Best Summer Products for Looking GREAT!

Over the past month or so, I've been testing, trying, sampling all sorts of products so I could come back to you guys with a full report on the BEST products for great summer skin.  It's been an interesting experience to say the least... There has been some good ones, some losers (that came with some lovely blemishes!) and...some WINNERS!

Sooo...without further delay, here we go! Let's get you looking FAB for summer :)

#1 Summer skin saver: Exfoliate your face

~We all love the sun and the beach, but it comes with peeling, dry/dull skin and a bunch of other problems...here's how to save your summer skin!

Instructions:

a) Get all your makeup off.

* I love Neutrogena Foaming face wash (drug stores) it removes eye make-up easily and skin feels fresh.

http://bit.ly/NeurtogenaFaceWash ---at only $7.99 this product lasts forever!

b) Make sure your skin is REALLY clean

*I use Proactive Step 1 the gentle exfoliating cleanser and Step 2, the toner, to make sure that I have the most absolute cleanest skin possible. (you'd be surprised what comes up on the cotton swab after toning your skin)

http://bit.ly/ProactiveSkinCare

c) Time to Exfoliate your skin! 

*Serious Skin Care Glucosamine Acid-Free Phyto-Pumpkin Scrub.  This is my absolute favorite from ALL I've tried. It's from Home Shopping Network, of all places! You can do it in the shower or the sink. You apply to WET skin and rub it in. Smells great and gets rid of dry skin and impurities.. Leaves skin feeling baby soft and fresh and CLEAN.

http://bit.ly/PumpkinScrub --this is only $21 so I think its worth it!

#2 Summer Skin Saver: Get a GREAT Face Mask

Face Masks are great to use for a lot of different reasons.  They firm, tighten and refresh your skin.   Perfect to clear up acne and other impurities as well.  I use mine a minimum of once a week and definitely can notice the results!

*I like: Serious Skin Care's Triple Acting Glycolic Mask from (again) HSN! http://bit.ly/GlycolicFaceMaskHSN --its only $19.50!

Note: You will feel a slight burning sensation, doesn’t last long though and its worth it. Your pores are open, its perfect to get the last bit of dirt and oil out and firm up your face.  Remove when its dry with a face cloth and warm water.

#3 Summer Skin Saver:  A GREAT Moisturizer

I enjoy my Proactive Moisturizer, but sometimes with the summer and peeling its not heavy enough, SO I needed a good strong moisturizer that was heavy, but wouldn’t clog pores.

*Cetaphil. Ahh, the savior! Simple, not in a pretty package, BUT it is most recommended by dermatologists and a bunch of my friends and I use it and love it. It provides ample moisturize, doesn’t clog pores and its great!

http://bit.ly/CetaphilMoisturizer  --Purchase at CVS 16OZ for $13.49!  

I actually use a combo of both, proactive all over my face, then put the Cetaphil in the trouble spots.

Fresh faced summer makeup tips:

Face it, it's the summer, we like to go out more often, which leads us to looking tired in the AM.  Here are a couple of quick make-up tips to ensure you are looking bright-eyed, bushy tailed and no one will ever know how late you were up, ummm studying...right? ;)

1) First, moisturize! When you are a bit "hungover" or tired, your skin is thirsty, just like you!  Be sure to apply extra moisturizer to your skin, especially in the eye area.

2) Next up: Flawless Skin! Sweep a neutral shade of foundation on your face.  I specifically use Bare Minerals, in Medium Beige  

http://bit.ly/BareMineralsSephora

Extra Tip: Its ALL about having the right make-up brushes, I know its expensive, but its worth it! They last forever, if you take care of them with a brush cleaner such as this one from Sephora

 http://bit.ly/BrushCleaner

*First: Use the Full Coverage Kabuki Brush to sweep the product all over your face and neck. 

http://bit.ly/KabukiBrush 

*Next: Use the Concealer Brush to specifically apply concealer under under the eye area. http://bit.ly/ConcealerBrush

*Last: Use the Flawless Application Face Brush to apply Bare Minerals all over your face to blend and set it all in. 

http://bit.ly/FlawlessFaceBrush 

Tip: If you have never used Bare Escentuals, and want to try it out, I would recommend the bareMinerals Customizable Get Started Kit for only  $49!!!
http://bit.ly/BareEscentualsStarterKit

Trust me...you already look better :)

3) Next up: Bronze your skin!  Reality is, when you are tan, you look more awake.  Use the Flawless Application Face Brush to apply the bronzer to your face (you only need a little bit!), and concentrate on forehead, temples/cheeks, nose and chin (think about the areas you get sun-kissed at the beach).  I LOVE Bare Minerals all-over face color in "Warmth"  as a perfect product! 

http://bit.ly/WarmthBronzer

4) Next up: Blush!  If you apply blush to the apples of your cheeks,  it will give you an appearance of looking more awake.  This is my favorite shade in this great line by NARS @ Sephora.  I'll let you click on the link to see the name of the color, rather than writing in it here...you will see why once you click.  Despite its "interesting" name, the color is great for all skin tones.   

http://bit.ly/NARSBlush

5) Let's make those peepers POP!  A quick trick is to apply a neutral colored eye shadow with a bit of shimmer to the inner corners of your eyes and on your brow bone.  I also highlight on my cheekbones for an extra pop.  I use this Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips in the Malibu Strip shade and the 2nd color in the line is great for this use.  You can also use the rest of this product as eye shadow (use the darker shades in the crease of your eye) and its a bargain price!  

http://bit.ly/ShimmerStrips  

Extra Tip: Luscious lashes are key to making the eyes pop!  Give your lashes a great curl and apply 2 coats of mascara.  For additional volume, wait for the mascara to dry and give the lashes one more curl and then add one extra coat of mascara!

I've said before that I like drugstore mascara---specifically, L'Oreal Voluminous is my favorite. However, I do like using a different kind for the 2nd coat after my lashes have dried, to avoid clumping.  You should be looking for a brand that focuses on individual lashes vs overall volume for this "additional volume" purpose: Maybelline "Lash Stiletto" or "the Falsies" are picks I like...

 

*HOT Product*: This is a bit pricey, but is the BEST Eye-Lash Curler I've ever tried: 

 http://bit.ly/ShuUemuraLashCurler

HOT Extra tip:  Take care of your lashes!  If you use waterproof mascara in the summer, it can definitely have a negative effect on your lashes.  I like using a Lash Booster to ensure my lashes stay looking fabulous and full.  This is my favorite pick: Eyelash Lipocils  by Talika, available at Sephora.
http://bit.ly/LashBooster

6) Accessorize!  Now that your face is looking fresh and awake, make sure you look extra great!  If you wear a great necklace, funky earrings, etc. it will help even more to distract from that tired face and keep you looking extra polished and put together!  Forever21 has great cheap accessories!  

*Hidden Gem:  "So Good Jewelry" --you can get GREAT stuff and it's at great prices as well.   There is one in Downtown Crossing and another on Newbury Street as well. 

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Best of luck looking GREAT this summer!  I hope you enjoyed this blog and appreciate your patience in waiting for this one!

Please share your comments and thoughts (you now do not have to sign in to make a comment!) 

~Jill

Next up:  On a mission to find THE BEST eye cream out there...in the research process now.  Stay tuned!!!