There's a lot more to transitioning your face to summer than thickening up the sunscreen. As days brighten and skin tones darken, it's important to make the proper adjustments to your beauty regimen -- even if that only includes tweaking your usual moisturizer and lip gloss.
Also, consider swapping out the darker shades of winter, like cranberries, plums, and deep reds, for paler corals and pinks.
Here are other ways to tweak your beauty routine:
Cross Off Chemical Peels
They tend to make the skin more sensitive to the sun's rays, often causing redness and skin flaking. It's also time to cut back on glycolic acid serums, a rapid exfoliant that also leaves new skin vulnerable to the sun.
Exfoliate
It is important, however, to use an exfoliating scrub two to three times a week depending on skin type. "The buildup of oil and sunscreens -- or even perspiration -- can wreak havoc on skin," says Kimara Ahnert, makeup artist and owner of the Kimara Ahnert Studio in New York City and Greenwich, CT.
Use Bronzer
Consider a bronzing powder to create, overall polish. "Use a fan brush and sweep it over the eyes for a great quick look," says Ahnhert. Stila's Sun Bronzing Powder ($28 at Sephora.com) is pressed for easy portability and contains an SPF 15.
Let Yourself Shine
Shimmers complement a summer look well, so add a little sparkle but try to keep things natural. Powders and creme sticks applied to the top of cheekbones and/or lids and browbones will brighten eyes. Try Kimara’s Pink Patina Mineral Shimmer ($45 at Kimara.com) or Nars' Shimmer Stick in South Beach Apricot ($38 at Sephora.com).
Lay Off the Liner
Toss the heavy liner and shadowing you relied on for winter drama and instead simply line inside lower rims of your eyes with a color pencil. Ahnert suggests pairing different-hued pupils with one of the shades from her line of pencils ($20 each at Kimara.com). Try Mint for hazel eyes, Rhapsody (teal) for brown eyes, True (royal) Blue for blue eyes, and Penny (bronze) for green eyes.
Protect Your Lips
Lips can go brighter and glossier in the summer months, but don’t forget the SPF! Choose a shade you can apply liberally and frequently throughout the day to keep lips moisturized and protected. Instead of using a clear lip balm over your favorite shade of lipstick, try a tinted one, such as Aveda Lip Tint SPF 15 in one of seven shades ($14 at Aveda.com).
Go Waterproof
Swimming, surfing and just general beach-going call for special waterproof mascara -- one that won’t leave you looking like a raccoon in a bikini. Tarte's 4-Day Stay Lash Stain ($18 at TarteCosmetics.com) lasts for four days without any reapplication needed (of course, you're welcome to remove it and reapply daily).
Apply Sunscreen
And lastly, amp-up your sunscreen to a higher SPF, depending on your daily sun exposure, or in more frequent applications. Make it a part of your morning routine by applying a layer of sunscreen under your foundation, or add a sheer SPF 30 under your tinted SPF15 moisturizer.
Plus
• Are you using the right sunscreen?
• Fake a fresh face
• Beauty products that work while you sleep
