Summer is my favorite season to try out beauty products. Summer is when makeup is truly put to the test; it has to look good and last in the hottest, sweatiest, most humid conditions of the year. Summer really separates the good from the bad in ways that are very hard to do otherwise. In May, I tried over 50 makeup products, and the following eight were great and long-lasting enough to move from my testing basket to my bathroom shelf.
Editor’s picks for 8 summer makeup looks
InStyle / Tamim Alnuweiri
Beauty Bio Perfecting Blend Drops Invisible Finish Primer
Amazon
The primer is seamless and almost invisible (as the name suggests), but super effective: It leaves skin smooth and poreless even on your worst days, plus it provides SPF 40 protection to help you start your skincare routine off on the right foot.
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation
Chanel
Foundations and skin tints are the categories I’m most particular about. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation It’s lightweight, yet perfectly covers all skin concerns and neutralizes imperfections, for a dewy finish that stays shine-free all day long.
Chanel Le Blanc Rosy Light Drops
Chanel
In the summer, I switch up my usual highlighting technique to a primer (applied under, not over, my foundation), and this is one of my favorite products for that: when applied generously before foundation, it adds radiance and gives skin that timeless golden hour glow.
In Beauty Project Mineral Sun Glow SPF
INNBeauty Project
InnBeauty Project’s new sunscreen It’s great on its own, but I love using it as a primer and under my makeup – it catches the light and adds a subtle glow while keeping my makeup in place.
Lawless Beauty Pinch My Cheeks Soft Blush
Lawless
It’s a creamy, self-setting blush that’s easy to apply, and unlike similar products that are overly pigmented, this blush offers soft, buildable coverage with a look (and feel) that exudes easy-going summer vibes.
Kaja Dewy Bar Creamy Multi-Stick Blush
Amazon
I love to smear this on my face to create a W-cheek look. It gives a sun-kissed or slightly tanned finish, but without the damage that comes with actual sun damage. It’s juicy and dewy and has a subtle finish, making it a classic.
Gxve by Gwen Stefani Dewy Plump Collagen Boosting Cheek Tint
Sephora
understood, Blushing againBut now is their season and brands are going all out with new cream and liquid formulas. This blush makes my cheeks look plump and glassy, and it’s the only blush I brought with me for my two-week stay in Portugal.
Freck Beauty Makeout Club Soft Blur Lipstick
Sephora
In the summer, I love lip products that I can grab from my purse or tote and apply without a mirror. It’s a bit of a tall order, but a subtle matte, blendable lipstick is the solution, and this is one of the best. It feels hydrating, goes on like butter, and lasts longer than you’d expect.