My Summer Makeup Essentials

     Since it's now solidly summer here in the ATL, I've realized that I've unconsciously switched up my makeup routine and keep reaching for a few specific products every time I go to do my face. The sticky, sweltering heat always makes me switch up my normal routine, and the deep abiding love I have for all things laying-out-in-the-sun-baking-in-the-extreme-heat causes me to lunge towards gold, bronze, and coraly-orange goodness like a crazy person. But I'm okay with all that because, man, I love me some summertime. Most, ok, all, the products listed below are high end, so I'm leaving some drugstore/Target/Ulta alternatives for you. Here's a list of what I'm keeping on my face this season:

• Esteé Lauder DayWear Anti-Oxidant BB Creme SPF 35. I ended up with a travel size sample of this in a gift with purchase and I was shocked by how much I loved this stuff. I'll definitely be buying a full size of this. It's full of antioxidants and cell-communicating ingredients, as well as containing SPF 35. It has pretty good coverage and evens out my skin, and unlike most BB creams I've tried, it dries down/absorbs into my skin and doesn't leave it tacky or shiny. On days when I want a little coverage all over, but it's hot as Hades and I can't stomach the thought of wearing foundation, this is my product. Cheaper options: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer SPF 20 or Revlon Age Defying CC Cream Color Corrector Broad Spectrum SPF 30.
• YSL Touche Éclat Highlighting Pen. This product is legendary. One of the best-selling makeup products of all time, I only just recently purchased it myself. And I'm in love! It's everything people say about it. So expensive, but I reach for it every time I do my makeup. I use it under my eyes to brighten and highlight, around my nose, and on my chin. Basically, anywhere on my face that needs to be lifted or brightened. It's very lightweight, so if you're trying to cover dark circles with this, ur doing it wrong. But the light formula is what I love about it for summer. It's not heavy or cakey, and wears well throughout the day. Cheaper options: Clinique Airbrush Concealer or Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer. 
• Mattify Cosmetics Original Oil Absorbing Powder. Because I sweat. And I have oily skin. Love this stuff! It's a pain because you have to order online, but it's cheap and wonderful and I love it. Dust on your T-zone and you're good to go. There is no cheaper option. Just buy this.
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Dip. This stuff is awesome! It's a waterproof eyebrow pomade that stays put no matter how much I sweat. I haven't tested it in the pool yet, but I'd say this stuff is as waterproof as they come. The only downside is that it only comes in a handful of colors. There's no cheaper option here. But an alternative is the Makeup Forever Aqua Brow if you can't find a shade that suits you in the Brow Dip.

• Cream Blushes from Esteé Lauder and Chanel. Yes, I know. Chanel. But they're fantastic! I have the colors Affinite and Presage and they're gorgeous. The Esteé Lauder product is the Bronze Goddess Cheek Glow that launched with their summer collection this year and it is wonderful! A sheer shimmery pinky gold color. Ah! So good. I love a good cream blush when it's hot because it looks great on bare skin or over foundation, it won't look powdery, and it wears well throughout the day. Cheaper options: NYX Rouge Cream Blush or Revlon Cream Blush.
• Bronzer. Of course. Because I will never believe that I'm tan enough. My skin has olive undertones that turn sallow and gross when I'm pale. I need some sun! To warm up my face I reach for NARS Casino powder bronzer or Bobbi Brown Stick Foundation in the shade 6.5. Again, creams work best on bare skin, but sometimes I want a sheer wash of bronzer and a powder bronzer on a big fluffy powder brush is the only way I'm going to get what I want. Cheaper options: Milani Baked Bronzer, NYC Powder Bronzer, Maybelline Fit Me Bronzer, or E.L.F. Bronzer.

• Orangey lips. My current faves are Esteé Lauder Pure Color Envy lipstick in Impassioned, Chanel Rouge Allure lipstick in Melodieuse, YSL Gloss Volupte lip gloss in 03 Rose Fusion, and YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain in 105 Corail Hold Up. These shades run from full on orange to easy-to-wear sheer coral. I love a good bright orangey lip in the summer. I think it works well for tanned skin and it makes you instantly think of heat and sunshine. Love it! I know these are all expensive, but these formulas are worth it. However, cheaper options: Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids, Milani Brilliant Shine Lip Gloss, NYX Butter Gloss, or Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick.