light and bright summer makeup routine

Today I wanted to share my light and bright summer makeup routine with you.  In the summer I go a little lighter and more low-key with my makeup than the rest of the year, I’m a little more sun-kissed and I like to keep everything from what I put on my skin to what’s on my lips to be a little a little lighter and less caked, if you know what I mean…;-)

So here are my favorite summer make up products.

On my skin:

I’ve been using this BeautyCounter Dew Skin on my face and I really like it. It’s really light-weight and a safer alternative to the ItCosmetics CC cream I’ve used for the last few years.  It’s also got decent coverage and gives me a nice glow, and it’s got SPF which is a must for me.

If I’m having a breakout or need a little extra coverage I’ll use a little BeautyCounter hydrating foundation as well, but most days I just stick with the Dew Skin.

I’ve been using this Rodial Contour compact and I love it.  A little goes a long way and I just use my brush to dust a little just under my cheekbones, on my jaw line, and down the sides of my nose.  I’m not a contouring expert by any means, but I like that this gives me nice natural looking shading.

On my eyes:

If eyebrows are important to you then you have to try this amazing Tattoo Studio brow gel by Maybelline.  I’m a little ashamed to admit this, but I used to avoid getting my head wet when swimming cause I didn’t want my “brows to come off.”  This stuff is a game changer.  Once it’s dry it will last up to 2 days on your skin and it doesn’t smudge or wash off when you’re swimming (or just sweating) which is a problem in the summer. I use an angled brush to apply it (not the applicator they include, it’s garbage.)  I have a demonstration for how to put it on saved under the makeup section of my instastories. ;-)

I’ve been using this BeautyCounter mascara, and while its not my favorite I’ve ever used, in terms of making my lashes look longer and thicker, I really like that it doesn’t smudge or run at all if you get sweaty during the day.  I didn’t even have a problem with it smudging while I was swimming on our trip last week, but it’s not water proof so it washes off easily with your face cleanser.  It’s a good mascara to use in the summertime, especially if you don’t like waterproof mascara.

I always use my MAC eyeshadow year round, I just go lighter in the summer or forgo my brown color, and just dust on a little of the off-white shade.  My two colors are Wedge and Shroom.

I’ve been using CoverGirl perfect point plus eyeliner (in Espresso) for years, and I swear not matter what I try I always come back to this one.  It goes on so easy and stays most of the day.  Even eyeliners that cost twice as much don’t impress me like this one does.

On my lips:

I’m such a lipgloss girl during the summer, and I’ve been wearing the BeautyCounter gloss in Bare Shimmer all summer.  It’s the perfect pinkish nude color.  I’ll wear it on it’s own or line my lip first with L’Oreal color riche lip liner in AuNaturale first.

There are a ton of great beauty deals still going strong for the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, so I’m linking some of my favorites below, including one of my favorite brands of shampoo, my favorite blow dryer, a MAC eyeshadow set to die for, and a Dry Bar kit that will make you swoon: