Makeup and St. Louis summers go together like oil and water. The last thing you want to do is add layers in the sweltering heat. In an attempt to keep makeup minimal, we asked the experts for their advice on how to achieve the perfect face — come humidity or high water.
Color Trends
From Danielle Erb, local makeup artist
- For summer, she's focusing on really perfect skin: "Skin that is light, but with a flawless application of concealer, bronzer, upper-cheek highlighter, bronze shimmer blush and bright matte or nude glossy lip."
- For the skin, she suggests a multipurpose, high-pigment powder that also serves as foundation, concealer and SPF 15 protection; brown-based bronzers with a gold shimmer; a luminizer with an incandescent sheen for the cheekbones.
- For the lips, you can go one of two directions: a nude look, with a high-gloss, glass-like finish, or a bold, bright look, with colors like orange-yellow or deep blood red.
How to Apply
From Gina Bettelli, senior artist, MAC PRO Team
- Sweep a metallic wash on eyelids in one round movement. Start by placing your brush directly on the center of the eyelid, and swing the brush through the socket to create a sunset effect. Use the excess eye shadow on cheekbones to tie the look together, sharpen features and give the skin a glowy effect.
- Open up eyes with mascara on top and bottom lashes. Wiggle the mascara wand at the lash roots for volume, and push the wand through the lash tips to comb and separate.
- Get perfectly sculpted cheeks by smiling into a mirror and patting powder blush directly on the apples with a fluffy round brush, sweeping the color up the cheekbone into a banana shape. Use excess color left on the blush brush to tint temples, forehead and chin.
How to Cleanse and Hydrate
From Sylvie Chantecaille, founder of Chantecaille Cosmetics
- A cleanser with rice and geranium is ideal for summer, as it gently exfoliates and removes oil and grime without overdrying.
- After a day in the sun, applying a mask with jasmine and lily will instantly calm and soothe the skin.
- You can also use a mask as a night cream if skin is especially burned or dehydrated.
Summer Essentials
Pick up these handy must-haves as soon as you can.
- Marc Jacobs Daisy Perfume: A light and feminine fragrance for summer. 3.4 oz. $70. Available at Nordstrom.
- La Mer SPF 18 Fluid Tint: Adds color (sans sun!) while it hydrates. 1.7 oz. $65. Available at Saks Fifth Avenue.
- St. Ives Micro-Dermabrasion Scrub: A new formula renews skin after a day in the sun. 4 oz. $7.99. Available at Walgreens.
