Hey guys and happy Fourth of July weekend!

I wish I could say I am back on schedule and ready to give you a blog post once a week, but I am actually writing this post purely out of anxiety and to calm myself down. If you didn’t know, I work for the NJ state park service, which means I am currently out of work until further notice while the government is shut down. So between the indeterminate amount of time I could be “on vacation” and the very real fact that I might not get paid for it I am an actual mess.

On the bright side, being a state park employee under regular circumstances, I get to really put to the test the lasting power of makeup in the summer time, and under some pretty rough conditions. Because my park is on the coast, my makeup has to survive through heat, humidity, wind, occasional rain, and a lot of bugs (blech).

I do tend to stick to the same tried and true favorites for work, but these are the products I’ve been wearing this summer that will create a base for your look to last all day, and I can honestly say that they will stand up to whatever summer may throw at you:

Elf Cosmetics Mineral Infused Face Primer – $6

I recommended this primer in my Spring Favorites, and everything I said then still stands now in the summer months. This primer is SO good, it really gives a nice canvas for any foundation you’ve put over it (and I’ve tested a ton), and I can honestly say that my makeup looks just as good at the end of the day as it does in the beginning when I use this primer.

Hard Candy Sheer Envy Hydrating Primer Mist – $8

I’ve recently started to spray primer mists over my Elf primer just to help make my skin tacky so that foundation sticks to it better, and I REALLY love this one. It not only gives that tack, but it also creates a much more natural, dewy finish to your foundation. It’s also my go to primer spray if I am doing my makeup in a hurry and just want to throw on a quick face to go out. I actually just ran out of it and my Wal-Mart has been constantly out of stock of it (waaah).

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Water Foundation – $39

This is my holy grail summer foundation. I own quite a few foundations from all different brands with all different ingredients and finishes, but this is the one I reach for every day knowing I’m going to be a hot sweaty mess. While the price tag is a little bit alarming, I think it is worth every penny. Because it is water based, it definitely does not make me greasy or add to my overall end of the day oiliness. Also if you sweat throughout the day it does not break down that badly, if at all. Bonus, it has SPF 15 which I love for being at the park.

If you apply this foundation with a brush you can build it up to be pretty full coverage, and a finishing powder will mattify it no problem, but my favorite way to apply it is with a damp beauty sponge for a more medium coverage and a more natural looking finish.

I honestly cannot express enough how long this lasts on my face throughout a gross, sweaty 8 hour work day. I probably will not repurchase it once my bottle runs empty this summer (just because I own so many other foundations), but I will DEFINITELY be repurchasing it for next summer.

Side note – if you do try this foundation make sure you are not using an oil based moisturizer or primer, because water + oil do not mix!

Tarte Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Contour Concealer – $25

The hype is real for this concealer – it is one of the best out there. Again, I know the price is a little insane, but I think it is definitely worth it and one tube is going to last you an extremely long time because you need just a little. This does not crease on me, and I definitely think it is long lasting and sweat proof. I like to use the shade “light” (closest to my actual skin tone) on my face and the shade “fair” (much lighter) underneath my eyes just so my under eyes look bright underneath my glasses. So while I definitely think this is a bit of an investment, such a little bit goes a long way, and you can even mix it in with your favorite drugstore foundation just to add coverage and lasting power.

If the price tag scares you away, I would recommend signing up for email alerts for the Tarte Cosmetics website because they do have sales fairly often.

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(I am going to avoid recommending specific blushes, bronzers, highlighters, and eyeshadow palettes only because I think the base products I am recommending are more important to the lasting power of your summer makeup despite what other products you use in conjunction with them, if that makes any sense!)

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Urban Decay Original Eyeshadow Primer Potion – $20

Much like the Shape Tape concealer, this is one of those investment products that is going to change your makeup game. If I apply this eyeshadow primer all over the lids right after I do concealer, set my eye area (including the lids) with powder, then go to work on my eyeshadow, my eyeshadow will look exactly the same at the end of the day as it did at the start of the day. Also like the Shape Tape, a little goes a long way so a tube is going to last you a while. Also a holy grail product for me!

