3 Steps to a Summer Glow

This time of year, I am all about easy makeup looks. As the temperature rises, the last thing I want to do is apply a lengthy makeup routine and lots of products. On the weekends, something simple and pretty is all I need so I’m out the door and enjoying the Summer sun. With just a few products you can have radiant skin and an effortless Summer glow.

3 Steps to a Summer Glow

I really love cream products because they help add a glow to your skin. They also look really natural and blend easily. The important thing is to set them lightly with a powder so they last all day.

Step 1: Bronze

It is so nice that we can now fake our summer tan and still achieve sunkissed skin. It’s so much healthier than actually getting a tan and quicker too. It allows us to have an effortless Summer glow while still using sun protection while enjoying the Summer sun. I shared my favorite faux tanners in this post. Whether you use a fake tanner or not, bronzer is the key to starting this Summer glow look. Bronzer adds warmth and color to the skin and gives that sun-kissed look.

I love the combo of a cream and powder bronzer. Start with a cream bronzer and add to the high points of your face, focus on putting color where the sun would hit you. Start light because you can always add more but it can be hard to take it off without having to start over. Apply some bronzer to the apples of your cheeks and blend the color out to your hairline. I like to use a brush like this to get control of where it goes. Next, apply a little bronzer to your nose. This really gives the “I just got back from the beach” color. Last, lightly apply some bronzer along your hairline and jawline. This helps give the all-over color look. I start with a cream bronzer and then set it with the powder.

Step 2: Blush

The next step to the glow is to add blush! I love that blush is really having a moment. I feel like all the makeup influencers have really put a focus on blushes. Blush is also the focus of so many trendy makeup looks. Blush adds depth and color to your skin. I think it really helps to make you look more awake and refreshed.

I have become a cream blush convert! It is one of my most used makeup products and I wear it almost every day. I love the way a cream blush blends with my other face products and looks so natural. It is also so easy to layer and add more color. Start slow and apply to the apple of your checks and then blend out and up towards your temple. For a natural flushed look you can take it over the bridge of your nose too.

I have used Nars Orgasm blush for years and still love it. It looks like your natural flush but has the subtlest bit of shimmer to it. Using a big fluffy brush, apply it (or your favorite blush) to the apples of your cheeks. Use a light hand to build up to your desired color.

Step 3: Highlight

My favorite step in this process is the last, highlighter! A little bit of highlighter goes a long way. It can add just a bit of glow to complete the look. There are so many different types of highlighters and they come in almost every texture. The level of highlight you can get ranges from a light glow to full on glitter. For this look, I think a subtle shimmer looks best. I love this powder highlighter because it is subtle but buildable and only $8.

Apply the highlighter across your cheekbones, it’s the final pretty layer to them. For a powder, I recommend a smaller but fluffy brush. If you are using a cream or liquid, a damp beauty builder helps you to control the amount of highlight you add. Build up the highlighter until you have as much as you want. Then add some highlighter to the brow bone, inner corner of the eye and above the cupid’s bow.

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This post is originally from 2022 but has been updated for 2024.