summer beauty trends

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It's no secret that when summer rolls around your beauty routine should change dramatically (especially for those of us who get colder seasons). The sun, heat, and humidity do very different things to our skin than the cold, wind, and snow and therefore we must do very different things to our skin too. Not to mention "the look" you wear all winter shouldn't be the same as the one you have for the summer. To some people this might sound like I am speaking a foreign language but it's really quite simple, and comes down to a few basic points to achieve that beautiful summer glow you see all over the magazines. 

What's even better than a step-by-step guide to perfect summer skin? How about all affordable brands you can find at your local Walgreens to complete the look!

Prep

Hands down the most important thing you can do all summer is use a daily moisturizer with SPF. I have said it before, and I will say it again; if your moisturizer doesn't contain SPF, forget about it! I love the new to US line Simple, which is super sensitive and won't clog pores during all those hot days!

I don't go a day without primer, and especially in the summer it becomes a god-send! This is my new favorite (I swear by anything Almay), that tones down redness, brighten skin, and evens tone, all while helping make-up stay put all day. Perfect for this hot days you feel like your face might fall off.

Foundation
For summer you want to pick something a little more lightweight than your usual winter foundation. If you aren't much for foundation try this trick and mix a little foundation with your moisturizer, for a perfect glow. The sun has this wonderful way of highlighting any blemish or trouble area and a little coverage can do wonders. 


If you do like full foundation like me, try for something like this Covergirl Natureluxe that contains SPF and gives skin a silky, barely there finish. Another good stand-by for summer is Maybelline's Dream Matte Mouse, which gives that light airy look, but also helps keep extra oil at bay. Both of these foundations will give you that dewy finish that's so popular in the summer months.

Color
Color is huge in the summer, so you most definitely do not want to skimp here. I am a huge fan of cream blushes and bronzers because I think they look more natural, which is definitely the look you want to go for in the summer. 


For blush stick to a soft pink that won't look fake. Remember that sun loves to bring things to light and will make even your favorite staple blush look like a clowns blush if you aren't careful. I love this new Maybelline Dream Bouncy blush (Rose Petal is my favorite) and its build-able color. It's soft, delicate, and the perfect summer pink.


Once again I love the creams when it comes to color! This Maybelline Dream Mousse cream bronzer is so much better than any powder bronzer you could buy. Take a flat top brush add swirl just a bit all over for a glow, or use your fingers to gently pat the bronzer into your cheekbones.

Illuminate
Simply put, you can not achieve the summer dewy glow without some illumination help. 


I adore this L'Oreal MagicLumi Light Infusing primer, but use it as a highlighter instead. Just dab a little of this on your cheekbones, brow bones, cupid bow, and anywhere else that needs a little brightening. If you really want some all over glow mix a drop of this in with your foundation.


Another way to add a little more illumination is this awesome L'Oreal all-over mineral glow. Typically used as a bronzer or blush, if you get one of the light sheer shades (I like Honey Glow) and just brush lightly over the face it adds the prettiest soft glow.

Finishing Touches

If you typically get oily you might want to swipe a very light layer of powder over oil-prone areas. This Almay Smart Shade pressed powder will do the trick, just remember to use very little, and only where and if you need to.

I typically keep eye shadow to a minimum in the summer months. There is something really pretty about beautiful dewy skin, and a bare eye (plus it's guy-approved!). If I do use shadow I would go for earth tones, and keep it simple. I love Almay mascara and this Get Up and Grow Waterproof formula is humidity proof, which means your perfectly curled lashes won't start to droop 20 minutes after you set them.

As with the eyes I like to keep it simple when it comes to the lips. I love Nivea Lip care and this Kiss of Shimmer has just the right amount of shine without being sticky. It looks great over color too if you want to layer it, but I love it alone especially for daytime.

And here is one of my favorite beauty secrets for summer, take a little pressed bronzer like this Rimmel one and add it to the classic Johnsons Baby Oil for the most beautiful summer skin ever. Perfect for adding some glow to arms, legs, chest, and back! Just remember a little goes a long way!