Every season, your skin’s needs change, and there are different factors and events to think about. That’s why I do a summer beauty refresh when the warm weather arrives. What your complexion craves during winter won’t be the same as the summer months, and vice versa. Spending time in the sun, being out in the heat, swimming in pools, or traveling to different destinations leads to a few tricky challenges. Even if you have an everyday routine you stick to year-round, you may be in need of a few swaps.
You might sweat more than usual and find a setting spray is necessary for keeping your makeup intact. Sunscreen becomes a much bigger necessity than when you’re cozied up indoors during fall and winter, and heavier makeup doesn’t always feel comfortable. Maybe you find your skin feels dehydrated in the summer or little oilier than usual. Not only that, but flying to new destinations means you need to consider travel-size requirements. It’s a lot! But that’s why I’m here to help with my summer beauty refresh. You’ll get an idea of how I shift my routine for the next few months, and the products I swear by!
Summer Beauty Products for a Refreshed Routine
Merit The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen
When it’s too hot for foundation, a tinted moisturizer is the way to go. I’m obsessed with this new launch from Merit, which is a buildable formula. Meaning you can wear as light or as heavy of coverage as you want—and you’re getting a layer of SPF 45 at the same time. It protects against both UVA and UVB rays and comes in 15 shades, so you can really find the perfect match for the season.
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter and Primer
If you love a dewy finish, you’ll be blown away by the glow that comes from a layer of Charlotte Tilbury’s Flawless Filter! You can layer it on as a primer before your tinted moisturizer or foundation, or place it on top for a little highlighting power. In the summer, you can even wear it by itself. It gives your complexion the prettiest finish while letting your natural skin shine.
Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush
Meet one of my all-time favorite blushes, which is perfect for summer thanks to its creamy and light texture. It’s so easy to apply, and you can layer it on for more of a flush or keep it light for a natural sun-kissed look. I love the Stockhol shade, but there is a wide range of hues, so even if you’re not a big fan of pink or peach, there are deeper mauves and light taupes to choose from. It’s a great pick for traveling, too, thanks to the stick format.
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen
Nothing ruins a summer look like whitecast. Chalky, pasty sunscreens not only feel gross on your skin, but they mess with your makeup, too! That’s why I adore Supergoop and its line of sunscreens, which work super well at protecting from sunburn and leave no trace either. It goes on smoothly, and it lasts for 40 minutes when you’re swimming or sweating up a storm.
NARS Light Reflecting Setting Mist
We’ve all been there. You step inside an air-conditioned restaurant or store, look in the mirror, and see streaks of makeup dripping down your face. It’s not pretty, but that’s summer for you! To prevent this from ever happening again, snag a bottle of NARS’ setting spray. This one is ideal because it leaves you with a glowy finish. The mist is super fine and dries quickly, but it gives you 12 hours of wear and keeps your skin hydrated. It’s a win-win!
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
I’m always here for a multitasking product. Anything that goes beyond a single purpose becomes an instant travel staple. That’s the case with Summer Fridays’ cult-status Jet Lag Mask. It serves as a mask, locking in moisture to keep your skin hydrated (even while you’re up in a plane!), but it also works as an everyday moisturizer. It’s fragrance-free, which is ideal for anyone whose skin is sensitive.
Merit Shade Slick Hydrating Tinted Lip Oil
This highly-rated lip oil gets so much hype, and I completely understand why! It gives you just the right touch of color without drying out your lips or feeling sticky. With a mixture of rosehip oil, shea butter, jojoba oil, and grapeseed oil, you’ll never have to stress about a flaky pout again. It’s not as saturated as a lipstick or stain, which makes it great for your daily routine. Plus, all the shades are so good!
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion
Another sunscreen worth considering is Shiseido, especially if you’ve found that other SPFs break you out or dry out your skin. This one has so many five-star ratings thanks to how lightweight it feels and its fabulous lineup of ingredients. It has licorice root extract to prevent breakouts and a variety of marine algae to keep your skin hydrated at the same time. The bottle’s design makes it easy to throw into your purse when you’re on the go.
Gisou Mini Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hydrating Hair Mask
Don’t forget about your hair! Your strands deal with so much during summer, from chlorine to saltwater to nonstop sun. If yours is in need of some hydration, this hair mask is the one. Gisou’s products use the power of honey to give you soft and healthy hair, and the fragrance of the line is so delicious. It works on all hair types, using ceramides to bring back shine, softness, and moisture to your tresses. I also can’t get over how adorable the honeypot container is!
Benefit BADgal Bang! Waterproof Volumizing Mascara
Benefit is the reigning champion when it comes to lash and brow products. While you can wear your everyday mascara during summer, you can quickly end up in raccoon-eye territory. Instead, I recommend swapping it out for a waterproof version. That way, you can wear it anywhere, from your gym class to the poolside. This one isn’t clumpy or spidery. It gives great coverage, stays put for hours, and is easy to apply.
NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder
Name a more iconic bronzer! After all that sunscreen, you can still get a safe and gorgeous sun-kissed glow with a few sweeps of this powder. Because it’s not a gel or liquid, you also get more room in your travel-size toiletry bag when you’re traveling. I also like that it comes in nine different shades, so you don’t have to worry about it looking too light or too dark on your skin tone.
Ouai St. Barts Body Crème
Last but not least, remember to keep the rest of your body hydrated and soft, too. Whether you’ve peeled from a bad sunburn (oops) or have scaly patches, this yummy-smelling lotion restores your skin. There are three ingredients that make it fabulous for giving your body a little TLC (especially during the summer: coconut oil, squalane, and cupuaçu butter. Talk about serious nourishment!
