1. Prime and protect.
“For a day on the beach, the first thing you must have is SPF,” says Ryan, who recommends a lightweight formula with a relatively high SPF that doubles as a moisturizer, like
Skin Authority Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 30. Once your face is covered, apply it to your ears, neck, chest and the skin exposed in the part of your hair. Next, smooth on a light hydrating primer like
Benefit Stay Don’t Stray. “Don’t forget to do your eyelids and lips, because it will help keep eye and lip colour on,” says Ryan.
2. Moisturize and perfect.
If your sunscreen is low on hydrating power or you only want a little coverage, apply a BB cream or a tinted moisturizer. Ryan suggests Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30, which gives skin an antioxidant boost while lightly covering flaws, or
CARGO Tinted Moisturizer, an oil-free solution with SPF 20 that helps hide redness. For more coverage, Ryan recommends Lancôme Dual Finish Versatile Powder Makeup. “It will control the oiliness,” she says, “and you can use it for touch-ups on the tip of your nose during the day.”
3. Add a little flush.
Your healthy-looking glow should come from a compact, not the sun’s rays. Make cheeks pop by brushing on pink powder with a hint of gold shimmer, like
Benefit Bella Bamba Face Powder. “It gives a nice little flush of colour without being too dramatic,” says Ryan. Don’t worry about your blush melting; the primer should keep it in place.
4. Play up your eyes.
When you’re hanging out in the sun and sand, let the surroundings inspire your eye makeup. “You don’t want to wear a dramatic eye on the beach,” says Ryan. “A peach, bronze or subtle pink will keep your whole look soft.” She loves
Shiseido Shimmering Cream Eye Color, which can be applied with your fingertips and lasts 16 hours. “It’s not sticky, so even if the sand is blowing around, it won’t stick to your eyes,” says Ryan. Apply the shadow from the lash line to the crease, then finish with a coat of waterproof mascara. Ryan adores L’Oréal Voluminous Volume Building Mascara in Carbon Black. “I like to have my eyes really stand out,” she says. “And I can’t say it enough—you can’t get this mascara off!”
5. Give your pout some pop.
Your final step before hitting the dunes? A coat of a long-lasting, smooth-feeling lip gloss like Smashbox Limitless Long Wear Lip Gloss SPF 15. “It has SPF and not much stickiness, so you don’t have to worry about getting sand on your mouth,” says Ryan. The colour and shine last up to 6 hours, plus the formula has vitamins A, C and E to keep your lips hydrated.