Elf Cosmetics Glitter Primer – $2

Before I put down the lid color for any eye look I do, whether it is a foiled shadow or a glitter shadow or anything like that, I like to lay down a tacky base just to really give that shadow something to stick to so it can look as intense and beautiful as possible, and this is the best glitter primer for the best price. I quite literally have a drawer full of backups of this product, and one tube has lasted me months just because (yet again), you need very little product. I promise you that whatever shadow you put over this will stay on all day with no creasing or fallout – definitely no need to buy high-end glitter primers/glues when this is so good and so cheap!

Make sure you are using a flat, synthetic brush when applying any glittery shadow, and pat it onto the lid instead of swiping it.

Lorac Front of the Line PRO Eye Pencil – $20

I got a mini sample of this eye pencil included in my Lorac Pirates of the Caribbean Collection, and I have been using it every day since. It goes on so smoothly and lasts all day, even with water eyes (and my eyes tend to get very watery when it is too windy at the park). I will definitely be buying the full size of this once I run out of my mini!

Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum – $11

Yet another ride or die, holy grail product for me. Anyone who knows me knows I tend to do some pretty dramatic winged liner on a daily basis, and that is no exception when I am at worker. I was using the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper for a while, but found that if my eyes got water my eyeliner immediately washed away with the tears. This eyeliner does not give me the same problem, and while I can’t comment on whether or not it actually helps my lashes, I can definitely say this liner stays on all day until I take it off at night. Plus, one tube will last you a heck of a long time (ps: get it in Ultra Black, the regular Black just isn’t as good).

Essence Lash & Brow Gel Mascara – $3

I pretty much have a set brow routine using my favorite Elf pencil, but whether you like pencils or pomades or powders I recommend setting your brows with a clear brow gel, and this one is awesome and affordable. It doesn’t make your brows feel dry or crunchy, and it doesn’t flake when it dries. It will help your brows stay whatever shape you want them to be all day, even through sweat!

Nyx Lip Lingerie Liquid Lipstick – $7

I am completely late to the liquid lipstick game, and was previously a gloss kind of girl, but I think I have finally been converted and these have been (one of) my favorite formulas to go to. I know I keep saying it for every product (even though that is kind of the point of this blog post), but this stays on my lips ALL day. I even got my friend & coworker Ariella addicted to these too, so now when we work together we’re constantly like “what lip color are you wearing!” to the other ❤︎

I would recommend picking these up when Ulta is having a BOGO sale for Nyx, which happens fairly often, but you can also get them from Target!

Wet n Wild Megalast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipsticks – $5

This is my other favorite liquid lip formula of the moment. Just like Nyx, it stays on all day and is probably just a tad more comfortable than Nyx. With either formula, make sure you exfoliate your lips before applying for the smoothest application, and at night after you take the color off I recommend smothering your lips in lip balm or chapstick, especially before bed, to keep them plump and hydrated.

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While I don’t have a specific setting spray to recommend (I typically use whatever drugstore one I have on deck), I do have an application tip I learned from NikkieTutorials: after spraying your setting spray all over your face, use whatever book/palette/cardboard etc you have to fan your face so the spray dries as quickly as possible. This sounds (and looks) ridiculous, but your makeup will be locked in for the rest of the day! I can never go back to letting my setting spray air dry ever again.

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Bonus – face masks! I love doing a mask once or twice a week in the summer just to control oils and really clean out my pores since I’m sweating more than normal and therefore breaking out more than normal, so these are some masks that I really swear by depending on your budget or skin needs!

