Summer is at its peak and our makeup routine needs an overhaul. Today I’m going to introduce tips on how to lighten up your makeup but still look pretty.

Lighten up
The first and foremost thing to remember when it comes to summer makeup is to make sure that you are using the right products. Go through your current makeup wardrobe and weed out any old items you’ve been clinging on to. Switch out thick moisturizing creams for water-based summer lotions and rich foundations for lightweight foundations or tinted moisturizers. Remember, the less foundation you put on, the less there is to slide off. When applying the foundation, instead of using a foundation brush, use a dampened sponge. Put a few drops of foundation on a slightly wet foam-latex sponge and apply the foundation in thin layers, swiping from the middle of the face and moving outward in short strokes.

Go for the naked look
The hottest makeup trend topping the trend charts at the moment is the nude look. During the summer time when too much makeup can weigh your look down, it is advisable to go extremely light on the makeup. This doesn’t mean going without makeup, but simply creating the illusion that you are not wearing much makeup. To get the look, you can skip the base entirely and just cover up blemishes and dark spots using a good quality concealer. Once the face is properly cleansed and moisturized, use a sunscreen containing a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 or higher. Using a stick-type concealer, cover up the shadows, under-eye dark circles and blemishes. If you are not comfortable with going nude, you can always opt for lightweight tinted moisturizers or sheer foundations. When choosing the right foundation, makeup artists recommend using oil-free, sweat-resistant silicone-based formula which prevent the foundation from melting and sweeping into your pores.

Use a primer
Don’t forget to take time to prime! As any makeup junkie knows, a well-chosen primer provides an excellent complement to any face makeup regiment and allows the makeup to stay on longer. During the summer months when heat and humidity can wreak havoc on your makeup, it is recommended to use gel, lotion, or mist-type primers which perform effectively in high-humidity conditions. As the last step of your skincare regimen, opt for a pea-size dot of a lightweight, oil-free primer and apply it to moisturized skin before your foundation and concealer to help create the perfect canvas for makeup application.

Use waterproof makeup
To prevent makeup from sliding and running, it is vitally important to switch to waterproof products. Invest in waterproof mascaras, eyeliners, and concealers now and prevent your makeup from smudging and fading. Play with a wide variety of waterproof eyeliners and mascaras available in the market to choose from—for instance, colored eyeliners such as blue, burgundy, purple and more are the perfect choice for summer makeup. Whether you are headed to the beach or not, using a waterproof concealer is ideal for hiding those blemishes and imperfections in one seamless application.

Play with lip makeup
The golden rule for summer makeup is: the less is better. During the summer months when temperatures are soaring, you want to go light on the eye makeup and face makeup, but do play with lip makeup and take your makeup to the next level. Ditch those subtle, shimmery shades and opt for bold lip makeup to update your look. Among other hues, bold berry lips have been around for a few seasons and will definitely stay this summer. Play with lots of flashy hues such as lovely pinks, corals, neon reds, wines, purple plums and more and instantly take your look from drab to fab!

Embrace the summer vibe by lightning up your makeup now!