My Favorite Summer Beauty Products
How is it summer already?? Our days are about to be filled with all the sun and fun. While I don’t have to change up my routine all that much, I do have some favorite summer beauty products.
My husband and I took a quick staycation to Laguna Beach recently and it got me thinking about the beauty products that I have been loving and think are especially great for the summer months. I’m far from flawless but think my favorite products might be great for you too. 
I only share things I love and think you will too. This post contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something through one of these links, I am compensated. Originally published in June, 2018.
Our weather is pretty mild most of the year so there isn’t too much I have to change when summer rolls around. I usually add in more sunscreen since we are outside more often. And I tend to wear less makeup, because, sweat.
And as a busy mom (who will be trying to work from home and not have the kids on screens all summer) I especially like products that are fast or do more than one thing. I’m all about hacks.
These are the things I grab each summer as we head out on vacation. They’re my go-to products for keeping my beauty routine quick and easy and looking somewhat put together.
Summer Beauty Products I’m Loving
Summer Sun Protection
With my history of skin cancer I HAVE to use sunscreen but I still HATE it. I have sensitive, oily skin and putting on sunscreen wrecks my face. I know I need it but I still will try anything I can to find something that is a little bit better on my skin.
DermaSurface Vitamin C Day Cream SPF 30
When I know I am spending more than just a few minutes in the sun I always start with this sunscreen from my favorite DermaSurface. I use her anti-aging skincare and knew the sunscreen wouldn’t irritate my skin.
This cream goes on really nicely and sinks in without leaving me feeling like I’ve got a layer of goo on my skin. She also has a tinted version that I sometimes wear in place of foundation when I’m going to the beach.
Buy it: DermaSurface Vitamin C Day Cream | Derma Tint SPF 30
Peter Thomas Roth Mineral Powder Sunscreen
This powder sunscreen is EVERYTHING. It provides great coverage and doesn’t feel heavy like some creams do. While it has a little bit of color to it, it’s sheer enough so that it doesn’t really change the color of your face makeup.
PLUS I will reapply this as the day goes on whereas I would NEVER put on another layer of cream sunscreen on my face in the middle of the day. Because, gross.
Buy it: Peter Thomas Roth Mineral Sunscreen
Summer Makeup Products
Especially on vacation, my makeup routine gets pared way down and often just includes a little foundation and mascara. These are the products I love that let me simplify my routine and still feel like I have my face on.
Voluminous Superstar X Fiber Mascara
I decided to try out lash extensions last summer. While I loved not having to apply mascara on my vacation, my real eyelashes took a beating. When I had the extensions removed, my lashes were sad.
None of my old mascaras did anything for my lashes so I had to look for new ones. The one that I REALLY loved is this one by L’Orèal.
I’ve had several people ask me about my lashes from them seeing them on my Instagram stories. This mascara is two steps and really makes them look full and long. It doesn’t flake off either which I always think these fiber mascaras will do.
This one isn’t waterproof but it looks like they do have that option as well. While this isn’t quite as easy as having lash extensions, the results are fantastic and this is my new go-to summer beauty product for my eyes.
Buy it: L’Oreal Superstar X Fiber Mascara
Wet n Wild Color Icon Blush
I can’t say that I am a budget shopper, but I know if I am spending money in one area (say, clothes for summer), I’m not going to spend a ton on makeup.
While my favorite blush for summer is Nars Orgasm, I don’t always love the price tag. So I did a little bit of research and several people said that this Wet n Wild color is the perfect dupe!
It’s super inexpensive. I’ve been using it for a few months now and I’m loving it! It is very pigmented so a little bit goes a long way but I think it’s long wearing and I don’t feel like it wears off which is great!
This blush is definitely one of my summer beauty essentials. I don’t usually fool around with bronzer too much since I try to stay out of the sun if I can at all help it, so a pinky blush is a great product to have in your makeup bag!
Buy it: Wet n Wild Color Icon Blush in Pearlescent Pink
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Burnished Bronze
This product is called an eye stick but I’ve also used it for lip color when I was on a trip and forgot all my lipsticks! It’s super easy to use and you don’t even need to use any brushes if you don’t want to which makes it perfect for traveling.
This color, in particular, can be muted by buffing it out with your finger or more pigmented by swiping it right on your lid. I think this color helps to bring out my blue eyes.
For my lips, I rubbed some on my finger and then applied to my lips and topped it with a little lip balm. When I didn’t want to redo my whole makeup on my staycation, I just added a little more of this to my eyes and was ready for dinner in no time.
