MJ Day knows what it's like to milk the sunkissed, hair-tousled, beachy look of August for all it's worth. She works 12 months a year on the Sports Illustrated Swimwear Issue, where she's a senior associate editor. "We pay makeup artists a lot of money to keep the girls nice and dewy while making it appear natural," she says.
What? Last time you checked you weren't Brooklyn Decker? Fortunately you don't need a posse of misting, primping stylists to steal a few of their tricks. With that in mind, here's how to get that "I know what you did last summer" reaction without the horror of looking like you tried too hard.
THE DEWY SKIN
* Wash. "Fall is the time to switch to a cleanser that's less stripping-one that has less alcohol and maybe some glycerin or aloe," says West Palm Beach dermatologist, Kenneth Beer, MD. "Also cut down on your astringent use."
* Exfoliate. "Even though you'll slough off the tan a little faster, if you want that dewiness, you must remove the surface dead cells or they'll make your skin dull," says New York City dermatologist Neal Schultz, MD. To help prolong the color he suggests using an exfoliator every other day instead of daily. "If you're just starting to use a skin exfoliator pick a gentle product with 5% glycolic acid," recommends Schultz.
* Wear sunscreen. "I don't care what it is," says Schultz, "as long as the SPF is above 15, it has UVA or broad spectrum protection, and you reapply when outdoors."
* Moisturize. In order to get that trademark dewy complexion of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit models, New York City-based makeup artist Tracy Murphy swears by MAC Strobe Cream, which contains light-enhancing iridescent particles. (Apply the sunscreen first.) "You don't see it at all," says Murphy, who has worked on the issue for 11 years. "Your skin just looks supple, like you got a great night of sleep."
* Extra TLC: Once a week, give yourself a soothing mask, suggests New York dermatologist and psychiatrist Amy Wechsler, MD. Add a little honey to a bowl of full-fat plain yogurt, and smear it on your face for 20 minutes or so. "The whole milk has anti-inflammatory fats as well lactic acid that will help gently exfoliate," she says. "And honey is soothing and antibacterial. The mask smells really good, and it's cheap."
THE GLOWING FACE
* Bronzer. This is your magic wand. "It's so forgiving and you can wear less makeup," says Murphy. The key is to choose a product a couple of shades darker than your natural complexion, and put it only where the sun would hit your face. If you prefer a liquid consistency, which Murphy does, apply it manually. "I tap and blend it with my fingers," she says, "above the eyebrows, on the forehead, and also the chin."
If powder is your preference, use a large, fluffy brush, says New York City celebrity makeup artist Troy Surratt, whose clients include LeAnn Rimes and Piper Perabo. "I'll start at the high point of the eyebrow arch and go out to the temple and into the hairline. Then I brush it on to the brow itself. Next, I like to do a 'W' pattern. So I'll start on the cheekbone at the hairline, brush down to the apple of the cheek, then up and over the bridge of the nose, down to the other apple, and finally up the cheekbone to the other side of the hairline. You're also going to want to slightly dust the tips of your nose and chin."
* Cheeks: After your bronzer, try adding a highlight on the apple of the cheek. Murphy likes a subtle peach or pink. "If your bronzer is liquid, use a creamy product; if you're using powder, stick with powder." Surratt prefers a second light-reflective bronzer, "maybe a shimmery, coppery tone."
* Lips: Try just a clear gloss, or something with a hint of rosy color. "We use Smith's Rosebud Salve on our models," says Day. "It makes the lips look freshly licked. At the beach you wouldn't wear a bold color."
* Eyes: You can so nothing or use a sheer, light gold, cream eye shadow-Day's favorite trick-for a glistening sand effect. "It gives you a little dazzle without looking like you're putting a face on," she says. "Add mascara and you're golden."
* Nails: "We always do neutral nails," says Day. "It's a really good way to extend the summer look because corals start to get dated around September and it's too early for the blood reds."
THE LINGERING TAN
* Build-a-glow self-tanners: Experts say the drugstore products that gradually darken the skin with regular application are winners. Use them twice a week or mix them with regular moisturizer for an even subtler glow. "You'll make your natural tan last longer before you start to turn pasty white," says Day, "or, in my case, blue."
THE TOUSLED HAIR
* Color: " Erick Orellana, colorist at Privé Salon in Los Angeles (clients include Emma Roberts and Audrina Partridge), suggests gradually low-lighting the hair as you ease into the fall. If your blond has turned brassy, try a color gloss with a soft beige or apricot sheen. And if you're a brunette, you might add warm, caramel highlights so you still have that glow but it's subtle. "This fall and winter we'll start seeing more pastel, apricot blonds," he says. "And for darker hair, the big thing will be violet accents."
* Curl: "You can get soft, carefree hair, in minutes," says Hollywood hairstylist Billy Lowe, who has worked with Ellen DeGeneres and the cast of "Desperate Housewives." On dry hair, use a larger barrel (an inch to an inch-and-a-half) curling iron and make big waves all over. Once the iron has cooled, turn your head upside down, and shake the curls loose with your fingers. While you're down there, spritz from underneath with an aerosol light-hold spray, scrunching the curls to lock them in. As Lowe puts it, "This will give you a beachy, come-touch-me hair style that's just the right amount of unruly."
[Photo credit: Thinkstock]
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