Summer brings with it a whole slew of fun things to look forward to—soaking up the sun outside with a fresh drink in hand, deep dives into the pool, long walks on the beach… need we go on? But one item that remains tricky in the summer is makeup. It's hard to fully enjoy all of those fun summer activities when your makeup is melting off of your skin, and your eyeliner keeps smearing.
We want to help you look your best during the summer season with no-makeup-fuss, so we've compiled our very best summer makeup tips with makeup artist input to help you beat the heat and stay looking fresh.
Whether you're diving into a body of water or getting your sweat on outside, here are our best summer makeup tips and 2021 beauty trends to follow for the summer:
Trend #1: It all starts with a good skincare routine
The days of layering on makeup to cover up the irritated skin beneath are no more. In fact, most makeup artists will tell you that for makeup products to fully work, you absolutely have to start with a good foundation, a.k.a., your skin! Here are some crucial steps you should be taking to get your skin in a naturally glowing state:
Exfoliate
Exfoliating is one of the best ways to get your skin looking more even and to give it a natural smooth sheen that leaves you with an inner glow. Try exfoliating at home with a light facial scrub, a chemical peel, or with a fancier tool like a dermaflash.
Cleanse
Many don't know how to cleanse their skin properly. To get the best results for a clean face and to remove all impurities, start with an oil cleanser (to remove oil-based impurities) followed by a water-based cleanser (to remove water-based impurities). Try using a cleanser that isn't too harsh, and that won't leave your skin feeling too dry.
Tone
Toner is an important step that should come right after you cleanse. Toner basically balances your skin back to a healthy pH level after it's been stripped by the cleanser, which can help prevent breakouts.
Serum
Serums are more of an optional step but they are great if you want to give your skin an extra boost with retinol, Vitamin E, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid (for dry skin), and more.
Moisturize
Last but not least, be sure to moisturize after cleaning and prepping the skin and before applying any SPF or makeup. An oil-free formulated moisturizer will be best, and here is a good list you can choose from.
Trend #2: Go light
A good rule of thumb with makeup during the summer is just to wear less of it. One of the biggest trends in makeup and skincare right now is the 'no makeup' look. While this doesn't mean going makeup-free, it does mean using lighter products that blend better into the texture of your skin to give more of a natural look. This has become especially popular for summer makeup, where people want to accentuate their natural beauty simply. And let's face it, in the summer your skin could use a little breathing room.
Going lighter with your makeup will help you to avoid those pesky smudges, and prevent your skin from getting irritated by the hot temperatures combined with heavy makeup. Most makeup artists swear by makeup products that are lightweight, creamy, and sheer, and luckily, due to increasing demand, these products are now more common to find.
Trend #3: Multi-tasking products
People and makeup artists are loving products that multi-task—meaning they are combining multiple products into one or they feature additional skincare ingredients in the formula. Tinted moisturizers, lip and cheek stains, BB creams, and CC creams. They all combine important skincare and makeup products into one, so you have less to carry around as each one is packing more of a punch. They also make it easy to touch-up your makeup throughout the day.
Trend #4: Travel-size products
Keeping small, travel-friendly versions of your favorite products is an excellent way to have your full makeup arsenal handy without it weighing you down. Plus, when you go for that summer vacation, you won't have to worry about products taking up extra baggage weight. The demand for smaller-sized beauty products is increasing, so it may be well worth it to see if your favorite makeup brands carry travel-sized options.
Now that you’ve gotten to know the top makeup trends for 2020, here’s how to apply them in real life with the following summer makeup tips:
Tip #1: Don’t skimp on the sunscreen
If there is one product you should be slathering on during the summer, it's that SPF. Sunscreen is the number one most important way to protect your skin against harmful UV rays, which can cause premature wrinkling. It should be a non-negotiable to your summer beauty routine.
