While I don't consider myself a full-out make-up connoisseur (there plenty of great beauty bloggers for that!), I do like provide my favorite make-up products for a true "jock" or "tomboy" at heart. The make-up I reach out for is natural, versatile, long-lasting, and can be applied on the go...even with fingertips! (You will never see me suggest heavy creams and powders that give the apparence of a make-up "mask"!)
While I do love my make-up free days, there are also days I want a light, natural application of makeup to make me appear polished and get me through the day. Summer is hot and humid, and there are many products that can bleed, smear, or just run away if you are an active busy-body on the go. For my summer make-up, I definitely need it to be long lasting, and I especially need it to be natural. I stick to creams and liquids because they are easy to blend and look completely natural. (Don't be scared, I promise they are easy to use!)
I've put together my make-up regimen of favorite products I'm using this summer:
Please Note - These are my favorite products based of my own complexion and skin tone.
From Left to Right: Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Brow Mousse in Taupe // Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion // Make Up For Ever Aqua Matic in Metallic Golden Taupe and Satiny Flesh // Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Dark Brown // Marc Jacobs Beauty Lash Lifter - Gel Definition Mascara // Bite BB for Lips in Natural-Clear // NARS Lip Gloss in Orgasm
Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Brow Mousse in Taupe - I have to admit...I've had a love-hate relationship with this gel brow liner. I tried it at first and hated it...so much I wanted to return it, but then I figured out it was my brush technique. This formula is lightweight, natural, and long lasting. All you need is a TINY amount on your brush and apply in short little "wisps" motions on your brows for a natural look.
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion - This primer potion has been a favorite of mine for years, and a little bit really does go a long way. I apply a small amount on my my eyelids before I put on my cream or powder shadows.
Make Up For Ever Aqua Matic in Metallic Golden Taupe and Satiny Flesh - I just bought these two eyeshadow pens, and I adore them already! They are already a new favorite! I have had the Make Up For Ever Aqua Creams for years. They had such great staying power and lasted forever. I can't even remember when I bought my three pots, and I have barely made a dent! My issue was with the pots was the ease of access with fingernails. If I didn't have a brush handy, I had to stick my finger in the pot...which resulted in getting eyeshadow under my fingernails! These shadow sticks are great because it has the same great formula but no pots! I simply apply them directly to my eyelid and blend with a brush or fingertip.
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Dark Brown - It takes a little practice, but if you get liquid eyeliner down it will last all day without smudging! I love Stila's Stay All Day liner...I have them in black an dark brown, but I prefer dark brown for a natural look.
Marc Jacobs Beauty Lash Lifter - Gel Definition Mascara - I really love how natural and easy this mascara is to apply. I've tried dozens of mascaras and could never find "loyalty" to a mascara before this one. It's technically not a "waterproof" mascara, but I have yet to have it bleed on me...even in humid weather!
Bite BB for Lips in Natural-Clear - This has been a new purchase for me, and I already have gotten attached to it! This product is a natural balm for your lips with SPF15. I love how it makes my lips feel, and I always put it on before my lip gloss so the gloss doesn't cake around dry lips. Sometimes I skip the lip gloss all together and just use the balm.
NARS Lip Gloss in Organism - This gloss is a sheer peachy-pink color with gold shimmer that is perfect for summer! I got this as a deluxe sample, and I loved it so much I got another one! I also like the non-stickiness of the gloss. It has just enough in the applicator without accidentally over-applying it.
Tarte The Selenderizer Bamboo Contouring Brush - While I tend to use my fingers when I'm in a hurry, I like to use this brush for contouring. I use the angled part of the brush with bronzing powder for the hollow of cheekbones, and I use the smaller end to dad liquid highlighter the upper part of my cheekbones. If you are uncertain about highlighting and contouring, there are great videos on YouTube and diagrams on Pinterest.
Sephora Pro Airbrush Concealer Brush #57 - I tend to dab my concealer on my eyes and trouble spots with my ring finger, but this brush is great for the final blending. I use it in small circular motions to achieve an "airbrushed" look. You can get the same look by patting your finger over and over the area (but not swiping back and forth). It takes time but gives the same effect if you don't have the brush handy.
Perricone MD No Concealer Concealer - This "non" concealer is a multitasking anti-aging treatment concealer with SPF35. It's a eye primer, highlighter, and blemish coverage in one. I love this product for the summer because it is so weightless and blends easily. There is only one shade so this product may not be fore everyone. You'll love it if you like the formula similar to a beauty balm (BB) cream.
Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Cream - This is my hands down favorite non-foundation. I never wear powders and/or liquid foundation...just BB cream. If you have pretty good skin but need light coverage, this is a great cream. I have sampled a few BB creams and Dr. Jart+ is my favorite. It can look a little white at first, but give it a minute and I promise it will be worth your while. In the summer when I'm dark, I apply a dab of BB Bronzer to the Dr. Jart+ BB cream to blend better with my skin tone.
Stila Stay All Day 10-in-One HD Bronzing BB with SPF30 - While I don't use this on its own, it's great to customize your BB cream when your skin tone is getting much darker in the summer. My favorite combination is a half part Dr. Jart+ BB cream, quarter part Sila Bronzer BB cream, and quarter part NARS Illuminator. It gives a glow with a little bit of color...all without wearing foundation or powders!
NARS Illuminator in Copacabana - This bottle is HUUUGE. I'm glad I'm not a germaphobe because I'm going to be keeping this a looong time. I have had it all year and have barely made a dent in it! It's a very powerful liquid illuminator. A small (SMALL) dot really does go a long way! I mix a dab in my BB cream to give my finish a bit of a glow, and I also apply this to my upper cheek bones with my contouring brush. It is also good for the cupids bow of your lips and brow bone. $30 seems like a lot for a illuminator, but you'll have it for a very, very long time.
Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Setting Spray - This is my second favorite setting spray because my first one is discontinued (*tear* insert sad face). I really loved Urban Decay's Dew Me Setting Spray. It gave me this awesome "dewy" finish. I still love Urban Decay's setting spray so their original formula is a strong second (booo). I use the setting spray after all of my eye and face makeup is done. If I'm in the bathroom and want to "refresh" my makeup, I spritz a little on a tissue and dab it on my face. It gets rid of the dullness of the fading make-up and re-energizes it.
Side Convo -I never understood why girls wanted to get their face super matte (unless they wanted a retro look). Heavy powders and a non-shiny/glowy face does not look natural....it looks like you have a mask of makeup. Guys love a natural look! As long as your not a disco ball, a little shine is not a bad thing!
Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Light/Medium Matte Bronzer - I don't always use a bronzer, but I occasionally use this bronzer to spike up a fading summer tan. I love that it's a matte formula. I do like a natural shine, but I like to be able to have full control of how much (or little) sparkle I want to put on my face. A little really does go a long way so I lightly dab some of the powder with my Tarte contouring brush and put it on the hollows of my cheeks and also the "3" shape of my face. This is the last face product I would apply before using my setting spray. It's usually a good rule of thumb to not apply powders before creams or liquids....it tends to make them cake-y.
BECCA Beach Tint Shimmer Souffle in Lychee/Opal - Hands down, favorite summer blush. I was in love with my Tarte Cheek Stain in Tipsy, but it has taken a back seat since I bought this a month or so ago...I haven't even switched up my blush! The packaging and blush itself is gorgeous! Such a pretty pink mixed in with gold. For having "shimmer," I never notice sparkle on my cheeks! I just dab a (small) bit on my finger and swipe it across my cheekbone. (I'm essentially drawing a line.) Then, I use my Tarte Airbuki brush to blend it out for a natural summer flush!
Tarte Airbuki Bamboo Powder Foundation Brush - Ok...I'm a bit of a rule breaker. I don't use this brush for powder. I like that the denseness of the short bristles so I use it on my face to buff out my cream blush. I did read the reviews, and it seems that I'm not the only one who has used it for other purposes. It has been the perfect little brush to expertly blend out a light application of cream blushes....especially if you goof your blush. Any time I've over applied my cream blush, I just buff-buff-buff away until I'm happy with the finish. It really helps if you have an accidental heavy hand with the blush.
*Bonus Review*
It's not a make-up item, but my favorite new "summer" scent is Replica "Beach Walk." It seriously smells like you are at the beach. I used a few samples before I took the plunge and ordered it, and I have never gotten so many compliments. Definitely great for those who love to be reminded of summer.
Tips for Summer Make-Up:
- Keep your summer make-up light. It's too hot to wear a mask outside!
- Don't be afraid to use your fingers...especially in a rush.
- Primers and setters make things last. Mist a setter spray on a tissue to refresh your makeup.
- Mix in a liquid highlighter and/or bronzer to customize your BB cream.
- If you need to use a powder, ensure you have already applied any creams or liquids to your face. This avoids cake-y make-up!
- Focus on creamier make-up that looks natural and has staying power (i.e., gels, creams).
