As if it isn’t exciting enough that COVID-19 restrictions have died down significantly over the last few weeks, the beautiful summer season has arrived—we can’t wait for the gorgeous, sunny days and long, sunset-soaked nights. Considering we’re all so excited to get back out there and actually enjoy life, the last thing we want to do is spend a ton of time on our beauty routine. Finding an easy makeup routine to get you out the door faster (and enjoy the outdoors) is crucial. Below, you’ll find our best tips and tricks on quick makeup for everyday in summer and how to lighten up your look.
1. Start with a lightweight moisturizer.
There’s nothing we love more than a heavy, thick, luxurious-feeling moisturizer during the cold winter months, when your skin is in major need of hydration, but you definitely need to change out your products once summer starts. With more time spent outdoors, plus more sweating and hotter temperatures, you’ll want to use a lightweight moisturizer that will help add hydration into the skin, without overdoing it—your skin will look too oily or greasy if using a too-heavy moisturizer. Stick with an oil-free, non-comedogenic lotion that works well under makeup.
2. Don’t forget sun protection.
Ask any dermatologist and they’ll tell you that the number one anti-aging solution is to apply sunscreen every single day. It’s that much more important to add in an SPF to your skincare routine during the summer months, when the UV index is at an all-year high. Pick a sunscreen that’s at least SPF 30, is non-comedogenic, and is tailored toward your skin type (whether that be dry, oily, mature, acneic, or sensitive). Also, it’s probably a good idea to wear sunglasses and a hat while outside during the summer, too.
3. Primer is your friend.
If there’s any time to need a primer before makeup application, it’s during the summer. Unfortunately, the heat and humidity are prime culprits for caking and makeup-melting throughout the day, and a primer will help prolong your natural-looking complexion as long as possible. Our Sunset Light Primer Serum is the perfect base for any foundation or concealer you’re applying during the hot summer months. Thanks to the water-based formula using serum-strength actives, this primer perfectly sets the foundation for any easy makeup applied afterward—it primes, hydrates, brightens, soothes, and most importantly, it blurs pores and fine lines for a seamless application.
4. Go without foundation, if you want.
“I love wearing a heavy layer of foundation during the blistering summer months,” said no one ever. This is your chance to go foundation-free if you want, and our hero product, the Complexion Fix Concealer, is a perfect swap. Rather than cover your whole face with foundation, choose to touch up areas of your face that might need a bit more coverage. The best part about our concealer is that you can use it in multiple ways.
Firstly, you can use the product as a concealer to naturally “veil” imperfections to create a smooth, even canvas. Also, you don’t need to set this product with a powder, since it’s already self-setting. Secondly, you can use this concealer as a corrector for darker pigmentation, such as dark circles or sunspots—just make sure you choose a shade that’s deeper than your skin tone to help neutralize. Finally, use the Complexion Fix Concealer as a shimmer-free, water-based highlighter. You want to use a full shade that’s lighter than your skin tone to help make your highlight blend seamlessly.
5. Avoid an oil-based foundation.
Hotter temperatures tend to promote more oil production in the skin, and with more oil production comes, well, an oiler face. It’s best to avoid foundations with oils during the summer for this reason—instead, opt for our water-based Sunset Skin Liquid Foundation.
This beautifully airy, skincare-infused whipped formula comes in 15 shades and reveals skin as if it’s been drenched in the sunset light. The water-based texture literally melts right into your complexion, without feeling heavy, cakey, or mask-like. The texture has been specially engineered to create an effortless blended and soft-focus finish, helping skin to appear smoother while reducing the look of pores and fine lines. Not only does it look great, but it’s good for your skin, too—it’s dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, and non-irritating, too.
6. Lighten up your foundation with moisturizer or primer.
If you’d rather not wear a full layer of foundation, but still want more coverage than what a concealer can offer, consider mixing our Liquid Foundation with our Primer Serum or your favorite lightweight moisturizer for a more weightless finish.
