It’s summer. You want to be outside, not spending hours in front of the mirror. But, of course, you still want to look good. Let’s focus on some key areas.
1. Strip Your Makeup Routine
Your makeup routine needs to be stripped down and simplified for summer. Go basic. Simple coverage, mascara, and a hint of lip color. Out with the foundation. In with the multitaskers.
Reach for the tinted beauty balm cream with SPF coverage for one quick step in the morning. I love Dr Jart BB Cream with SPF 25. If you are in a real hurry, this plus a no-mess mascara and another double-duty lip balm with SPF is an easy look. I recommend Kaplan MD lip 20 moisture therapy. It’s got a cool all-in-one twist-up container, so you don’t have to worry about losing the cap in your purse, and it lasts forever. It’s the only thing I’ve found to replace my last favorite, a Bliss tinted lip balm they discontinued.
Up your game a bit with a dash of blush. I love Desert Pink from Bobbie Brown. It works with most skin tones. Throw a clear lip gloss in your bag to apply later to highlight your lips.
If you are pre-tan or you avoid tans at all costs, never fear: bronzer is your friend. Start at the top of your hairline, hit under your cheeks and across your jawline. Basically, draw a three on each side of your face. If you want another all-in-one, get the Bobbie Brown Shimmer Brick to highlight areas where light would strike your face first, and use the darker stripes to mimic a bronzer instead of buying another product.
The rest of you needs sunscreen too. L’Oreal Paris Advanced Suncare Sunscreen SPF 50+ Invisible Protect Dry Oil Spray is a bargain, has a spray application, and smells great, unlike most sunscreens. Plus, it moisturizes your legs in one step.
2. Do Up Your Hair
Girls tend to have a lot of hair, and if you haven’t gone short for the summer you know humidity and heat are not your friends. If you have the money, why not splurge on a Braid Bar and get a fishtail braid plaited for about $25? Otherwise, peruse YouTube for some handy instructions on how to braid a fishtail yourself, and invite a friend over and fix each other’s hair up for free. Open a chilled sparkling Prosecco or Blanc de Blanc to add some fun.
Throw a pedicure into your summer routine since your toes are out pretty much all the time. Unless you have some grudge against flip flops, your feet are part of your outfit in the summer.
3.Wear Some Pajamas
Summer is a great opportunity to bust out the summer dresses. Men think we are dressing up, when we really know it’s like getting to wear your pajamas outside.
My favorite pajamas, I MEAN DRESS, for summer is the maxi dress. Never has it been so easy to look put together than the maxi dress. Add a white wrap from Splendid that you can crumple into your purse for when you hit the absurdly over-air-conditioned restaurant or bar, and you are set for any activity.
Wine tasting, a trip to the store, window shopping, thrown over a bathing suit by the pool, browsing at the farmers’ market, or just hanging around the house—why not feel pretty and comfortable? The maxi is where it’s at. You can be in your pajamas yet look completely put together. To refresh maxi dresses this year, look for ones with varied hemlines and wrap combinations. These two from Hudson are great examples of a play on the traditional maxi dress.
This Lush dress in seafoam green is just gorgeous and $42.
For the ultimate in comfort and to get around “what freakin’ bra do I wear with this dress?” Athleta has lots of maxi styles with built-in support. Ladies who are endowed thank you, Athleta, because we too can finally wear cute dresses that until now were meant for the braless. This Malti Maxi comes in cerulean blue and black.
For a more casual look, this Navy-inspired shirred tank is now on sale for $16.90. If you order a size up from your usual, it doubles as a beach cover-up. The shirring will look really cute around your hips.
Pair with this bargain skirt from Hinge that looks even better in person.
For color inspiration, I look for elements of summer: White clouds, blue oceans, and sun-inspired color tones using reds, oranges, and yellows. This summer, it looks like coral is on trend out of that sun-soaked pack. Take some inspiration from Christian Siriano’s 2015 resort line and look for lower-cost ways to bring coral and white into your wardrobe.
Christian Siriano’s latest collection felt like a visit to Barbie’s Malibu Dreamhouse. http://t.co/Vp1VzzDwlg pic.twitter.com/FEelvqZ0KC
— NYT Fashion (@NYTFashion) June 5, 2015
4. Get a Nude Sandal
It’s time to invest in a comfortable and lovely nude sandal. They match everything, and nude shoes always extend leg length. Plus, it’s a fun contrast if you can’t get over your love for black dresses. It’s summer, so put a pause on matching black shoes with black dresses.
This one from Hinge can work with most anything.
This dressier sandal in copper is both beautiful and comfortable. I love wedge heels because I get the lift I want without compromising on comfort.
For a casual flip flop that you can walk miles in, splurge on a pair of Olukai Ohanas. They are built to last and so comfortable. Otherwise, Havaianas are still the best cheap flip-flop around.
5. Accessorize Judiciously
You aren’t dressed until you’ve considered adding a few key pieces. Own one clutch you can throw into one decent summery big bag that doubles as tote for flip flops, beach book, and whatever else you need. I’m partial to the Hobo Lauren Clutch in blush. It’s bright enough that you can find it in a bigger bag, while it won’t clash with anything if it’s your only purse for the night.
You also need one decent pair of sunglasses that frame your face. I love the classic aviators, and Kate Spade has some great ones to try. It’s a splurge, so don’t waste your money on anything but a timeless frame.
As for bathing suits, yes, it’s time to face the music and suit up. Don’t be that mom who won’t play with her kids at the beach because you look less-than-perfect in a suit. Almost everybody looks less than perfect, and Glamour has got you covered with fifty suits that make you look ten pounds thinner. There’s fifty! One should work. This Jewel Island Halter Tank suit from L.L. Bean is cute, and flatters multiple body types.
This Speedo Sculpture SimplyGlow suit in black is one of the more glamorous suits I’ve seen, and has built in tummy control to help flatter.
You also need some fun summer jewelry. Try this Kendra Scott necklace. Why this one necklace? Because it literally seems to go with almost everything. I don’t understand it. It’s a mystery of the universe, but it’s darn-near perfect.
Kendra Scott is an Austin, Texas-based brand that is popping up across the United States and already a celebrity favorite. Her designs vary in price and allow your own creativity to shine as they mix and match well, and you can use the color bar to customize what you want. If you want a to buy online, this one is perfect:
With these earrings:
Either way, tour her website. Scott’s designs are great and flexible for any outfit.
Go forth and enjoy summer, because it will be fall before you know it.
