10 Summer Beauty and Makeup Tips for Sweat-Proof Look

If you’re planning on hitting the beaches this season or heading off to that special festival event, these tips will help you have fun while keeping your skin safe from harmful UV rays.

With temperatures soaring, we’ve put together our best beauty suggestions for summer so you can get ready to hit the town! Here are some great summer beauty and makeup tips to try, but if you really want to step up your game during warm-weather months, use them as inspiration for creating your own stunning styles.

1. A Fresh Face

It’s easy to let yourself go when the temperature rises, which means more coffee splashes, extra cocktails at happy hour, and even worse — greasy skin. To counter the effects of sun and heat, start by using a moisturizer containing SPF 30+ (or higher) daily, then apply a broad-spectrum UV protectant every morning and night.

Also, consider using a lightweight hydrating formula like Neutrogena Healthy Skin Toner ($18). This blend contains vitamin E to hydrate and smooth dull skin, plus caffeine to give a radiant complexion. If you prefer oil-free options, check out The Face Shop Oil-Free Hydrating Foundation ($38), which provides medium coverage and leaves skin feeling nourished without any heavy oils.

Then, finish off your look with a light dusting of loose powder to set everything in place. For daytime events, stick to neutral tones. If you plan on going out later, choose bolder hues.

2. A Natural Glow

Now that we’ve got your base covered, it’s time to add just enough shine to make your skin look alive. You don’t need much, though — one swipe of gloss over your entire face should do the trick. Consider trying Yves Saint Laurent Le Glow Blush Duo ($54). One shade offers pink undertones, perfect for adding depth to fair complexions, while another has peach undertones, making it ideal for those who enjoy rosy cheeks.

Apply both sides of each cheek separately, starting near your ears, and working outward toward your mouth. Finish off with a sweep of the YSL Teint Miracle Lip Stain ($28), applied lightly with a brush over your top lip. For daytime wear, opt for a lighter lipstick hue. At night, pick darker shades.

3. Go Glam with Sparkle

Sparkly accessories draw attention away from blemishes and imperfections, giving everyone else something shiny to notice instead. Start by choosing a nude-colored dress that complements your coloring and body type.

Next, select a pair of earrings and necklace that complement your outfit and wardrobe. Add a statement piece with jewelry featuring gemstones like emerald green tourmaline, blue sapphire, red spinel, or white zirconia.

Finally, pull out your favorite shimmery shadow palette and take advantage of the many colors available. Some excellent examples include Urban Decay 24/7 Liquid Metal Palette, $39, Sephora Complete Eyeshadow Collection, $70, and Benefit Cosmetics Porefessional Dual Powder Brush Set, $18.

4. Make your Eyes Pop

This season’s hottest trends focus on enhancing eyeliner for added definition and drama. First, line your upper lash lines with black mascara. Then, smudge the edges of your lower lashes with waterproof liquid or gel liner pencils. Black will always be in style, but not every girl needs to wear black. Instead, try experimenting with different colors.

When selecting liners, remember that eye shadows fade slightly over time. That said, there are plenty of other ways to amp up your peepers besides eyeliner. Consider investing in a quality cream or pressed pigment primer before applying your regular old eyeshadow.

These products work to prep your lids, allowing your powders and glitters to adhere better and last longer. Once you find a product you love, keep it close at hand for quick touchups throughout the day. There are lots of affordable ones to choose from, including Benefit Cosmetics’ Benetton Beauty Prismatic Eye Shadow Trio, $26, and Smashbox Photo Finish Multi-Use Paint Sticks, $21.

5. Keep Skin Looking Healthy

While most people think of tanning beds as summertime indulgences, they also provide a way to achieve naturally beautiful tans. But too much exposure to ultraviolet radiation promotes premature aging, freckles, wrinkles, dryness, and discoloration.

Always seek professional advice about how long you should spend outdoors before seeking tanning salon treatment. In addition to protecting your skin from UV damage, there are several steps you can take to improve overall health during warmer seasons.

Stay hydrated by drinking water frequently throughout the day, especially after exercising or spending extended amounts of time outside. And eat foods rich in antioxidants, such as berries, kale, carrots, mangos, plums, tomatoes, bell peppers, leafy greens, broccoli, onions, garlic, avocados, nuts, and seeds.

6. Cover Up Dark Circles

Dark circles can happen anytime, regardless of seasonal changes. They often appear due to lack of sleep or dehydration, among other causes.

Luckily, concealer isn’t only used to hide pimples, spots, blemishes, and marks. You can also cover up dark circles thanks to its ability to absorb moisture. Most brands offer anti-dark circle formulas, typically made with ingredients like avocado extract, licorice root, chamomile flower, aloe vera, jojoba seed extract, etc.

Simply follow package directions for proper usage. Not sure where to begin? See below for expert recommendations.

7. Play with Fun Colors

As we enter the height of summer, you’ll naturally want to wear brighter tops and carry a more colorful bag. The same should apply to your makeup! Here’s the best way to amp up your summer makeup:

1. Apply a light layer of champagne or rose gold eyeshadow over the eyelids. Smudge it out to create a smoky eye look.

2. Add shimmer and darkness by mixing in black and charcoal powder on top of a brown/dark taupe eyeshadow.

3. Apply the same champagne or rose gold eyeshadow to the crease of the eyelids.

4. Dab a bit of gloss on top of matte lipsticks for some extra shine!

5. Apply bright red blush and a soft rosy lip color over a base coat

8. Use Mineral Powder

Foundations come in cream, lotion, stick, cake, and powdered form. Each kind serves a specific purpose. Cream foundations act as full-coverage liquids, providing weightless texture and blending easily. Lotion foundations usually sit between creams and powders, offering buildable coverage with a dewy finish.

Stick foundations can be worn alone or layered over blushes, bronzers, and powders.

Cake foundations are ultra-sheer, less likely to clog pores, and suitable for oily areas. Powdered foundations consist of tiny particles suspended in a silicone fluid, which allows users to customize their appearance.

Popular brands include Jane Iredale Mineral Pressed Powder Compact ($46), Laura Mercier Tight Line Setting Primer & Blending Powder ($25).

For daytime, stick to creamy finishes. At nighttime, try powder textures.

9. Wear Sunscreen Foundation

Many women skip foundation altogether when wearing a bathing suit, thinking it’ll detract from their bodies, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Wearing a foundation makes you feel comfortable and confident, particularly during public moments.

What’s more, it protects your skin from the damaging effects of UVA and UVB rays, helping prevent signs of early aging. Sunscreens generally fall into two categories: physical blockers and chemical filters. Physical blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide physically deflect sunlight away from the skin.

Chemical filters like oxybenzone block UVB rays. Both kinds are effective, but chemical filters tend to irritate sensitive skin. Before purchasing a foundation, consult your dermatologist to determine whether it would benefit you.

10. Play Down Brows

Brows frame your face, drawing attention upward to your eyes, nose, and forehead. Given the importance of brows, it’s no surprise they receive a ton of care. Unfortunately, eyebrow maintenance tends to decline as age advances.

According to experts, this happens because older women prioritize hygiene above function, resulting in thin, weak brows prone to breakage. So, how does someone stay ahead of Mother Nature?

First, define the brow shape with an angled brush to create symmetry. Second, fill in sparse patches with an illuminating duo like Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pencil, $25, followed by an Expert Tip Nail Art Gel Color Enhancer, $39. Third, groom brows with precision.