Quick Summer Beauty Fixes

by Michele Bender

From frizzy hair to melting makeup, learn how to avoid summer's worst beauty blunders

Summer beauty problem: Melted makeup

Beautiful solution:

"Don't apply a full face of foundation," cautions celebrity makeup artist and Maestro Market expert Troy Edwards. "Long-wear foundation can prevent your skin from sweating (which is necessary for cooling your face)." It can also look heavy and unnatural. "Just use a ‘touch-up' stick to cover areas -- like around the nose -- that may be discolored," he suggests. Also, opt for powder foundation, which gives a more sheer application than some liquids and helps reduce shine. Lastly, use blotting papers. They are amazing at sopping up oil, but leave the rest of your makeup intact. Another option? "Self tanner," says Edwards. "It's a great way to even your skin tone, give you color, and feel like you have nothing on!"

Summer beauty problem: Frizzy hair

Beautiful solution:

Condition often. "Frizz happens when your hair isn't hydrated enough and reaches out to the humid air for moisture," explains Lorraine Massey, author of Curly Girl: The Handbook. To prevent this halo of frizz from forming, you need to keep hair from getting dehydrated. Start by avoiding sulfate-containing shampoos. "Sulfates are detergents that strip your hair (and scalp) of its natural oils," says Massey. Also, condition your locks regularly, and leave some of the conditioner in your hair rather than rinsing it all out. Then, gently apply a gel that is alcohol- and silicone-free to wet hair. Don't touch your strands while they dry (this just creates more frizz) and deep condition at least once or twice a week.

Summer beauty problem: Pale legs

Beautiful solution:

Whether you want to look sun-kissed or just want legs to lose their ghostly hue, self-tanner is the answer. Available in a variety of formulations, you can opt for a true self-tanner or a gradual color lotion. "Test it out on an area that does not show so if you don't like the way it looks, you can get one that fits your needs and not have to live with a ‘regret-a-tan,'" says Edwards.

Before applying, exfoliate first with a loofah or body scrub. "When you exfoliate, you get rid of dead skin and leave the areas that you are tanning smooth and even," says Edwards. Dry your skin afterwards and then apply your gradual lotion or self-tanner in circular motions for a more even, less-streaky tan. Start with a light application at first. "Better not tan enough, than too tan and then you're stuck with it," says Edwards. Not the DIY type? Go to a salon for a spray tan.

Summer beauty problem: Keeping sweat in check.

Beautiful solution:

Although sweating is your body's natural way of cooling off, soaking through your clothes isn't pretty -- no matter how natural it is. "Apply antiperspirant at bedtime," suggests Dr. Francesca Fusco, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. "At night, your body temperature goes up so the antiperspirant absorbs better." How to? First, take a shower, cleanse your underarms, and then pat skin dry with a towel. Next, apply antiperspirant and go to sleep. In the morning, don't shower and then reapply antiperspirant. "If you insist on an a.m. shower, just do a quick rinse and don't let the water get your under arms," says Fusco. You can also try "extra-strength" or "clinical strength" over-the-counter antiperspirants -- available at most drugstores. "Also, avoid caffeine and spicy foods because they can stimulate chemicals that lead to sweating," says Fusco. "And if you are an anxiety sweater, practice meditation and deep breathing."

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"Quick Summer Beauty Fixes"