During the summer your skin can change quite a bit. It's usually a few shades darker (hopefully from self-tanner only, of course), oilier due to heat and humidity or a bit parched in dry heat climates which can upset your tried-and-true makeup and skin care routine. Here are some simple things you can do to adjust your routine:
1. Load Up on Sugar.
That's right! The best scrub around is regular, white, refined sugar. Cheap and easy, it's perfect for the face and body. Weekly facial scrubs will keep your skin smooth, preventing greasy build-up on oily skin and erasing flaky patches on drier skin. Scrubbing will also help makeup glide on seamlessly -- eliminating the need for primers. When you're washing your face simply scrub about a palm full of sugar in circular motions around your face and body, then rinse off.
2. Moisturize.
Moisturizer is key to keeping skin from losing its suppleness -- even if it is hot and humid. Go for oil-free formulas or lotions that go on light. I like to choose ones with a built in
3. Let the Eyes -- and Lips -- Have It!
Eyes can get dried out from a day at the beach or even just from running around town going from heat to air conditioning so use a rich eye balm at night with nutrients for the skin. Try Kiehls Anti-Oxidant Skin Preserver ($60) for ultra hydration.
Lip balms with
4. Glow For It.
If you find that your favorite foundation is too light during this time of year, I recommend mixing in a bit of liquid bronzer to your bottle and shaking it up. You'll get a perfect faux glow and a much better match for the tanned new you. Clinique Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator ($22.50) will do just that. You may also want to purchase a foundation or tinted moisturizer a few shades darker than your regular color. You can mix the two shades together for the perfect color or, if you're dark enough, use the deeper one alone.
5. Bold is Beautiful.
Use bolder and brighter cheek and lip color shades so they'll show up against tanner looking skin. If you're afraid of looking like Ronald McDonald, choose sheer colors for a natural look. Gels and stains keep up nicely in warm weather so try Vincent Longo Pearlessence Gel Stain ($22.50).