Every season, I like to do a quarterly clean-out of my makeup bag and beauty counter. As the seasons change, so do my skincare and makeup preferences. This time around, I’m going all in. I decided to start scoping out my summer staples early. After all, if you live in L.A., you know summer basically starts in February. This year, I really wanted to focus on building a healthy, natural glow that complements an easy and warm-hued makeup look. Whether you need a good SPF, bronzer, or face oil, I rounded up some real gems to consider adding to your summer lineup. Keep scrolling for all the staples worth trying.
Here’s the thing: You can never start shopping for your summer SPF too early. Especially if you’ll be out and about a lot during the warmer months, you’ll need the best of the best. This one from Tula is particularly great because it’s ultra light and noncomedogenic. The peach extract in the formula helps brighten the skin so it creates the perfect soft matte canvas for makeup application.
This is one of my all-time favorite face oils and never fails to make my skin feel soft, hydrated, and supple. It’s a dreamy blend of 16 noncomedogenic plant oils, including meadowfoam, hemp, and sunflower. It’s *the* perfect summer face oil, but it’s probably staying in my makeup bag year-round.
Okay, I’m not usually one for a skin tint—there, I said it. But Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint is the exception to be perfectly honest. I love the dewy coverage it provides along with skincare ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. It’s the perfect light tint to throw on for breezy summer days.
This Cali Contour Face Palette from Smashbox makes adding warmth and dimension to your face so easy. The palette can be used both on the eyes and the cheeks, so you’re truly getting your money’s worth out of it. You can bronze and highlight to create the perfect radiant summer skin look. Basically, I’m never leaving the house without it this season.
Because having glowing skin is a major priority for me during the summer, I like to keep Tula’s Vitamin C Brightening Kit on hand. It provides daily antioxidant protection with the brand’s vitamin C serum and moisturizer. But that’s not all this powerful duo does. Both products reduce the appearance of dark spots, provide major hydration, and improve skin’s overall radiance and luminosity. Talk about having that lit-from-within glow.
This creamy hue for the lips, eyes, and cheeks will keep your look extremely fresh and dewy. The balm-like texture just melts into your skin and creates the perfect natural-looking warmth.
For my best summer skin yet, I always keep a good face oil on hand. This organic, cold-pressed rose-hip-seed oil from The Ordinary is a great budget find and keeps skin healthy and hydrated throughout the day while correcting any visible signs of photoaging.
Refy’s Cream Blush is so warm and rosy. I adore the shade Citrine for everyday wear. Part of the brand’s Summer Skin Collection, it adds so much radiance even during the winter months. It’s not just a summer staple for me—it’s a year-round favorite, for sure.
I love that Tarte’s Breezy Cream Bronzer comes in shades dark enough for Black and Brown skin tones. For years, I struggled to find the right bronzer for my skin tone because most just didn’t show up on me. This option from Tarte is so hydrating and buildable. It really does provide that back-from-the-beach look the second you apply it.
Another gem I always reach for is this glow-enhancing lotion from L’Oréal. It provides an illuminating tint to enhance your skin’s natural glow. The formula also has shea butter and glycerin for a boost of hydration.
I’ll let you in on a not-so-secret secret: I’m obsessed with Luzern products. Ever since I began using the brand’s L’Essentials Hydrating Essence Treatment ($100) and Force de Vie Creme Intensive ($235), I’ve noticed so many improvements in my skin in just a matter of weeks. There’s an unexplainable glow to it, and the brand’s Serum Absolut V15 is next to add to my glowing-summer-skin routine. I know it won’t disappoint—everything from the brand is so well-formulated.
This weightless, skin-priming SPF is rich in antioxidants and provides the perfect canvas for makeup.
Maysama’s Green Rooibos Press Serum is a great addition to any radiant-skin routine because it can be paired with a red-light-therapy mask for extra-potent results. It’s formulated with pharmaceutical-grade green rooibos produced with a patented extraction process, which increases its free radical–fighting abilities. It’s definitely a new staple of mine along with the brand’s ABP11+ Green Rooibos Gentle Resurfacing Toner ($66).
Every summer event requires a gorgeous nail color, and this one from Sally Hansen really steals the show. It’s this stunning shade of ocean blue that feels just right for outings and travel. This one will stay tucked in my makeup bag all season long.
Audette’s Nourishing Face Oil is designed to help you simplify your skincare routine. It can help replace extra serums and a moisturizer due to its ability to prevent hyperpigmentation, smooth fine lines, heal scars, and act as an anti-inflammatory. It contains so many antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids that will leave your skin healthy and glowing.
