Summer Tips!

Photographer: Andres Hernandez Model: Nikki DuBose MUA: Susana Betancourt

Summer is a synonym of fun, vacation, friends, parties, sun, beach - but also melting makeup, running mascara, cracked eye shadow, etc...
Here are some tips I’ve learned living in Miami, shooting outdoors, on the beach, wanting to keep my model's makeup in place and most importantly for brides or clients when I cannot be there to do touch ups!

The most important thing to keep in mind is SPF.  There are so many products out there with SPF, from sunblock to primers, tinted moisturizers, powders, lip balms and hair products...if they have SPF that is always a plus!

- First, makeup should be light and natural. Nothing too heavy that can turn cakey during exposure to the sun, heat or sweat.

Using a thin layer of primer, on your clean, dry and moisturized skin, before any makeup, provides a smooth base and helps hold makeup in place during the day. Try Loreal Studio Secrets or Smashbox Photo Finish.

- Foundation should be light. I recommend Tinted Moisturizer or mixing liquid foundation with one or two drops of moisturizer and applying it with your fingers. I always recommend Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer or MAC Face & Body because it’s super light and waterproof, perfect for sweaty summer days and in my case it’s the only MAC Foundation that doesn’t make me break out. 

- I keep my tinted moisturizer, toner, rose water, and daily moisturizer in the fridge.  It gives you a cool feeling when you apply it and helps reduce open pores.

- If you're planning on going to the beach or just for regular day makeup, please keep it natural...nothing too obvious: warm colors for eyes: rose, soft pink, peach, gold, bronze, caramel, or beige, work beautifully!

The same goes for lips, use shades similar to your natural lip color.

- Set your makeup with a Makeup Setting Spray, it really works at keeping makeup in place and makes it last longer without fading or creasing. I’m using MAC Fix Setting Spray on my clients before makeup to refresh their skin and after makeup to set it on and I love it!

You can also try Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Setting Spray  it promises to hold foundation, eyeshadow, blush, and concealer in place up to 16 hours in both hot and cold weather.

Photographer: Andres Hernandez Model: Simona MUA: Susana Betancourt


Enjoy the summer!!

Welcome Summer, Use SPF!

My top 10 Must Haves for summer!

These are 10 items that are going to be with me all summer long.

1. Sunblock

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunblock SPF 70

Water-light texture spreads easily over skin, absorbing instantly for an invisible, weightless feel. It also provides an even non shiny finish that works beautifully alone or under makeup and moisturizers.

2. Tinted Moisturaizer

Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moiturizer SPF 20

This is my spring and summer foundation, it is a sheer, lightweight moisturizer with SPF 20 and a hint of color that gives you a healthy glow to your skin.

3. Blush

Cream-to-powder Blush makeup stick

I prefer to use cream blush because it's more natural and gives you a beautiful glow and you can even apply it with your fingers. And works great for lips and eyes as well!

4. Waterproof Mascara

Maybelline Volum' Express One by One Waterproof Mascara

I don't recommend waterproof mascara for daily use, but it is the best for summer time, it's smudge and sweat proof and you can find it in any drugstore for less than $10. Get eyes that pop all summer long!

5. Powder

Physicians Formula SPF 50 Powder Foundation

Perfect for set the makeup and doing touch ups during the day, the  the 50 SPF is great, and it does cover pretty well.

6. Bronzer

Laura Mercier Bronzer

For a skin sun kissed look! It Delivers a soft luminosity and healthy sunny glow.

7. Lip Balm

MAC Suntints Liquid Lip Balm SPF 20

Lip conditioner, defends lips against sun, wind and salt.

8. Body Bronzing

Lorac TANtalizer Body bronzing luminizer

Adds a beautiful glow for your body, I use it mixed with my moisturizer for a more natural glow. It doesn't melt or smear all over my clothes.

9. Water Spray

Evian Mineral Water Spray

Increases your skin hydration, helps to fix makeup and offers you constant freshness and purity.

10. Sunglasses! ;)