Summer Must Haves Face Basics

By Alson

After washing my face, the first thing I put on is my Mac Fast Response Eye cream. I have big eyes that get puffy when I sleep so this takes care of the puffiness, and any fine lines that I may have around my eyes. This is great to use after nights of hard summer parties !


After letting that soak in for a minute or two next is my Mac Oil Control Lotion. I have oily skin, especially in the summer, and this combats the problem with ease. I’m particular about getting it around my nose, forehead, and chin regions (t-zone) because those are the oiliest. I’m very light with it around the cheeks, because I find that since they don’t get that oily it dries them out too much.



Next, I step out of the Mac region (just for a moment!) and into smashbox for their Photofinish Primer Light This is a under foundation primer that makes your skin ready and smooth for the foundation application. The reason I use the light formula is that I find that the regular formula adds on in my oiliness, and that is NOT something I’m looking for at all!



Next, its back to Mac for my final summer face basic, Mac’s Select Tint SPF 15. In the summer I like my skin to look as dewy (not oily) and “un-foundation” touched as possible. This shearish tint gives me exactly what I want, coverage that feels like nothing and looks like nothing. Who wants their face feeling heavy under foundation in 90° weather? Not I. A tip I can give you about this is make sure you match your shade to your new summer completion especially if you are outside a lot. For example, I am usually an NC50 in the winter, but for my summer foundation I use NW45 for the new warmth and color the sun gives me. The only people I wouldn’t recommend this product to are those with severe acne or that have deep discolorations. Since its a light formula it might not cover those up completely. I have moderate acne hyper pigmentation on my cheeks and while it may not cover it up like a heavier foundation or concealer, it does my skin justice. Another good thing about this is that you get SPF 15 right in the foundation. I finish off my look with a very tiny bit of powder (usually mac’s blotting powder in dark) and depending on the day I might put on some color, or I might put on some clear lipgloss and be out!