Summer Makeup: Minimal Effort, Maximum Impact

Memorial Day is coming to a close, and it's got me thinking incessantly about the beauty of summer. I don't know about you, but I can't WAIT to soak up the sun in Montauk, to ride the Cyclone at Coney Island, to picnic during Philharmonic in the Park, to eat my way through one of New York's many street festivals, etc. etc.

But just as the seasonal transition impacts the clothing we wear, it necessitates a major change in makeup as well. And after thinking long and hard for approximately 3 seconds, I've landed on my mantra for the season, namely: Minimal Effort, Maximum Impact.

I start first with a strong foundation - or in this case, Urban Decay's new Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20, which came highly recommended by the lovely Kristin from Fashion Style Beauty (and bless her for it). This lightly tinted moisturizer provides *just* enough cover, and protects my precious skin from the hellish death rays of the sun.

Next up (a step I only WISH I could skip) is Make Up For Ever's amaze Full Cover Concealer. If we're being candid, I give thanks EVERYDAY that I'm a woman and it's socially acceptable for me to wear concealer, and this is among the BEST. The full coverage formula is waterproof and sweatproof - in fact, today it lasted through a HELLISH Physique 57 class without a crease.

Next and NEVER to be forgotten is a strong bronzer. My latest love is the latest from MAC's oh-so-seasonally-approp Surf, Baby! collection, which delivers a natural looking glow SLASH nothing short of LIFE to my face.

As a Leo, I eat compliments for dinner, and one of my favorite recent comps was def "Are those your REAL lashes?" This, you see, meant that I'd done my job effectively as a woman for the day. My secret (no longer) is Dior's iconic Diorshow Mascara, and in the summer, the waterproof formula keeps me lashlicious in the surf.

Last, but never least is a spectacular bold lippie - nothing will make your face look "finished' faster. New to my makeup bag is Cover Girl's ultra-moisturizing Lip Perfection Lipstick. With 44 shades to choose from, you're BOUND to find one that you love, but my favorites for the season are easily Hot (a bright orange red) and Coquette (a bold, look-at-me pink). Best of all, these babies smell like cotton candy - one of my fave summer treats, be it at the boardwalk or the ball game.

So, there you have it, peeps - my min effort, max impact makeup routine. Which begs the question, what's in your makeup bag this season?