Products you buy through our links may earn us a commission. Oh, and if something's out of stock, oops, it was there (and all prices were accurate) at time of publication.
Though I always prefer a skin-first aesthetic and don’t like wearing dramatic makeup, summer is when I really double down on that M.O. When it’s a million degrees outside with a billion percent humidity, the last thing I want to do is weigh down my skin with heavy formulas. Over the years, I’ve curated my summer skincare regimen to provide ample hydration and protection without suffocating my pores — and create a fresh, dewy canvas that I feel comfortable leaving mostly bare. And the makeup? As minimal as it gets, and it won’t be running down your face by lunchtime.
Skincare
A water-based cleanser packed with superfoods…
When the weather gets humid, I swap my usual cream cleanser for a more refreshing water-based one. This one from Youth to the People is the only lathering formula I’ve tried that doesn’t strip my skin. I also love the concoction of aloe, spinach, kale, and green tea, which feels like I’m feeding my skin a tall, cold glass of green juice.
An aloe vera gel mask that calms and cools…
I swear by all things Naturopathica, but in the summer, I look forward to slathering on this gel mask as a refreshing treat. Calming aloe vera, antioxidant-rich prickly pear extract, and healing gotu kola combine to protect, rehydrate, and plump up skin that’s feeling a little dehydrated after a day spent at the beach. Store this in a fridge for an extra cooling sensation.
The summery version of my go-to moisturizer…
I can’t live without my Dieux Instant Angel Moisturizer, a lipid-rich, barrier-building formula that’s basically a facial in a bottle. But that thicker consistency isn’t what my skin craves when it’s hot out. In summer, I swap to Air Angel Gel Cream. As the name implies, it’s a lightweight gel formula that’s more hydrating than moisturizing (there’s a difference!) and lets your pores breathe. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, this’ll be your go-to year-round.
A zingy face mist…
Facial sprays are one of those products that you think are unnecessary until you try them — now, my skincare routine just doesn’t feel complete without it. In summer, nothing compares to a spritz of Caudalie’s cult-classic Beauty Elixir. The formula contains rosemary and mint essential oils for a zingy sensation that I’m now addicted to. I use it religiously as a wake-up call in the morning, to get myself energized before a workout, or to refresh my makeup before a night out. I think it makes my skin look brighter, too.
The only body sunscreen I actually like applying…
I’m diligent about applying face sunscreen every day but terrible at putting it on my body. Much like hiding a dog’s pill in peanut butter, I need to trick myself by using products that feel more like a treat and less like a chore. Vacation’s Classic Whip SPF literally has the look, feel, and application method of whipped cream, so it feels airy on your skin and doesn’t require any elbow grease to blend. It’s also made with skin-softening ingredients like coconut oil, aloe vera, and shea oil, so you can get away with using this as your body lotion. Plus, I love the signature scent — a combination of coconut, banana, and pool toys (yes, really) that transports me poolside.
Makeup
My holy grail SPF that doubles as a tinted moisturizer…
Of all the face sunscreens I’ve used, nothing beats this RMS one. It’s a mineral sunscreen, so it doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin (chemical formulas tend to make me break out), but it has an elegant, blendable consistency you don’t typically find in zinc-based formulas. It’s tinted, color-correcting, and gives my skin the freshest dewy glow. It’s surprisingly long-lasting, even when I sweat.
A long-lasting, hydrating concealer...
In summer, I almost never use foundation. Instead, I just go for that RMS sunscreen above and this Kosas concealer for extra coverage where I need it. It’s creamy, blendable, and offers great coverage while still letting my skin look like actual skin. Most importantly, it stays put on those sticky, sweaty days.
My favorite cream blush...
I'm not too proud to admit that I have blush blindness — to me, nothing is prettier than that fresh, just-got-back-from-the-gym flush (minus the sweat). rhode's Pocket Blush is my favorite cream formula. It blends easily and leaves behind an ever-so-slightly glowy finish without any actual shimmer or glitter. I use it liberally across my cheeks and nose and blend, blend, blend, then add a touch to my lids and lips to pull everything together. The pigmentation lasts longer than other cream blushes, too, which tend to fade quickly.
And my favorite serum blush…
With its skin-like texture and natural-looking flush, this Glow Recipe serum blush is ideal for sticky summer days. As you might expect of makeup from a skincare brand, this actually has a skincare formula — it’s made with ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid — so you won’t feel gross about putting it on and heading out into the heat (though a little goes a very long way; it’s quite pigmented). I blend the Watermelon Flush and Berry Flush shades across my cheeks and nose for a faux-sunburned look.
A waterproof mascara for under $10…
Hot take: Drugstore mascaras are just as good as high-end ones. I always have a tube of this L’Oreal mascara in my makeup bag for its intense pigmentation and buildable formula that creates everything from natural to falsie-rivaling looks. The waterproof formula absolutely won’t budge, no matter how much you sweat or swim in it. Make sure you have a good oil-based cleanser or micellar water on hand when it’s time to take it off.
A longwear eyeliner that stays put in sweaty conditions…
If you’re going for a full beat in the summer, opt for longwear formulas like this waterproof, smudge-proof eyeliner from Bobbi Brown. This is a cream formula that gives you a few seconds of playtime to blend, and when it sets, it won’t budge until you decide to take it off. It’s a chubbier stick but with a fine point, so you can use it as a precision eyeliner or as a shadow all over your lid.
A lip gloss/treatment hybrid…
I love a hybrid product in the summer, because the less product I can have sitting on my face, the better. This works as both a lip treatment and a gloss in one. It’s packed with nourishing peptides and ceramides, and leaves behind a slight tint and a high-gloss finish. It comes in 11 pretty shades, including two with an aughts-inspired shimmer finish.
A lightweight setting powder with a natural finish…
I’ve tried so many setting powders, but I keep coming back to this one from Hourglass. This loose powder makes any creasing under my eyes vanish, and it keeps all of my base makeup from slipping throughout the day. It’s just mattifying enough to get rid of excess shine, but the overall finish is quite natural, so your skin will maintain some dewiness. It’s so airy, too. I barely feel it on my skin.
A setting spray to lock everything in place…
This drugstore hero is an absolute nonnegotiable for a sweat-proof, melt-proof makeup look. This stuff has kept my makeup squarely on my face in some truly trying times, including at an outdoor Miami wedding and sitting in subway cars with broken A/Cs. I prefer the dewy finish, as it imparts a luminous, hydrated effect that I love. If matte is more your vibe, there’s a version for that, too.