Made Up

With the change of seasons comes change in temperature and, essentially, change in wardrobe. It's pretty much common sense to dress for the forecast. However, women generally forget or possibly don't know that changing their makeup in accordance with the season is as essential as knowing not to wear a sweater in mid August.

There is nothing worse than feeling that your face is melting off while you're attending an afternoon meeting, a romantic lunch picnic, or a night out on a muggy summer evening. So many women are used to caking on makeup like icing and it's doing more harm than good. This is especially true in the dog days of summer when harsh UV rays and sweat erode through your clay face and leave streaks and stripes where once smooth, natural skin shone.

The key for all of you sun goddesses out there is staying cool while still looking hot! Well, at least, looking like you're staying cool and ultimately looking hot. Believe it or not, there are a few face-saving tips, tricks, and techniques that will help you accomplish this goal.

Avoiding Makeup Meltdown

First and foremost let me just urge you to please use sunscreen. I know that in the summer we strive for that perfect sun-kissed glow, baking our bodies in tanning lotion and baby oil (and even Crisco for the ultra-obsessed), but seriously ladies, do you want to look like an over-cooked turkey in ten years? Or better yet, develop skin cancer and have to get scaring skin graphs that never allow for the sun to shine on your once beautiful face again? Of course not! So take care of your skin because there are no products to turn back the hands of time, but there are ways to help slow the effects of an inevitable aging clock.

Your face is your canvas, so paint it beautifully. Your makeup process starts with freshly cleaned and moisturized skin. Be sure to apply a moisturizer with an SPF factor of 15 or higher, allowing 10 minutes for it to absorb before applying your foundation. Be sure to choose foundation, powder, and moisturizer with an oil-free formula for the summer months.

You may find when warm weather hits foundation and powder feels heavy on your skin. So a great alternative for a fresher, lighter look is to wear a tinted moisturizer. Applying the moisturizer with a damp sponge will ensure an even look. A small amount of concealer dabbed under the eye will give you added radiance.

We all have flaws, so if you don't feel comfortable going this light with your makeup, try mixing your concealer and a liquid or cream foundation with your moisturizer. This will still allow for a lighter application while giving you just enough coverage.

To help with oily or shiny skin, apply loose powder; compact powder has the tendency to clump when summer heat brings on unavoidable sweat. To obtain the appearance of a healthy summer glow, fake it! Go for a bronzing powder for all-over radiance or to highlight the forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin. This is a great alternative to using a heavy blush. Otherwise, choose a light peach, pink or shimmery blush to create the same affect. With so many blush colors out there, choosing the right one for you could be incredibly difficult, so I found a little tip to help: pull down your bottom lip and look at the color of your skin. That is your natural blush color. Simple enough!

Finally, set your makeup in place by using another helpful summer trick: spray water. A fine mist will set all products and keep your makeup looking fresher longer.

Enhance Your Eyes

If you're painting up your eyes for a day of summer fun, keep it simple. Eye shadows in lighter, neutral shades are perfect for the summer. The simplest way to accent your eyes is to apply a sheer or shimmery fleshtone, starting at the lash line, blending to the crease and out. Use soft beiges and pinks to create a natural look. For added oomph, smudge pencil eyeliner or eye shadow along upper lash line, blending as much as possible. You can use either brown or black, and to really accent your eyes, try using a little color layered over the top of the liner such as copper, bronze, coral, warm red-brown, or deep purple. Just remember to keep it subtle, because a little color goes a long way.

All colors of the rainbow are allowed to shimmer on the eyelids, but the key is to put on small amounts of the shades. Even rich colors should look rather soft than daring. Finish by applying one swipe of mascara in soft brown or brown-black. (Spidery looking lashes are out, ladies.)

If you're coloring your eyes for a summer night of fun, pick three hues; a medium shade that brings out your eye color, a dark shade for the crease and a pale shimmer or metallic for the highlight. Put on your eyeliner and draw on the line with the dark eye shadow using a fine brush so the color will last. Finish your evening look with two coats of mascara.

A great choice in the summer season is to go for a waterproof mascara and eyeliner. This will ensure that you don't look like a creature from Swamp Thing if you go for a spontaneous swim or find yourself stuck outside sweating all day.

Luscious Lips

Being out in the harsh heat can take a toll on your skin, including your lips. If you're sunbathing, it is very important to use lip balm with SPF to keep you lips soft and supple. If you have a slight tan, whether real or fake, a touch of light lipstick or lip gloss is often all you need. For day wear, lip gloss is perfect for adding a subtle radiance. Choose shades that fit your skin tone, but don't be afraid of bold colors. Think juicy and go for soft reds, corals, pinks, and oranges. But be sure to think sheer, too; you want your lips to show through.

Evening wear brings opportunity for brighter lips while still giving you the option of a lighter look. For example, peachy or nude colors look great with smoky eyes as does an all out sexy, blood red lipstick. When choosing your lip color, whether night or day, there is one rule to follow: you need to play up either eyes or lips -- not both. Brightly accentuated eyes complement natural lips, while pale and simple eye makeup suits rich lip colors.

So that's it, your summer makeup is perfect. Whether night or day, you now have a few tricks in your beach bag to pull of the perfect sun-kissed summer complexion. Be sure to drink lots of water to keep your skin shining and apply your sun block often to keep your skin as young and youthful as your heart!