Minimize Your Summer Beauty Routine

The warmer seasons of spring and summer are the perfect opportunity to minimize your beauty routine by simplifying your make-up and hair styles. Not only are you going to be spending more time outdoors and less in front of the mirror but because of the heat, it's better for your skin to have your sweaty hair out of your face and your make up to a minimum to avoid it melting into your eyes, or worse, your pores.

To get started, part your hair as you normally do and then use your fingers to pull it back and up away from your face and into a ponytail. Secure the ponytail at the desired height, whether high on your head or lower at the nape, or my personal preference: just below the center. You can chose to leave your ponytail as it is at this point or secure it with pins to create a bun or messy knot, you can curl it to give it more volume, you could even braid it if you so chose. A low, side ponytail is also an adorable look right now, both curled and straight. If you have to, you can use a product to smooth frizz or hairspray to hold fine hair in place but it's best to skip products if you can in the summer months, especially if you're going to be swimming and such, your hair will likely be a sticky mess afterwards from residual product.

As for your make-up, start with a clean, dry face and apply a thin layer of sunscreen or tinted moisturizer that contains sunscreen if you prefer. Next, apply a very light dusting mineral foundation (such as Bare Essentials, which also contains an SPF 15) and blend it in well along your hairline. Next, apply a light layer of bronzer just on the parts of your face the sun hits, which would be across your forehead, nose and the apples of your cheeks. For your eyes, try skipping liner and opt for a soft, shimmering peach or gold color swept across the lid only. Or just apply a pale, buttery yellow iridescent shadow in the divot before your nose to gives eyes a real pop. Then apply one coat of clear of brown mascara for the most natural look. As for your lips, select a simple pink gloss, preferably one with sunscreen built right in.

The most important thing to remember is that, generally speaking, when it comes to day time make-up, especially in the heat and humidity, less really is more. And a low-key hairstyle can still be beautiful and glamorous if you play around with different pins and clips. Minimal effort does not always equal minimal style.