In need of some inspiration for your summer makeup routine? These are the products our beauty editor recommends for summer 2024.
Including SPF to keep your skin glowy (and protected), waterproof mascara that won’t budge in humidity, and a pout-perfecting lip product for all occasions – add these makeup products to your summer shopping list now.
As someone who never packs light when it comes to makeup and toiletries (and then struggles to find what she is looking for) a clear cosmetics case is an essential. This one from Nere is particularly large so can easily hold all my makeup (and skincare) with ease. You can find my other top picks in our clear cosmetic case round up.
No beauty editor could be seen without a facial SPF in her makeup bag (and on her face), especially in the summer. To avoid clogging pores and a heavy white cast, I look to really lightweight formulas, so I can apply a liberal amount with confidence. You can't go wrong with the La Roche Posay Anthelios range or Heliocare 360. For topping up on-the-go, I wouldn't be without Garnier's over-makeup mist.
To achieve summer's timeless trend of a lit-from-within-glow, look to radiance-boosting tints rather than full coverage foundation to let your natural skin shine. You'll also find these types of formulas don't slide off your face as much in the heat. My top picks include IT Cosmetics' CC+ Cream, Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturiser and Hourglass' Veil Hydrating Skin Tint – all still provide enough coverage for blemishes and redness.
No one wants panda eyes in the sunshine, so you need a hardworking waterproof mascara to keep your lashes looking lifted all day long. The real trick to picking a good mascara though, is in the wand: look for one that is curved with lots of little bristles to reach even your baby hairs. Maybelline's Sky High and Lancome's Lash Idole are two standouts.
Move over lipstick and move over lip balm – for a soft, moisturised pout all summer long, the next-gen of lip product has arrived: the tinted lip treatment. Made especially popular on social media due to Hailey Bieber's Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment, these tints nourish as they define with gloss-boosting colours you'll love. My new favourites include Refy's Lip Gloss and Jones Road's The Lippie Stick.
In my opinion, the true secret to effective 'no makeup' makeup (which so many of us strive for in the summer) is to ensure your brows look suitably groomed. A tinted brow gel, such as the iconic Glossier Boy Brow is a great option. Or, for even more control, try using an angled brush (MAC does one of the best) stroked across a gel-based palette like Rare Beauty Brow Harmony.
To define your face with ease in the sunshine, I'd recommend embracing liquid and creamy textures that will reflect the light, rather than powdery or sparkly textures that tend to look a little fake. There's a host of brilliant new launches helping us do just that, including Hourglass' Liquid Blush and Made By Mitchell Blursh Liquid Blusher. Try them to recreate this summer's hottest makeup trend: sunburnt blush.
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