Thursday, May 20, 2010

Summer Beauty Must-Have's


Phew! It’s been a minute since I’ve been here. Gotta brush the dust off this place. But I’m back and I’m ready to get you guys ready for these warm summer months. If you’ve read my article from the Examiner.com, than this list will look familiar. But keep reading, I’ve made a few changes to this list for The Beauty Ally.

(Side note: My Examiner.com articles and The Beauty Ally might run parallel in topic from time to time, but the content will not be completely the same, so be sure to check out both!)


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So here it is, my top recommendations for a beautiful-faced summer!


Mattifier
If you have prone to shiny skin, this stuff will save your life! It can double as a makeup primer if you wear it under your foundation or use it alone and it will work all day. It not only keeps the sun from reflecting of your forehead and into your friends’ eyes, but it will help keep sweat beads off your skin. I can’t recommend Peter Thomas Roth’s Max Anti-Shine Mattifying Gel enough - it helped my makeup stay on while in a sea of people at an outdoor summer concert. If that price is a little steep (and it can be for a 1 oz. bottle), Boot’s Mattifying Makeup Base is a great alternative. If you’re attending a music festival this summer, bring this stuff with you!

SPF Tinted moisturizer
By now you know that it is a MUST to wear SPF daily. An SPF tinted moisturizer will eliminate the additional step in the morning of applying an SPF moisturizer AND a base. Laura Mercier’s oil-free SPF 20 tinted moisturizer is by far my favorite, but you can find one in a variety of colors and prices. Everyone from Ulta and Sephora to Smashbox and England’s pharmacy brand Boot’s has one. I love the lightweight finish of Laura Mercier’s version. It doesn't feel heavy yet will provide enough coverage to even out your skin-tone to help you look natural. It’s a must have for anyone who wants to cut their time getting ready in the morning.

Coral / Pink Lips
I have yet to find my perfect coral lip gloss, but when it comes to pink, I’ve got enough shades to go around. I prefer lip stains overall, but even more so for the summer. It’s fast, the color lasts long and doesn’t feel sticky in the heat. I also love that you can find either of these colors in a shade that suits your complexion. Bobbi Brown has beautiful coral lip palettes for summer (Bonus: her color palettes can double as cheek tints) and everyone from MAC to L’Oreal has a beautiful range of pinks for the season. What’s also great is that these lip colors are often associated with youth! You’ll not only look effortlessly beautiful but take years off your face in the process.

Sun-kissed Cheeks

I can’t talk about summer makeup without mentioning a bronzer. Be it a bright cheek hue or a bronzer, these colors add a glow to your look with a warm, beach-like cheek color. I like the cream kind. They’re fast and easy to apply (just one sweep across your cheek bone does the trick) and the cheek tints usually don’t have as much pigment as a powder, so you don’t run the risk of having thick Souxsie-Sioux-cheeks. Nars just released three new awesome Multiples in colors that were made for summer. One swipe of the bronzer or cream tint on the apples of your cheeks and you’ll be all set (just don’t forget to blend)!

Waterproof Mascara
Runny mascara is not cute. Bulletproof (OK, waterproof) your look with a long lasting mascara in brown. The color, which is less harsh than black for the summer, will open your eyes and brighten your face. It’s no wonder why people who wear the least amount of makeup will just about always wear mascara. There are several (and I mean SEVERAL) types of mascaras on the market right now ranging from affordable to luxe. A cult favorite (and industry classic) is Maybelline’s Waterproof Great Lash Mascara.

Sunglasses
No summer look is complete without this staple. But more importantly than looking chic while running errands or on the beach, big sunglasses will help keep crows feet at bay. Not only will the lenses protect that sensitive area around the eye, but they will effectively keep you from squinting (another no no when trying to prevent wrinkles). Look for ones with UV protective lenses. (Bonus: they can double as a headband if the wind picks up!) 

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