Oh summer. Arguably the most relaxing season of the year. Filled with lake days and heat waves, sunshine and ice cold drinks. A time to kick back, relax and let your pasty winter skin absorb some well needed vitamin D. For some of us ladies (and gents too), it means letting our skin breathe, setting aside our usual makeup routine and swapping it for tanning oil and sunscreen. This summer, I made it my mission to find some of the best skincare and beauty products to enhance the skin's natural summer glow, while keeping the makeup to a minimum.
The products listed below include a drugstore alternative for each option. I have tested and loved all of them.
1. Fresh Cleanse
Caudalie Gentle Cleansing Milk: This is my new favorite cleanser of all time, and that's saying a lot. I am extremely picky about what goes on my face. With that said, I usually lean towards cleansing products with mostly "clean" ingredients. The problem is, it's fairly hard to find a clean product that works well. This cleanser is formulated without parabens, sulfates and phtalates and works flawlessly. It doesn't dry out my face and I've noticed my skin looking smoother and healthier than it has ever looked before. A drugstore alternative that my mom and sister love is the Cetaphil Daily Face Cleanser.
2. A Healthy Base
Neutrogena Oil-free Moisturizer: For a great moisturizer (especially in the summer), I've been loving the Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer. It's very light on the skin and does not cause breakouts. The best part is that they have one for each skin type. I have combination skin (oily on my nose and forehead, but dry everywhere else) and this works great for me! My skin stays hydrated all day without feeling sticky.
Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre: This moisturizer is talked about all over the internet. Youtube finally made me buy it and boy was I glad I did! It's a bit thicker than the Neutrogena moisturizer and probably more ideal for dry skin. I use this at night before I go to bed and I wake up with glowing, hydrated skin. Even though this face lotion is a bit pricey, a little goes a long way. Just a tiny drop of this will cover the entire face. It also serves as a good base for liquid foundation.
3. Glotions/Primer
Estee Lauder Beam Team Hydrate + Glow: The holy grail of glowy goodness! This is a new product by Estee Lauder that applies like a lotion, but gives your skin a beautiful, healthy gleam. The main ingredient in this product is hyaluronic acid, which is one of the best known ingredients for keeping the skin supple and hydrated. This product can be used underneath makeup as primer for a "glow from within" look, or without makeup for a natural summer glow. As a bonus, the top of the cap contains a highlighting cream that can be used on the cheeks/the high points of the face for more glorious glow!
L'areal Magic Lumi Primer: Unlike the Estee Lauder Beam Team, this product acts as a primer, not a lotion. Meaning the only downside is that it doesn't work well without a powder or some sort of foundation over top. However, when you use this under makeup, yes lawd. Not only does it leave your skin with a dewy, natural glow, but it hydrates and primes at the same time.
4. Summer Foundation
MAC Face and Body Foundation: For those that still like a little coverage in the summer, this one is for you. It is a water based foundation, so it is extremely light on the skin. It smoothes out mild imperfections while still allowing your natural skin to peek through. I would describe it as a bb cream, but better! This light weight foundation can be found online at maccosmetics.com or at any MAC counter.
L'oreal True Match Lumi: This Foundation is a bit thicker than the MAC foundation and has a medium to full coverage. I would recommend this to those with normal to dry skin because of its level of dewiness. For those with oily skin, try mixing this with a mattifying foundation, you will still achieve the dewy skin look, except the matte foundation will act as a control for the spots with excess oil. This foundation also has SPF!
5. Get Your Bronze Goddess On
Physicians Formula Bronze Booster: I only have one bronzer for this category, but it's a great one! This drugstore bronzer by Physicians Formula, is seriously the best bronzer I have ever used. You can coat this stuff on your face as many times as you want and it won't get orange or unnatural. Im not sure how, but this bronzer is formulated to look even better when your skin is exposed to sunlight. I've used this bronzer since I was a Freshman in high school and this is the one makeup product that has stuck with me ever since.
6. Beachy Blush
Too Faced Sweethearts Blush (Peach Beach): I love this super cute, versatile blush in the color "peach beach." It can be used as blush, a highlight and a bronzer. The best part about this blush, is that it can be worn alone, with or without any makeup underneath. I find that this blush looks best when the colors are swirled together and applied with a soft powder brush to the cheeks and a little on the forehead and nose. The look of this blush is a bit deceiving, it appears very pink and shiny in the packaging, but when applied it leaves a natural, bronzy flush on the skin. This product can be found at Sephora, Ulta and other online retailers.
Milani Baked Blush (Luminous): This baked blush by the drugstore brand Milani is the perfect shade for summer. Like the Too Faced blush, it acts as a highlight and a blush. This particular color look beautiful on all skin tones and gives just the right amount of shimmer.
7. Quick N Easy Eyes
Nix Jumbo Eye Pencil: This is my absolute go-to for a quick and easy eye look. It functions as an eyeliner and an eyeshadow, so really you're getting a two for one! My favorite color is "iced mocha," a shimmery bronze shade that makes any eye color pop. Blend this on your top and bottom lash line, pop on some waterproof mascara, and you're good to go! You can buy this product online and select superstores like Target and Meijer.
8. Keep The Shine, Ditch The Oil
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder: You're probably wondering, after applying these glow getting beauty products, how on earth does one keep their face from crossing into oily land? Well, let this superhero of a setting powder be your answer! This Laura Mercier setting powder is like no other. This super strength powder allows me to apply products of all levels of dewiness. I just pop some of this on my problem spots, and Im pretty much oil free the rest of the day!
Rommel Stay Matte Pressed Powder: For those of you that can't stand the mess of loose powder, give the Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder a try! It doesn't last as long at the Laura Mercier, but a couple re applications and you're good to go. What I love about this powder, is that it's very light and silky. If you are someone with combination skin that only gets oily in concentrated spots, you'll love this powder.
9. Dewy Skin In A Bottle
M.A.C Prep and Prime Fix +: This setting spray is the savior of dull dry skin. One spritz of this an BAM sad, tired skin turns into soft, youthful, healthy skin. This spray really does it all. You can use it without makeup, before makeup as a primer, or after makeup to bring your skin to life. This setting spray is a favorite of many beauty gurus because of its versatility. It can even be sprayed on makeup brushes to make powdered eyeshadows more vivid on the eyelid.
Nyx Dewy Finish Setting Spray: As pocket book friendly as this product is, it sure feels like a million bucks on the skin! I use this product as a finishing spray, after I've applied my makeup. If there's theres any roughness or makeup clinging to dry patches on my skin, this little spray will make all of that vanish. This is the perfect topper after applying a matifying powder because it locks the powder in while bringing back any good moisture that was taken away.
10. Subtle Summer Lip
Tarteist Glossy Lip Paint (Goals): In the summer, along with my dewy skin, I love a pink, glossy pout. A couple weeks ago I picked up the Tarteist Lip Paint by Tarte Cosmetics in the color "goals" and I fell in love This lip paint is part lipstick, part gloss. The color is opaque on the lips, but maintains a glossy finish. The color "goals" is a rosy nude color that would look lovely on any skin tone. It's fairly long lasting and keeps the lips plump and hydrated.
Nyx Butter Gloss: The Nyx butter gloss is pretty similar to the Tarteist lip paint, except the formula is sheer compared to the other. What I like most about this lipgloss is the buttery formulation and the delicious vanilla smell! My favorite color from the collection is "creme brûlée," a light nude with a peachy undertone.
If you have any additional questions about any of my featured summer picks, or if you need any other cosmetic advice, I'd love to help! Leave a comment below.
