by Monica Allen

Created on: July 06, 2008   Last Updated: September 18, 2009

A sunny afternoon, with a delicious iced beverage, partaking of poolside leisure is what most women imagine when daydreaming about summer. We envision ourselves looking good in a swimsuit (because we're always working toward that goal and you know it), hair is perfectly shiny and our face a glow. But how do we really attain and maintain that fresh look throughout the day? Keeping the face clean and fresh is the most important part of looking great, feeling confident and being healthy. Here are a few tips to make sure you are looking your best this summer.

During the warmer months, let your true beauty shine through, freckles and all. A wonderful advantage to summer is that the bare essentials are back in style. Tank tops, shorts, and flip-flops are the usual attire during sweltering hot summer days. Accessorizing that laid-back style with a clean polished face will brand you as a summer beauty for sure.

To start, only use foundation in the red, blotchy, darker and/or blemished areas. If your complexion is healthy, loose powder will suffice for full facial coverage. The goal is to even out your skin tone, so avoid using heavy layers of base and powder. Show off your natural side. Redness in cheeks is a great attribute as well as angels' kisses that many fair skin women try to hide. It's time to let the unique and charming imperfections shine.

If you are smart to avoid the sun but want a sun-kissed look, use a bronzer with a full brush. Shake the extra off before applying. The less you use the more you stay away from looking like a tangerine. For blush, women with medium to dark skin tones use light shades of pink. Women with fair skin enjoy the naural blush that occurs when your body is warm from the sun. Use this inherent charm in your favor and as a money saver.

Highlight eyes with lighter natural shades during the day and more vibrant, rich colors at night. When purchasing eye shadow, stay loyal to earth tones. It's best to stick to colors that are subtle and blend well together. Apply lightly on the desired area and always blend with a small-medium brush. Be adventurous at night by using deep lush colors, which can really enhance your sex appeal. Frame your eye with a thin liner and blend well. Use lighter shades of brown for fair to medium skin tones and a light black for darker tones. When applying mascara, keep it to a one or two stroke maximum. This will prevent clumping. If your eyelashes are a light color, apply to top of the lashes before applying

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