Mastering Minimalist Makeup for Warmer Days

The sunshine is FINALLY starting to come out, temperatures are rising, and our poor little faces need a break from the layers of foundation, powders, and everything else we drown them in during winter. We simply cannot be doing that this summer. Nobody likes a super cakey makeup look – and BESIDES, it’s time for us to embrace our natural beauty and features! The Edge has you covered with a step-by-step guide on how to master minimalist makeup for the summertime and to simply embrace the beauty you already have!

Step One: The Skincare Prep

Before we even think about makeup, let’s talk to real MVP: skincare. A lightweight, hydrating moisturizer with SPF is your best friend when the weather starts getting into summer temps. Look for ones with a dewy finish for that effortless, “I just glow naturally” vibe. Here are some of our top recommendations that you should totally check out: INN Beauty Mineral Sun Glow SPF, Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Glow, and Glow Recipe Niacinamide Dew Balm Face Sunscreen Stick. These are our absolute favorites, and we guarantee you will not only be protected from the sun but also look like a glowing goddess.

Step Two: Build a Base That Won’t Budge

Say goodbye to heavy foundation and hello to skin tints, tinted moisturizers, or even just a simple dab of concealer where you need it. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s simply just a naturally radiant look. Use a damp beauty blender to blend everything seamlessly so it settles into your skin nicely. Going into summer and more humidity, we definitely recommend a teensy bit of setting powder on your T-zone to do the trick without taking away the glowy finish! Here are some of our top recs for natural, subtle, but helpful setting powders: Fenty Beauty Instant Retouch Setting Powder, ILIA Beauty Soft Focus Setting Powder, and the Typology Mattifying Loose Powder. These are perfect products to purchase before summer (and they won’t break the bank!)

Step Three: Just Enough Color for That Sun-Kissed Glow

Blush is an absolute must for warm-weather makeup–it’s what keeps us from looking flat in all the glorious sunlight! A cream blush or lip-and-cheek tint is amazing because you barely even notice it, but it still gives your cheeks the cute rosy effect. Dab it on the apples of your cheeks (and maybe a little on your nose for that “I just got back from the beach” effect). Our ultimate favorite lip-and-cheek tint is from Benefit Cosemetics, Benetint is absolute perfection for the summer months!

Step Four: LASHES!

It’s simple: Mascara is the secret to looking put together with very minimal effort. A brown or clear mascara will give you that “I woke up like this” look, but if you have some fancier nights out, go for a waterproof black mascara. And if you’re feeling lazy? Simply curl your lashes and call it a day. It makes such a difference!

Step Five: The Glossy Finish

Lipstick? Oh, we don’t know her during the summer. Tinted lip balms, lip oils, or even just a simple clear gloss are the way to go. They add just enough color to make you look alive without any upkeep of a bold red lip. In the beauty section at Target, there are so amazing and completely affordable lip oils that would be perfect for summer.

Final Step: Setting Spray = Life Saver

If you want everything to lock into place without feeling sweaty or sticky, a hydrating setting spray will be your new best friend. It’ll keep everything in place while simultaneously giving you a dewy and glowy look. Here are our top recs: L'Oreal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Spray Mist, e.l.f. Makeup Mist & Set, Hydrating Setting Spray, and Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later 3-in-1 Dewy Setting Spray–these are all amazing products, and super affordable too!

Okay, so the verdict? Effortless and natural beauty always wins! Minimalist makeup isn’t about sacrificing glam, it’s about embracing the beauty of fresh, glowing skin and effortless features. Plus, it means less time getting ready and more time enjoying sunshine, poolside drinks, and spontaneous road trips (or, you know, just surviving the heat without your face melting). So grab your skin tint, swipe on some gloss, and step into summer looking effortlessly gorgeous. You got this!