Every season has its challenges for skin care, and summer is no different. How do you moisturize, deal with sweat and oil, protect your skin from the sun, and look “fresh” without using 15 different products and spending hundreds of dollars? I asked some moms in the Boston Mom’s Blog Community and Conversations Facebook group, and they had answers!

Mattifying and priming

After applying your moisturizer, many recommend applying a mattifier (if you’re worried about oiliness) or a primer to make your makeup last longer and prevent it from settling into fine lines and wearing off during the day.

For mattifier, some commenters use Boots’ Expert Instant Matte, which can be found at Target. If your skin gets really shiny, use it after your moisturizer and again after your foundation. Be sure to shake the bottle well before dispensing the liquid.

For primer, many people like Smashbox’s Photo Primer gel. This gel is $36 at Sephora; however, there is a widely recommended substitute — Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel (please note, this is NOT the yeast infection cream!), which can be found at Target for $5.99.

Let’s not forget about one of the latest beauty brands taking the fashion world by storm: Fenty Beauty’s Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer.

Foundation/moisturizer/sunscreen

Many members noted that during the summer they use a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen or a beauty balm cream mixed with a moisturizer with sunscreen. For sunscreen, one member shared that her dermatologist recommended Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46 Facial Sunscreen. She noted that this sunscreen did not cause breakouts on her acne-prone skin and was a physical barrier sunscreen that didn’t leave her face white or chalky looking.

For moisturizer, moms offered a variety of recommendations — Oil of Olay Total Effects, Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture with Sunscreen, and Rodan and Fields products.

For color, our commenters offered options for a variety of price points: Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue (a tinted gel), Rimmel BB Cream, Studio Secrets Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. Cream, and Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer. If these do not offer enough coverage, consider adding a light dusting of a powder foundation or finishing powder. Some examples include Bare Minerals bareSkin Perfecting Veil, Ulta Finishing Powder, and NYX #NoFilter Finishing Powder.

To top it off

Many professionals use setting sprays to help make up set and last through the day or night. If you don’t want to make a commitment and just want to try out a setting spray, you can grab a bottle of Hard Candy Setting Spray for about $6. If you want to go with a tried-and-true brand and don’t mind spending the money, check out Urban Decay De-Slick Oil Control Makeup Setting Spray.

Out-of-the-box idea

One of our moms mentioned she was thinking of dyeing her eyelashes to streamline her makeup routine and eliminate the need for mascara!

Of course, there are other great products and tips out there for wearing makeup in the summer! Please share your favorite products and tips with us! Have a makeup problem that you haven’t been able to solve? Ask, and we’ll do our best to find you an answer!

victoriamorenojackson
victoriamorenojackson
Raised in the South, Victoria lives in Norwood with her college sweetheart, son (2010), and daughter (2016). In Victoria’s previous career, she worked as a lawyer, specializing in alternative dispute resolution practice and training. Victoria is happy to announce that she has overcome her goal to MAKE ALL THE THINGS, and given into her love of bag designing and creation to form Subversive Textiles, LLC! When she isn’t working, you’ll usually find Victoria attempting to satisfy her introverted self’s desire to sit cozily inside, devouring media, while crafting. Her outdoorsy, extroverted family makes sure that she doesn’t get too comfortable by regularly expressing their need to be outside and doing things, preferably with other people. Given that her entire family is filled with strong-willed individuals who consider the word “No” as an invitation to begin negotiating, there’s never a dull moment (despite what her son says.) When she isn’t working, you’ll usually find Victoria attempting to satisfy her introverted self’s desire to sit cozily inside, devouring media, while crafting. Her outdoorsy, extroverted family makes sure that she doesn’t get too comfortable by regularly expressing their need to be outside and doing things, preferably with other people. Given that her entire family is filled with strong-willed individuals who consider the word “No” as an invitation to begin negotiating, there’s never a dull moment (despite what her son says.)

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR