Summer is finally here, and we're ready for a refresh in every sense of the word. We've already pushed our bulky wool sweaters to the backs of our closets in favor of lightweight sundresses. Next up — our makeup bags. Like the aforementioned sweaters, winter formulas would feel heavy, sticky, and totally uncomfortable on skin during the hot months ahead. So get out those storage bins — it's time for a swap.
This season's stash should be all about low-maintenance products that look as refreshing as they feel. If you don't know where to start, we've done the hard part for you. From waterproof mascara that goes the distance to the multitasking, good-skin-in-a-tube magic of Burt’s Bees BB Cream, we’ve rounded up the very best products to keep you looking on point straight through sundress season.
Switch Out: Regular Mascara
Swap In: Waterproof Mascara
Nothing ruins a cute makeup look faster than a serious case of raccoon eyes. So, if you’re going to be out and about — or wet — you’ll need to break out the heavy-duty stuff. Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara is our pick for building fat, crazy-long lashes that stand up to everything from sweat to marathon pool parties to epic reality-TV crying sessions.
Too Faced, $23.00, available at Too Faced Illustrated by Alex Marino.
Switch Out: Eyebrow Pencils
Swap In : Brow Gel
Pencils are ideal for filling in sparse eyebrows, but their super-precise effect can look harsh in summer when beauty looks tend to be more low-maintenance. That's where brow gels come in. Essence’s version has a tinted base that defines and tames what you've got. Plus, itty-bitty fibers floating in the formula help beef up your arches.
Essence, $2.99, available at Ulta Beauty Illustrated by Alex Marino.
Switch Out: Foundation
Swap In: BB Cream
During sweltering heat, traditional foundation can feel — not to mention look — heavy. So skip it! Instead, make Burt’s Bees BB Cream your summertime BFF (or should we say BBFF?). It feels feather-light, not stifling; it actually looks like skin, not like a thick layer of makeup; and it won’t get all gross and cakey in the humidity. But perhaps best of all — it’s the ultimate multitasker, delivering hydration, SPF, and coverage in one tube. Our inner lazy girl is all over that.
Burt's Bees, $15.00, available at Burt's Bees Illustrated by Alex Marino.
Switch Out: Opaque Lipsticks
Swap In: Tinted Lip Balms
Thick, opaque lipsticks feel about as summery as a pair of snow boots. Lighten up by switching to a balm with just the slightest hint of juicy, translucent color. We love Glossier Flavored Balm Dotcom Trio, which comes with three different tubes: Rose (a subtle pink tint), Cherry (which lends a sexy, just-finished-a-popsicle effect), and Mint (a colorless balm with an addictive, zingy scent).
Glossier, $30.00, available at Glossier Illustrated by Alex Marino.
Switch Out: Boring Eyeshadows
Swap In: Bright Colors
Summer swaps also mean a return of bright, poppy colors. Yes, we love neutral shadows; they’re great for work and days when you want to go casual. But for sultry summer nights, why not have a little more fun? The H&M Global Fusion Eye Quad packs four cheery shades — mint, blue, yellow, and hot pink — that are guaranteed to hold their own alongside your most colorful maxi-dress.
H&M, $11.69, available at H&M Illustrated by Alex Marino.
Switch Out: Powder Blush
Swap In: Cushion Blush
We love a good powder blush, but humidity doesn’t. If the romantic flush you expertly apply before work ends up looking like a streaky mess by the time you walk to the subway, allow us to introduce you to your new bae: cushion blush. Following in the oh-so-popular footsteps of cushion foundations, new formulas, like Lancôme Cushion Blush Subtil, deliver sheer, dewy, natural-looking color that won’t slip and slide all over the place no matter what the weather brings.
Lancôme, $39.00, available at Lancôme Illustrated by Alex Marino.
Switch Out: Powder Highlighters
Swap In: Liquid Luminizers
Summer heat gives our skin a bit of natural flush and a slightly dewy glow. (Okay, that's a nice way of saying we get sweaty and red-faced.) But the right highlighter can make the heat work for you. Choose a liquid formula to mimic your skin's own slicker texture. Swipe it over your cheekbones, temples, and the bridge of your nose, and embrace the glow.
e.l.f. Cosmetics, $4.00, available at e.l.f. Cosmetics Illustrated by Alex Marino.
Switch Out: Standard Primer
Swap In: Primer With SPF
When you’re spending more time outdoors, you need to up your skin-care protection — big time. That means large-brimmed hats, a newfound appreciation of the shade, and all the SPF-infused products you can get your hands on. So switching to a souped-up primer is a no-brainer. It’ll help your makeup last longer (no small feat in the summertime) and shield skin from UV rays. Giorgio Armani Maestro UV sinks invisibly into the skin and protects with broad-spectrum SPF 50.
Giorgio Armani Beauty, $64.00, available at Giorgio Armani Beauty Illustrated by Alex Marino.
Switch Out: Silver Eye Makeup
Swap In: Touches Of Gold
Silver eye makeup can give off a beautiful ice-princess vibe. But right now, we’re totally obsessed with the twinkly goodness of Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Vinyl Couture in Gold Sparkle. Wear it alone or swipe it on over black or brown mascara for a shimmery, Midas-like flash every time you blink.
Yves Saint Laurent, $29.00, available at Yves Saint Laurent Illustrated by Alex Marino.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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