Summer Makeup Guide

What you need to know to look great all summer long.
Published July 27, 2016

When it comes to looking and feeling good this summer, it’s important to remember that your wardrobe isn’t the only thing that needs an update. The beauty of summer is that you have the opportunity to shake up your makeup routine, allowing you to sport new colours, bronzer, and even a more natural look.

Of course with rising temperatures comes the potential of having to deal with melting makeup, smeared mascara and super sticky lipstick, resulting in a sweaty, hot mess.

Avoid makeup meltdowns and discover which look is a “go to” this season with our easy, breezy summer makeup guide.

How to prep your face
Do we put moisturizer on our face first, or sunscreen? The order in which we apply beauty products to our face is important, but is also super confusing.  According to beauty expert Brittany Gray, founder of Fancy Face Inc., a full-service luxury on-site beauty agency with locations in Toronto and Vancouver, the order should be as follows: serum, moisturizer, sunscreen, and foundation.

“When applying your base layers, you want to transition from the thinnest products to your thicker products,” says Gray. “The thin consistencies of your serum, moisturizer and facial sunscreen are designed to penetrate your pores easily in order to deliver amazing nutrients to the skin, so allow these layers to soak in for a few minutes before you begin to apply your primer, foundation and concealer.”

How to combat shine
When it comes to sweat-proofing your makeup, there are a few key steps that are essential to prevent your makeup melting into your mojito.

First, “Start your base with a mattifying moisturizer like SHISEIDO Pureness Matifying Moisturizer Oil-Free,” says Gray. “Next, prime that skin! I love mixing Becca Mattifying Primer with Benefit Cosmetics Porefessional Primer; it's the perfect blend for shine free skin.”

Next, to finish off the sweat-free look, Gray recommends setting your foundation and concealer with a translucent setting powder like Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder to absorb any moisture or oils in your foundation. Finally, set your base with a setting spray like Urban Decay De-Slick (Gray’s personal fave). 

What to avoid
When the weather warms up, you should skip the thick foundation or the heavy makeup. “Let your skin breathe,” says Gray. “With the sunrays hitting our hopefully SPF-protected skin, you are sure to have a natural lit-from-within glow. There's no need to hide it behind thick layers of makeup!”

Another tip? Not wearing waterproof mascara. Whether you’re glistening under the sun or taking an impromptu dive into a pool, no one likes to have a raccoon eyes on a hot day. “Opt for the waterproof formula of your favorite mascara to prevent this from happening.”

How to get that J. Lo glow
Summer is the perfect time of year to embrace a bronzed goddess look. The trick, however, is to look less orange, and more like J. Lo.  “Opt for a matte bronzer to accentuate the contours of the face,” says Gray. “Try to avoid products that have a lot of shimmer.” Adding a shimmer to your makeup will make you look extra shiny on a humid day. Once you've got the depth you're looking for, Gray suggests adding another bronzing product on top that has a bit of a shine to it, but not too much. For her personal recommendations, Gray says, “I love to contour and add warmth to my skin with Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer and then add a little bit of MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Gold Deposit for that J. Lo glow.”

Less is definitely more
When it comes to looking your best this summer, going au naturel is the best go-to look. “Summer is the time of year to let your natural beauty shine,” says Gray. “Even out the skin with a BB cream and concealer, wear some bronze, a little blush, mascara and some lipstick or lip gloss, and that’s really all you need.” The best part? This simple-but-pretty look is something that everyone can pull off, including those who might not wear a lot of makeup throughout the rest of the year.

Let your pout pop
If you are a fan of colour, then Gray suggests going bright on the lips. “Your skin will have a beautiful healthy glow and the rest of your makeup is likely very minimal, so it's the perfect time to add a pop of bold colour to your pout,” says Gray who recommends a hot pink lipstick, a classic scarlet red or a bright coral shade, to help you make the perfect summer statement.

What you need to carry in your purse
From spontaneous pool parties to patio drinks, it’s a good idea to always be prepared for any occasion. “My absolute must-have prep items are tweezers, primer, concealer, translucent powder, a BB cream or light foundation,” says Gray, who prefers L'Oreal Truematch Foundation in the summer. “Whatever beauty look you're going for, these items are essential to prep your skin and create a smooth canvas for your blush, bronze, mascara and lipstick.” Keep these items in your purse, along with the above tips, and you’ll be able to put your best face forward all summer long.