Okay, so this isn’t rocket science or totally “new” news, but we are totally excited about the magic of a good eyeshadow primer!  When the weather is hot and sticky (as in the humidity capital, Houston), you can make your eyeshadow stay put by prepping it properly.

Benefit Stay Dont Stray Primer $24 - Click to learn more

Primers provide a base around your eyes to keep the shadow from creasing too easily and fading as your skin becomes more moist in summer weather.  I tested it out and couldn’t be happier with the results!  As the day wore on, the shadow AND liner seemed to meld perfectly onto my skin without that bothersome creasing in the middle of the lid or that annoying realization when you look in the mirror midday and discover that it looks like you’d never even applied any shadow at all! And don’t let the bottle to price ratio fool you.  Most primers average $20 but will last you, with everyday use, at least 6 months.

Double-bonus: The color becomes more vibrant and is easier to apply.  Okay, one more bonus: When you apply the primer on your lid and just under your eye, it creates a “glowy” effect.  I only know this because a very cute guy actually pointed that out to me at a party, and I knew it was the primer at work!

We found one from Benefit that also provides a fabulous primer for concealers adorably (and aptly!) named “Stay Don’t Stray.”

So, what do you think?  Has your eye shadow actually stayed put?  Do you have any other brands to recommend that you absolutely love?

With Summer comes longer days, lighter fabrics (weight and color) and LIGHTER makeup. Try these tips for sizzling summer days or sultry summer nights:

I find that most gals like to keep their makeup simple when it’s hot outside. Try this easy-as-pie routine for a day-time look, it’s perfect.

• Sheer foundation. I love this one with spf 20, and it’s packed with antioxidants as a great-for-your-skin bonus.
• Bronzer. This is a “must-have makeup”, it will enliven any complexion. Swoosh a little over the areas of your face where the sun would naturally highlight your features – forehead, cheekbones, nose and chin.
• Lips. Try your favorite color in a sheer shade or gloss – somethings that says “airy smooth”, not “barely moves”.
• Mascara. You can add definition to your eyes without color. Curl your lashes with an eyelash curler. Black mascara works for most, but fair should opt for brown. Sweep the mascara brush back & forth (like a windshield wiper), then one horizontal swoop to evenly distribute the color.

For Summer nights it’s OK to “glow” for the glam, here’s how:

• Eyes. To create gorgeous eyes that speak for themselves, apply a medium-toned shadow lightly over the lid, and blend a darker color into the crease.
• DO NOT forget mascara at night. Remember, mascara is your WOW factor for the eyes.
  Curl lashes with an eyelash curler. I like black mascara at night. Start at the lash base and move up beyond the tips to lengthen, wait a few moments then add another coat. If need be, use a lash comb to remove clumps.
• Highlight. Glow ahead, you can do it… my favorite sheer mineral skin treat will have you literally luminous.
• Cheeks. Look for blush colors that say, “I love to vacation” sans the sun damage.
• Bronzer. When bronzing for evening, follow the same steps you would for day, but add a little extra on collar bones, back, etc. go on now, get glowing…

Face

The humidity in Miami means you can leave the heavy moisturizers at home.  Keep protected during the day with an oil-free SPF of at least 15 that includes antioxidants for added protection.  Also try a large pair of sunglasses and a beach hat – you’ll look super stylish while protecting delicate skin from harsh UV rays.   At night, stick with an oil-free and/or mattifying moisturizer.  Choose a face wash with salicylic acid to keep pores from getting clogged and to gently exfoliate for a glowing complexion.

Body

Get some Miami sun while keeping yourself protected from damaging UV rays with a tanning oil or lotion w/ SPF, like Monoi de Tahiti Tanning Oil SPF 20 – this also works great on hair to protect highlights and control frizz.  Give your gams a long lean look by sweeping a shimmery bronzing lotion down the shins and thighs, and use it to highlight arms and collar bones.  Et voila! Instant length and tone!

The humidity in Miami is great for skin, but can wreak havoc on hair with even the slightest wave.  To control fly-aways and frizz, use a lightweight curl enhancing lotion, like Kevin Murphy Motion Lotion, or slick hair back with a smoothing product.

