Summer Makeup Must-Haves
Photo by Joseph Kellner on Unsplash
If your makeup bag is in need of a refresh, we’re here to help! This summer, we’re looking forward to experimenting with color and getting that glowing skin look. We’ve been keeping track of the latest launches, making notes, and trying out new products.
Here are some of our favorite beauty must-haves from cult classics to new launches on our radar:
‘90s nostalgia is hot this summer and Halsey’s makeup collection, About Face, has released ‘90s-inspired insanely pigmented, one-stroke eye crèmes with a built-in shaper. The bold colors come in three bright citrusy shades: matte tangerine, matte honey yellow, and matte leaf green.
Almay Intense i-Color Shadow Palette ($11) and Almay All-Day Intense Gel Eyeliner ($8)
This duo of shadow and eyeliner is everything you need to flatter your eye color and make it pop. The eyeshadow palette packaging is made from a sustainably-sourced paper board and the shadows are formulated without added parabens, phthalates, SLS or mineral oil. Each of the four eyeshadow palettes contains five shadow shades to complement a different eye color.
The All-Day Intense Gel Eyeliner is the perfect way to complement the shadow and comes in six fun shades. They are smooth, creamy, and easily glide onto your lids with bold color. The pencil barrel is made from 85% recycled paper.
Bath & Body Works Sunshine Mimosa and Cucumber Melon Collections ($3+)
Bath & Body Works has plenty of summer scents from beachy bliss to sweet treats and everything in-between. If you’re looking for a summer scent that is bright and cheerful, Sunshine Mimosa is a great go-to. We’re loving this collection with notes of a bubbly splash of champagne and the happy scent of sweet citrus.
If you’re loving the ‘90s nostalgia trend, Bath & Body Works’ classic Cucumber Melon collection is back and features a refreshing blend of crisp cucumber, watery honeydew, and summer cantaloupe.
Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real Magnetic Mascara ($27) and Fourscope Cheek Palettes ($36)
This water-resistant and lightweight mascara from Benefit launched in February and uses a magnetic mineral-enriched formula to extend lashes for 40% more length. I’ve been wearing this mascara and I love that it lengthens without being clumpy. I’ve also found that it really doesn’t flake or smudge easily, even after all-day wear.
The Fourscope Cheek Palettes feature two full-size and two mini bronzers, blush, and highlighter bestsellers, including some brand-new exclusive shades. The three options include Earth Angel (warm rosy nude), Air Goddess (soft peachy glow), and Fire Queen (deep berry bronze).
Wes Anderson fans will love this non-toxic nail polish collection inspired by his colorful movies. The beautiful saturated shades include The Yellow Tent (yellow), Grand Budapest (rose mauve), Sleeper Car (blue), and more.
Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen ($42 for 100mL)
No summer beauty routine is complete without SPF and this one now comes in a larger size. This super sheer, safe SPF 30 zinc mineral sunscreen protects and hydrates even sensitive skin with the combination of 14% zinc oxide, squalane, and water lily extract to cool and calm the skin. It's 100% non-nano, non-toxic, and reef-safe. Like all Biossance products, it's also EWG-verified, vegan, cruelty-free, and free-from parabens, synthetic fragrances, and PEGs.
This super-pigmented liquid eyeliner will last you all day and is created with a clean, vegan formula. It’s the perfect choice for creating a cat-eye look. I wore this eyeliner on a very windy day and it did not budge. Upswing Eyeliner’s clean formula is designed to be gentle on your skin and is powered by superfood ingredients including passionflower extract.
If you are looking for a new concealer, this is one of my favorites. This concealer is full-coverage, long lasting, and keeps things concealed!
This unique body shimmer with hemp oil and hyaluronic acid adds radiance and moisture to your body's complexion. Extra fine shimmer and subtle tint evens out texture and blemishes for a dewy glow year-round.
The effects you can create with these double-ended galaxy-colored liquid liners are endless. One end houses a classic inky noir, while the other is packed with a galactic duo chrome that shifts in shade depending on where the light hits.
