It’s almost summer, meaning it’s time to swap out my beauty products. Summer is always challenging for me on the beauty front. I live in New York City, where the weather gets humid and sticky in warmer months. When this happens, the last thing I want to do is put on a thick moisturizer or a full-coverage foundation. For me, summer is all about swapping out heavy products for those that feel lighter and more breathable on my skin and letting my natural hair texture shine. One thing I won’t be doing in the summer? Picking up a blow dryer only to end up with a frizzy, sweaty mess on my hands.
To guide my high-temperature swaps this year, I asked Nyakio Grieco for her expert insight. Greico founded Thirteen Lune, a beauty retailer filled with beauty brands created by BIPOC founders. The retailer has something for everyone, and Greico herself is a wealth of knowledge about beauty products. Below, find her summer edit.
“I love it in every single shade, [and] I carry it with me at all times. The most beautiful thing about it is all the shades look incredible on everyone. It is the most hydrating lip oil but with a little pop of color. I even love the clear one for that right out of the water beach moment. They enhance all my lipsticks, and your lips feel divine.” — Greico
“My other favorite makeup product for summer is the Monica Blunder Beauty Blunder Cover. It’s a lightweight coverage that I use with her amazing brushes. I love to get it in 3 different shades as I start to get darker over the summer months, and I use it as my concealer and foundation.” — Greico
“It’s a 4-in-1 lightweight daily moisturizer that replaces daily sunscreen, moisturizer, serum, and primer. It is the greatest thing for your skin. It is not heavy, so even when it gets hot and humid and having those beach moments, you have just enough coverage to be the most enhanced, beautiful version of you.” — Greico
“I love Pattern Leave-in Conditioner. It is my go-to staple forever. It helps manage frizz, detangle, and really seals in that extra moisture my hair needs when I am getting in and out of the water.” — Greico
“I love to use Inala Power Potion daily to help replenish and hydrate my scalp to really nourish the hair at the follicle.” — Greico
“I love to use Relevant Lights Out Resting Mask, especially after [being in] sun. It has azelaic acid, which helps to fight off bacteria-induced acne, helps to give an even tone, and helps to give relief from the sun.” — Greico
“When we are going in and out of the ocean [and are spending time] in the sun, we have to remember to not neglect our lips. I love The Lip Scrub followed by Dream Slip every night.” — Greico
“[This] is a gender neutral fragrance that I created to help us really ground ourselves in the power of our core. We are all trying to fight to bloom all the time. This is the fragrance that will remind you to honor who you are at the core of who you are. This fragrance is amazing because it is the perfect clean fragrance blend of green meets light florals that really celebrates all my favorite things. Whether it be violet leaf, freesia, cucumber and a dry down of white leather and cashmere, it is the perfect, sexy, summer fragrance.” — Greico
“When it comes to fragrance, I am very into candles. It is the perfect thing when going to a barbecue or when you need to bring a housewarming gift. The Ya Thamani SE23 Candle is hands down one of the greatest gifts. I also love to have it with me to burn in hotel rooms and when I am on the go.” — Greico
“The República Sugar Body Polish is hands down one of my favorite body scrubs here at Thirteen Lune. It smells divine, [and] we are always sold out. To make sure you are giving your skin the perfect exfoliation when you are coming in and out of the sun and water.” — Greico
“I often like to get my nails done, but in the summer, I don’t like to be bothered, so this summer, I will be rocking my Chill House Chill tips every week. I am so looking forward to having to rock my best tips that come in all sorts of fun colors and styles while giving my natural nails a break from gels.” — Greico
“As we are running around all summer, no one wants flip flop feet. I love the Barefoot Scientist products to keep my feet and heels looking their very best. I also love their tools to ensure I am getting rid of callused skin.” — Greico
“I love the Katini Skin Collagen Facial Oil. I use it on my face. It is formulated for the face, but every time I have a little extra on my hands, I love to rub it into my cuticles.” — Greico