The moisture and heat in Miami tend to reduce the staying power of makeup, causing it to melt off within a few hours of application.  Stick with waterproof and “lasting” formulations to enhance staying power

Daytime

Leave fussy foundations and cover-ups at home.  Simply sweep a brightening concealer under eyes and spot conceal any blemishes with a powder or oil-free concealer.  If desired, finished with a light dusting of powder.   Add a natural tint of color with staying power with a cheek stain: try Tarte Natural Cheek Stain in Eco-Cheek – a universally flattering coral with a touch of shimmer.  To protect lips while adding shine and color, try a lipgloss with SPF, like Neturogena Moisture Shine Lip Soother.

Nighttime

Follow the same cover-up rules as above.  Bring the Latin influence to your look with sultry eyes and fresh tan skin – think Penelope Cruz. Gorgeous!!  Use an eyeshadow primer to ensure makeup stays in its place; I like Urban Decay Primer Potion, and create a soft smoky eye with a golden brown eyeshadow, blended from lash to crease.  Smudge a dark liner along lash line and finish with 2 coats of waterproof mascara.  Warm the complexion with a shimmery bronzer, swept over the cheeks and along the jaw and hair lines for a natural look.  If you like the focus to be on the lips, try a bright pink or red lip in a lasting formulation.  Finish with a sweep of pink blush on the apples of the cheeks, shimmery shadow and mascara on upper and lower lashes.  You are now officially ready to rumba!

BENEFIT "Hello Flawless!" $34

Guest blogger and skincare and makeup consultant Sameera Ahmed’s advice for Las Vegas.

When getting your personal effects together for a trip to Vegas, remember one important thing: you’re going to a desert.  A fun, fabulous desert, but a desert nonetheless.  That means hot, dry heat with scorching sunshine and blazing sidewalks during the day, and cool, breezy nights.

"Super Sensitive Faceblock SPF 30" $45

BODY – A good moisturizer and sunblock are musts in Vegas.  Even if you can forego moisturizing at home, bring a cream or lotion to Vegas to avoid the pinch and itch of dry skin.  Choose a body moisturizer with vitamin E and aloe to moisturize and soothe skin after a long day at a rooftop pool or walking the strip.

Don’t forget the sun block!  Choose a water and sweat resistant formula with an SPF of 30 or higher, preferably with zinc oxide for broad-spectrum protection.  Be sure to cover all exposed areas of the body at least 30 minutes before stepping into the sun.

FACE – Vegas can be tough on delicate facial skin.  With the dry heat and scorching sun by day, and late nights at the smoky bars, clubs and casinos, you’ll need a few key items to keep your skin fresh and glowing.

• Use a mild, alcohol-free face wash to gently remove dirt and makeup without stripping skin of its natural moisture.  Also be sure to pack facial cleansing towelettes for those late nights when you can’t be bothered to wash your face before going to bed.  These make it easy to ensure you won’t be waking up to a lipstick and mascara-streaked face in the morning.
• Moisturize – use a cream, lotion, or gel morning and night (depending on your skin type) with antioxidants like vitamin c and e to protect your skin from dryness and free radical damage.  One of my favorites is Sanita’s Vita Rich Serum – it’s a lightweight, fatty acid-based serum that gives your skin the vitamin boost it needs to keep glowing! (www.sanitas-skincare.com)
• Sunblock – use a tablespoon of sunblock to cover face, neck, and ears.  Choose a formula with an SPF of at least 30 and go for something with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide – perfect for any skin type.

Special Care – to combat puffy, tired eyes after a long night out, go to the nearest buffet!  Place a slice of cool cucumber on each eye for 5 minutes to reduce puffiness.   For dark circles, use a couple of tea bags (green or black tea) as instant brighteners.  After drinking your tea (mmm, antioxidants!), place the cooled tea bags over the eyes for a few minutes and let the caffeine and antioxidants go to work.  You can also use a brightening eye cream, like…

SEPHORA "Makeup For Ever Lashes" $15

In Vegas, anything goes!  Take that mantra to heart when doing your makeup.

