How to Maintain the Perfect Sun-Kissed Glow This Summer

Sun-kissed skin is one of the best souvenirs of summer because it represents relaxation and extra hours of daylight. However, if you want to maintain that radiant glow all season long, there are a few crucial yet easy steps to add to your skincare and makeup routines. So you can spend more time planning your next vacay, barbecue, or Summer Friday, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help you maintain an ethereal, luminous complexion — even if you choose to stay out of the sun!

Step 1: Start with a Nourishing Face Serum

Before we delve into the world of color, let’s first understand the importance of skincare. A nourishing face serum is a crucial step in your routine. With a smaller molecular composition than moisturizers, serums penetrate the skin more effectively. Opt for one with research-backed, results-driven ingredients like vitamin C for brightening, hyaluronic acid for hydration, and antioxidants to protect against environmental damage caused by the summer sun’s dangerous UV rays.

Step 2: Always Use a Hydrating Moisturizer

Regardless of skin type, you need a good hydrating moisturizer to ensure your skin looks and feels healthy, hydrated, and luminous. A moisturizer also helps smooth and plump the skin, making your makeup look even and not cakey. This step is especially crucial if you’re already using skincare for dry skin.

Step 3: Start Your Makeup Routine with a Primer

Once your serum and moisturizer have had a chance to fully absorb into the skin, it’s time to apply a primer with SPF. This step is about creating a smooth base for your makeup and protecting your skin from harmful UV rays. A protective primer will help prevent sun damage and ensure your makeup stays put throughout the day, even in the heat and humidity. It will also make it easier to enjoy summer activities without worrying about your skin or makeup!

Step 4: Try a Tinted Moisturizer or CC Cream

If you want a natural, sun-kissed look without laying out, swap your hydrating moisturizer for a tinted formula or a CC cream with SPF. Both provide lighter coverage than a foundation (which can look cakey versus sun-kissed) but still even out your skin tone and give it a healthy glow while protecting it from the sun — it’s a win-win!

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Step 5: Don’t Forget the Bronzer

There’s no faster way to add naturally-looking warmth to your complexion than with a bronzer. To achieve a natural-looking effect, apply iit to the areas where the sun naturally hits your face, like your forehead, temples, cheeks, and jawline — boom! You’ve instantly achieved natural-looking sun-kissed skin. Opt for a matte bronzer for a natural look or one with a slight shimmer for extra glow. In terms of color, go one or two shades darker than your natural skin tone to achieve a realistic-looking glow.

Step 6: Highlight Strategically

Highlighting is an effective technique that helps attract light, accentuate bone structure, enhance skin tone, and give you that “from within” glow. Apply a liquid or cream highlighter to the accented areas of your face, such as your brow bones, cheekbones, and the bridge of your nose, to enhance the sun-kissed effect.

Step 7: Add a Pop of Color with a Creamy Blush

Opt for a cream blush rather than a powder to maximize your sun-kissed skin. Creamy formulas blend seamlessly into the skin, promoting a healthy, radiant glow. You’ll achieve a dewy rather than matte finish while adding a natural flush to your cheeks.

Step 8: Waterproof Your Eyes

You don’t want to spoil your sun-kissed glow with streaks of dripping mascara or smudged eyeliner, so choose waterproof formulas of both to ensure your eye makeup stays intact even in the heat and humidity. If you plan to go swimming, just be sure to let your liner and mascara set for at least 30 seconds before coming in contact with water.

Step 9: Don’t Forget Your Lips

Finish your look with a hydrating lip gloss or tinted lip balm. Opt for shades that enhance your natural lip color and add a glossy finish to keep your lips plump and hydrated, completing your sun-kissed glow. Since the summer sun can dry out your lips, use lip treatments such as an exfoliating scrub to banish flakiness and a lip balm with an SPF to protect your pucker and add moisture.

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Step 10: Set Your Makeup with a Radiant Setting Spray

Once your makeup application is complete, use a setting spray that adds a dewy finish to your skin to accentuate your sun-kissed glow while locking your makeup in place. The key is to use a formula that contains light-reflecting particles for an extra radiant effect. Shake well, hold 8-12 inches away from your face. With your eyes closed, mist over your entire face and give it one minute to set your makeup. Reapply throughout the day to refresh your skin and your look.