This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Wake Forest chapter.
While you may be swamped with papers, projects and finals, it’s just about time to take comfort in one thing: it’s almost summer! While summer is a time for a well-deserved break from the stresses of school, it’s also a time to adjust your style and makeup to suit the season. You simply can’t keep to your winter beauty regimen during the hotter months, and this upcoming season is a great time to experiment with new styles and trends. Read on for some easy tips for successfully making the transition to the best time of the year!
Beauty Routine
- Exfoliate– Dirt and sweat pile up a lot quicker during the summer, so make sure to cleanse your face twice a day if you don’t already and use an exfoliating cleanser once or twice a week. Keep blotter sheets (try Clean and Clear) in your purse to get rid of any excess oil or sweat.
- Change your moisturizer– You don’t need the heavy-duty moisturizer you used in the wintertime during the summer. Switch to a water-based moisturizer with SPF to keep your skin healthy and clean. You’ll look fresher and more awake!
Sephora Collection Tinted Moisturizer
- Update your colors– You’re probably going to be a little darker during these few months, so update your foundation and cover-up shades to match. If you go foundation-free during the summer, consider using a tinted moisturizer to give you an allover healthy glow. Another great tip? Choose light pink or peach blushes to enhance your natural coloring. They are universally flattering shades and will perfectly complement your sun-kissed skin. And if you want to wear lip color, be sure to stay away from dark colors. Not only do they give you that “I’m-wearing-a-ton-of-makeup” look, but will also weigh your face down. Keep it light and fresh!
CoverGirl LashExact Waterproof Mascara
- Keep it smudge-proof– Have an internship this summer? Your makeup should be the last of your worries while you’re out there taking over the world! The easiest thing you can do is wear waterproof mascara. If you’re wearing eyeliner, make sure to apply an eyeshadow of the same shade on top of it with an angled eyeliner brush to keep it in place. Make sure to use a face and eye primer, too. Primers are light and allow your skin to breathe while holding your makeup in place all day.
- Wear sunscreen– I can’t stress this point enough. Even if you’re not spending the day at the beach, just walking around outside can cause skin damage from the sun, so make sure to use that SPF!
- Stay hydrated– It’s easy to get dehydrated during the summer, so make sure to guzzle down that H2O regularly! A Nalgene your number one lifesaver. If you’re going to the beach, bring a cooler with extra water bottles in it – the worst feeling is being out in the sun all day and being completely parched.
Summer Style
- Experiment with hairstyles– There are tons of ways to keep your hair off your neck so you don’t get too hot, and the age-old ponytail is just the beginning. You can always experiment with different kinds of braids (I recently taught myself how to do the fishtail braid – so easy and cute!) and beachy updos with scarves or fun hair accessories (snoop around Forever 21 for some chic, cheap finds).
- Try a new trend– Loving the 70’s-inspired runway styles but afraid your style isn’t daring enough to pull it off? All you need are a few basics, then you can mix and match as you please. Flowy blouses, tall platform wedges, ethnic-inspired jewelry and fun patterns will instantly update your look. 70’s not your style? Play with statement pieces to add that extra oomph to your outfit.
- . . . Or stick to your originalstyle – Not looking to try something new? A lot of your spring pieces will work with you through summer, so don’t ditch your cute little sundresses and flats just yet. Try making different combinations with your tops and skirts, or add a new belt to an old dress. Sometimes the best way to update a wardrobe is to update how you think about the pieces in it! Take a few basic pieces and see how you can style them in different ways. Be bold and mix patterns!
- Update your colors!– While it may not be obvious that you have to update your makeup shades for the season, wearing summery colors seems to be one of those things that everyone seems to know. And yet, I still catch people wearing head-to-toe darks during the summer! Corals, yellows, turquoises and other eye-catching colors (even just incorporated into your outfit in a top, sandals or light scarf) automatically add a spark to an otherwise dark or neutral getup.
There you have it! I’ve abided by these guidelines for a long time, and they haven’t failed me yet! What do you do with your beauty routine and style during the summer? We’d love to hear, so leave us some comments below!