Simply Beautiful

Ah, summer. The sun. The warmth. The freedom.

Ah, summer. The skin-wrinkling UV rays. The makeup-melting heat. The job that demands a polished look.

It seems we all face the yin/yang of summer: breezy dreams vs. sweaty realities. Our desire for a simple, natural look vs. our realization that simplicity is not always easy to achieve. (For most of us, shiny, blotchy skin is natural. Smooth, glowing skin takes effort.)

So, in our quest for all things simply beautiful, Papierdoll interviewed makeup artists from coast to coast on how to look lovely this summer while protecting your skin for all the summers to come.

Pro’s picks: sun protection and tinted moisturizers

Dermatologists believe that up to 90% of premature aging is due to environmental damage.

But just tossing sunscreen in your beach bag won’t protect you. Most of this damage occurs a little at a time, every day—taking your child to school, walking to the post office, even just sitting near a window!

So whether you choose a high-end sunscreen or race on down to the drugstore and grab a lower-priced version, look for full-spectrum (UVA and UVB) protection. And make sure you apply it at least 15 minutes before stepping outside.

Makeup Artist: Souraya Hamdi
Pro pick: Olay Regenerist Enhancing Lotion with UV Protection (SPF 15)
“It’s oil free yet gives skin a beautiful, dewy look.”

Makeup Artist: Melissa Cullen.
Pro pick: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (SPF 20).
“It’s extremely lightweight yet still has a good amount of coverage.
It leaves your skin with that ‘no makeup’ feel.”

Makeup Artist: Leza Ann Rawlins
Pro pick: Dermalogica’s Solar Defense Booster (SPF 30).
“This product can be added to your moisturizer or foundation (use equal parts Solar Defense and foundation) giving you full spectrum protection.”

Makeup Artist: Margina Dennis
Pro pick: Prescriptives Daily Protection (SPF 30).
“It gives a hint of color and looks great on most skin tones.”

Makeup Artist: Kirsten Sylvester
Pro pick: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock (SPF 45).
“If you have oily skin, you have to be careful about sun block. This won’t block your pores, or feel oily and heavy.”

Lip gloss

Gloss is still boss this summer. It’s quick and easy to apply yet gives you a finished look—alone or over lipstick. Here are the products the pros like best.

Leza: MAC Lipglass in Clear
“You’re always in control with this product. Whether you use a little or a lot, you’re guaranteed beautiful shiny lips.”

Kirsten: MAC Lipglass in Nymphette
“The perfect color. It looks very pink in the tube, but has a bit of gold in it, so it comes out as a neutral peach you can wear with anything, even red.”

Melissa: Rocker Girl Mint Lip Gloss, from Rock Hard Cosmetics.
“A very cheap and great find. It is overall my favorite, alone or over a color. It doesn’t run and isn’t sticky!”

Margina: Awake Stardom Lipgloss.
“It’s water-based and releases moisture every time you press your lips together. It gives great shine without stickiness.”

Waterproof Mascara

The word is out: you don’t have to spend a lot to get a great mascara. As anyone who’s been to a photoshoot or film set knows, that green-and-pink Maybelline mascara is almost always in the artist’s pro kit. So read on and discover what the pros pick to avoid the dreaded “raccoon eye” effect.

Leza: Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara
“It’s phenomenal, for the price. It’s probably the oldest mascara in the world, and still going strong.”

Melissa: Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara.
“I’m not a big fan of waterproof mascara, but when times are rough I swear by this. It’s used by many professionals in the industry.”

Souraya: A tie — Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara and
Dior’s DiorShow Waterproof Mascara.
“Their non-waterproof versions are great too!”

Kirsten: Bourjois Waterproof Mascara.
“I discovered this line in Paris. It gives my lashes length without clumping.”

Margina: Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara.
“It makes lashes look luscious.”

Summer Must Haves

Just for fun, we asked the artists, “if you were swept off to a dessert island by someone you love, what item would you absolutely have to bring?”

Souraya: An eyelash curler. “It opens the eye and looks good on everyone – whether you have little tiny stubby lashes, or tarantula lashes that go on for days. It’s a girl’s best friend!”

Kirsten: “An eyelash curler gives your lashes bend and length you didn’t think you had. Just be sure to curl first, then apply mascara, or you could break your lashes.”

Leza: Dermatologica’s Full Spectrum Wipes (SPF 15). “These towelettes are for all skin types and fit right in your purse.”

Melissa: Face to Face Super Matte Anti Shine. “This is an amazing product. Even under movie lights, people never look shiny.”

Margina: Aloe vera gel. “It’s a great moisturizer and skin primer, good for soothing sun-exposed skin, and a great styling gel for the hair!”

published June 1st, 2005