Warm weather has the tendency to breed hair and skin nightmares: dry-as-straw strands, untamable frizz and makeup that melts the second you step outside. But with the help of a few experts, we’ve created the ultimate step-by-step guide for maintaining flawless skin and hair that’ll outlast the summer elements.
1. Prepare your skin with a good base. In the summer, makeup artist Cyndle Komarovski suggests switching from a rich moisturizer to a lighter, oil-free alternative. Rub a nickel-sized amount of an SPF, like SkinMedica’s Total Defense + Repair Broad Spectrum SPF 34 Sunscreen ($65, skinmedica.com), on the face for protection against UVA, UVB and infrared rays—it’ll serve as extra glue for the makeup to hold onto.
2. Use an oil-free primer. “You don’t want to forget to put on a primer because it gets the skin ready for makeup. It absorbs oil that builds up in the summer, which causes makeup to run,” dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner says. Thanks to its waterproof formula, Hourglass’s Veil Mineral Primer ($52, barneys.com) extends the life of makeup and even comes with the added benefit of SPF protection.
3. Apply lightweight and waterproof makeup. Use a light tinted moisturizer, BB or CC cream for solid coverage without feeling cakey. “My summer essential is the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer ($44, lauramercier.com),” Komarovski says. “Make sure to set each cream with a powder before putting another layer on so it doesn’t crease or slide off.”
For those with normal to dry skin, using cream blush like RMS Beauty’s lip2cheek ($36, rmsbeauty.com) creates a natural sheen. For those on the oily side, go with a powder, like ColoreScience’s Sunforgettable Total Protection Color Balm SPF 50 ($29, colorescience.com).
When selecting eye products, stick to waterproof formulas that won’t budge. “Stila’s Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner ($22, stilacosmetics.com) literally doesn’t move. And Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Dipbrow Pomade ($18, nordstrom.com) is waterproof so you don’t need to worry about sweating your brows off,” says Komarovski. As for lipstick? “A secret to making it last is this: put a tissue on your lips and tap a little translucent powder over it. That will set your lipstick and prevent bleeding,” Komarovski adds.
4. Highlight to create a luminous, dewy glow that stays. Dewy skin can be difficult to achieve without looking oily in the heat. To master the J.Lo glow, apply a highlighter—like the one in Tom Ford’s Shade and Illuminate duo ($77, bergdorfgoodman.com)—to your face’s high points, including the tops of your cheekbones, bridge of the nose and brow bone. “I find that this stays on all day and doesn’t look greasy. It’s not shimmery. Just the perfect texture to give you a subtle glow,” Komarovski says.
5. Spritz a facial mist to hydrate the skin and set makeup. Before leaving the house, Dr. Zeichner recommends using a refreshing setting spray. Once it dries, the spray will seal your makeup in place. Skindinavia’s Makeup Finishing Spray ($39, skindinavia.com) keeps makeup intact for up to 16 hours.
6. After blow drying and styling your hair, put it up during your commute. “I find what works really well to prevent frizzing is to pin my client’s hair up softly. Then, when they get to work or an event, they undo the pin, flip their hair upside down and shake it out,” hairstylist Antonio Prieto says. To add a finishing touch, hairstylist Wesley O’Meara suggests using Balmain’s Argan Moisturizing Elixir ($25, balmainhair.com) to avoid frizz.
7. Carry midday touch-up essentials while on the go. “Beautyblender just came out with the blotterazzi ($20, beautyblender.com), which is a washable, reusable alternative to blotting papers,” Dr. Zeichner says. Carry a facial spray, like the Caudalie Beauty Elixir ($49, caudalie.com) for a rejuvenating pick-me-up. Then, apply a powder like the Guerlain Les Voilettes Pressed Powder ($57, guerlain.com), which will absorb oil and leave your skin with a velvety finish.
