7 Ways To Wear Less Makeup This Summer Only Using Concealer

Many opt for minimal makeup to beat the summer heat, but it's not easy to rock only concealer and actually nail a "no-makeup" makeup look. Read: The under-eye area can easily appear flat, and even the creamiest formulas can settle into fine lines. Here, we've compiled a few tips to get the most out of the few products in your summer arsenal, so you can do more with less: 

If your skin falls on the drier side, layering a hydrating serum or light moisturizer under your sunscreen will help keep your skin adequately hydrated throughout the day. Be sure to let your skin care (SPF included) set for a few minutes before applying concealer to make sure it stays put. You can even add a functional primer to your minimalist routine for added skin care benefits.

While it's great to keep your face protected from the sun, we can't ignore the allure of a sun-kissed glow. Although, that doesn't mean you must load up on bronzer if you're hoping to go makeup-free. An easy fix? Add a few drops of self-tanner (like this one from Typology) to your moisturizer at night. Doing so will add a natural-looking, consistent, and gorgeous glow to the face, sans sunburn.

As makeup artist Bobbi Brown previously told mbg, "Think about it: If you used the shade you used for your under-eyes on any other part of the face, it would make that area stand out instead of blend in. Then the color you need to match your forehead will probably be a slightly different shade than that of your cheek or nose," she says, noting that the forehead tends to get more sun and therefore is often darker. "Just put some concealer on it and then blend it out so it matches the rest of the skin."

As a general rule of thumb: Use green to cool any red undertones, orange to add warmth, yellow for extra-fair skin tones, and purple to add a cooler tone. 

If you're using concealer to cover up blemishes or indented acne scars, there is a strategy that will help it look more natural. Apply a bit of powder to the area first, then layer on a tiny amount of concealer, let it dry, and then blend it in. You can dab a little bit of powder over the top for extra grip. Here's the full step-by-step guide to covering blemish scars, if you're curious. 

And if you're taking the look from day to night? Add a cream blush, liquid highlighter, or some cream eye shadow—this will take it to the next level without appearing cakey. Generally, cream products are the way to go during the summertime, as they melt into the skin and easily fuse to your concealer-only base.

While spending some days completely makeup-free is great, other days call for a bit of help from your trusty concealer. With the summer heat, it's not always easy to keep this minimalist routine looking fresh, but now you have a few tips to get started. Now looking for the best concealer for your skin type and need? We've got you covered there, too: Check out the best clean, natural concealers on the market.