Beauty Products for Summer!

Hey all! I've shared with you my hair care, skin care, and beauty tips before, but I thought I'd give you a little update for summer! I love to change up my beauty products and routines pretty often to keep everything fresh, and new seasons are the perfect time to do so! Read on to some of my perfectly bronzed & beautiful makeup updates!

1. Revlon Photo Ready BB Cream // I'm not a regular foundation wearer/user, but lately in my old age (ha ha), I have started wanting a little more coverage, but not too heavy. I've heard wonders about all kinds of tinted moisturizers and BB creams, and have tried about 100 of 'em, but have finally found magic! I actually got a full-size bottle as a Klout perk (and it's lasted a long time!), and I couldn't be happier. The coverage is fairly sheer, but still evens out my skin tone, and I really love the finish! Plus, it has SPF 30 in it! Give this a try! (I use the "Light Medium" shade. I apply it with my fingertips after my sunscreen.)

2. Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder // I pretty much swear by this bronzer. I love it because it is matte and has no shimmer, so it's very natural for daytime! I've thought about trying a few others (such as Nars Laguna or Urban Decay's new Naked bronzer/blush duo), but I really do like this one, so I'm sticking to it! (I apply the "Medium" shade in an "E" or "3" shape on my cheekbones/sides of my face, my neck/under my chin, and the sides of my nose using a big cheap-o fluffy e.l.f. brush .)

3. Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick // As I mentioned above, my typical bronzer is matte without shimmer! So, when I want to pump up the volume a bit, this is the perfect multifaceted bronzer palette for evening! I know there are some knock off versions out there, but the pigment in this collection is unmatchable! (I apply the "Bronze" bars in a "C" on my temples, around my eyes/cheeks, with another cheapo angled e.l.f. brush.)

4. Maybelline Eye Studio Master Shape Brow Pencil // If your brows are in good shape, the rest of your face just falls into place! If my eyebrows are shaped and filled in (I use a brow gel, too), I can go way lighter on my eyes, which is pretty much essential for summer in the sun! I was using a more expensive brand for awhile, but I must have a heavy hand, because I'm always breaking off the spoolies! For the less expensive price of this liner/brush two-in-one, I can afford to break 'em. Plus, the pencil is waxier and helps my brows hold their shape! (I use "Soft Brown." I recommend choosing a pencil that is the same color as the darkest natural tone in your hair - it's way more natural than trying to match a dyed hair color/highlight!)

5. Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil 12hr Wear Waterproof // When I went to Lucky FABB back in April, one of the best tips I picked up from makeup artist Bruce Grayson was to stop wearing black eyeliner all the time! Granted, I can't promise I listen to that most of the time, but for summer, it's an awesome tip! So, I've been using shimmery bronze or copper eyeliner instead! It's a great compliment to my blue eyes, plus it's really easy to layer with a tight line of black when you want a little more oomph! (I actually got a Sephora brand eyeliner sample in a beauty box awhile ago, but I ordered this full-size in "Sun Tan.")

6. NARS Blush // I have been using NARS blush for awhile, in everyone's favorite shade, "Orgasm," but I decided the shade isn't as worth the hype as everyone thinks! It's a little too purpley-pink for me. Instead, I have become fond of the shade "Deep Throat." It's peachier than pink, and I think it looks like more of a natural flush than Orgasm. Keep in mind, however, my grandma did look at me at lunch one day, and say to my mom, "Why are her cheeks to pink?" Just a warning. (I apply this with the Too Faced "Flatbuki" brush.)

7. Jane Iredale Active Light Concealer // This isn't a summer-specific product, but it's a great one! Unfortunately, the price reflects that! However, it's such an amazing concealer! It's great for covering dark circles, bringing a little highlight wherever you need it, and getting a little illuminated color-correction on a recently sunburned red nose! (I apply shade "#4" under and around the sides of my eyes, as well as a little bit down the bridge of my nose and on the cupid's bow of my upper lip.) I recently bought the Maybelline Magic Lumi to see if the cheaper alternative is comparable - I'll keep you posted!

Have you tried any of these products? What are your tried-and-true summertime favorites?