Summertime makeup is all about that peak summertime glow, where less is more and simple is key. To be completely honest, I’m a busy mom and it’s currently very hot in Hong Kong so I don’t wear any makeup most days (I do cheat by getting a brow lamination and lash lift to help me look more awake!). But when I do wear makeup, it’s usually because I have an event to go to or I’m heading out on a date with the beau. I like to keep it simple, especially after years of heavy makeup in the pageant and modeling industries. When it comes to summer outings and summer travel, keeping it soft and simple is just the easiest way to go.
My summer makeup routine usually consists of one or two eyeshadow shades, eyeshadow liner, concealer, bronzer, blush, and eyebrow gel. I do not wear foundation in summer unless it’s for a really big photo shoot or big red carpet event because it just feels way too heavy in the Hong Kong heat and humidity. I try to keep it as natural and light as possible for my skin or else I’m just begging for a breakout. Below are my favorite products for my go-to summer makeup look. Just a reminder, I’m not a professional makeup artist, but I hope you like this look as much as I do.
My Summer Make-Up Look
Eyeshadow
For eyeshadow, I love using my Tom Ford Quad Eyeshadow palette in Sous Le Sable (available in HK here). I tend to use one color over my whole lid and crease, usually the medium dark color, before blending it all in. To help make my eyes look a bit more awake, I sometimes add a lighter color on my inner lid and blend it out towards my outer lid.
Eyeliner
I do not like to wear liquid or pencil liner in the summer unless it’s for a red carpet event, however if I want a “liner look” without actually using eyeliner, I just use a dark brown eyeshadow with an angled brush. I have been using Hourglass Graphik Eyeshadow palette in Myth, however it is sold out. I also love this palette by Charlotte Tilbury that has similar colors (and is also perfect for your eyeshadow as well as liner).
Mascara
I don’t usually wear much mascara because of my lash lift and lash tint (which looks like I have mascara on already), but if I’m going to be photographed or I want my eyes to have a bit more pop, I will use Rare Beauty mascara (available in HK here). This has been my favorite mascara for the last 2 years. I haven’t used anything else.
Under-Eye Area
As a mom of a very energetic toddler with a husband who is away a lot, I am quite exhausted all the time. Some days my dark circles are darker than others. Instead of using just concealer, I began to use a color corrector under my eyes before my concealer (if I do wear foundation/tinted moisturizer, I put the color corrector on first). My favorite color corrector at the moment is Huda Beauty Faux Filter (available in HK here). I use color Pink Pomelo for my fair skin tone. After the color corrector, I then apply my concealer. I alternate between NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (I use shade Vanilla) and YSL Touche Éclat Concealer Pen (available in HK here). I use shade number 2.
Bronzer
I’m not going to lie – I’m not that great at applying bronzer. I’ve never been very good at contouring. Personally, I find contouring complicated. And once I think I have it down pat, social media comes up with a new way to apply contouring so I have just stuck with what I know – a little at my temples, along my cheekbones, and sometimes under my jaw. My favorite bronzer at the moment is Bobbi Brown Bronzer Powder (I use shade Golden Light).
Blush
I love blush. My skin is naturally very fair, and so I rely on blush more than I do on bronzer because I feel like blush gives my cheeks a healthy glow. My all-time favorite blush for the last year is NARS Afterglow Liquid Blush (I use shade Behave). I am obsessed with how it still makes my cheeks glow with such a beautiful color.
Highlighter
Speaking of glow, sometimes I just want a little extra on my upper cheekbones, so I like to use Cle de Peau’s Luminizing Face Enhancer (I use shade Daybreak Shimmer). The GLOW that this highlighter gives is one of the best, most natural glows I have ever applied to my skin. It’s not glittery or overly shiny. It’s just right. I am in love with it.
Eyebrows
I get a brow lamination every 8 weeks because my brows are naturally thin, and while I understand that thin eyebrows are back in style, I’m not really a fan of mine. My brow lamination gives my brows the appearance of being fuller without microblading (I am too afraid to do microblading). However, when I want to add a touch of color to my brows (remember I am not a natural redhead), I use Browkiki Eyebrow Gel by OneSize because it had the best color to match red hair (I use shade Auburn).
Lips
Except for red carpets or a big photo shoots, I tend to just leave my lips alone except for some chapstick. I do not like glossy lips on myself, so if I do choose a color I like to keep it more on the matte side. When I do want a little bit of color, I like Fresh’s Sugar Honey Lip Balm (I also love the Bloom color).
