Beauty and the Beach: Summer Makeup Trends

Here's how to have the summer's must-have makeup look:"You can easily achieve this with three items you may already have-concealer, nude lip liner and sheer lip balm. First, apply a little bit of concealer on your lips to even out their tone, then outline your lips with nude lip liner, filling in the rest of your lips with the liner, as well", says celebrity makeup artist Belinda Moss (Beyonce, Scarlett Johansson, Eva Longoria Parker and Giselle Bundchen are just a few of her many clients). "Now top with a generous helping of a sheer lip balm with SPF 20 (for example, Softlips) to help condition your lips while protecting them from sun damage. If you're looking for a little shine, apply your favorite lip gloss over the lip balm."

It's best to avoid heavy foundations or concealers during this season; you'll only sweat them off. "Opt for a tinted moisturizer (with SPF) or a face powder, which is ideal for almost any skin type. "When using face powder, apply with a brush to achieve a natural-looking finish".

Do you want light, long-wearing lip color that also offers protection? Try Rose, Bronze and/or Pearl Tinted Lip Conditioners. They're an easy way to add color without overdoing it.

You can also "brighten up" your summer makeup by adding some color."Try using colored mascara in bright blues and burgundies. Just remember that when using bright colors, a lot goes a long way; keep the rest of the face neutral to avoid looking overdone."

Blush should be used to contour the cheeks or create a natural flush.

"Pretty in pink" shades are also a popular summer look (and enduring classic). They brighten your face, giving your skin a fresh, youthful appearance. Always remember that subtle shades go best with pink lips, for they make a bold statement (the pink lips, that is). You want to tone down your makeup to avoid looking clownish. Wear a neutral-color eyeshadow and just a hint of black mascara. Leave brows natural and give cheeks a light dusting of blush.

If you look good in warm shades (orange, gold tomato red and apple green) AND your complexion's FAIR: Light, transparent pink-beige shades will be best for you.

MEDIUM: Your best shades are brownish-rose, dusty mauve, and muted plum-pink.
DARK: Soft, sheer nude pinks in shades of berry and rose or plum-pinks.

If you look good in cool shades (deep blues, jades, rich purples and plums) AND your complexion's FAIR: Sheer, light pinks with blue overtones are for you.

MEDIUM: Deeper mauves and rose shades with blue overtones are your best shades.
DARK: Go for sheer plums, deep berry shades or soft, nude pinks with a touch of beige.

Has it been a while since you've worn pink lipstick? Ease into the color by first wearing it diluted with lip gloss. Randomly dab the lipstick on your lips, then top it off with a sheer gloss.

If you've been told that you have great lips, don't just "kiss it off". Enter the Softlips Picture Perfect Lip Search, now in its fourth year.The winner will receive a cash prize of $2,500, a year's worth of products, and the possibility of becoming a professional lip model.

The ten runners-up will also take home a year's worth of lip care products. The contest is open to legal female U.S. residents, age 13 or older. For more information, go to www.softlips.com.