We are officially in crisis lockdown mode. As temperatures soar, so do the chances of your makeup melting, fading, settling into creases, and sliding off your face. So not only should you update your skincare regimen (unless you're ultra-dry, swap out your usual creams for lightweight lotions) you're going to want to downsize your makeup routine.
And, let's not forget your poor tresses. Summer isn't easy for your hair, especially if it's color-treated and subjected to heat tools on a regular basis. Ladies, I know this is going to be tough but you MUST retire your dryers and irons until fall. Not only are you stressing out your hair, the chances of your lustrous blowout staying in tact are about as good as Sephora having a 50 percent off the entire store sale.
So after you hide your curling iron, click through the slideshow to find out how to battle the heat and to properly stock your beauty arsenal this summer...
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| FACE: Cleanse |
FACE: Cleanse
If your skin is sensitive or dry, stay away from foaming cleansers! Instead, use a cream cleanser like Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser that will get rid of the grime but won’t put your drama queen skin into a rage. If you’re prone to oiliness, enlarged pores, or t-zone shine opt for a non-soap foaming cleanser that will deep cleanse without stripping the skin like Kiehl’s Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash.
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| FACE: Tone |
FACE: Tone
Are you really still using an alcohol-based toner? This isn’t high school! Alcohol will strip the hell out of your skin; tricking it into thinking it needs to produce more oil. That’s right – you’re going to end up oilier than before. For oily skin, try an anti-bacterial toner with anti-aging properties like Clark’s Botanicals Cellular Lifting Moisture Mist. If your skin is dry and dehydrated, use a nourishing toner like Orico Streetwise Coco Mist, which uses coconut water and fruit extracts to replenish the skin. If your skin is sensitive and bitchy try a soothing toner like Osmotics Blue Copper 5 Cooling Moisture Mist that has anti-inflammatory and hydrating ingredients to act as a Valium to your skin’s temper tantrum.
Looking for a DIY option? Fill a clean empty spray bottle with distilled water and add 6-10 drops of pure rose oil. Rose water is known as a gentle anti-bacterial toner that can soothe redness and irritation.
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| FACE: Treat |
FACE: Treat
Don’t even think about skimping on serums this summer. In the morning, always apply an antioxidant serum, which will work in tandem with your sunscreen to protect your skin from agers of mass destruction like free radicals and pollution. Try a lightweight option that will be gentle enough for sensitive skin like Kypris Antioxidant Dew, which also has soothing and hydrating ingredients like rose, algae, and oats. If you have dry skin, use a water-based hydrating serum like First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Liquid Recovery.
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| FACE: Moisturize |
FACE: MoisturizeJust because your face is in meltdown mode doesn't mean can forgo moisturizer in the summer months. Your skin still needs hydration! If you’re oily, look for light moisturizers that will refine pores and control oil like Boscia Clear Complexion Moisturizer. If anti-aging is more your skin concern, try a sheer moisturizer with active antioxidants and hydrators like MitoQ. For sensitive skin, try a lightweight soothing moisturizer that leaves a matte finish like Nuxe Paris Crème Fraîche de Beauté Light. Tip: Stay away from retinols, AHAs and BHAs in the summer, since these actives will make you extremely sun-sensitive.
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| FACE: Protect |
FACE: ProtectIf you’re one of those “I work in an office all day so I only apply sunscreen when I go to the beach” people don’t come crying to me when you look like an old raisin. Sunscreen is not optional! Tip: If you use a chemical sunscreen (look for ingredients like Oxybenzone, Avobenzone or Helioplex) apply it before all other skincare to ensure it absorbs properly. If you wear a physical sunscreen (look for words like mineral, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide), apply it as the last step to your skincare regimen.
For normal skin, you’ll want to use a lightweight sunscreen that has free radical-fighting antioxidants like Algenist Ultra Lightweight UV Defense Fluid SPF 50. If your skin is oily or you’re prone to t-zone shine, opt for an oil-free, matte finish mineral sunscreen like Jan Marini Physical Protectant SPF 45. For thirsty skin, try a non-matte hydrating mineral sunscreen that has a tint (so you don’t look like a ghost) like emerginC Tinted Sun 30+.
HEAL
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| HEAL |
Okay, now you’ve done it! You completely ignored me (and every dermatologist in the world) and baked yourself to a crisp at the beach. Now what? First, I yell at you and tell you I’m tempted to just let you suffer and premature age on your own. Next, I get over it and give you some help…
Soak a washcloth in a bowl filled with half milk / half ice water and apply to affected areas to take down inflammation. If your face looks like it got caught in a chemical fire, it’s time to call in the big guns… The Skinceuticals Biocellulose Restorative Masque was created for post-procedure skin and will immediately heal and and cool down your face.
If the rest of your body is red and angry, apply a healing balm that will soothe, repair, and moisturize like LIERAC Sunific Ultra Fresh Balm. Also, pop some ibuprofen to take down the inflammation and stay away from the vino (alcohol will just piss your skin off more).
If you’re one of those “I work in an office all day so I only apply sunscreen when I go to the beach” people don’t come crying to me when you look like an old raisin. Sunscreen is not optional! Tip: If you use a chemical sunscreen (look for ingredients like Oxybenzone, Avobenzone or Helioplex) apply it before all other skincare to ensure it absorbs properly. If you wear a physical sunscreen (look for words like mineral, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide), apply it as the last step to your skincare regimen.
