A. I’ve been giving summer makeup tips for the past few weeks and this question goes along well with the theme. What about your lips in the summer?

My primary concern is always about the health of your skin so I must first advise you to always protect your lips in the summer sun. Use a sunscreen right over your lips or opt for a sun block version designed for lips, these usually come in a formulation similar to Chap Stick. Many lipsticks have a natural sun blocking component to them as well as moisturizing elements so if you choose to skip the lipstick then the protection step is even more important. If your lips are dry from the summer sun and fun in the water take some extra care in the morning before you apply your lip color.

Use a very soft tooth brush or a wash cloth and gently brush your lips making sure you get rid of all the dry spent skin. Follow this step with a great moisturizer or lip protection and sunscreen.

To keep lip color from bleeding across your lip line in the hot weather take a q-tip dipped in loose translucent face powder and trace your lips OUTSIDE your lip line.

You can then line your lips if you’d like but I often suggest skipping this step in the summer and going for a sheer softer looking lip, especially during the day. Pink shades, soft browns, and peach colors as well as sheers are great in hot months.

They leave your face looking fresh and cool but not unfinished. Olive skinned gals should stay away from pinks and orange reds but softer browns and neutrals look great for their summer fix. Fair skinned ladies look good in soft browns also but they can go for the soft pinks or peach colors just as easily.

 If you have dark skin, you too should avoid the pinks and instead go for a soft red-brown. In this economy you may not be able to go and buy a new lip color just because the sun is out.
Applying an inexpensive sheer or soft pink lip gloss over your lip color will lighten it up, reflecting light and giving you a more summer ready lip color. Keep touchups handy in the summer. Your lips will need it. I’ll end with the same song I started with... don’t forget to protect your lips from the sun.

Summer is all about easy so stay prepared and have fun.