As you shift from cashmere to cotton, lighten up your makeup with transparent textures and bright shades. Bold makeup colors like wine and burgundy look heavy in the summer, so opt for a sheer lollipop wash of color with fruit-hued lip gloss, and cream, not powder, blush and eye shadow. Trade winter's dark, smoky eyes for sandy earth-toned shadows and shimmering brown liner.
Bright and Beautiful
Tangerine. Melon. Peach. Orange. This summer's makeup hues are straight from the orchard. Wearing these bright shades is easier than you think. The trick is to choose sheer colors. Pick a bright lip gloss in your favorite citrus shade. A bronze or apricot blush in a cream formula gives the apples of your cheeks a dewy glow. Play up your eyes with a peachy shadow that has a slight shimmer.
Do You Need Lip Service?
On days when you want to skip lipstick, protect your lips with an SPF 30 (or higher) lip balm. Balms that contain glycerin are especially moisturizing, and tinted versions offer a hint of color. If your lips are chapped, seal in sun protection and speed healing by applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly on top of the balm.
Hot Styles for Short and Long Hair
A sleek braid updates a plain old ponytail. To keep hair away from your face, work with damp hair, keeping it close to your head and preferably around the nape of your neck. Headbands can keep short hair and bangs off your face. Crisscross a couple of thin ones -- plastic or metal -- about an inch and a half away from your hairline.
No Blow Dryer Needed!
Yes, you CAN skip the blow dryer entirely. Instead, style your hair while you sleep. Work a styling cream through damp hair. Twist hair into loose pin curls and secure with bobby pins, about a dozen sections in all. When you wake up, you'll have beachy waves with tons of volume. Or, make an accessory do all the work, and tuck your hair into one of this season's chic head wraps.
Sun and Saltwater: Hair's Enemies
Your hair needs sun protection. Harmful UV rays can burn your scalp and scorch and fade colored or highlighted strands. Your best defense is a hat. Second best: a product like a hair spray or leave-in conditioner made specifically to protect hair color against sun damage. Before a swim, always coat your hair with tap water or conditioner to keep your locks from soaking up damaging chlorine or saltwater.
Seek Stronger Shades
The sun's rays can also damage your eyes, raising your risk of cataracts and other conditions. When you shop for a new pair of shades, look for a label that says the lenses block 99-100% of UVA and UVB rays. Wraparound or oversize frames block light that hits eyes from the sides. If you spend time on the water, consider polarized lenses, which filter out the reflected sunlight that bounces off water.
Prevent a Makeup Meltdown
Lighter makeup won't slide off your face like heavy foundation in hot weather. Try a tinted moisturizer or lightweight cream-to-powder formula. Trade your lipstick for a tinted lip balm. Switch to waterproof mascara, water-resistant cream eye shadow, and gel eyeliner. Shiny at midday? Pressed powder will turn cakey and streaky on your face. Instead, roll a blotting sheet over your skin.
Tip-Top Toes
A gel or shellac pedicure costs more, but the finish stays shiny and chip-free for several weeks. To maintain a traditional pedicure, apply a new clear topcoat every other day. Fix chips by soaking a cotton swab in nail polish remover. Use it to even out the surface around the chip before applying fresh polish.
Unexpected Tan Lines
Strappy summer shoes and clothes can lead to surprise tan lines -- such as on the tops of your feet and on your wrists. How to disguise them? Smooth them away instead of covering them completely. Mix two parts liquid bronzer with one part moisturizer, and blend over any tan lines.
