How to Look Polished (Even When It’s Hot!)

We have officially entered the dog days of summer here in New York City! I am fully aware of the many adventures that still await during these last few weeks. My days were packed, cramming in whatever activity I had all but forgotten, until these heavy and muggy last few weeks of summer  arrived. 

There's just so much that I want to see and experience, and there is so little time to fuss on makeup these days. Why should I? The makeup will probably just melt off at some point or another. 

I pride myself on many things, being one that rocks a makeup-less face with confidence is not one. Maybe one day I'll get there, but not today. I much prefer an overall pulled together, light makeup face, despite the heat. Over the summer, I've developed a foolproof routine that pulls me together just enough, makes me feel pretty, doesn't sweat off (and if it did, I wouldn't look drastically different), and takes just three minutes from start to finish. 

Here's how to look polished with just a few easy tips!

The summer sun, mixed with working out and sweat and more sun, has caused my face to break out a bit. The tip of my nose, between my brows, and a bit of my cheekbones, to be specific. Every morning after rinsing my face, I use a spin brush and Thayers Lavender and Aloe Witch Hazel to clear it up. It leaves my face feeling fresh and the perfect, clean palette for a little makeup. If I was to just go out without makeup, I would do that morning step and leave my face like the picture above. 

Here are a few products I use to create a easy summer glow:

-Thayers Lavender Witch Hazel 
-Johnson's Baby Oil
-Nars Concealer
-EOS chapstick
-a gold eye shadow for the inner corner
-a bronzer for cheeks (I skip the bronzer and go straight for my favorite shimmery eyeshadow. You can do this too if you have a shade you already love.)
-liquid eyeliner 
-a brush for applying your eye makeup

After I rinse my face with the witch hazel and spin brush, I pull out my witch hazel once again to create a highlight for my cheekbones. On a piece of folded tissue paper, or a small makeup sponge, I apply a few drops of witch hazel. After you apply your drops, apply a drop of baby oil. Yes, baby oil! Blended with the toner, it creates a smooth shine that gives you an off-the-beach glow. 

After applying my cheekbone glow, I apply my concealer. I think it's far too easy to overdo the concealer part. I try to only put it halfway under my eye, and I always rub it in with my index finger. It helps keep your face looking more natural. 

I feel like eyeliner and a bit of eyeshadow in the inner corner is essential to getting the pulled together part of this makeup look. It's not too much. Just enough. I tend to do a cat eye on days like this simply because I won't be wearing lipstick. But if I'm wearing lipstick, I'll skip the cat eye and just do the eyeliner. 

I like to use my eyeshadow as a bronzer simply because it's light and it's the shade that looks best with my skin. But if you have a color that works, and it's an actual bronzer…go for it! Since you already put that toner and oil on as a "glow," you don't need to apply a lot. I put on just enough for a slight sparkle, nothing too obvious. I also apply a little to the tip of my nose and my chin. 

Et voila! It's airy and it's bright. Perfect for summer's heat! 

I recommend wiping off your makeup at night with makeup remover and your Thayers. I hope you guys enjoy the rest of your exciting summer! xx. LaTonya

Credits//Author: LaTonya Staubs. Photography: Peter Staubs. Photo edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.