7. Avoid using your fingers for easy to do makeup application.
Just because many COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted this summer, doesn’t mean the virus is completely gone. It’s important to keep your hands and fingers clean, especially if you’re touching your face. Rather than use your fingers, opt for applying your makeup with clean makeup brushes, like our Dual Ended Lip and Cheek Brush or Dual Ended Concealer and Foundation Brush. You want to use a brush because, not only will it help achieve a natural-looking complexion, but it will help you avoid adding more oils from your hands, onto your face.
The Dual-Ended Concealer and Foundation Brush is specifically designed to provide an airbrushed finish after having brushed on and tapped your Complexion Fix Concealer, resulting in a skin-like dry down. Additionally, the fluffy, rounded foundation tip can be brushed on or tapped onto skin to evenly disperse pigment without leaving any traces or streaks, enhancing the look of real skin. The rounded tip also avoids pigment congestion in pores and textured skin, which is a common issue encountered by foundation wearers.
On the other hand, the Dual-Ended Lip and Cheek Brush offers fast, precise blending of lip color or any creamy textures and can be used flat or sideways, while the hand-sculpted cheek brush is tight yet fluffy to allow for a soft, natural blend of color without streaking. All of our brushes feature faux-mink bristles, which are 100% synthetic, cruelty-free, and incorporate the latest innovations in technology for superior performance.
8. Play with color.
If you’re someone who prefers to play it safe when it comes to quick makeup for everyday, summer is the perfect time to step up your game and add some pops of color to your gorgeous skin. Our Velvet Lip & Cheek Palette utilizes Veil Cosmetics’ groundbreaking matte gel formula for a dewy, colorful addition to your easy makeup look. The Velvet lip and cheek stains are non-sticky, non-drying, non-feathering, and contain silky, skin-conditioning emollients that are long-wearing—the formula truly couldn’t be more ideal for hot summer months.
This palette offers the perfect hint of color for a natural-looking complexion, and with a total of six universal shades, there is something available for everyone. You can also customize the palette by mixing any of the shades (including guava, fig, apricot, raspberry, berry, and almond) together for a shade that’s right for you.
9. Use a mattifying product when needed.
Our Automatte Mattifying Balm was basically made for the hot, sticky, sweaty, oily summer months. The perfect little compact to carry around in your bag this season (plus, the mirror really helps to touchups, too), the Automatte Mattifying Balm isn’t what you might expect from a setting product. Unlike powder that makes your skin look older and dry, AutoMatte’s soft velvet finish diminishes the appearance of pores and fine lines while keeping your t-zone in check.
Non-drying and non-caking, Automatte’s weightless and breathable veil provides a soft-focus effect that leaves your skin looking naturally smooth. Plus, the formula’s clarifying and brightening properties soothe the complexion and assist in collagen synthesis and protection. This balm is available in one universal tint for all skin tones, and can be used as a primer, with or without makeup, to prevent shine and oil build-up, as well as a touch-up throughout the day.
10. Don’t forget your minis.
We can finally travel again! Rejoice! If your carry-on suitcase is covered in cobwebs since the last time you took it out of the closet, this summer is the perfect time to pack it up and go somewhere. Of course, no one wants their beauty products to take up too much space in their luggage, which is why our cute Pro On The Go 5 Piece Brush Set is ideal for those fun weekend getaways to the pool, beach, or wherever your travels take you this season.
The Pro On The Go Brush Set includes five mini must-have brushes to create any easy makeup look you desire. The brushes are designed with full-sized heads, along with a unique acrylic ultra-mini handle that fits perfectly in your hand and won’t get in the way when applying makeup. What’s so great about these guys is that they’re small, so they can easily fit into your travel bag without adding unnecessary bulk or weight. We also love that they don’t take up much space on your vanity if you prefer to use them at home. This set of five brushes includes the Buffer Brush, Foundation Brush, Cheek Brush, Concealer Brush, and Lip Brush.
