Beauty Talk: Simple Summer Makeup

Despite my deep and abiding love for beauty gurus on YouTube, I often find myself scoffing at "minimal" makeup looks that require upwards of ten products and twenty minutes to achieve. I love makeup, but sometimes - particularly when it's hot and humid - I can't be bothered. Even though I don't have to go to my full time job during the summer months, I still work and interact with other humans, so I want to feel somewhat put together. That's where these products come in. They're a handful of things I've been reaching for this summer to make me feel put together with as little effort as possible.

L'Oreal Magic BB Cream in Fair - So named because the product starts off white but turns skin colored as you blend it in. It comes in four shades (Fair to Dark) and I like it because it's thin and actually light enough for my skin! Most BB creams don't come in a shade range wide enough to accommodate super light or super deep skin tones.

NYX HD Finishing Powder in Banana - I always powder my t-zone and under eye area. I'm out of my Bare Minerals Mineral Veil, so I've been using this. I like the subtle brightening effect it has (I can't be bothered with concealer during the summer) so that's nice. If you have a good powder recommendation (loose or pressed), let me know!

Jelly Pong Pong Cosmetics Blush and Contour in Blossom - I got this sample in a recent ipsy bag and I love both the blush and contour colors. It's been my go-to because it goes on pretty sheer so I don't have to spend a ton of time making sure it's blended out - I just wish the pans were bigger so it was easier to apply.

Wet n Wild ultimatebrow mascara in Nothing But Bru-Nette - This tinted brow gel doesn't have the tiniest brush in the world, but it's still easy to apply. I like that the color isn't super warm toned like a lot of other brow products can be.

Maybelline Color Tattoo Leather Cream Gel Eyeshadow in Creamy Beige - Say that five times fast. I love this stuff. It's a matte, cream eyeshadow in a neutral color. I smudge it on with my ring finger in two seconds and it makes me look like I actually tried, while also covering the vein-y discoloration I've got going on on my eyelids. It's a win-win.

Covergirl The Supersizer mascara in Very Black - This has quickly become my favorite drugstore mascara. It's not too wet, it's a bold black, and it. does. not. move. It thickens, lengthens, and keeps my lashes curled without me having to curl them, which is pretty much a feat of mascara engineering. It can be easy to go overboard, but it's so worth it to be able to throw on one coat of mascara and look like I've applied two or three.

If I'm wearing a lip color, it's probably this Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick in Matte Pretty with a little lip balm to sheer it out. That or whatever happens to be in my purse, as there's always about 98,000 lipsticks in there at any given time.

As you can probably tell, these aren't my die-hard loves or things that I think you NEED to have in your life - you probably have similar products that would do the job. My simple summer makeup boils down to three tips:

1. Find a lightweight foundation or BB cream: I like the L'Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder foundation for a little more coverage, but I think it's been discontinued!
2. Choose one part of your face to emphasize: I choose my eyes/eyebrows here, but a bold lip color is another way to go.
3. Search for low maintenance and easy to apply products: the BB cream and cream eyeshadow can be applied with my fingers, which cuts down on the time it takes to get ready, as does having my blush and bronzer in the same compact.

For a more dramatic/full face of makeup, check out my post on the Tarte Showstopper Palette, which I got several months ago and continue to reach for whenever I'm feelin' fancy.