MissusSmartyPants Personal Profile Style ArticleVolume 8 Week 22 May 30, 2013

Remember: only the last 4 weeks remain posted!

Hello, SYSters!

I’m Faith. Many of you know me through MSP’s Customer Service or from previous Style Articles I’ve written. The temperatures are slowly creeping up here in the desert southwest and that can only mean one thing; summer is almost here!

This is me, Faith (for those of you who haven’t ‘met’ me yet!)

Many women come to me with questions regarding makeup tips and techniques in Customer Service. Like our clothing, the makeup that we wear during the summer months should (and must) change! (We don’t wear our winter coats in the summer, do we?) The quickest way to flat-line our style is to become stuck in a rut- and that includes a makeup rut. This week, I am sharing my strategy for an easy five minute face as well as general tips that will help keep your complexion fresh during the hot summer months!

Faith’s Five Minute Face

The key to looking great in the summer is to remember that less is more. This five minute face is an easy way to look your best while you beat the heat! The great thing about this five minute face is that it will work for any woman regardless of age or skin tone! This tutorial is so easy that it may take you longer to read it...than to do it =)

First and foremost, let me show you what I keep in my summer makeup bag:

Five minutes, five steps. This is all that we are working with today, ladies! You do not need a large quantity of products for your summer face. All of this makeup below-with the exception of the Trader Joe’s lotion- can be found at your local drug store.

1. Sunscreen Base or Primer

First and foremost, protect your skin! I always start my summer makeup application by applying a moisturizer with sunscreen. Your summer routine should include a base layer that contains a SPF of at least 15 to protect your skin from the summer rays. Spread the moisturizer down your neck and on any of your décolletage that will be exposed to the sun. In addition to providing protection from UV rays, this moisturizer will ensure smooth application of your foundation.

Note: If you live in a humid climate and do not require much moisturizer, consider using a primer in place of a moisturizer. A primer will even your skin tone and help hold your foundation in place when things get hot and sticky!

2. Foundation

The next step for your five minute face will be your foundation (although we are skipping the traditional foundation this season, ladies!) In the summer months, traditional foundation is too heavy and can easily become cake-y or be sweated off. In addition, foundation’s heavy appearance can be slightly oppressive for the season. BB creams or tinted moisturizers are the alternative to traditional foundation in the summer months, when lighter is better!

My personal summer favorite is a BB cream. “BB” stands for “beauty balm”. BB creams originated in Asia and are growing in popularity here in the States due to their almost magical “all in one” abilities (generally, a BB cream will include sun protection, a primer and a tinted moisturizer.) BB creams typically come in a limited selection of shades because of their ability to blend to match almost any skin tone. I apply my BB cream with my fingertips- spreading in an up and outward motion.

(Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream, Aveeno Clear Complexion BB Cream and Physicians Formula BB Cream.)

Note: I live in a very dry climate so the initial base coat of spf moisturizer paired with the BB cream- which also contains a light moisturizer- is not too much for me! If you live in a more humid environment- or you have oily skin- and do not require additional moisturizer, find a BB cream that contains a SPF of at least 15 and skip the additional moisturizer in step one.

3. Blush and Bronzer

The next two steps for your five minute face are blush and bronzer. Apply blush with a blush brush to the apples of your cheeks. Consider trying a slightly lighter color for the summer months! Rosey pink blushes are a great choice for Summer 2013 and are flattering for all skin tones! Glo Minerals “Sweet” blush is a perfect example of a rosey pink blush that is universally flattering.

(Glo Minerals “Sweet” Blush) (Where to apply your blush!)

To help your skin glow in the summer months, apply a bronzer. Apply your bronzer lightly on the high points of your face (your temples, cheekbones, the bridge of your nose and lightly on your chin) using a different blush brush than the one you use for your blush. Bronzer delivers a sun kissed look without subjecting your skin to the sun’s harmful rays!

(Physicians Formula Talc-Free Bronzer) (Where to apply your bronzer!)

4. Eye Makeup

The next step to your five minute face will be your eye makeup. Start by applying a light color over your lids from your lashes to your brows. Use a second color to cover your lids (the area beneath your crease to your lashes.)

Use a color slightly deeper than the one used for your lids and contour your eyes by covering the outer corner of your eye- from your lashes to your crease to make your eyes stand out. This look may be enough for you (including mascara, of course!)

For a little more definition, use a liner (my favorite is a brown pencil or crayon liner) along your top lash line. Over the liner, tap some deeper shadow to help give your eye makeup a natural look. For a natural looking five minute face, avoid lining your bottom lashes!

Finish your eyes with mascara along your top lashes. In the heat of the summer, consider switching to waterproof mascara. Waterproof mascara will hold up better when you get sweaty and it tends to avoid collecting beneath your eyes.

As a general rule, choose the color of your shadow based on your eye color. The proper color eye shadow can really make your eyes stand out! Some of the best color combos include…

Brown eyes: Brown eyes can wear almost any color shadow. For a great look, try a green or rose colored shadow.

Blue eyes: Earth tones and purples will suit you. Stay away from blues!

Green/ hazel eyes: Purples and warm Earth tones will suit you best!

5. Lip gloss, lipstick

In summer, skip the heavy lipsticks and opt for a tinted lip gloss. Lip gloss will give you a shine and some color without appearing too heavy (plus, it is generally cheaper than lipsticks!)

(L’Oreal Color Riche Balm, Burt’s Bees Tinted Balm and Clinique Chubby Stick.)

So, let’s recap. All you need to do for your five minute face is; spf moisturizer or primer, BB cream, blush and bronzer, eyes, lips, voila!

A little makeup can really help highlight your best features. Following this five minute face tutorial is a quick way to update your makeup techniques

for summer! This light face will hold up to summer’s heat and will help you look your best during the warm (or hot-hot-hot) months.

Summer Skin Care Tips

Protecting our skin is a major key to looking our best! In the summer, it is more important than ever to focus on a good skin care regiment. Often in the summer months, we are outside more frequently and the sun, sweat and dirt can lead to clogged pores and a blemished complexion if we are not careful!

It is important to remember to clean your face each day. Every night, wash your face with a facial cleanser and apply a toner to help maintain and improve your complexion. Toners are a fantastic product that can help remove any grit or makeup left behind from your cleanser. Many toners offer additional benefits such as skin tone eveners, dark spot reduction or pore reduction. Apply a night cream before bed to help your skin maintain its moisture throughout the night.

In the morning, consider skipping the face wash. Your skin creates natural restorative oils throughout the night that help maintain your clear complexion! If your skin is naturally oily, swipe over your face with toner before applying your five minute face.

Toners come in all different varieties so choose one that suits you best! There are alcohol free toners that are gentle enough for sensitive skin, toners that contain vitamin C to brighten your skin and a myriad of other toners to suit each skin type.

(Avolon Organics Vitamin C Renewal Toner, Neutrogena alcohol-Free Toner, Origins Balancing Toner.)

By following a basic skin care regiment, we can protect our skin against the heat of summer as well as minimize the effects of aging. Sunscreen and toners are two of the major warriors in these battles!

Well, that’s it! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to write this article for you. I hope this five minute face tutorial gives you the inspiration to experiment with your summer makeup routine

and find something easy and light that works for you. If you have any makeup tricks or tips that you would like to share, I would love to hear them! Please share with me in the forum or in Customer Service!

Thanks again!

-FaithCopyright © 2006-13 LagTag LLC All rights reserved.

This message may not be forwarded or reproduced in any format without the express written consent of MissusSmartyPants.com.

Violators will be unsubscribed