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This guest post was written by Radhika of Weekend Ramblings. You can also find Radhika on Twitter and Facebook.
Having spent a good part of my life in South India, summers really aren’t my favorite time of year, and then there were those days in college walking around a campus without trees! Back then, my summer makeup routine consisted of a shaky line with a black eyeliner, and it hasn’t changed much over the years.
Sure, I take a little extra care with the moisturizer now, and try not to forget my sunscreen, but the last thing I want to do on a glorious (or sweltering!) summer day is spend time in front of the mirror on an elaborate makeup look. In summer, my priorities lie elsewhere, like in the frozen food aisle. 😀
The sooner I get out of the house, the better, and with that in mind, here are 3 quick makeup looks that I depend on each summer.
1. Fresh-faced and natural
This look has always been a favorite with my husband, and for a while I walked around with the mistaken belief that it had something to do with the way I look! Turns out, it has more to do with how fast I can be ready to head out the door.
Much as I hate accepting that he’s right about anything, the lazy side of me has to agree with him on this one. 😛 It’s not every day that I have passably clear skin, but on days that I do, this is my go-to makeup.
First, I dab some corrector/concealer on my dark circles to make them a little less scary. Then, I use a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen in it, and apply foundation only to my problem areas. I wait a few minutes for that to set, and then blot with a tissue to remove any excess. I finish with a powder to set — only on the shiny areas that need it the most, like around my nose and chin.
Next, I dust on a matte brown eyeshadow, a black liner for tightlining (I lift the upper eyelid slightly to help with the lining), and a dark mascara to brighten the eyes.
That’s it! All done — well, almost. Rather than using a bronzer, I prefer peach-coral blushes that give a natural flush of colour with a hint of summer tan. And a dab of coral or pink lipgloss.
2. The statement lip
Some days are just gloomier than the others, and I’ll grasp at anything to make them more cheery. More often than not, the “anything” is a bag of Cheetos, but a more tummy-friendly option is to add a pop of colour to my makeup. Reds rule the roost when it comes to the classic statement lip, but a summer version for me includes colours like pink and coral. My current favorite: MAC Captive.
I start with well-scrubbed lips (a gentle sugar scrub works great, but so does an old toothbrush), apply lip balm, and wait a few minutes for it to absorb and soften your lips.
Dab away any excess balm, and apply your lipstick with a lip brush (gives a more even application than applying directly, imo), blot and reapply. If the colour needs any more help, I’ll add a fill-in colour with a lip liner.
For this look, I’ll keep the rest of my makeup neutral, with my trusty black liner along my lash line and a hint of blush.
3. A soft smokey look
A dark smokey eye has been my favorite makeup look ever since someone told me it would make my eyes look smaller. 😀 I don’t know how effective it is at that, but a simple smokey eye is fairly easy, even for a blending klutz like me! Not something I would ordinarily pick for a bright summer day, but there are times when I just want something more than a basic eyeliner, and an easy compromise is a smudged black (or brown/ plum) eyeliner with a brown eyeshadow, for a short-cut version of a soft smokey eye.
I can’t imagine makeup easier than this! I start with a primer (currently loving the UD version), followed by a black liner close to my lash line. Smudge the liner with a blending brush, concentrating some of the colour into the outer corner. Then, using the same brush, I brush on a brown eyeshadow (or something else you like with your skin tone) over the entire lid, and blend out near the crease, before curling my lashes and applying mascara.
A beige lip and a dusting of soft peach blush finish the look. 🙂
Well, those are my favorite looks to wear over the summer, but if there’s one thing I’ve learnt over the years, it’s that nothing makes makeup easier than having healthy skin. Take it from the laziest girl around, it’s easier when my skin is in good shape. Drink plenty of water, go for a brisk walk, and get a good night’s sleep — and, of course, don’t forget the sunscreen!
Now, if only I could always remember to do all of that…
This guest post was written by Radhika of Weekend Ramblings. You can also find Radhika on Twitter and Facebook.
Love this post! The first look is my summer go-to. Living in Florida = not wanting much makeup on because it just melts off (no matter how much you prime)!
Thanks! And I know just what that feels like…thank goodness I stay mostly indoors now 😀 😀 😀
You have such pretty eyes. 🙂 What brand or color is the brown shadow in the photo with the brush and UD 24/7 liner?
Thank you, Molly 😀 The eye shadow is an Inglot one…they don’t have shade names..just numbers..this one is Pearl 423.
Hi Radhika! What eyeshadow shade is the one in Makeup look #3? TIA!
Inglot Pearl 423! I should have added that in the post..I forgot to 😛
Rads! Thanks for these tips. You write so wittily and I have to swatch MAC Captive 🙂
Hii Fieran 😀 😀 I cannot believe I have a MAC YOU haven’t swatched!!!
