Ready, set, summer face!
With our gone-before-you-know-it summers, I’ve got to be ready for a bike ride or patio cocktails at a moment’s notice. This means the quick and low-maintenance makeup routine is essential—but natural disasters like sweat and sunlight don’t make it easy.This season I’ve come to rely on these 5 essentials, but I’d love to hear about your favourites too in the comments below!
Laura Mercier Hydrating Foundation Primer
Skip your routine moisturizer and prep a parched face with this hydrating primer. Note: It is more moisturizer than primer though, so it won’t smoothly spackle all pores. $43, holtrenfrew.com 
SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50
Why is lightweight, non-greasy, non-burny face sunscreen such a tall order? Have been pleasantly surprised by this extremely light-as-a-feather fluid from SkinCeuticals. It’s inoffensively tinted and goes on like a moisturizer before disappearing moments later. $34 for 50mls of SPF 50, skinceuticals.com
Sephora Collection MicroSmooth Baked Foundation Face Powder
Shine, what shine?! This light powder has been a lifesaver this summer. I was using it like a translucent powder earlier in the year and now I just wear this alone. Nothing cakey or heavy about it either. $27.50, sephora.com
Eyelash Extensions
Taking the plunge into the world of eyelash extensions has shrunk my makeup routine down to five minutes. Five minutes! I recently sprung for a set of very natural, not-too-long or spidery, faux mink lashes from a highly rated local salon (I would only trust my eye safety to an Internet-vetted list of professionals) and have been thoroughly enjoying a mascara-smudge-free life. I paid $85 for a full set. prepbeautyparlour.com
Red Urban Decay Vice Lipstick
A bold lip is like accessorizing with high heels, but FOR THE FACE. I’m instantly dressed up and ready to hit those events as soon as I’ve applied my Urban Decay Vice lipstick in 714 (a mega-matte red). It’s an everywoman kind of colour and even after lunch its matte staying power means your pout isn’t a smeary disaster. Want to go dark berry? Bright purple? Urban Decay dropped 100 new shades into the market so take your pick! FYI if you need liner, this red matches with UD’s 24/7 glide-on lip pencil in Wonderland. $21, beautyboutique.ca ($24 for the lip liner)What’s your go-to summer beauty product?
