction. It takes 10 seconds, even I can handle 10 seconds. If I’m feeling particularly ambitious, I will use a muslin cloth with Liz Earle’s cleanser that you put on your face while it’s dry and then wipe off with the wet cloth. Don’t ask me why this feels easier than the traditional approach to cleansing my face, I can’t explain my reluctance. The cleansing step I haven’t changed for summer, so I guess I could have kept my dirty secret to myself, but now you know me so much better. I’m using the Acure brand right now, but the Target brand is also one of my favorites.
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Because I have dry skin I always need to moisturize, but I needed something lighter for summer. I was already using a Benefit product, so I decided to try Benefit’s Triple Performing Facial Emulsion. It’s nice and light for summer, and I don’t feel greasy half way through the day. It has a little SPF too, which I certainly need with my fair skin.
Foundation
I find 99.9% of my beauty products through Bircbox and this CC cream by Supergoop is no exception. (Most of the products I mention here can also be found at Sephora and Ulta) I got a sample of it a little over a month ago and it has been an amazing option for summer foundation. I’ve read that some BB/CC creams don’t have as good of coverage as foundation, but this cream covers just as well as what I was using during the winter without moving around on my face during the summer heat.
SuperGoop’s CC cream corrects to your skin tone, and there are only 3 shades to choose from. I got the Fair/Light, although if I get a little tan I could probably do the Light?Medium. I was a little nervous it was going to be too light when I put it on, but then it magically morphed to match my skin tone and looks perfect. I always apply mine with my BeautyBlender for smooth coverage.
Bronzer and Blush
I know just enough about bronzer to be dangerous, so feel free to tell me if I’m missing the mark. I didn’t use it in the past because I am so fair I thought it would look fake. After watching a few tutorials, here is how I apply it: Step one, smile. Step two, sweep a small amount of bronzer below your cheek bones. (you should see a noticeable line when you smile, that’s where you apply it) Step 3, sweep a small amount along your temples, starting above the outer half of your eyebrow and ending just about in line with your eye. Step 4, blend. If it looks a little dark, don’t panic, the next steps should balance it out. I’m currently using another sample I received in my Birchbox, a bronzer/blush combo by Cargo.
I really like the color of the blush, but be careful with it, a little goes a long way. Blush lasts forever for me, but if I ever run out I’d like to try this one and this one.
Eyes
I keep eyes fairly simple in summer, which for me means no color eyeshadow. I use a neutral, cream colored eyeshadow for my whole eye to just even out the skin tone. Then I apply eyeliner, which is another product I had to switch for summer. In winter I use an eyeliner by Tarte that I LOVE for a smoky eye, it smudges really well. But in summer, I need my eyeliner to stay put so I switch to waterproof eyeliner. I go back and forth between black and navy, depending on what I’m wearing. The navy by Urban Decay is one I purchase regularly from Sephora, and the black by Eyeko is a sample I like that I got in my Birchbox.
Occasionally, I don’t wear any eyeliner at all, just a couple of coats of mascara. My two favorites are Benefit’s They’re Real and Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara. I love the length that I get from Benefit, but it’s really hard to get it off. And I love how full Better Than Sex makes my lashes, but it has to be replaced about every 2 months or it starts to clump up on me. If you have another brand that you love, let me know!
I really, really love Benefit’s Gimme Brow Gel. It’s so easy to apply, blends well, and the color looks so natural. I’ve also been using Anastasia’s Brow Powder, but Gimme Brow is my favorite.
Color and Shine
Now it’s time for a little color and shine. In winter I like a really matte look, but in summer it’s fun to have a little summer glow. I said glow, though, not sparkle. I’m a little old for sparkle. I’ve tried some highlighters that were more sparkle, but I got this highlighter by TreStique in a Birchbox and it’s the perfect glow. So easy to apply too in this stick form. I simply draw a line down the bridge of my nose, right underneath my eyebrows, and then I smile again and draw lines across the tops of my cheeks. Use your finger to blend it in and you’re done!
Finally, I apply whatever lip gloss or stain I’m in the mood for. Lately it’s been this lip crayon, PBJ Smoothie by The Beauty Crop, this color is called “Raisin’ the Roof”.
Even though I used a ton of words to explain all of this to you, the whole process only takes me 5-6 minutes to complete. It’s alway been a thing of mine not to leave the house without makeup on, but with 2 small kids and lot to do, my summer beauty routine makes it fast and easy to feel put together. Do you simplify your routine for summer?
