It’s summertime!!!! It’s time to swap out the heavier products in favor of lighter formulas and applications and brighter finishes. I have been using more minimal and breathable products most days. I think all you need for a good summer makeup look is weightless base, soft warmth, and a little glow to catch the light just right.

While writing my powder and photographs post I was reminded of how I used to do makeup before I started thinking that liquid foundation was better. I used to wear a powder foundation only or concealer under my eyes and to cover any imperfections and a skin toned powder. Or I used concealer and a translucent powder. I tried out doing makeup with just concealer blended out and a powder over it. And it looked good and natural. And thinking back on this method I realized those are the perfect products and a nice alternative to liquid or full coverage makeup for summer. On hot days, no one wants to feel the gooey mess of makeup that is ruined by the heat. And if you live in an area that is humid it is even worse. So a light coverage with minimal products or less heavy products is the best way to go.

For a nice and light summer makeup look I think there are a few basic products that would make nice light summer makeup.

Here is how I apply mine….

Step 1: Concealer: For summer makeup I like using just a concealer. It’s better to use one that matches your skin tone if you’ll be concealer without foundation. I use Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer in the the shade 146. I put it under my eyes, on my forehead and on my chin and then blend it out. (Optional: Apply a light layer of liquid illuminator over the face after you blend the concealer. It adds a nice all over glow.)

Step 2: Setting powder. I set the concealer with Rimmel Stay Matte Translucent pressed powder. And I also put it on the rest of my face to blend out the concealer more. I think pressed powder all over helps to avoid looking like you’re wearing foundation only on certain parts of your face. And wearing a setting powder will ensure that your liquid or cream products don’t move.

Step 3: Powder blush. I sweep a blush over my cheekbones and back towards the sides of my face. I like coral and peach blushes year round. But I I think they are the perfect colors for summer. They go well with my skin tone and remind me of summer. I have two of my favs in the picture below. Mac Peaches and Mac Pinch Me.

Step 4: Highlighter. I put highligher on the tops of my cheekbones my forehead and chin and sometimes a little bit above my upper lip. I like Mac Gold Deposit. Its one I’ve written about before and probably will write about many more times. It looks intimidating in the pan but it gives just the right amount of glow. And you can apply it lightly or build it up for more shine and it doesn’t look over done.

Step 5: Mascara. Any Mascara will do. I don’t usually wear water proof as it is hard to wash off.

Step 6: gloss or lip balm. A clear lipgloss or a lip gloss with golden glitter or shimmer or just a neutral color is perfect for summer to me. And you can’t go wrong with a lip balm.

Wet n Wild Crystal Clear, Nyx Praline, Revlon Rosy Future, Elf Love Bite

Step 7: Setting spray

I like using a setting spray especially with powder products. I will either use Mac Fix+ or L’Oreal Infallible Pro Spray and Set. After using powder products my face can look , well….powdery. And a finishing spray or setting spray takes away some of the dry look and can extend the wear time. My tiny bottle of Mac Fix+ is just a free sample that came with a purchase. I’ve collected a few of these and I like the product. And I got the travel size version of the L’Oreal Infallible setting spray. You don’t need much to set and if you’re not using the spray everyday the smaller sample sized bottles are the perfect size.

There you have it. These are just a few products that are easy to carry in your makeup bag that are minimal and look natural and skin like so that your skin shows through.