Summer is my most favorite time of year, with its hot days and balmy nights seducing us into wearing just a slip of a dress with bronzed skin exposed and nothing on your feet but the hottest of-the-moment nail shade applied to perfect pedicured toes. Summer leaves us all feeling a bit romantic and gives us a fabulous sensory overload as everything around you from the sky to the ocean to flowers and foliage looks as if it’s in Technicolor. The first thing you should realize when summer is here is that your skin will be on display as sleeves disappear and hem lines migrate upwards. Skin should look it’s very best and I have the real secret to getting the glow from the inside out. I am a die-hard consumer of the age-defying antioxidant drink mix Glowelle. This fruity beauty drink packet is going to be the hottest skin perfecting product out there and will be the new Crystal Light. But instead of an empty chemically flavored drink this powerful powder gives your skin a boost of 19 totally natural age fighting antioxidants with no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. What you do get when drinking it every day is perfectly radiant glowing and amazing skin. Since using it I stopped getting facials and my entire body is smooth and silky to the touch. You just pour it into your water bottle every day or try mixing it into a great summer smoothie. The must have products for the hotter summer weather include sunscreens, self tanners and bronzers that will keep your skin protected, sun-kissed and shimmery, so load up on your faves for skin that gets you noticed. Invest in bright colored eyeliners in blue and teal to play up eyes this summer and go with waterproof formulas so the color stays on even through a dip in the pool or a swim in the surf. Keep lips hydrated and colorful with tinted lip balms and glosses in shades of pink and coral, which is the trend of the moment and universally flattering on all women for the perfect pout. So get your skin ready, arm yourself with the newest shades and take it off! Life is short my lovely ladies and no matter what size, shape or age you are, just celebrate yourself in the summer breeze with confidence... You are beautiful!

1. Glowelle Age-Defying Antioxidant Supplement Drink Mix. This is my true secret weapon in keeping my skin looking as good as it does. I swear by it and if you don’t believe me it’s clinically proven. So seriously ladies... Invest. Available at www.glowelle.com.
2. Skinceuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50. The ultimate sunscreen that mattifies as well as protects. Available at www.skinceuticals.com.
3. L’Occitane Castanha Self Tanner Progressive Natural Tan. This lovely self tanner leaves no nasty smell and gives you the best all over glow. Available at www.usa.loccitane.com.
4. Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy Sun Glow Powdered Bronzer. Dust this slightly shimmering natural looking bronzer on the temples, along the sides of the face and under cheekbones for a beautiful sunny complexion. Available at www.cvs.com.
5. Era Rays Spray Bronzer in #1. This spray shimmery bronze makes the skin look irresistible at night. Available at shop.classifiedcosmetics.com.
6. Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy Forever Stay Eye Pencil in Blue Indigo. This budge-proof gorgeous shade makes eyes look stunning. Available at www.cvs.com.
7. NYC Waterproof Eyeliner in Teal. This is a perfect summer shade for pretty mermaid eyes. Available at www.drugstore.com.
8. Fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment with SPF 15. I adore this perfect pink tinted balm and it’s always in my beach bag. Available at www.sephora.com.
9. Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy Forever Stay Lip Gloss in Creamsicle. The most beautiful and universal shade of coral lip gloss that lasts all day. Available at www.cvs.com.
10. Butter London Nail Polish in MacBeth. A fabulous orangey coral that looks perfect with a tan. Available at www.butterlondon.com.

Have a question you want Carmindy to answer? Email her at newsletter@carmindy.com

Loretta Anne Mugler writes:
I hate the way I look in the summer. My skin gets greasy and my makeup runs. How do I fix this?

Carmindy:
The first thing you should do is to apply a mattifying lotion to your skin before applying the rest of your makeup. This will control oil and shine and keep makeup in place. Keep blotting papers in your beach bag and blot away any excess oil that accumulates throughout the day and use powdered sunscreen like IS Powder Sunscreen SPF 20 to keep skin protected without looking too greasy. This will absorb shine and protect your skin at the same time. Choose waterproof mascaras and eyeliners that stay put and stick to sheer powder eye shadows and blushes instead of creams.

Sasha Bernstein writes:
I love the color coral but because I have olive skin whenever I try to use it I feel it always looks way too bright on me. Any shade suggestions?

Carmindy:
There are so many sheer formula lip colors you can try that will work with your olive skin. Try my Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy Color Comfort Lip Color in Sunburst for the perfect sheer shade of coral that looks great on just about everyone.

Terry Huffington writes:
It is so hard for me to remove my waterproof mascara. What should I be using?

Carmindy:
I love the Rodial A-List Cleanser that literally melts off stubborn waterproof mascara in a flash. Another favorite is the Makeup Forever SensEyes. Both are totally worth the splurge.