DAYTIME– because of the heat, daytime beauty should be about comfort and cover, while giving you a natural, healthy glow.

For oily skin, stick with a light dusting of powder (preferably with additional SPF coverage).  For dry skin, use a tinted moisturizer for natural cover.   Sweep a highlighting concealer under and around the eyes for a well-rested look, and finish with a sweep of sheer blush onto apples of cheeks, one coat of mascara, and an SPF lipbalm.

BENEFIT "Realness of Concealness Kit" $30

SEPHORA "Makeup Forever" $13

NIGHTTIME – This is the fun part!  Take a tip from those infamous Vegas showgirls and go for the glitz and glam!  Play with dramatic false lashes and glitter in any color.  Just remember not to cross the line from fab to drag – it’s all about balance.  Keep glitter to accessories and makeup OR clothing, not both.

FOCUS – EYES – When applying glittery shadows, be careful not to let it spill all over your face.  Use a cream shadow or primer as a base, and press glitter onto the lids with a wet brush to make sure it sticks.  Apply lashes close to the lashline, and finish with liner and/or mascara (if desired).  Keep the lips balmy and neutral and sweep a peachy-pink blush onto apples of cheeks.

BENEFIT "Benetint Lip Gloss" $15

FOCUS – LIPS - Play up your lips with a bright colored lipstick and complimenting glitter.  Line the lips with a lipliner in the same shade as the lipstick you choose.  Finish lips by pressing glitter directly over lipstick (not the best idea if you’re planning on eating!), or use a glittery gloss, like MAC Dazzleglass (www.maccosmetics.com).  Keep eyes neutral  with a slightly shimmery shadow, brown or black liner, and 2 coats of mascara.  Sweep a highlighting powder or blush over cheeks and you’re ready to go!

Hey, Travelistas! Wanna know what to wear for the weather? Just click on My Stylist and type in your location, date, and an occasion and let My Stylist do the rest. Join us on Facebook and Twitter for everything fashion and travel from WeareverTheWeather.com!

Hong Kong is one of the most fashion-forward cities in the world, with its residents definitely unafraid of dramatic color, funky textures, and punk-inspired patterns.  And why should the fun stop there?Follow their lead by carrying that flair for dramatics into your makeup choices.  Color is in, especially when checking out the always-happening nightlife, so indulge in those bright lip and eye colors that have been hiding at the bottom of your makeup bag.

For the daring: Pull some inspiration from the 80’s by pairing a light blue eyeshadow and black eyeliner with a bright red or pink lip

For the timid: Sweep a bright shadow, like a teal or emerald on the lid from lash to crease and keep the lips nude

Women in Hong Kong prefer skin to look fresh and healthy, not cakey and fussy.  Achieve this look by keeping cover-up to a minimum: leave those heavy foundations at home and instead, opt for a highlighting concealer, tinted moisturizer, and fine powder.

Hong Kong offers a warm, balmy retreat from the colder temperatures many of us are experiencing in the U.S.  That change in climate definitely warrants a change in the skincare you should use there.

Healthy skin is always in, so keep skin healthy with:

• A salicylic or glycolic acid face wash to keep pores clean.
• Choose a light or oil-free moisturizer with SPF 15 and antioxidants (like Vitamin C or green tea – a favorite in China) to keep skin protected from UV and pollution.
• At night, be sure to wash off any sunscreen and makeup.  Use a clarifying treatment (toner or lotion) for oily to combination skin, or a hydrating lotion for normal to dry skin.

For what to wear for your next trip to Hong Kong, check out our post “What to Wear in Hong Kong.”

Sameera Ahmed is a licensed makeup and skincare artist consultant from Denver, CO. She provides personal shopping services for makeup and skin care as well as private lessons for skin care and color application with a special focus on green and natural products.

Hey, Travelistas! Wanna know what to wear for the weather? Just click on My Stylist and type in your location, date, and an occasion and let My Stylist do the rest. Join us on Facebook and Twitter for everything fashion and travel from WeareverTheWeather.com!