Summer Makeup

In Wisconsin, our seasons often seem to jump from winter to summer and back again with little in-between weather. As I write this in early June, the temperature is 86 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s a beautiful day, but if I’m outdoors and the temp is anything above 75, I glow a little too much.

So what is a lover of makeup to do when wanting to be outdoors during our short and precious Wisconsin summers? Think light-weight and long-lasting!

When I apply my makeup for the day, I think about where I will be, what I’m planning to do, and how long  I will be there.

Typically I wear Double Wear Light foundation by Estee Lauder, no matter the season. I’m on the hunt for a new, cruelty-free light to medium coverage long wear foundation to replace it once it runs out. But I do really like the coverage and the wear, it always looks great through my long workdays. But today I’m meeting my book club for snacks and ice cream at our monthly meeting, and the location is close enough for me to walk to, and it’s in the late afternoon on a Sunday otherwise spent at the gym and at home. So today I am wearing Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream by Bare Minerals. It’s like a BB Cream and a light foundation had a baby. It feels wonderful on, blends well, and gives a little coverage to even out my skin tone. It also contains SPF 30, and SPF is an absolute must!

I set the cream with Bare Minerals Bare Pro pressed powder, but I apply it with a brush rather than with a sponge applicator. I find when I apply powder with a sponge, I tend to look overdone, and I like a more natural, semi-matte finish. The Bare Minerals products are cruelty-free, so I’ll likely be purchasing more from their line as I need to replace other things.

For my eyes, I’m wearing MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Bare Study. This works as a cream eye shadow or an eye shadow base to layer another cream or powder shadow over. I wore it every day last summer during my vacation in Canada, and it has never creased or caked or faded. This is another product I’ll have a tough time finding a cruelty-free replacement for. But I’m up to the challenge!

Usually I wear purple eyeliner, and I especially like a fun color in the summer when I wear less eye shadow. But today I wanted a more natural look so I went with a dark brown Aqua XL liner from Makeup Forever, sold exclusively at Sephora. I discovered this kind of liner last summer and I have loved it, as eyeliner can sometimes smudge into the crease of my eyes, they’re pretty deep set. But again, I’m moving everything that I can to animal friendly products, and I’ve found something very comparable made by Urban Decay. I finished up with Benefit’s Goof Proof Brow Pencil (will be replaced with something from the Anastasia brand), and MAC False Lashes Extreme Black mascara, a sample of which I received in a recent Birchbox.

A dusting of Ulta Beauty’s Baked Bronzer, and of course my beloved Smith’s Rosebud Salve (Beagle safe) on my lips, and I’m ready to go!

This is a very casual look for me, later in the season I’ll share a look for a summertime special occasion!