Ahhh summer—that wonderful time of year where 100-degree heat makes eyeliner smear, mascara run, foundation melt and pretty much everything else feel sort of sticky and gross. Summers are about natural, healthy skin and bronzy glow and there are definitely steps you can take to keep you looking fresh and pretty. So as the heat turns up, here are some tips, plus some of my favorite products!

Summer prep your skin.

It all starts with skincare, and although you want to ensure your skin is properly hydrated so makeup sits well, you don’t want to overdo it. This is a great time to switch to gel-based or lightweight cleansers and moisturizers (as long as your skin doesn’t get too dry). If you love using oils, keep them light too and make sure they absorb quickly and don’t just sit on your skin.

• Cleansers: Glossier Milk Jelly Cleanser // YTTP Age Prevention Cleanser // Kate Somerville Exfolikate Daily Foaming Face Wash — Read more on cleansers here
• Moisturizers: Tatcha Silk Cream // Tatcha Water Cream or Water Gel // Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet // Caudalie Vinosource Mattifying Moisturizer
• Oils: YTTP Hydrate + Glow Oil // Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Oil // The Ordinary Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil

Simplify your routine.

Less is more: don’t layer on too much. The more you layer, the more it can just sit on your skin making it all the more likely to move and melt off in the sun. Opt for a tinted moisturizer with SPF and concealer where you need it. Similarly, liquid blushes, glosses and tints work beautifully to give you a light flush of color.

• Tinted moisturizers: Chanel Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint SPF 30 // Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua SPF 15 (light foundation) // IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream SPF 50+ // Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 (oil-free)
• Concealers: Tarte Shape Tape (heavier – just dot this) // Maybelline Age Rewind
• Liquid blushes: NARS liquid blush // Glossier Cloud Paint
• Lip glosses: Marc Jacobs Enamored Hydrating Lip Gloss Sticks //Hourglass GIRL Lip Stylo (my faves: Activist & Achiever) // Marc Jacobs New Nudes in Role Play // Pat McGrath LUST Lip Gloss (love Divine Rose)

Keep it easy on the eyes.

I love a lighter, more natural look in the summer, and so I never cake on too much when it’s hot, else it will crease and melt right off. I’m all about light pops of color and shimmer, especially when you can get an eye look checked off quickly and easily. I’m also a fan of multi-tasking products, like using bronzer for eye shadow (see my fave below).

• Eye shadows: Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks (fave: Amethyst) // Glossier Lidstar (faves: Cub + Moon) // Stila Glitter & Glow + Shimmer & Glow

Waterproof it.

Who wants sweat and oil to smear your mascara and liner? No thanks. This is the right time to pull out your waterproof products, especially for those pool days when you still want to look good! I also love using a waterproof liner for your lower waterline.

• Mascara: Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara // Diorshow Waterproof Mascara
• Eye liner: Anastasia Darkside Waterproof Liner // Make Up Forever Aqua XL Eye Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner

Get your bronzy glow on.

I love that bronzy color but my aging skin and hyperpigmentation have me hiding from the sun at all times. Travesty! LOL Luckily, there are some gorgeous bronzers on the market these days as well as some products to help you achieve bronze goddess status sans the burn.

• Bronzers: BECCA Maui Nights Bronzer (my super fave) // Marc Jacobs O!mega Bronzer Coconut Perfect Tan // Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer (I use Diffused Bronze Light) // Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Serum (skincare that gives you that bronzy look – dying to try this one)

Control the shine.

Even though you may not be layering it on, set your base with spray and/or powder. And while you’re on the go, keep an oil-blotting powder with you at all times. I don’t go anywhere without the Benefit powder… it’s ride or die.

• Setting: Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray // Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder
• Oil-erasing powders: Benefit Porefessional Agent Zero Shine (my fave) //Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder

Never ever ever skip sunscreen.

Your skin will love you for it. My favorite is the Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF… pricey, but so nice.