Summer is inevitably fraught with a slew of beauty conundrums: How do I stay glamorous in the heat? What on earth should I wear to the office? How can I wear makeup and not look overdone or risk meltage?
Living in south Texas, I’ve been forced to confront those style dilemmas, particularly the problem of makeup! After moving to TX from Oregon, which has a very different climate in the summer in terms of both heat and humidity, I noticed that my skin was unusually oily. My beauty bag need a bit of an overhaul since I’d been stocking up on products to combat dryness!
In short, I swapped several cream and liquid staples for powder ones. My skin still gets oily, but I find that these products tend to go with the flow, the oil flow, that is. In other words, they don’t look cakey or melted. Rather, these seven vegan summer makeup staples allow my skin to have a natural glow while still providing some nice coverage and color. I also appreciate that they allow my skin to breathe in this weather!
Alima Pure Satin Matte Foundation
For the past several years, I’ve never been without this foundation in my makeup bag. When my skin was dryer, however, I tended to lean towards liquid formulas that promised hydration. Now that it’s summer and my skin lacks for no hydration, I am addicted to this stuff. If you apply mineral powder in thin layers, it’s easy to build, so you can get medium-full coverage without your foundation looking (or feeling) noticeably heavy, if you so desire. I also love that it provides a little SPF coverage.
As much as I love cream blushes and cheek stains, I’m most loyal to matte, powder blushes, whether they be pressed or loose powder. Everyday Minerals is a really clean brand with a nice blush selection. In the summer, I usually apply blush with a very light hand since I don’t want to look super flushed or worse, sunburned! Plus, there is always bronzer to add a little color…
Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer
I received this matte bronzer as a sample when I was ordering some wedding makeup from Sephora. Aside from the fact that it smells like chocolate, it adds a beautiful warmth to my skin. Because it’s matte, it can be used as a contouring powder as well. Using a big, fluffy brush, I apply around my jawline, under my cheekbones, and around my temple and outer-forehead.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder
With the past three products, you may have noticed a theme—everything is matte powder. I love me some matte goodies, but I also like to add a bit of glow to my cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid’s bow. (Meanwhile, I try to keep my forehead, nose, and chin matte). This ambient lighting powder is a lovely final touch that makes me feel like a sun goddess. Unlike some highlighting powders, the shimmer element is very finely milled, meaning that it looks more like pearl than glitter.
Josie Maran Argan Love Your Lips Hydrating Lipstick
I am a devotee of this lipstick because it allows me to wear bolder shades—like tangerine—in a light, balm-like layer. Plus, it’s not drying like some lipsticks. I’ve currently got “Coral Delight” in my purse, but I have my eye on “cherry red.” I think it would be my perfect entry into a causal red lip. If you’re concerned how certain colors (that you admire on other people) may look on you, it may be best to try it in a balm formula—or in a Josie Maran tube. Having smaller lips, I’ve noticed that full-coverage, matte formulas make my lips look smaller and less youthful.
Fior Minerals Organic Eyeliner
I recently received this chocolaty brown pencil liner in a Petit Vour box. I wear this liner on my bottom lash line and smudge it for a pretty, lived-in look. I am especially vigilant about the ingredients in my eyeliners since I always make a mess when I’m removing my eye makeup, and I’m sure some of it gets in my eyes. Fortunately, Fior eyeliners are made with natural minerals and certified organic ingredients.
Nvey Eco High Definition Cake Eyeliner
If I want to do a cat eye or an intense black line on my upper lash line, I use this cake liner. You apply by dampening an angled eyeliner brush and dipping it in the powder. It’s so easy to control (unlike liquid liner, in my experience!), and it has some serious lasting powder. I’m not the best at drawing even lines, but luckily, I can start light with this liner and build coverage as I go.
What are your summer makeup staples?
More in summer beauty: Pretty Summer Vegan Nail Polishes
7 Tips to Grow Your Hair This Summer
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Photos: Mary Hood Luttrell
