Reboot Your Summer Beauty Routine Like A Boss

[Sponsored post for  Estée Lauder.  As always, opinions are 100% my own.  Thank you for supporting the brands that help make  ThisThatBeauty possible.]

Let’s be honest, when it comes to beauty, only two seasons really matter: summer and fall. Yes, I know there’s spring and winter, but summer and fall are way more exciting, trend-wise, and both mark a significant  shift in our beauty routines….everything changes!

At the start of each season, I like to plan my beauty wardrobe. It sounds intense, but stay with me.  If  I’ve learned anything in my 41 years of life, it’s this: Proper planning prevents poor performance. Obviously, I am not the creator of this clever quote, but I fully embrace the concept.

With 90-degree days on the horizon, now’s the perfect time to get a head start on rebooting your summer routine. And here’s how I do it:

GET IN CHARACTER
Ask yourself “Who do I want to be this summer?” This may sound silly at first, but this crucial first step helps to guide your beauty routine. If you’re a busy mom (like me) you already know that you don’t have time for a super involved routine, but you know that you want to create a few go-to looks that help you pull it all together in a flash. There’s no time to be figuring out things on the fly…we need a plan! So maybe there’s a look for work, weekend errands, and date night…see just three looks, easy! Now, think about new trends or looks you’ve seen on your favorite celeb or *pats self on back* favorite blogger. Visualize how you can make the trend work for you.

SIMPLIFY  YOUR HOME BASE
Once you’ve visualized your updated summer  look, the next step is to simplify “how” you’ll get there.  And no matter what trend you decide to insert (full brows, sculpted cheeks, illuminated skin) a pristine  complexion will always be the home base. For summer, it’s a good idea to keep your foundation as low-key as possible.

Choose formulas that feel lightweight but also provide good staying power. Depending on the amount of coverage you desire, a BB cream like  Estée Lauder  Double Wear All Day Wear BB Moisture Makeup might do the trick. Heck, you might even be able to get by with just a simple concealer and highlighter.  Need a tad more help concealing blemishes or uneven tone? Try  Estée Lauder Double Wear Light Stay-In-Place Makeup….it offers more coverage than a BB, and still feels natural and breathable. The main takeaway is this: Update your foundation for summer, because regardless of the trend, beautiful skin is always in.

TAKE STOCK
Give your skin a good hard look. (Careful. Don’t be too critical, though.) Examine the changes and decide where your summer skincare focus needs to be. If things don’t look as, *ahem*, ‘fresh’, consider fast-tracking your summertime  skincare routine with a supercharged serum  that addresses  your anti-aging concerns. And because you’re busy (we get it!), go with a nighttime product like Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II. A few drops, massaged over the face and throat, and chest and you’ll be feeling very “woke up like this” in no time at all. Based on your skin type, you might  not need to top your serum with moisturizer. However, if your skin is craving more more more, this pairs nicely.

SEIZE THE DAY
She works hard for the money so you better treat her right…and by “treat her right”, I mean offer her a gorgeous gift with purchase. Look out for special beauty bonus opportunities at the start of each season. Brands always do a really snazzy job of packaging tried-and-true hero products along with the newest colors and skin care of the season….all in some too-cute-to-resist pouch or tote. Going on now (like, right now!!), esteelauder.com is proving my point with a very special  limited edition partnership with Harper’s Bazaar.  Estée Lauder and Harper’s Bazaar – talk about iconic glamour! So here’s what you get when you spend $45 or more:

So there you have it — my four best tips for rebooting your summer beauty routine! Be sure to tag me on Instagram…I want to see you flaunting your summer glow!