How to Look Gorgeous and Laid Back All Summer

On those steamy days, we bare more skin, wear less makeup, and let our hair go au naturel. But sometimes we want our laid-back style to have some extra polish. So we asked beauty insiders for their secrets to a beautiful summer look—without a whole lot of hassle.

Try a naked face … almost
Harsh summer light can coax tiny lines and spots out of hiding. What gives? “The sun kicks pigment-making cells into overdrive, highlighting faint irregularities,” says Kenneth Beer, MD, a dermatologist in Palm Beach, Florida.

But fight the urge to hide imperfections under a blanket of base, because it will only make them more noticeable. Instead, keep makeup minimal, suggests Fatima Olive, the Miami-based hair and makeup artist who created the looks on these pages. Using a gradual self-tanner on your face every other day gives skin a hint of color, allowing you to get away with less makeup.

When you need an extra boost, smooth on a tinted moisturizer with SPF—it’ll even your complexion in the most natural way possible. Then, quickly scan for standout imperfections—red spots, dark circles—and lightly pat on concealer. We like Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit ($32).

Get younger eyes with neutrals
Rim your eyes close to the lash line with a gel liner in copper or bronze—subtle, universally-flattering shades that make eyes really pop. “Gel liners are ideal for summer,” says Alison Raffaele, founder and creative director of Alison Raffaele Cosmetics.

“They’re free of waxes and oils, so they set nicely and don’t smudge or crease in the heat.” And since they don’t run, they won’t accentuate dark circles and lines.