How to Get the Perfect Summer Skin

Hello, readers! Here in Washington, this last week has just been a burst of sunshine, temperatures in the low 80s and upper 70s, which meant skirts and shorts breaking out everywhere. And hey, here in Washington, our normal temperature is in the mid 50s. It was a good week for us all. Anyways, it reminded me of summer, where our average temperature (if we're lucky) is high 60s-low 70s.

The legs are exposed, and you see the pale shoulders and midriff peek out. But, do you really want pasty skin showing? Dull and pale does not remind me of summer, it reminds be of the dead winter. So, I'm going to show you how to achieve the beautiful healthy, glowing skin you've always wanted without going to the tanning salon. Who goes to those things? They are so bad for you.

ANYWAY before you break out your fluffy brushes and favorite bronzer, I want you to consider my words of advice.


Before you do anything outside, any weather, any season, slather on the SPF. Sun exposure makes you prone to uneven pigmentation in the skin and more wrinkles. Obviously, it also can lead to skin cancers. You should use an SPF of 15 or higher, in your foundation, tinted moisturizer, or moisturizers. Anything will help against the sun.

In the hot summer months, you want your face to constantly look fresh and glowing, right? That won't be the case if there's caked up foundation sliding down your face. Ew. Instead of your normal foundation, use a tinted moisturizer if you don't already. It's much like foundation, but doesn't give you as much coverage. As Oprah.com says, "A tinted moisturizer hydrates and evens out the complexion; a foundation covers the skin with a layer of color and gives it a flawless finish." If you still absolutely need that full coverage, try going with a long lasting foundation like Revlon Colorstay Foundation. It stays for 24 hours, has every shade possible, and it also has SPF 15. I also love it. Take your pick of combo/oily or normal/dry. If you want to go high end, you can go with Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Stay-in-Place Foundation. It's an amazing long wear foundation, and it really does give you flawless skin. It stays on until you choose to wash it off, really.

An essential for sun-kissed skin is not the sun. No. Fake tans are the only safe tans, therefore, bronzers are a must. We don't want to look like Snooki, noo siree. Benefit Cosmetics Sun Beam bronzer is a liquid bronzer, which is different from regular powder bronzers, but I especially like it because it works almost like their Moon Beam liquid highlighter which is a must in your summer beauty bag. If you would prefer a powder bronzer, go with bareMinerals READY™ Bronzer which is really smooth and has a nice finish. A bargain bronzer that's still an amazing bang for your buck is NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny.

bareMinerals Ready Bronzer

Highlighters help with a from-within glow. Not the yellow and pink Dayglow highlighters, no, highlighters for your face. Yep, they're pretty neat inventions. They direct sunlight to your face so you glowww! Good highlighters will say "glow" and not "shimmer" or "glitter." Stay away from those. A good highlighter is Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer. It gives you that dewy look that all models and celebrities always seem to have, whatever the time. Apply these to the tops of the apples of your cheeks, the bridge of you nose, and your cupid's bow to get a fresh, dewy look.

Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer

Last but not least, I'm going to address fake tanners and what to look for in them. For those spray tans, or lotions, the one thing you don't want to do is look orange. The next thing you don't want is to look streaky. Here are a few that I recommend:

Lancome Flash Bronzer

St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Lotion

For good bargains:

Jergens Natural Glow & Protect Daily Moisturizer SPF 20, Medium to Tan for $8.47

L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Gelee for $9.47

For a spray tan:

Neutrogena Micro-Mist Sunless tanning spray

or

Guerlain's Terracotta Sunless Tanning Spray

Guerlain's Terracotta Sunless Tanning Spray has SPF 10 in it, too! A tan... with SPF? IT DEFIES ALL LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE! :)


Anyway, thanks for reading, and I hope you get that you get healthy, glowing skin for this summer.

Your rambling beauty blogger,

Mai

Disclaimer: All products on my blog have been tested by yours truly, and given a true opinion of. I will not have anyone influencing my reviews, and if there is, I would say so. I am not a makeup artist, or beauty guru of any sorts, just someone who loves makeup fashion, and all things beeyootiful! :)