I’m rounding up a few of my summer beauty staples and favorites I’ve had in rotation lately. Even though we’re at home most of the time now having a routine to get dressed and put on some makeup helps keep me feeling more like myself and somewhat normal – even if it’s low key or super casual.
Summer Bases
For powder I will have a new updated roundup soon (my last Pressed and Loose Powder Roundup was in 2018! how time flies!). Right now I have a tie between the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish in Medium (always a favorite) and the new Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder in Honey*. It’s a new tinted setting powder with honey and yellow undertones. It leaves a soft satiny smooth matte for my medium tan skin, doesn’t have any flashback and lasts a long time.
For foundations and tinted moisturizers I recently shared my new Summer Base Edit in July reviewing new formulas. I do like to rotate but out of all the ones I’ve tried (new and go-to’s) my current top three right now are:
- Chanel Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint in Medium Plus (review + swatches of all shades here)
- Tom Ford Traceless Soft Matte in Natural 6.0 (swatched + on the face here)
- Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Foundation in Buff and Dusk (review here, this is the most long-wear foundation I own)
Best Cream Bronzer
The Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream is my go-to to warm up and add a natural bronzey look. You can see the full review here. A number of you asked what brushes I use for this and I added a few videos to my Instagram Story Highlights @beautylookbook under the CHANEL feature. I like the Tom Ford Brush 02, Hourglass Vanish Foundation Brush, Real Techniques Brush 200 and Zoeva 135 Petite Face Brush* but you can use any cream product brush to apply and blend.
Luminous Summer Bronzers
I love so many formulas for bronzer. It is hard to pick just one favorite but one formula that I’ve used for years is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer. I prefer bronzing powders with a luminous shimmer (versus full matte) and the colors from Hourglass are frequently in rotation. Luminous Bronze Light and Radiant Bronze light are my favorites for the face, although if you’re fair they might turn orangey on your skin. In that case I would recommend you try Diffused Bronze Light or Nude Bronze Light as they have a different undertone. I will often use Diffused Bronze Light as an eyeshadow too.
I added a swatch of the new Ambient Lighting Infinity Powder which I can use as a soft all over glow powder (more on this in my powder roundup coming soon).
Eye Makeup Staples
My top three simple eye makeup staples this summer have been a good cream shimmer shadow like the By Terry Ombre Blackstars in Sunny Flash (swatched here), deep black eyeliner like the Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Eyeliner (reviewed here) and the new Pat McGrath Dark Star Mascara* (perfect for length and volume).
Top Summer Perfumes
I feel like it’s been forever since I did a perfume review or roundup but some of you have been asking what I’ve been loving this summer so here are my top picks. Jo Malone Yuja Cologne is a citrus-lover’s dream come true. It’s a soft sweet citrus and limited-edition. I’m considering buying the larger bottle before it’s gone forever.
For the ultimate soft white floral with a hint of coconut Tom Ford Eau de Soleil Blanc has been a favorite for years. To me it’s similar to the classic Soleil Blanc, but right now I’m using the softer version.
My favorite citrus scent is the Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel in the Paris-Biarritz perfume. It has a mix of mandarin and lily for a softer citrus scent and to me is the perfect summer perfume. Since it’s warm and sunny most of the year in Florida I like this year round. (Mine shown is the travel size).
Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt is my year-round go to regardless of season. I think it works well for a unisex scent and is so unique to me. I try and get minis with GWPs anytime I can so I can carry one my purse. I also love their mini sets which is the best way to sample their perfumes to see which ones work best on your skin. The Jo Malone Cologne Collection Set from Nordstrom is a great value for the Anniversary Sale. Sephora has a Mini Discovery Set available too (smaller spritzers) and a few Mini Duos with Wood Sage + Sea Salt / Peony Blush Suede and Wood Sage + Sea Salt / English Pear and Freesia. I’ll link a few other sampler discovery sets in the widget at the bottom of the post.
Long-Wear Tan + Summer Lips
One thing I don’t use a lot of is self tanner. The Florida sun is enough to get a tan in just a few minutes even with sunscreen and being covered up. Still a lot of you have asked what a good self tanning product that doesn’t have a heavy scent and I always recommend the By Terry Tea to Tan*. You can use this on the face or chest and it doesn’t transfer on me. It’s really subtle – just spray on a brush and then buff it in anywhere you want a tan. It will wash off but when I use this it will last all day.
These days I have a love/hate relationship with lip products. It’s pretty annoying having to take off lipstick or gloss when you wear a mask outside. I still keep a balm or gloss with me in my purse out of habit. At home my favorite colors to wear are peaches or corals. I really love the Fenty Beauty Slip Shine in Tang Thang, Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath in Peachy Plump and the Sisley Le Phyto Lip Gloss in Paradise.
Below wearing: Eric Javits Hampton Hat in Cream (on sale at Nordstrom and Eric Javits), Rails Cotton Ellis Shirt in Small (similar from Topshop, more colors from Rails here), Celine 48mm Sunglasses, Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath in Peachy Plump, Smith and Cult Nail Polish in Poppy Papi*
Summer Accessories
I’m going to have a roundup of my favorite accessories soon as some of you have asked for side by sides and more try-ons in a single post for easy reference. I cannot live without sunglasses in Florida and I do not understand how some people can go outside without wearing them! The sun is so bright here it’s almost blinding. We’ve been in Florida 3 and a half years now and I’ve found hats to be essential. In San Diego I rarely wore hats even though it’s still pretty sunny there.
Left: I bought the Brixton Lera Straw Fedora and the Small size works for my head which is 22 inches around. Medium also works (accidentally bought this one in my Nordstrom haul) but definitely feels a little loose. I don’t like hats too tight because I get a lot of hair breakage. My Celine 48 mm Cat Eye Sunglasses were a splurge in Miami last year and I really love them. For hair I’m never without the Slip Pure Silk Scrunchies. They don’t cause any breakage with my color-treated hair and don’t leave hair kinks when tied. I’m currently about 1/2 way there to growing out my highlights. My latest splurge you may have seen on stories are the Chloe Sandals. I ordered the white ones in a Size 7 which fit perfectly (I’m usually a 6.5 or 7 with narrow feet).
Right: My favorite sun hat the Eric Javits Hamptons Hat (100% worth the splurge, currently on sale at Nordstrom and Eric Javits), Celine 50mm Polarized Brown sunglasses (on the face here), and the Marc Fisher Marina Tie-Up Sandals.
That wraps up my summer beauty staples roundup! Hope you found this helpful if you’re looking for any new perfumes or bronzers to try out. If you have any favorites you want to share please let me know in the comments!
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Press samples have a * next to them. Other items purchased by me.
