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No sweat! The hottest summer beauty products

By Lesley Kennedy

I was in Iowa for a few days last week. The heat index? 113 degrees. Humidity? Is it possible to be more than 100 percent? The mosquitoes? So big I feared they would pick my two-year-old up and carry her away. When you feel like your skin might literally be melting, you tend to change up your beauty routine.

Even in Denver, where the summer weather is much more pleasant, it still gets hot. So, what do you need — other than a great sunscreen — to get you through these warm-weather months still looking great? Here’s a list of 10 products I’m keeping close at hand.

1. Foundation with SPF: You don’t want anything heavy on your face when it’s hot, but still want coverage? I love MAC’s Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation ($28). It’s long-lasting, gel-based, hydrating and water-resistant.

2. Lip tint with SPF: Women often forget about their lips, but they burn, too. I’m obsessed with Bobbi Brown’s tinted lip balms ($18). The hint of color looks natural, they glide on smoothly and, even if it’s the only makeup you put on, you somehow feel presentable. (Enter to win Bobbi Brown tube tints in our weekly giveaway.)

3. Waterproof mascara: Max Factor’s 2000 Calorie Aqua Lash Mascara ($5.96) makes lashes look huge and stays put all day. Plus, it’s sensitive enough for contact lens wearers like me.

4. Facial moisturizer with SPF: If you’re not slathering moisturizer on day and night, what’s stopping you? Even though there’s SPF in my foundation and self-tanner, I still opt for an extra layer of coverage. Darphin’s Soleil Plaisir Protective Face Cream SPF 30 is expensive ($50), but I adore the way it feels and its fresh scent. A cheaper product I also use is Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 ($13.99).

5. Oil reducer: Dewy can be pretty, super-shiny? Not so much. I’ve been using never let them see you shine by philosophy ($20) for years. The oil and shine control primer goes on after moisturizer and before foundation and helps keep that shine under control.

6. Heel treatment:You just gotta have nice-looking feet in the summer. Cracked heels clash with strappy sandals. If you’re like me and trying to save on the pedicures this year, invest in a Ped Egg and Heel to Toe Cucumber Heel Treatment ($6.29).  

7. Gel blush: Powders can cake in the heat, so opt for a gel formula that goes on smoothly. I’ve long been a fan of Smashbox’s O-Glow cheek color ($26). Just rub in on your cheeks for that just back from a healthy run pink. 

8. Self-tanner:I recently sang the praises of Estee Lauder’s Bronze Goddess Self Tan (it actually smells good!), but, for a less-expensive version, I also still like Jergen’s Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer ($6.39). It deepens naturally as you apply more layers and I like that it comes in a fair skin tint.

9. Blotting papers: Again, powder on sweaty skin can equal a big old mess. Neutrogena Shine-Control Blotting Sheets ($6.99) make touch-ups a breeze.

10. Bobby pins:Secure cute little braids, twists or messy updos with an abundant supply of bobby pins. Match them to your hair color and always keep them handy. I’ve been using Conair’s Head to Toe pins in blonde (less than $2 for 90 pins at Target).

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