Summer Beauty Essentials

Alas, summertime is upon us. We can finally put down the books, put on the bikinis and relish in doing absolutely nothing. We deserve it. The one drawback of summer? Applying makeup is a nightmare. Everything slips, slides and sweats off the minute you step outdoors and you’re left looking like some sort of tragic clown. The solution? Incorporate some of these products into your beauty routine to ensure that your makeup stays in tact and you stay beautiful.

1.Tinted moisturizer
In scorching hot weather, it’s counterproductive to layer on heavy foundation that will inevitably wear off and feel like a mask on your face. Tinted moisturizers are a nice alternative—they’re lighter than foundations but still offer some coverage to help even out skin tone. Another plus? Most contain a SPF for a little extra protection in the sun.

 
For those of you uncomfortable with less coverage, note that the sun can be good for your skin (in moderation) to help clear up blemishes. Don’t be afraid.

 
2. Bronzer
Nobody wants to be caught dead without a tan in the summer. If you are not blessed with perfectly caramel skin a la Kim Kardashian, invest in a good bronzer. Bronzers can help you fake some color even when you’re sporting the post exam “I-haven’t-seen-sunlight-in-two-weeks-glow.”

 
A word to the wise: do not overly apply—you WILL look like Snooki from Jersey Shore and you WILL live to regret it. And everyone will make fun of you. Sorry, not sorry, I warned you.   

3. Cream blush
Powder blushes will not sit on your skin properly (they’ll look cakey and weird) so opt for a cream blush. These blushes will melt into you skin and create a natural, fresh look. Remember to blend well, especially around the edges.

4. Waterproof mascara
A summertime essential, especially at the beach or the pool, a girl cannot risk raccoon eyes (unless you are fronting some sort of emo, alternative rock band that requires you to look like you just been punched in both eyes). Waterproof mascara guarantees beautiful, thick lashes no matter what.

 
Also, in case of a sudden crying jag, you won’t have to pull a Lauren Conrad and weep black tears. Because that would just be embarrassing.

5. Tinted Lip Balm.
Do not under any circumstances glop on goopy lip-gloss. You’ll look ridiculous and feel even stickier than you already do. Instead, add a pop to your lips with a tinted lip balm in bright shades like hot pink or coral. Invest in one with a low SPF because lips can get burned too (and it hurts, a lot).

Happy summer!