Also, bear in mind that sunscreen doesn’t last all day—80 minutes at the most. Make sure you bring that bottle along with you at all times and be ready to reapply it over your makeup, especially if you’re going to be outside all day. If you're concerned about ruining your foundation with sunscreen, you may want to consider a tinted sunscreen that won't ruin your makeup. There are plenty of tinted sunscreens out there that will help keep your skin looking even and protected from the sun.
Bonus tip: Don't forget to put SPF your lips, as they're often overlooked and therefore prone to sunburn. Spread your sunscreen over your lips, or find a balm or tinted lip stain that contains some SPF.
Tip #2: Use primer
A primer should be a key step to your summer skincare because it makes all the difference in how well your makeup holds up throughout the day. The primer should be applied after your moisturizer and sunscreen. You can even try mixing your primer with a foundation to dilute the foundation—giving you a lighter layer that won’t crease. Here are some good summer-friendly primers to start with.
Bonus tip: Look for a multi-tasking primer that will give you a boost of something else, whether that’s some extra hydration, salicylic acid, or another soothing skincare ingredient.
Tip #3: Invest in a good long-coverage foundation
As far as foundation goes, you definitely want something that would be used by makeup artists and will give you long coverage throughout those hot summer days. Our Dermacol Makeup Cover is a fantastic option (in 19 different shades!) that you can easily mix with other products like your moisturizer or primer.
Tip #4: Swap powder products for cream products
Cream-based products are long-lasting, more practical for carrying around, and tend to hold up much better in the heat and the outside elements than powders. Liquids and creams also look very sheer, so you’ll be right on par with that ‘less is more’ trend. Try switching your blush powder with a liquid blush and your powder eyeshadow for more creamy textures that you can easily reapply. Both will feel much lighter on your face and won’t get all funky on you when you start mixing in the sweat and humidity. Creamy products can also give you more of that summery, dewy finish.
Tip #5: Try a bronze shimmer
To give your skin that sunkissed dewy look (which is incredibly trendy right now) go for a light bronze shimmer product that will give you the look of a light suntan. What’s so great about the new generation of bronzers if that they give you the same glowy radiance without being chunky or thick.
Bonus tip: When applying bronzer, apply it after your cream blush and simply put a small amount on your cheekbones, the tip of your nose, across your forehead, and chin.
Tip #6: Go waterproof when you can
Waterproof mascara during the summer months is the way to go, particularly if you love being in the water. Our multi-tasking Dermacol Megalash Waterproof Mascara will give your lashes super volume, beautiful contours, and long-lasting wear even for the hottest and wettest of summer days—raccoon eyes not included.
Tip #7: Go for a pop of color!
Summer is really the time to be playful with the makeup you choose to wear; it's the season for beautiful colors, right? Go for that bold pink lip stain you've been wanting to try, an eye-catching glittery eyeshadow, a bright cheek color—have fun with it! Just because you should go lighter on the makeup doesn't mean your look for summer has to be boring or subtle. There are so many products out there that can help give you the extra 'pop' you're looking for as well as a youthful glow.
Bonus tip: Some fun trendy colors right now are tangerine, turquoise, bright, shimmery gold, coral, and even purple tones. Try one, or try them all!
Tip #8: Finish with a mist or setting spray
One of the best ways to keep makeup from smudging (in addition to primer) is to finish off with a setting spray. Whether your makeup errs on the subtle side, or if you’re incorporating some bright colors, using a setting spray will lock-in the look you’ve created for long-lasting wear. Here are a few good setting sprays if you aren’t sure what to look for.
Summer is a time to have fun and experiment with your look and makeup. Whether you try out a two-in-one item, a new waterproof product, a long-stay foundation, or a bright color you’ve never worn before, it’s fun to find new ways to approach your summer makeup routine that you may not have thought to do otherwise.
We hope these summer makeup tips have proven useful to you. You can always see the full collection of our Dermacol products here on our website. We’re a Czech brand that delivers the best quality products and has been cherishing female beauty for well over a century.