For normal skin, you’ll want to use a lightweight sunscreen that has free radical-fighting antioxidants like Algenist Ultra Lightweight UV Defense Fluid SPF 50. If your skin is oily or you’re prone to t-zone shine, opt for an oil-free, matte finish mineral sunscreen like Jan Marini Physical Protectant SPF 45. For thirsty skin, try a non-matte hydrating mineral sunscreen that has a tint (so you don’t look like a ghost) like emerginC Tinted Sun 30+.
BRONZE
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| BRONZE |
Just because I’m banning you from lying in the sun doesn’t mean you can’t have a golden glow. Now, I don’t want you ending up looking like an Oompa Loompa so think gradual faux glow…
Add a few drops of Tarte Maracuja Bronzing Serum to your night moisturizer (If you’re oily just use the bronzing serum; it’s hydrating and healing on its own) to wake up to a subtle golden glow. For your body, make sure you exfoliate first with a hydrating body polish like Soap & Glory Flake Away Body Polish and then use a gradual self-tanner like St. Tropez Tanning Essentials Self Tan Luxe Dry Oil, which gives you a realistic tan that lasts up to 10 days.
If you’re all about instant gratification, apply a sweat-proof sheer liquid bronzer to your face that imparts a natural glow like BY TERRY Tea to Tan Water Color Bronzer. Don’t forget that a little bronze on your legs will make them look slimmer and sexier – try a hydrating leg bronzer like Votre Vu Silk Stockings.
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| MAKEUP: Primer |
MAKEUP: PrimerDo you want your makeup to last longer than the walk to the car? I have one word for you – primer. It acts as a barrier between your skin and your makeup (making your makeup last longer), and also gives skin an airbrushed look. Choose a silicone-based primer that has oil-absorbing and light-reflecting ingredients like Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner. If you’re allergic to silicone try a lightweight spray primer like Skindinavia The Makeup Primer Spray. For your eyelids, either use concealer or an eye primer like Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion before applying any makeup. Eyelids tend to get oily, which means without primer your eye makeup will pull an ugly disappearing act.
MAKEUP: Face
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| MAKEUP: Face |
If you want to prevent a major meltdown, you’ll want to go as sheer as possible with your foundation. Apply a sheer serum-based foundation that has anti-aging properties and a semi-matte finish like Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation Serum. If your dry skin is looking for an extra dose of moisture, try using a lightweight bb or cc cream like Decleor Hydra Floral BB Cream 24 Hour Moisture Activator SPF 20, which will give you the hydration and coverage without the heaviness.
No matter your skin type, you’re going to sweat in the heat. Arm yourself with blotting sheets like Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets. I buy them in bulk and stash them in every handbag I own. Blot (don’t wipe) and these magical little sheets will remove shine and grease without disrupting your makeup.
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| MAKEUP: Eyes |
MAKEUP: EyesOkay, this should be obvious… If you don’t wear waterproof eye makeup in the heat, you will look like Bad Halloween. There, I said it. Stock up on highly pigmented waterproof shadow pencils like MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Matic to create everything from a dramatic smoky eye to a swipe of bright eyeliner.
As far as mascara goes, don’t mess with a classic. Maybelline New York Great Lash Waterproof Mascara is still the reigning champion for providing voluminous clump-free waterproof mascara.
If you feel like you’re naked without your brows, make sure you use a waterproof eyebrow primer and sealer like NYX Proof It! Waterproof Eyebrow Primer. Tip: Stay away from brow creams and mousses, which can melt your brows into a smeary mess.
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| MAKEUP: Lips |
MAKEUP: LipsIn case you haven’t heard, orange is the new red. Check out any red carpet and you’re going to the see starlets rocking citrus lips. If you’re a little bold lip-shy, start out tame with a sheer coral lipstick like Topshop Sheer Lips in Nuclear. If you’re ready to go all-in guns blazing, slick on long-lasting Bite Beauty Lip Cashmere Lip Cream in Sherry, and expect to admire that vibrant reddish orange lip for the next 12 hours.
If you’ve basically been wearing different shades of the same color since high school, you may not be the best candidate for the orange trend. Instead, keep things light and summery by wearing a tinted lip balm in your favorite shade. If you love a classic red, try Fresh Sugar Cherry Tinted Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15. If you’re more of a pink girl, use Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Pink Blossom.
I know many of you out there worship at the house of lip gloss. So, if you refuse to give up your gloss no matter how goopy it gets in the heat, at least use a hydrating option with sunscreen like Miracle Skin Transformer Lip Rewind SPF 20.
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| HAIR: Color Fading |
HAIR: Color FadingThe sun, chlorine, and salt water can dull the hell out of your color. No bueno. Nicole Giannini, Owner and Creative Director of Siren Salon in the San Francisco Bay Area, recommends treating hair to a weekly restorative mask like Oribe Masque for Beautiful Color followed by a cool water rinse and a toning vinegar rinse. “This is great for the scalp plus locks in the benefit of the masque treatment and adds a ton of shine. Make your own with one part apple cider vinegar to two parts water. Or, pick up the Rene Furterer Fioravanti Clarify and Shine Rinse.”
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| HAIR: Frizz |
HAIR: FrizzWe all know where there is humidity there is frizz. If your hair is curly or wavy, start with wet hair and apply a nourishing hair oil packed with fatty acids like Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Omega+ Nourishing Hair Oil. Then, finger comb through your hair a hydrating styling cream that gives you soft, flexible control like R + Co Jackpot Styling Crème. Twist a few wet strands to give a ringlet effect and then don’t touch your hair!
If you insist on blowing out your hair, at least use a hairbrush that has an Argan oil strip like Conair Infinity Pro Argan Oil Treatment Strip Finishing Brush. Make sure you lock out frizz with an anti-humidity hairspray like Schwarzkopf got2b Guardian Angel Frizz Taming Hairspray.
