7 Beauty Tips to Beat the Summer Heat
Although we couldn’t be happier to see some warmer weather these days, higher temperatures can be a hassle for us makeup lovers. In honor of the end of Spring Quarter (and the start of summer!), here are seven tips to help you beat the heat while keeping your beauty game strong!
Images via Krave Beauty, Getty Images, and Glossier
1. Sunscreen!
First and most importantly, your skin needs protection from harmful UV rays and sun damage – always. A little glow may look nice, but skipping this step can lead to irreversible damage that ages your skin, causing it to stretch, sag, and dry out.
Unfortunately, many sunscreens have oils in them – which lead to clogged pores – or chemicals that may be harmful for your skin. So, try a light formula, such as Krave Beauty’s The Beet Shield or Glossier’s Invisible Shield, which work well on oily skin without causing breakouts!
And don’t skip the lips! Our lips are very sensitive to sun damage and without protection can end up chapped and splitting. Several brands offer lip sunscreens or chapstick with SPF included. Swipe a layer on by itself or under your favorite color and you’re ready to roll!
Image via Urban Decay
2. Setting Spray
Don’t let humid Chicago summers melt your makeup by investing in a good setting spray! Setting spray seals in your makeup to prevent smearing – even in high heat and humidity. As the final step in your routine, hold the bottle between 6 and 8 inches away from your face and give the nozzle a few light pumps. Allow the product to dry completely before heading out.
Luckily for us, there is a wide assortment of setting sprays to choose from. However, prices can vary drastically depending on the brand. If you’re looking for product recommendations, this article by Cosmopolitan ranks 13 of the most popular setting sprays based on both quality and price.
Images via Tarte and Colourpop
3. Concealer
As much as I love the full coverage of foundation, sometimes it’s better to keep it light by just wearing concealer in the summer. Your makeup won’t run as much due to sweat – and your skin will thank you! In warmer temperatures, excess sweat and oils can be trapped by heavy foundations, which clogs pores. The more you can let your skin breathe, the better!
Splurge on Tarte’s Shape Tape Concealer for $27 or save with Colourpop’s No Filter Matte Concealer for $5.20.
If you’re looking for a bit more coverage, try a BB or CC cream, which usually contain SPF and beneficial anti-aging ingredients.
Image via Getty Images
4. Exfoliating
In addition to your usual cleansing routine, adding in an exfoliation step a few times a week removes dead skin cells and helps give you that Instagram glow. Exfoliating is always beneficial in a skincare routine, but especially in the summer when there is a higher risk of sun damage. Exfoliating also helps makeup last longer and increases the effectiveness of toners and serums. However, be careful because over-exfoliating can rub skin raw. Toners such as the Glow Tonic from Pixi offer lighter, more everyday exfoliation, whereas scrubs such as SKIN & CO’s Truffle Therapy Face Gommage work more deeply, but shouldn’t be used more than 2 or 3 times a week.
Try out an exfoliating scrub after your usual cleanser or cleansing oil, then continue with your routine!
Image via Hawai’i Pacific Heath
5. Hydration
If you’re like me, you’re sick of being told to “just drink water,” but it is important to replace the fluids lost from sweating during the summer. Plus, drinking a lot of water can help to lower your internal temperature. Water may not solve all of your problems, but getting your recommended daily amount helps flush toxins out of your system and keeps your skin from looking dry and dull.
There are several different tricks you can use to up your water intake, such as setting reminders on your phone or using a measured water bottle and setting hourly goals. If this seems too high-maintenance, just do what I do and fill a water bottle up at least once in the morning and once in the evening. Remember that once you feel thirsty you’re already dehydrated, so it’s better for your body to keep up a consistent intake.
Image via Shutterstock
6. Managing Your Internal Temperature
Did you know you can get “heat pimples” from having too high of an internal temperature?
As I discussed above, one of the easiest ways to lower your internal temperature is by drinking a lot of water and other cool fluids, but it isn’t the only way. Your body temperature is most affected by sensitive points like your wrists, the back of your neck, and the back of your knees. If you’re really struggling to beat the heat, a cool damp towel on these points (especially the back of your neck) works wonders.
There are also several masks and skin care products with aloe and green tea in them that can have a cooling effect on your skin. In case of a bad sunburn, many of these balms help soothe and treat sun-damaged skin.
7. Ready, Set, Glow!
Cream blushes and cushion products help maintain the natural glow we all crave, while highlighter can give you that extra pop. If you want a more subtle look, try mixing a drop of liquid highlighter into your foundation/BB cream before applying all over your face. For a more intense shine, swipe liquid or powder highlighter across the tops of your cheekbones, the tip of your nose, your chin, and brow bones. Be sure to blend the highlighter down over your cheeks to avoid any harsh outlines – and get that perfect glass skin look.
Lastly, avoid over-powdering. It may be tempting to use powder to protect against sweat, but too much will just cause your makeup to clump and look caked-on. If you’re worried about your makeup not holding up throughout a summer day, try out a setting spray or go lighter on your skin coverage.
Hopefully these 7 tips will help you stay comfortable and confident while keeping your skin healthy this summer!