Your Summer Beauty Questions, Answered!

Q: Is wearing makeup at the beach wrong?
A: Not necessarily. Just beware of anything too obvious, says Smashbox makeup artist Lori Taylor. Swipe on a tinted moisturizer with SPF to cover up any redness, and go for natural colors on your eyes and lips — pink, peach, gold, and bronze offset a summery skin tone, explains Taylor. Avoid anything too sticky or creamy, as it will attract sand and break down faster in the sun.

Q: Sunscreen makes me break out. What should I do?
A: It’s simple, says David Leffell, MD, professor of dermatology and surgery at Yale University. Just use an oil-free, fragrance-free potion. We like Good Skin All Right Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 30, $12.

Q: How can I stop sweating so much? I’ve tried every antiperspirant on the market, and I still perspire nonstop!
A: Put it on at night, too. That way, it will have plenty of time to absorb into your skin and start working, says Atlanta dermatologist Darren Casey. In the morning, shower and swipe on another coat as you normally would. Your pits should be good to go.

Q: My hair is fried from the sun. Any tips?
A: If summer fun has wreaked havoc on the health of your hair, pamper your tresses back to their prime with this daily at-home conditioning routine suggested by Gil Ferrer, owner of Gil Ferrer salon in New York City: Mix equal parts of a scalp-soothing mint-oil conditioner and a shampoo made for your hair type. Try Gil Ferrer CoolScalp Conditioner, $28, or Graham Webb Ice Cap Revitalizing Conditioner, $12. Suds up with this mane-moisturizing concoction, and rinse thoroughly. Follow with a deep conditioner, rubbing the ends of your hair as you let it soak in for a few minutes. Rinse, and apply a leave-in conditioner with sunscreen to shield your strands from do-damaging UV rays.

Q: I’m going straight from the beach to a party. What’s a no-fuss way to freshen up my look?
A: Look stunning as you go from seashore to dance floor with these get-foxy-on-the-fly tips from Beverly Hills makeup artist Valerie Sarnelle.

Clean up with a premoistened face wipe. “This is key if you won’t have access to a sink. You need to get off all the sunscreen and oils or you’ll be slick (and not in a good way) all night,” says Sarnelle. Try Avon Clearskin Deep Clean Cleansing Cloths, $3.49.
If your skin’s a little blotchy after your day outdoors, even out your complexion in one step with a dual-finish powder compact. Try Cover Girl Simply Powder Foundation, $5.27.
Since you wore sunscreen all day, put a flattering flush in your cheeks with a petal pink powder blush. Try Bobbi Brown Essentials Blush in Soft Pink, $20.
Line and fill lips with a neutral liner, then coat with a glistening rose gloss. Try Max Factor Color Perfection Luxe Lipgloss, $5.89.
Brush your brows into place with a tinted brow gel. Try Valerie Beverly Hills Brow Tamer, $15. “When you have beautiful, defined brows, everything else falls into place,” says Sarnelle.

Q: I want to look glowy — not greasy — this summer. How do I get a sexy hue?
A: Shiny eyes and lips are great in warm weather, when you don’t want to wear anything too heavy or slick. Here’s how to do the dew:

Lids: Go for a colored eye gloss — the nongoopy texture won’t crease as quickly as a cream shadow. We like Mac Pro Longwear Gloss Coat, $13.
Lashes: Use a smearproof clear lash gel to give your fringe a glimmering effect. A good one: Givenchy Lash Pearls, $22.
Lips: A new crop of shiny sheer liners defines your lips without creating an obvious line. Try Clinique Sheer Shaper for Lips, $13.50, and Cover Girl Smoothers Lipliner, $5.89.

Q: How can I get my face to look like I have a true summer tan?
A: Follow these steps for a great gleam:

1.Blend a face cream over your brow bones, under your eyes, and into the creases of your nose, then spray your face with self-tanner. “The cream keeps the tan lighter in those areas that don’t get that much sun,” says makeup pro Scott Barnes.
2.Blend a bright red-toned blush onto your cheeks.
3.Sweep a bronzer onto your chin and cheekbones. Try Scott Barnes Loose Bronze Powder, $28.

Q: Do those SPF pills really provide protection?
A: No gimmick here! “By blending antioxidants, vitamins, and plant extracts that work at your skin’s cellular level, sun pills help support your natural defenses against the sun,” says Perry Robins, MD, president and founder of the Skin Cancer Foundation. But they don’t provide enough protection on their own, so combine them with a topical sunscreen. Try a 30-day supply of Sunpill, $29.99.