Jane Iredale Skin Smooth Affair Illuminating Glow Face Primer ($50)
This silky, illuminating face primer is designed to lock in moisture, minimize the appearance of pores, and blur fine lines for a radiant, soft-focus pearl finish.
Joah Beauty Sun & Seoul Chasing The Sun Eyeshadow and Bronzing Palette ($20)
I’m pretty much obsessed with all things Joah for their flattering products and affordable prices. This palette has everything you need to glow with five eyeshadow shades, two bronzers, and one highlighter.
A few of my other Joah favorites include Joah Perfect Complexion BB Cream ($9), Velvet Lip Color in Messy Hair ($9), and Refreshing Luminizer Skin Mist ($20). Read more of our Joah Recommendations and tips: We Tried Joah Beauty’s Crystal Glow Collection.
This shimmer-free lip luminizer and plumper hybrid delivers a sheer red hint of tint and a gently titillating and warming sensation that leaves your lips looking fuller. Gloss Bomb Heat contains a blend of ingredients, including ginger root oil and capsicum fruit extract (pepper), designed to plump your pout while rich shea butter and vitamin E condition lips and lock in moisture to deliver an intense wet-look shine.
This easy 1-minute press-on manicure requires no glue and is safe on natural nails. The new and improved design features a slimmer and super comfortable fit that looks and feels like your own nails. The press-on nails come in a variety of colors and designs including OPI’s most popular shades such as Malaga Wine, Lincoln Park After Dark, Cajun Shrimp, Bubble Bath (pictured here), Samoan Sand, and more!
Hanelei’s gentle, restorative skincare products are inspired by Hawaii's lush, tropical landscape and native botanicals. Kukui Oil Lip Treatment (available in 7 shades) features a blend of Hawaiian kukui nut oil and shea butter to help moisturize, while agave nectar and grape seed oil soothe and protect.
This featherweight lip mousse with a velvety matte finish and unique whipped texture sold out in less than 24 hours when it hit the shelves at Sephora!
After 10 years as a leading celebrity and editorial nail artist, Naomi Gonzalez launched her collection of nude and neutral nail colors. Inspired by Florida sunshine, beaches, and evening waves, this collection of sheer pastel nudes will have you feeling the holiday vibe all summer long.
This collection, inspired by the world-famous Malibu beaches, features six bold, saturated hues and six sophisticated neutrals. Sunset-inspired hues of marigold, warm apricot, and sparkly pink complement deeply saturated shades of shimmery grape, vibrant chartreuse, and chestnut. Breezy carefree blue, creamy ivory, and crepe pink offer an elevated take on beachy hues. Earth-toned hues of warm pink, bronzy brown, and cocoa reinvent the classic neutral palette.
Prime skin for makeup or instantly refresh your look with this moisturizing mist. Revlon PhotoReady Rose Glow Face Mist contains naturally derived and sustainable palm and coconut oils blended with Revlon’s Superfruit Complex (apple, watermelon, and lentil extract) to lock in hydration. Just shake the bottle to blend the two phases and mist for an instant dewy glow.
Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation ($47) and Synchro Skin Soft Blurring Primer ($36)
Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation and Synchro Skin Soft Blurring Primer feature cutting-edge light-adjusting technology to address the three major obstacles that impede radiance: fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and lack of collagen. The foundation and primer are a favorite of celebrity makeup artists and stars. Learn more by checking out A Look at Shiseido’s New Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation with Actress Hunter Schafer and Shieido’s James Boehmer.
Vita Liberata Body Blur Instant HD Skin Finish features a formula for face and body that blurs imperfections and reflects light for HD-ready skin. This skin finish features BB properties that minimize blemishes, cover imperfections, and smooth skin appearance while reflecting light for a photo-ready skin finish. The natural-looking tint lifts your skin tone, adding radiance and a healthy-looking glow that can be showered off when you choose. Great for use on the face and body, alone or under foundation as the ultimate makeup prep, it delivers a natural-looking, beautiful tan result.
Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning digital content writer/editor. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram: @zillizy