Loved all the three looks !! I would love to re-create them …
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Hi Shalini 😀 Sure would work great for the summers there!
is it magic of Karen’s space or what ??? you look beautiful all the time but with Captive you are looking absolutely wonderful 😀 …. dont tell me its lip liner which is making all the difference otherwise i have to go and get it ASAP 😀
loved all the 3 looks but Captive is certainly very fresh and eye catching 😀
Thank you, Rashmi 🙂
And, no it’s not the liner..that’s just how Captive shows up on me – no idea why, but I am not complaining 😀
Love the products you chose! Especially the blush
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Thanks, Becca…It’s Chanel Espiegle 🙂
I think your eyes are beautiful! And thanks for easy make up, I am a lazy girl and I appreciate them 😀
Thank you, Nina…you a lazy girl too? I like you already 😀
Gorgeous looks! I’m thinking the natural look will definitely be the way to go this summer while pregnant…don’t want to do any more makeup than necessary!
And you won’t want to cover up the natural glow either 🙂
I love your pictures Radhika! Great tips too! Now I want some of that ice cream haha
😀 😀 About 10,000 calories and so good for you 😀 Am ice-cream obsessed..and thank you!
Gosh, you are just gorgeous in both looks. Thanks for the tips.
Thank you 😀
Awesome – thanks for posting! I hadn’t found a beauty blogger who has my skin tone – so you’re more helpful than you know. I’m so following your blog now!
I have the same problem…takes a lot of googling to figure out what a colour would look like on me! And, thanks 🙂
Hey Rads! You look gorgeous.. Love the soft smokey eye on you 😀 😀
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Hii Appu 😀 Thank you!
Lovely post! I’ve rarely seen you with a bold lip and that pink looks gorgeous on u!
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Thanks, Ankita 🙂 I am happier with my safe colours most times 😀
Gorgeous pics! I can be lazy with taking care of my skin, too (I’m fond of Ponds face wipes for how easy they are to use!). I actually use your fresh-faced and natural look myself for when I don’t feel like applying a lot of makeup.
Hi Katherine..I think that’s the look most of us lazies use all the time..we just never give it a name 😀 😀 I haven’t tried the Ponds wipes yet..will get those a try this time. I usually buy the Olay ones. And, thank you 🙂
Very cool tips; your smoky eye is perfect! May I ask what shade of the NARS tinted moisturizer do you use? I have oily/acne-prone skin and I was considering this TM with spf in lieu of wearing a heavy foundation. Would you recommend?
I use Annapurna…in these photos, though, I was trying out Cuba. I have some yellow undertones to my skin, and Annapurna seemed a closer match. Cuba seemed a teeeeny tiny bit greyish. The descriptions on the NARS website are quite helpful, though, of course not the same as swatching..but they are much more sensible than what I find usually 😀
As for replacing a foundation, hmmm…it doesn’t give any coverage..maybe a small bit, but I would say close to nothing. It sort of evens out the skin a bit that’s all. If you don’t have too many blemishes, you could use this and top with a matte powder…but definitely not a replacement for a foundation..and it tends to look a little oily too on it’s own..need a matte powder for sure!
Sorry that turned to be quite an essay..but hope it helped 😀
That was quite helpful, thank you!
I think foundation only exacerbates my acne now…so I need to find something lighter, but with decent coverage and SPF (since I have/get tons of scars too). Is there another TM that you would recommend?
Thanks again!
I don’t think any TM would give you coverage, especially if you have blemishes – I have that problem! Try out a couple of foundations and find one that suits your skin type..and you can always sheer out the foundation for less coverage. I got mine from Nordstrom, and they were quite happy to hand out samples for me to try before buying (guess it’s a common thing in the US but quite new for me :D). Clinique has a concealer that is specifically for acne – it actually helps the acne heal while providing covrage – so you could use something like that just to cover blemishes and use a TM/foundation to even out skin. I have only tried it in store, though, so don’t know how effective it is.
I still have marks on my face from acne I had ages back, and now I just let them show through instead of trying to cover up everything. Too much foundation, and I still get new acne 🙁 Guess some of us just have uber-sensitive skins!!
And end of the long comment, I really don’t know which other TM works..I bought this to use more as a sunscreen because it doesn’t give that ashy look I get with regular sunscreens. 😀
Ah ok, I understand.
Thanks for the tip about Nordstrom and Clinique. I will have to check those out. The blemishes are few right now, but yes, I still have scars from months/years ago…they make my skin look really uneven and dark in some areas! Hopefully, I will find a good fit.
I really appreciate your advice, Radhika!
Let me know when you get something that suits your skin..guess we have similar skin types!
Love, love, love all these looks, especially #3. Where can I find the eyeshadow you used in this look?!
Hmm..I think Inglot has stores at some places, but I amn’t very sure where 😛 You can always buy the shadows online. There are a lot of options too, just like with MAC, like refills and palettes and things like that. The shadow I have used is Inglot Pearl 423 (they have numbers for the shades, no names).
And thank you 😀
U look gorgeous in all the pics Rads…u rocked the bight lippie..although i hav to agree with Mr.Rads.1st look is da besstttttttttttttttttt!!!!!!!
You had to agree with the evil one 😀
Great post Radhika! I am all for quick makeup looks 🙂 You look really pretty in the first look…
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i love the look for summer, it’s simple, and very elegant. i like the idea of not using a heavy bronzer in favor of a cute coral blush. The look is perfect for days, and evenings on the beach.
Hi Radhika,
I love these easy and beautiful looks. Thanks for posting this, i will try it by myself. What brand and colour is the matte brown eyeshadow in the first look?
Claudi
Does anyone know a MAC dupe for the Inglot shadow? Even something similar would be nice!