Summer Makeup Tips & Tricks

If you live down south, you know that although it’s still May, summer is upon us! This week in Charlotte, temperatures will be close to 98 degrees (ah, one of my favorite boy bands…) and that means it’s time to adjust your makeup routine.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of joining WBTV on the QC Morning show to chat about summer makeup tips and tricks to avoid a melting face (no one ever wants a melting face).

Check out the news clip here and below for some of my top tips and product recommendations.

TIP #1: Setting Spray Before Makeup

You probably know that setting spray at the end of your makeup routine helps everything last, right? But did you know that using setting spray at the beginning of makeup application is actually so helpful? It adds a layer of longevity at the very beginning, before you put anything else on your face.

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray

TIP #2: Primer

This one is probably obvious, but don’t skimp on a face primer during the summer months - it makes a difference. A few of my favorites include Milk Hydro Grip Primer, Tatcha The Silk Canvas, and e.l.f. Putty Primer.

Milk Hydro Grip Primer

TIP #3: Lightweight Foundation / Skin Tint

Skin tints are all the rage right now, and I’m here for it - especially during these hot months. Most of them provide a light- to medium-coverage which is typically buildable, and allow your skin to breathe. That’s what is key during the summertime - letting your skin feel like skin (and not like it has a mask sitting on top of it with heavy foundation).

My favorite one at the moment is NU Bare Look Tint by Yves Saint Laurent. It’s a hybrid product that combines moisturizer with foundation and gives you an effortless and smooth base. Looking for a drugstore option? Try No7 Dual Action Tinted Moisturizer or Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream.

NU Bare Look Tint by Yves Saint Laurent

TIP #4: Cream/Liquid Blush & Highlighter

I always love using cream blush and highlighter, but especially during the summertime. There’s something about cream products that bring youthfulness and glow to the skin! Cream products can be applied via your fingertips, a brush, or a beauty sponge - or a combination of two or all three.

Favorite cream blushes and highlighters: Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Highlighter Wand, Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, NARS Liquid Blush, and Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight.

Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Highlighter Wand

TIP #5: Setting Powder with a Beauty Sponge

Setting powder is absolutely necessary when it comes to ensuring your makeup does not slip, move, or melt off your face. A key tip is to apply it using a beauty sponge. This will really press and push it into your skin versus setting on top of your skin (with a traditional brush). My favorite pressed setting powder is the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder and the best sponge, in my opinion, is the original beauty blender.

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder

TIP #6: Waterproof Liner & Mascara

This tip might be obvious, but waterproof liner and mascara is your best friend in the summertime. Even if you aren’t going swimming, it’s still not a bad idea to use waterproof eye products if you’re going to be hanging outside at a summer BBQ or having outdoor cocktails.

Favorite waterproof liner: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil

Favorite waterproof mascara: L’Oreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil

TIP #7: More Setting Spray with a Beauty Sponge

Okay, once you’re done with your face and eye makeup, it’s time to go back in with setting spray that you first used at the very beginning. Upon applying it at the end of makeup application, I also love to take my beauty sponge and press the setting spray into the skin. This will help blend everything together and ensure a flawless face!

TIP #8: Lip Liner & Gloss (Skip the Lipstick)

Final tip: during summertime, I actually like to skip the lipstick! What I do instead is apply lip liner to not only the outline of my lips but fill them in completely, then top with a buttery gloss. It gives more of a youthful look (and the lip liner lasts).

Favorite lip liner: Make Up For Ever Pencil in shade “Wherever Walnut”

Favorite gloss: Lawless Forget The Filler Lip Plumper Line Smoothing Gloss in shade “Daisy Pink”

Lawless Forget The Filler Lip Gloss

So there you have it - some of my top tips for keeping your makeup in place during the summertime while still looking cute, glowing, and youthful! Have any questions? Feel free to email me or DM me on Instagram!