It’s summer around here and if you’ve been to Las Vegas in the summer you know what it feels like. I’m not a full face makeup kind of gal and summertime is no exception. I like to keep it light, sheer and a little creamy. Not too creamy though - it is the desert after all.

Since I finally did my makeup over Memorial Day weekend I figured I’d share some of my go to summer makeup. These products help me keep it quick and fresh.

Foundation:

When it comes to foundation think light and minimal coverage. Tinted moisturizers, BB and CC creams are great alternatives. If you’re not already using a day cream with SPF, a BB cream with SPF is a good idea. My go to is Maybelline Dream Fresh BB from Target. When you need a little more coverage aim for something like Mac Face & Body or Clinique foundation + concealer. I like using Clinique to eliminate the need for concealer and eye primer. For lighter face coverage I mix in a dab of moisturizer before application.

Half Baked:

Lets be real - the dewy summer look is always two seconds away from being a slippery hot mess on your face. To battle the sweat it’s best to layer cream products with powder products. I call this half baking. It’s like traditional baking but with way less powder. Aim to set the eyelid and brighten the under eye and T-zone areas.

Bronzed Bitch:

Bronzer is that b* to me and Hoola is my holy grail. I use it as bronzer, blush and eyeshadow year round. For a light and sheer look, use a fan brush like the EcoTools Highlight brush or Sonia Kashuk highlighting fan to contour and accentuate cheek bones. Use the leftover bronzer on the brush around the forehead and jawline (quarantine double chinning over here). Don’t forget to contour the eyes. With an eyeshadow blending (MAC 224) brush dab and tap (dab into Hoola - tap off excess). Do the windshield wiper motion slightly above the brow bone and slightly buff into the crease.

Waterproof It:

I learned the power of waterproof my first summer in Nevada. If it’s hot and humid out, waterproof mascara is the way to go. If you have straight eyelashes that refuse to hold a curl…try waterproof! Better Than Sex is my all time favorite. A good drugstore dupe is L'Oreal Paradise. The formula can get a little clumpy but nothing that I can’t handle. The BTS waterproof version is also a beast to get off but it truly does hold my lash curl better than anything else. I love when I get compliments on my "long" lashes. I feel so bad to say it’s just mascara but it’s Better Than Sex - winky face.

Multitask It:

That sounds a little weird but I just mean multitask products. Lip/Cheek tints and multisticks are great summer solutions. They’re not usually in my price or color range so I use my brighter lipsticks as blush too. The trick here is to blend small amounts of products and build up. Eliminate harsh lines by blending with (clean) fingertips, small sponges or fluffy shader brushes. I use my fingertips to smudge two small lines of lipstick on my cheeks and blend out and up with the MAC 159 Duo brush. I use my fingertips for my lips as well. I start in the cupids bow area emphasizing the natural shape of my lips. I love love this soft subtle lip. It’s screams sun kissed summer. MAC Marrakesh works great for my olive skin tone.

If I'm going to be out in the sun for a long period of time, I set my cheeks with a layer of mineralize blush. Layering powder on cream based products is a decent way to get things to last longer. Complete with some Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray and you're good to go.

To transition into a night look, go bold with a long lasting lippy. I am currently obsessed with this Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink in Globetrotter. I can't wait to put some real clothes on and wear this look out.

Xx Dee

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