Pre-online social networking I would have rolled my eyes at anyone even thinking of applying makeup before a day of boating, beaching, or sun-decking. Now that any moment of one’s life may be captured and posted for all friends, family, coworkers, inmates, and classmates, there is some need for a little touch of spruce. A simple 2-minute spiffer-upper  will help keep your cringes to a minimum, without seeming or being overly concerned about it. 

-UVA/UVB sunscreen all over. I don’t care if you’re yellow, red, white or black everyone should wear sunscreen. For the face, Coppertone oil-free, Neutragena Face, and Aveeno are all favs. 

-Start with a little bit of oil-based concealer where needed. The oil will help it stay on in the water, but try and avoid wiping the face too much if you can. Most people take a bit under the eyes and lightly dapped on pimples, around the nose, etc. It’s very important that your concealer matches your skin perfectly, even more important that usual because you’ll be in daylight. Take a little hand mirror outside or to the window and check. If needed, you can try mixing it with whatever other concealer, foundation, etc. you have on hand to make it match. Brew it up, nothing’s going to explode or anything. 

-Dab a little schmear of cream blush on the apples of the cheeks. If you have trouble finding the apples. smile in the mirror and dab to the rounded, popped-out part. If you don’t have cream blush, you can use a little pink or red hued lipstick. Just a touch! Blend the color so that it looks like a nice, healthy glow, using a bit of moisturizer if needed to really get the colored evened out. Unlike cream, a powder blush will rinse right off in water. 

-WATERPROOF mascara! No need to curl here, but just a touch of mascara will bring out your eyes and wake them up a little.

-A tinted lip balm with SPF and you’re good to go!