This is one of my favorite products for summer beauty for sure!
Buy it: Laura Mercier Caviar Stick
Clinique Chubby Sticks
These Color Balms are my go-to for lip color no matter what time of year! They are less drying than a standard lipstick and feel really nice on your lips. They come in a ton of colors and go on a little bit heavier than a lip balm.
Mega Melon is one of my faves because it adds a nice coral color that is great for summer nights. But I also throw this on first thing in the morning on vacation. It adds the perfect amount of color without feeling like a heavy lipstick.
Because who really wants to wear lipstick at the beach, am I right?
Buy it: Clinique Chubby Sticks
It Cosmetics Contour Palette
I love this contour palette for summer! While I don’t actually contour my face, this palette is great for bronzing and highlighting. With oily skin, I don’t do this during the day. But there are several options to choose from and I like to add a little oompf on summer nights.
The highlighter looks great with tanned skin (which you can fake with the bronzer). And if you don’t want to lug all your eyeshadows with you on vacation, you can use these to add a little color to your lids too.
Buy it: It Cosmetics Contour Palette
Summer Hair Care
Not Your Mother’s Blonde Moment Seal and Protect Leave-In Conditioner
I came across this product because I was also trying to save money on my hair products. I have to use a leave-in conditioner, especially if I am air drying my hair (which is as often as I can, especially in summer!).
The leave-in I had been using was about $30! So when I saw this Not Your Mother’s Blonde Moment at Target for about $8, I was like I totally have to try it! And I love it.
It’s great for protecting color-treated hair and helps to tone the blonde. It’s also sulfate free which I think helps fight frizz with my hair. This is my first step to doing my hair and then I layer on a few other things.
It’s not super heavy, although I try to spray lightly around my scalp and focus more on the ends.
Buy it: Not Your Mother’s Blonde Moment Leave-In Conditioner
Brazilian Blowout Acai Conditioning Masque
About twice a year I get a Keratin treatment for my hair. I usually try to work on in before vacation so that my hair looks better air dried. This Brazilian Blowout masque is a deep conditioner that I use on the ends of my hair just about every day.
It helps to prolong the smoothness of the treatment and make sure my hair doesn’t get too dry. I especially love it in summer since my hair takes a beating from being in the sun.
Buy it: Brazilian Blowout Masque
Invisibobble Sprunchie
I gave in to the scrunchie trend and love it. But I also love Invisibobbles. When I saw that they make a combo scrunchie/coil hair band, called a Sprunchie, I had to have it. And I wear them all the time. They are perfect for pulling your hair back in warmer weather. And they’re cute.
Buy it: Sprunchie
Don’t forget to check out more of my favorite summer hair products here. I still use all of these things too!
More Summer Beauty Essentials
Finishing Touch Flawless Hair Remover
I refuse to do any face waxing because of my sensitive skin and the fact that I am a sissy who can’t tolerate pain. But I am a hairy blonde girl with tons of peach fuzz so I need to do something about it.
I don’t remember where I first heard about the Finishing Touch but it looked interesting and it wasn’t very expensive so I decided to give it a shot. It is absolutely painless and super easy to use.
It is small and fits right in my makeup bag and is a beauty product every gal should have! I’ve recommended this to other friends and they all love it too! So if you’re looking for a solution to getting rid of unwanted facial hair, this may be the answer!
Buy it: Finishing Touch Flawless Hair Remover
Travel Size Products
Sometimes I want to take my favorite products on vacation and buy them in a more travel-friendly size. And sometimes I use vacation as an opportunity to try out something new. Sephora has an awesome selection of mini beauty products that are perfect for summer.
They have everything from sunscreen (including some that I mentioned above) to makeup and haircare products from your favorite brands.
Buy it: Mini Sized Products from Sephora
I also have to give a special shout out to my sunglasses because they also get a LOT of love on my Instagram.
Shop Summer Beauty Products
I guess it could be argued, who wants to wear makeup to the beach, but I do. I’m super high maintenance and always wear makeup. Although since my microneedling, I’ve never felt more confident and wear much less!
What are your favorite summer beauty products?
More beauty and style to check out:
- All my Favorite Beauty Products from Amazon
- How to Find your Le Labo Scent
- The Anti Aging Skin Care I use Daily
- Anti Cellulite Coffee Scrub DIY
Pin This for Later
These summer beauty products are my go-to favorites for looking put together during summer without spending a ton of time on my routine. From multi-purpose makeup products to my favorite hair ties, these are what I use when the weather warms up!
