Summer Makeup Must-Haves {according to me}

Hey guys! So there's still plenty of summer left--don't worry (I know you were). And since makeup on me is like butter on bread I thought I’d share a few of my favorite summer makeup products. My whole makeup routine changes in the summer for a few reasons:

1. I hate the feeling of sweating while wearing foundation (you do too; sweat, I mean. Admit it. Or maybe you just glisten?)
2. I am no longer pasty like I am in the winter so I need to switch up my colors anyway.
3. When there is frequent swimming going on things need to be kept quick and simple since makeup can be going on 2 or 3 times a day instead of just once, and I don’t know about you but I’m sure as heck not spending my entire day doing makeup (even though I love it).

After being a crazy makeup buyer for years and trying umpteen samples at Sephora I think it’s safe to say that I’m pretty qualified to make some recommendations (or maybe I'm not, but read on anyway!). My Summer Must-Haves are as follows:

+Lorac FACE selfTANtalizer: First off, when it comes to makeup products I’m usually all about being as natural as possible (which would usually mean nixing the self tanner, right?) But if we’re being smart about things (and we are) we look at it like this: Everyone wants a good tan. Truth. And there are two options: the real thing and not the real thing. Normally I choose the real/natural thing in any situation, but when it comes to the sun, I say fake it. If you bake yourself in the sun all day you’re extremely likely to have negative effects (premature aging, skin cancer, etc) and if you go with the fake stuff you’re much less likely to experiences negative effects from the chemicals it contains (unless you use it obsessively every single day, year round, and then, who knows, then you should probably ask someone who would know--not me). When it comes to self tanner it’s the lesser of two evils and I say slather it on (as long as you don’t look orange because nobody wants to be that girl).

+Tan Towels: One word, Awesome. No orange, no streaks, and it lasts for a full week (and I shower every day, promise). And it comes in two shades, score.  

{If you’re a chemical freak like I am and aren’t willing to make an exception for fake tanner, there’s an alternative. Nature’s Gate Happy Glow Lucky bronzing crème gives some seriously amazing results. The only difference between this and the two previous products is that it only lasts for one day.}

+Bronzer: What?? Bronzer on top of a fake tan? But yes! If you use just a touch of bronzer under your cheek bones it will give a slimming effect and will make your cheek bones more pronounced. On top of those cheek bones and directly under your brows, add a bit of Benefit High Beam highlighter and you’ll have that pregnancy glow without being pregnant (or if you are, congrats!)

+Finally, add a bit of mascara, some SPF (mineral, if you can!) lip balm and a light, neutral lip gloss (try these by Too Faced) and you’re ready to take on the heat while looking natural and flawless all at the same time.

Hope you guys enjoyed reading about some of my favorite summer makeup products! Go get your summer-ready makeover on. 

** All of these products can be purchased at Sephora (with the exception of Nature’s Gate Happy Glow Lucky, which I picked up at Whole Foods).