My 5-Step Summer Makeup Routine

Updated on Beauty

One of my favorite things about summer is the relative ease in our daily schedules. The days are longer. Our social events are more relaxed. Summer outfits are much less complicated. With our summer tans and moisturized skin, we can usually take a few steps out of our beauty routines too. Here’s my simple, everyday summer makeup routine and the clean beauty products that I use to keep my skin nourished and glowing…

1. Sheer Foundation

In the summer, you may want a lighter weight foundation, as you switch from formal events to casual backyard dinners. As you tan, you may also need a darker shade.

Mineral Fusion is an affordable clean beauty brand that is EWG VERIFIED™ (it the clean beauty standards set by the Environmental Working Group.) I’ve been using their Pressed Powder Foundation and their Liquid Foundation for years, and love the light to medium coverage.

I also just added their SPF Brush-On Sun Defense to my Amazon cart. Did you know that you should be re-applying sunscreen after a few hours in the sun? It’s a little tricky to do with a liquid sunscreen when you have makeup on, so keep this powder on hand for touch-ups.

I also use Jane Iredale’s Liquid Minerals Foundation which includes a moisturizing, anti-aging serum. It’s more sheer than the Mineral Fusion liquid foundation, so think of it as a tinted moisturizer. I find that in with my summer tan, my dark spots and undereye circles are less noticeable, so I can get away with less coverage in my summer makeup routine.

Foundation and eyeliner are two of the essentials in my 5-step summer makeup routine. Read this post for what else you'll need for a clean, natural makeup look...#makeup #cleanbeauty #bronzer #eyeliner #foundation

In case you’re not familiar with the brand, Jane Iredale is also a clean beauty brand. Their products are paraben, phthalate, and cruelty-free. If you want to test them out, take a look at the Pure & Simple Makeup Kit. It includes foundation, blush, lipstick, and eyeshadow in one little compact so it’s perfect when you’re on-the-go. (Just add mascara and eyeliner.) It’s available on Amazon, but if you need help figuring out the appropriate shade for your skin, try the Foundation Finder Quiz on their website.

2. Eyeliner

A pencil eyeliner is usually easier to use, smudgeable, and easy to apply to your waterline than a liquid one. I love to switch up the color of my eyeliner from brown to navy to soft black, depending on my mood and the occasion. I have Mineral Fusion, Jane Iredale, and Burts Bees eyeliners in my make up bag. They’re all clean, easy to apply, and they last all day even in hot, humid weather.

3. Mascara

I’ve been using a Gabriel Cosmetics mascara which looks very natural. I’m still looking for a clean beauty mascara that gives me much more volume and length without smudging or bleeding. These are a few that I’m planning to try, based on some great reviews and recommendations:

4. Bronzer Or Blush

Even with my tanned skin, I find that I need a little bronzer or blush to create definition and glow. I have a compact bronzer from Mineral Fusion which I sweep onto my cheeks and eyes. If you like to wear both a bronzer and a blush, take a look at their Blush/Bronzer Duo.

Try this Mineral Fusion Bronzer to add some glow to your summer makeup routine.

5. Lipstick

During the pandemic lockdown this year, I really missed wearing lipstick! For video calls, and anytime I don’t have to wear a mask, I like to use a pink-brown that just adds a pop of color to my face. My current favorites are W3ll People’s Optimist Organic Semi-Matte Lipstick (I use New Mystic) and Mineral Fusion’s Lipstick (I love Alluring). I also love Beauty’s Lipstick Crayons which fit nicely into my smaller clutches and handbags.

Summer Makeup: Lipstick #cleanbeauty #lipstick #bitebeauty

If you have darker skin and have a hard time finding nude lipstick, take a look at Mented. They make vegan, non-toxic makeup with a focus on dark skin tones. Their lipstick is also available at Amazon. I’m checking out the Semi-Matte Nude Pink Brown.

Add These To Your Summer Makeup Routine

When I need a little more makeup for photos or video calls, I add my Beautycounter brow pencil, bareMinerals Bareskin concealer, and eyeshadow from my Beautycounter Velvet Eyeshadow Palette (I have the Romantic collection.)

How many products do you use in your daily make-up routine?

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I help you shop intentionally, create flattering outfits, and embrace your natural beauty. I'm a former fashion product manager, now living on a hobby farm in Upstate New York with my husband, our three almost-grown kids, and our pets.

8 Comments

  1. Carrington Shaw says:

    I definitely need a lighter-weight foundation in Florida over the summer (which is about 10 months long here)! XD Nice product selections.

    1. fashionipa says:

      Thanks, Carrington! xo Nipa

  2. This sounds similar to my summer makeup routine. I love that it’s a little easier and more carefree. While I love having fun with makeup from time to time, I’ve never been one to be overly made-up even in the cooler months. With the exception of fancier events like weddings or date night, of course!

    1. fashionipa says:

      Hi Britt, I’m the same way! xo Nipa

  3. Chris Meister says:

    I definitely like to wear less make up in the summer. I also recently started using a stick blush instead of powder and really like that. The older I get the less and less powder products I try to use.I have brown hair and brown eyes and also like to try fun eyeliner colors like purple and dark green. Enjoy the summer!

    1. fashionipa says:

      Hi Chris, I’ve never considered purple or green – fun! xo Nipa

  4. Gemma | Makeup Muddle says:

    Jane Iredale is such a great brand, and it’s amazing how natural their products are! xo

    Makeup Muddle

    1. fashionipa says:

      Hi Gemma, Do you some favorite Jane Iredale products? So far I only have their foundation and eyeliner. xo Nipa

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