Summer can be a dreaded time for makeup lovers. The sun beating down on your perfectly contoured face can make it feel as though your foundation is melting off your skin. Summer should be filled with relaxation and play rather than the constant fear of unintentional raccoon eyes from sweat-run mascara. Here are a few tips to incorporate into your makeup routine during the summer months.

1. Always wear an SPF

This has been drilled in our heads by our health teachers, dermatologists and parents. Yet, still many people skip the SPF during the hunt for the perfect bronze tan. Try a gradual self-tanner or spray tan rather than exposing yourself to harmful UV rays. The reality is that skin cancer kills. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, “One person dies of melanoma every hour." The sun also ages your skin, so lather on the SPF now and thank me later! Here are four highly rated SPFs (left to right): Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer, Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45, Tarte Guard SPF 30 and Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF.

2. Skip the foundation and try a BB Cream

This may seem out of your comfort zone, but some BB Creams offer a decent amount of coverage without the traditional feeling of a heavy foundation. BB Creams are also known as beauty balms; an all-in-one moisturizer/SPF/Foundation. If you are not up to trying a BB Cream, opt for a foundation with a luminous finish rather than a matte. Matte foundations tend to be heavier, and once you start sweating, it will peek through the matte canvas. Having a luminous finish foundation is perfect for summer. If you tend to get oily, set those specific areas with a translucent powder. With a luminous finish, your sweat with not be as blatantly obvious as it would with a matte finish. To avoid this problem altogether though, skip the foundation and try a BB Cream. There are many drugstore and high-end options, here are the most popular on the market (left to right): Physician's Formula Super BB, Maybelline Dream Fresh BB, Bobbi Brown BB Cream, Origins BB and Burt's Bees BB Cream.

3. Opt for a gloss

Matte liquid lipsticks have been the biggest trend for the past year, but this summer, try out a lipgloss or lip oil instead. Liquid lipsticks tend to be very drying, and I know I personally would rather have hydrated plump lips on the beach rather than cracked and crumbling. Not to mention that most, if not all, liquid lipsticks do not offer an SPF. Here are some of the most talked about oils at the moment (left to right): Yes to Coconut Cooling Lip Oil, Lancome Juicy Shaker, Physican's Formula Argan Wear Ultra-Nourishing Lip Oil and Clarins Lip Oil.

4. Waterproof will be your new best friend

Odds are that you will be swimming or profusely sweating this summer, and you will soon begin to see that waterproof anything will be your saving grace. Many brands offer waterproof foundation, blushes, bronzers, eyeliner and mascara. The truth is, if you are going into water, you are probably not wearing a full face of makeup. However, you may want to pickup a waterproof version of your “makeup essentials." For me, that is mascara! Here are a few drugstore and high-end waterproof mascara and eyeliners (left to right): It Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner, Loreal Voluminous Mascara, Essence Waterproof Eyeliner, CoverGirl Super Sizer Waterproof Mascara, Urban Decay CannonBall Waterproof Mascara and DiorShow Waterproof Mascara.

Summer does not have to be a time for makeup disasters. I find that less is more during the humid summer months, so let your skin breathe. What are you waiting for? Grab your SPF, BB cream, lip oil, waterproof mascara and head to the beach! Add these easy tips into your summer routine for flawless makeup every day!