Hot sweaty days do not lend themselves well to a full face of makeup. I love seeing the bright lipstick and eyeshadow colors make an appearance during the summer months, but I don't dare put them on unless I know I will be spending my time in air conditioned comfort. My makeup routine is pretty basic (except for special occasions or the couple days after my Birchbox arrives), but I have streamlined it down further to only three products until after Labor Day. 

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream: My fair skin easily burns, so sunscreen on my face is a must. I imagine I am in good company when I say that I am not fond of the smell of sunscreen or its greasy residue. That is why I was so excited to find that Maybelline's BB cream is rated at SPF 30! 

Benefit BeneBalm: I am a huge fan of tinted lip balms and have mentioned my love of BeneBalm previously on the blog. It adds a shiny tint to the lips that is perfect for a natural look and keeps your lips feeling oh-so-soft. It costs about 3x more than I normally spend on a lip balm, but I'm on my second tube and have never regretted the cost.

Mally Mascara: While I like what is inside the tube, the real reason that Mally is my summertime go-to mascara is because the tube itself is wonderful. The silver glitter detail adds a bit of glamour to my morning and makes the quick swipe of mascara across my eyelashes feel like something special. The polka dots on the BeneBalm tube inspire the same reaction and it starts the day off on a positive note. The Mally mascara arrived in a Birchbox a few months ago, but as far as I can tell, this tube design is no longer available. However, I know that there are plenty of other brightly colored tubes of mascara out there, so it shouldn't be too hard to find one to brighten up your morning!

I always intend to write review posts about the samples I get each month in my Birchbox, but it usually takes me awhile to get around to trying out all the goodies. However, there is one sample that I got a couple months ago that I absolutely adore and want to quickly share with you. I don't normally wear eyeliner, but the Vasanti Kajal Extreme Eyeliner in Rose Gold brightens my eyes so much that I find myself reaching for it again and again. It is very close to my skin tone, so it adds shimmer and light around my eye without the look of heavy makeup. Since it is translucent when applied, I think that the color would work for a wide range of skin tones. However, my favorite part is that it works equally well for daytime and evening looks. Has anyone else tried a rose gold eyeliner? Let me what you like or dislike about it in the comments!

It's (below) freezing cold outside and inside the heat makes every room drier than the desert. Basically, winter creates the perfect conditions for perpetually chapped lips. That means that you have to give up on your favorite lip colors in favor of something more practical, right? Wrong. I have been slowly accumulating a collection of moisturizing lip balms in a fab array of colors and they are keeping my lips rosy and soft this cold January. 

I've already told you all about my love of the LAQA & Co. Sheer Lip Lube Pencil (which I have in three amazing colors), but I am now also obsessed the LAQA & Co Fat Lip Pencil which has a bolder coverage, but still boasts Vitamin E. (You might remember seeing this in my 2014 holiday gift guide.) It is perfect for the night that you want to get dressed up, but don't want to coat your lips with with a gloss or lipstick that might dry them out further. 

During the day I wear Benefit's Benebalm which comes in pretty much the most adorable tube ever (though that may just be because I am partial to polka dots and the color red.) It adds a subtle hint of color to your lips as well as a touch of shine. Since it is understated you don't have to put on a full face of makeup to balance it out which is perfect when I'm running errands. It keeps my lips feeling soft and moisturized so I will often reach for it when I am just sitting on the couch watching television.

For a more budget conscious option, the Pixi by Petra Shea Butter Lip Balm is only $8 and comes in a variety of colors, my personal favorite being Ripe Raspberry. The color packs a little more punch than the Benebalm, but still feels casual enough for daytime so you can keep it in your purse as your go-to lip balm. The shea butter will feel great on your lips and the color will brighten up your smile.

Do you have a tinted lip balm that keeps your lips moisturized and looking great? Share your finds in the comments!