Summer Beauty Staples

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Summer in Kansas is hot. Like, really hot. Hot and humid and sticky and awesome, but definitely not a great time to be wearing a ton of makeup. Anything heavy or too dramatic, and you’ll find it sweating down your face in moments, so I tend to go for a super simple beauty routine in the summer. It’s quick, easy and tends to look good, even when it feels like a sauna outside.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer – I love this product and it’s one of the few items where I will spend a bit more money. I’m a huge fan of drugstore brands, but this is an item I don’t mind investing in. It has SPF 20, which, in my experience, protects all day. It is light enough not to get cakey, but has enough coverage to help with discoloration. It’s the kind of make-up that enhances, but doesn’t cover up your natural beauty. It also provides that awesome dewy look, which is so perfect for summer. ($43.00 at Sephora)

Tarte Cheek Stain – This has lasted me so long the packaging doesn’t even exist anymore! So, yes, more expensive than drugstore brands as well, but totally worth it as it lasts FOREVER! This stuff gives your cheeks a little summer glow and keeps that same clean, fresh look I love in the summertime. ($30.00 at Tarte)

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector – This is a great concealer for summer, especially for those of us who have any puffiness or darkness under our eyes. It brightens and covers, but isn’t too heavy. A great product for a good price! ($13.99 at CVS)

Pro Airbrush Concealer Brush – I hate spending money on makeup brushes, and honestly, don’t do it very often. One of these days I’ll invest in them, but for now I choose a few that I know help out tremendously and stick with those. This concealer brush falls into that category. My undereye circles are probably my biggest problem area, and this brush has lasted me a few years, so it’s worth the investment in my opinion. ($24.00 at Sephora)

Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara – The greatest drugstore mascara of all time! I have more expensive mascaras, but I always come back to this one because of it’s staying power. I wear contact lenses and have pretty sensitive eyes, so I need something that won’t run down my face when my eyes water. This fits the bill perfectly! ($3.99 at CVS)

Eyelash Curler – If you don’t have one, get one. Even if you can’t do anything else, if you can throw on some tinted moisturizer and curl your eyelashes, you’ll look ready to go, especially in the summer! ($13.99 at CVS)