9 Ways to Apply Lightweight Makeup for Summer
Hot and humid days can do a number on your usual full-face makeup routine. When the temperature rises above 80 and your makeup’s slid off your face before you’ve even finished your morning commute, you might start to wonder, “What’s the point?”
But if you love wearing makeup, you don’t need to give it up for the summer! The key to avoiding smudges and smears is to lighten up your makeup routine for hot and humid weather. Keep reading for our best summer makeup tips.
1. Start with SPF
We can’t emphasize this enough: every summer makeup look should start with a healthy layer of SPF. Sunscreen protects your skin from cancer-causing UV rays and prevents signs of premature aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.
Choose a sunscreen designed specifically for facial application and allow the product to soak in for at least two minutes before applying any additional makeup to avoid pilling.
2. Protect Your Lips
Sunscreen, hot temperatures, and extra-dry indoor air conditioning can leave you with parched and flaky lips. Give your lips a little extra attention this summer to keep them soft and smooth.
Exfoliate your lips twice a week with a sugar scrub. You can purchase a ready-made scrub or make your own by mixing one teaspoon of honey with two teaspoons of sugar.
After exfoliating, be sure to use a lip balm with SPF. Reapply frequently throughout the day to keep your lips protected and hydrated.
3. Get a Faux Glow
There’s no doubt that everyone looks better with a little extra warmth to their skin, but sometimes layering on vital sun protection means we miss out on that golden glow we all love.
Luckily, you can fake a tan by applying a matte bronzer all over your face using a soft brush. Follow it with a shimmery bronzer across your cheekbones, temples, and nose for a summery glow (without the skin damage).
4. Use Waterproof Formulas
Traditional mascara and eyeliner formulas melt in the summertime heat. Waterproof formulas have better staying power against humidity and sweat so you don’t have to constantly reapply throughout the day or deal with unflattering smudges.
Just make sure to have an oil-based makeup remover on hand at the end of the day since waterproof formulas don’t budge with traditional soap and water cleaning.
5. Go for Sheer
Dark, dramatic lipstick and eyeshadow shades are great for colder weather, but on bright, sunny days, we prefer something lighter and more subtle.
Swap out heavy lipsticks for tinted lip balms and heavy-duty eyeshadows for more translucent versions. These formulas are easier to touch up on-the-go and if they smear throughout the day, they’ll be easy to perfect again.
Summer is also the perfect time to experiment with brighter colors. Try a punchy lip stain or a vibrant eyeshadow to liven up your summer makeup look.
6. Skip the Shimmer
Hot, humid weather is all you need to give your skin a dewy look so there’s no need to layer on lots of shimmery makeup in the summer.
A light-reflecting highlighter or bronzer can give you a nice sun-kissed glow, but opt for a matte or satin formula of foundation to keep your skin from getting too glowing.
7. Lighten Up
Do you love a full coverage look, but hate all that extra weight on your face? We don’t blame you. The great news is, you don’t need a heavy foundation for a full coverage finish.
The Mineral Air System uses a groundbreaking handheld AirMist (airbrush) device for a soft, yet precise application of smooth, natural-looking foundation. Mineral Air evens out the complexion without feeling heavy on the skin, which makes it ideal for a summer makeup look. Another plus? The quick, mess-free application means you’ll be out the door in minutes and ready to enjoy the warm weather.
8. Finish with a Setting Spray
Lock in your summer makeup look with a fine mist of setting spray. Setting sprays contain polymers which form a light film over the face to help makeup last longer.
And if you really want to bump up the staying power of your makeup, apply setting spray between each step of your makeup application, not just at the end.
9. Use Blotting Papers
Powder is great for removing excess shine, but adding more makeup to your face is the last thing you want to do on a hot summer afternoon.
Instead, be prepared for midday touch-ups by packing your bag with blotting papers. Blotting papers soak up extra shine without adding any additional product to your skin. Just be sure to dab the skin instead of wiping to avoid smearing your makeup.
Do you have any tips for applying lightweight summer makeup? Leave us a comment on Instagram (@mineral_air) and let us know what you do to help your makeup last longer!