Arbonne Sea Mud Face & Body Mask – $40

My sister is an Arbonne representative and gifted me this mask for Christmas last year, or else I might not ever go for a face mask that is this expensive. HOWEVER, this is the best possible mask (in my opinion) for a bad breakout. You need the thinnest layer of product over your face because it is so potent, and it honestly clears your face up completely the next day after using it. It is such a miracle mask, but if you have really sensitive skin or really dry skin I would stay away only because of how ridiculously strong it is.

Queen Helene The Original Mint Julep Masque – $3

If you’re in the market for a potent mask that is not quite as expensive as Arbonne, then you need to grab this Queen Helene Mint Julep mask. This is another one that is so strong that it will feeling like it’s burning your face when you first apply it (stay with me here), but you feel so clean after you take it off, and it definitely dries out any blemishes or breakouts you may have. Again, might want to steer clear if you have sensitive or dry skin, but this mask is a classic.

Feeling Beautiful Mint & Lemon Facial Clay Mask – $4

I am going to recommend a few masks from the Feeling Beautiful line from Freeman, they are all so good and super affordable. The first recommendation is the Mint & Lemon mask. This mask, again, like the above two masks, is potent and it actually makes my eyes water if I apply it too close to them. Again, like the above masks, I would not use this mask if you have dry or sensitive skin, because this really will dry your skin out for the days to come after you use it. I personally love the scent and think it is wonderful for breakouts.

Feeling Beautiful Avocado & Oatmeal Facial Clay Mask – $4

Finally, a mask that is not as intense as the others. While I don’t think this mask clears out your pores as well as the above mentioned masks, I do still think it does a pretty good job and it is very relaxing. This is one of those masks you could leave on for a while and lay in bed watching Netflix in without worrying about your skin reacting harshly to it. Just an overall good, affordable clay mask.

Feeling Beautiful Charcoal & Black Sugar Facial Polishing Mask – $4

This last mask recommendation is barely even a mask, but it works so well that I had to include it for your summer, sweaty, pore cleansing needs. This mask is exactly what the name suggests, it is basically sugar in goo that you apply all over your face, and the charcoal sucks out everything from your pores. I personally like to apply this all over my face right before a shower, so once in the shower I can really rub it around to exfoliate before I wash it off. Application can be messy, but I think it is worth it and could be a good option for sensitive skin.

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Here are just some final summer beauty and health tips:

• Make sure to take off your makeup at night, especially if you spent the day outside sweating and getting icky. You really, REALLY do not want all that gunk sitting in your pores overnight.
• Wear sunscreen if you know you’re going to be out in the sun, duh. Trust me, I am just getting over skin poisoning =(
• Drink lots of water, not only so your body stays hydrated, but so your skin and lips stay hydrated and therefore makeup applies better!
• Waterproof mascara is your friend.
• Continue to use a moisturizer morning and night, even if you think there is no point since you are just going to get sweaty or oily anyway. It really does make a difference. (Try switching to a gel moisturizer if you are worried about oils!)
• Keep blotting powder in your bag or car for quick touch-ups to prolong the life of your makeup and help prevent oils from breaking down foundation.

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I know I didn’t really recommend too much, but as I mentioned earlier I really think your base is what is going to help you prolong the life of your makeup the best besides just using specific blushes or things like that. I know I personally haven’t used or stop using any specific powder products just because it’s summer, but if you want recommendations for anything I didn’t mention, please let me know!

Thank you guys for sticking with me through my absences and still being supportive of this blog. If you have any future blog post ideas you want from me, please let me know! So far I am working on a ranking of the best to worst neutral eye palettes, how to navigate the unicorn/mermaid trend, empties (products I’ve used up and what I think about them), and a possible brow tutorial. I am also actively working on moving this blog to YouTube, which is a little harder than I thought it would be, plus extremely nerve wracking. If you haven’t already, make sure to follow my Instagram (spookylipsandfathips) to see what new products I am getting and what I think of them!

I love you guys, and have a great Fourth of July!

-Lacie ❤︎❤︎❤︎