Summer Makeup Tips, Tricks and Products

After testing hundreds of products over the years, I’ve narrowed down my recommendations to a list of the very best, below.

Try a non-matte bronzer with hints of gold.

SHOP NOW Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Bronzing Veil, $39
Matte bronzers are great for contouring, but if you’re looking for a warm wash of color with dimension, try a shade with fine flecks of copper and gold. I’ve sworn by Kevyn Aucoin’s Celestial Bronzing Veil for years—it sculpts your cheekbones, isn’t “sparkly,” and gives you that just-out-of-the-sun radiance (even if you’ve been inside all day.)

Choose a sunscreen that pulls triple duty.

SHOP NOW Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen, $11.99
There’s a reason why this tinted non-chemical sunscreen has garnered something of a cult following. For starters, it’s not greasy. Plus, the subtle tint miraculously blends into every skin tone, and as an added bonus, the product’s primer-like consistency helps lock makeup in place all day long.

Experiment with dewy skin.

SHOP NOW Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter, $72,60
Over the years, I’ve tested an embarrassing number of products—oils, serums, highlighters, illuminators, liquids, and gels—all in an attempt to mimic the enviable glow of women like Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Aniston. Last month, I finally found the one: Charlotte Tilbury’s new “multipurpose primer-highlighter complexion booster.” The name pretty much says it all—wear it under your makeup, on top of it, or on its own for the subtle radiance you thought only celebrities could achieve. So far, everyone I’ve recommended it to agrees.

Swap your foundation for a medium-coverage tinted moisturizer.

SHOP NOW Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer, $49.99
When I asked my Instagram followers to share their favorite summer beauty products, this tarte BB cream seemed to be on everyone’s list. After trying it for myself, I can confirm: the product lives up to the hype. It’s perfect for those who want to go foundation-free in the summer but still need sufficient coverage.

Use a lightweight moisturizer in lieu of heavier creams.

SHOP NOW Peter Thomas Roth Hyaluronic Cloud Cream, $16.99
Don’t let the word “cream” fool you—the hyaluronic-rich lotion is actually super light, and serves as a great summer swap for the heavier moisturizer you’ve been using year round. It promises to keep skin hydrated for 72 hours, and while I’m not entirely convinced that was the case for me, I do think its skin-quenching capabilities are unmatched.

Choose neutral, shimmery eye shadows.

SHOP NOW Bobbi Brown Capri Nudes Palette, $75
Heavy shadows have no place in your summer makeup rotation – which is why this Capri-inspired palette by Bobbi Brown is so perfect. Use the subtle nudes as a base, the shimmery shades for a pop of color in the center of the lid, and the darker shadows as a smoky liner under the lower lash for a night out.

Skip lipstick in favor of a high-shine, moisture-rich gloss.

Nothing says summer quite like a glossy, popsicle-stained lip. To get the look (sans messy popsicle) try a hydrating formula, like Tarte’s h2O gloss or Laura Gellar’s lip hugging gloss. Lancôme’s Juicy Shaker is another great option if gloss isn’t your thing—the tinted lip oil feels like an ultra-luxe balm, and it comes in an impressive range of 23 shades.
SHOP NOW Tarte H2O Lip Gloss, $38
SHOP NOW Lancôme Juicy Shaker, $18
SHOP NOW Laura Geller Nude Kisses Lip Gloss, $21

Use a blurring balm for touch-ups instead of pressed powder.

SHOP NOW Urban Decay Touch-Up & Finishing Balm, $34
I recommend using this finishing balm as an end-of-day retoucher, when the idea of completely redoing your makeup isn’t in the cards. The formula has special pigments that blur fine lines and turn your skin into a matte, smooth-looking canvas.

Add a hydrating under-eye brightener to your routine.

If eye cream and concealer had a love child, it would look something like Tatcha’s new undereye treatment. The product is a great option if you’re looking to pare down your makeup routine in the summer—and even if you’re not, it can be layered underneath your everyday concealer as a brightening base. The same goes for Origins Ginzing Eye Cream and Becca Undereye Brightening Corrector, which both have ingredients that reflect light and help conceal dark circles.
SHOP NOW Tatcha Pearl Tinted Eye Illuminating Treatment, $86,90
SHOP NOW Origins Refreshing Eye Cream to Brighten and Depuff, $24,97
SHOP NOW Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector, $32

Go for a liquid highlighter.

Moisture is the name of the game come summer. Ditch your powder highlighter in favor of a liquid, like L’Oreal’s glow drops (which can also be mixed in with your moisturizer) or Charlotte Tilbury’s Beauty Light Wand (which has a cushioned tip for precise application.)
SHOP NOW L’Oreal Glow Amour Glow Boosting Drops, $16,85
SHOP NOW Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand, $48,99