Funny Face Beauty: Perfect Summer Skin (Guest Post)

** Hey Everyone, while I am away in Nashville, I have asked some of my fellow beauty bloggers to write guest posts for Funny Face Beauty. Today's guest post is from Shaylee Anne of Cosmetically Curious, a fellow Canadian, and beauty product expert (seriously, she does amazing products reviews. **

Perfect Summer Skin

With the summer fast approaching we are all in the same boat – time to switch up our foundation routine! I personally find myself using a heavier coverage in the winter, mostly because I get so pale and every little imperfection is more noticeable. So, when it comes spring I start looking for products with lighter, more sheer coverage to let my skin show through and feel weightless (and stay!) during the hot, sticky weather.

Before I can make the essential switch to something more sheer I have to ensure my skin is looking much more flawless and even. This starts with my skin care and, of course, a sunless tanner. Not only do I switch my makeup to lighter formulations, I also switch my skin care. I have fairly normal skin, not too oily, not to dry but it does tend to get dehydrated. Therefore, I need weightless moisture that won’t sit on top of the skin and cause my makeup to slide off my face when it gets hot. My favourites are Juice Beauty Antioxidant Serum, Korres Wild Rose Brightening Serum and La Roche-Posay Rosaliac AR Intense (localized Redness) serum.

It’s a good idea to switch to a cocktail of serums instead of a thick moisturizer for during the day. Also, don’t forget to apply lots of sunscreen even if you’re inside most of the day! My pick is Neutrogena UltraSheer Water-Light Sunscreen SPF 60 (or 30).

Even though you may feel like you’re putting quite a few products on the skin, because they have such light textures they will absorb easily and leave your skin hydrated and protected without a greasy feel. A sunless tanner is also key in this sheer coverage look to give you more even, glowing skin. My favourite is Dr. Perricone No Sun Tanner. It’s gradual so you’re less likely to make a mistake.

Use a primer to ensure your makeup doesn’t’ travel throughout the day. I like Pixi Fresh Face Healthy Skintone Booster, 100% Pure Luminous Primer and L’Oreal Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer.

Switching to a tinted moisturizer or sheer foundation is a great idea during the summer months. They are less heavy and cakey on skin and provide light coverage without the mask-like feel and appearance you can sometimes get when you’re outside I direct sunlight. I like Joe Fresh Sheer Tint, Philosophy Hope in a Tinted Moisturizer and pretty much any BB cream.

Conceal only dark circles and noticeable blemishes with a formulation that’s going to stay put all day. I like MAC Pro Longwear Concealer, Cover FX Camouflage Concealer and Dalton Conceal-It. If you need redness reduction, pick a liquid yellow toned concealer like Physicians Formula Youthful Wear and blend well.

I use little to no powder in the summer as I find it cakes up quickly if I get sweaty or oily throughout the day, but if you do like to use powder apply a translucent or oil-absorbing powder lightly with a stippling brush or fan brush and only to the t-zone. I like Elf High Definition powder, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural or Korres Wild Rose Brightening Powder.

Layering your blush or bronzer will keep it on your cheeks all day. Pick two shades similar in colour, one cream or stain and one powder. I like Posietint or Morgen Schick Cream Bronzer along with MAC Launch Away powder blush or The Body Shop Honey Bronzing Powder.

Stick to longwearing eye and lip products and waterproof mascara to complete your look. I also like to add a touch of highlighter to the cheekbones, down the center of the nose and on the cupids bow. One I like is Mally Gorgios Glow in Lighter. You can also spritz skin with a makeup locking mist to make sure it’s going to really stay put. I use Pur Minerals Fulvic Mineral Mist but ones from Skindinavia and MAC are also great.