When it comes to makeup, there are a few staples that we wear all year long. As the seasons change, our makeup bags undergo changes, too. We switch the “cold cheeks” rosy blush for more of a bronze finish, the glitter for glow, the rich creams for moisturizers with SPF. In this list, you can find some cutting-edge beauty products, beloved by experts, that will help you achieve your most confident, radiant, and chic look. From glowy primers and bronzing sticks, to classic red lips and useful tricks, summer’s fun mood starts now.
Hello Sunday SPF Primer for a pearlescent glow
The first few days of spring are always the best ones. When the sun’s rays still feel like a gift and the ability to sit out in the open is a cause for celebration. And though we might get carried away with joy and overlook the need for SPF, it’s important not to. After the long winter months of little to no sun exposure, our skin is most vulnerable. Luckily, SPF doesn’t have to mean getting all white and greasy, as if our grandma is fanatically applying sunscreen to our backs. It can also mean a glowy, dewy complexion, and can be worn underneath a foundation. Especially in the case of this illuminating One Glow primer by Hello Sunday. With micro particles of Mica, it adds a pearlescent glow and makes your skin feel hydrated and prepped while also protecting it against harmful UV rays.
A long-lasting red lipstick to attack the day
A red lip is always a good idea. As Coco Chanel famously said: “If you’re sad, add more lipstick and attack.” Seriously, though, adding a touch of red to the lips always works magic for elevating any look and any mood. And yet when it comes to choosing the right lipstick, the choice can feel overwhelming. This Giorgio Armani matte one is an expert favorite, in a classic red, and with a long-lasting stay.
The Armani fabric concealer for a second-skin finish
While on Armani, their concealers are also famously good. The fabric concealer resists settling into creases and wrinkles and provides a natural and smooth second-skin finish. Typically used under the eyes and to cover dark circles it can be used all over the face on those days when you feel like going foundation-free.
Glossier’s lip balm for some tender loving care
All of Glossier’s products have that chic, cool, you-either-want-to-eat-it-or-look-at-it-all-day type of packaging. They are quite aesthetically pleasing. But they are not just about the packaging. Glossier capitalises on natural beauty, and their products are meant to give maximum effect with minimal effort. Their lip balms are especially popular. This one has a slight pink tint and will give some tender loving care to winter-dried lips.
The TikTok-viral collagen cream
The Medicube collagen jelly cream was a TikTok sensation and is now endorsed by Megan Markle. Its texture and look will make your inner child ecstatically happy, while its effect will please the adult you. It works to even out skin tone, give a “Korean glass glow” and has anti-aging benefits. It’s applied morning and evening after your regular skincare routine.
Lancome’s lash Idole mascara for your everyday look
The Lancome Idole mascara is a classic and one you keep returning to even after you’ve tried all the buzzy new ones. It gives lift and volume and is a staple in your everyday, natural-looking makeup routine.
Charlotte Tilbury’s flawless finish powder for an airbrushed look
If you’re after that airbrushed face glow, as if you applied a flattering Instagram filter, then look no further than Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush flawless finish powder. One of her bestsellers, it works great for smoothing out imperfections, mattifying oily areas, and it feels like “cashmere on the face”. It works great to set foundations and concealers in place.
A foundation that’s good for your skin
The Shiseido Revitalessence foundation is Amazon’s choice, and that’s for a reason. It provides a glow finish that lasts up to 12 hours while also improving skin texture over time and protecting against UV rays. Available in five shades.
Laura Mercier’s Caviar Stick eyeshadow for a natural and easy look
This eyeshadow can easily be applied without the need for specific brushes and with the stroke of a stick. It’s matte, highly blendable, and gives a natural look, especially in the shade “nude.”
The blush to end all blushes
Dior’s pink blush is on recommendation lists and in makeup bags of young and old, professionals, and dilettantes alike, and there is reason to believe it’s the blush to end all blushes. Its shade might strike as too rosy at first, and yet its appeal and suitability are universal. It reacts upon application with the skin’s pH and moisture level for long-wearing custom color.
A mini blush trio for the traveler
And yet, if you’d rather try other blushes too or find the shade too bright, then Rare Beauty’s blushes are also a good option. This limited mini edition is great for the regular traveler and will allow you to try out multiple shades.
Hourglass mechanical gel liner
Hourglass is Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s beauty brand and when looking at the pencils I am reminded of her sharing in a vlog once how her children used her pencils as swords. Apart from great kids’ toys, the Hourglass mechanical gel liners are perfect for mastering the winged eyeliner look.
Hydrating skin tint for a fresh finish
For lovers of the lightweight touch who are after minimal coverage, the Milk Hydrogrip tint is a great option. It’s the type of product you would recommend to a best friend after buying. It offers a fresh, dewy finish and the hyaluronic-acid-infused formula provides optimum hydration.
RMS Beauty bronzer for a summer makeup look
With the change of seasons and the approach of summer, naturally, our makeup look goes through transformations, too. From dewy and glittery with rosy, “cold cheeks” blush, to peachy, bronze, and sun-kissed. This RMS Beauty bronzer helps to achieve the perfect summer finish. It works great on all skin tones and has anti-aging properties.
The No Foundation foundation
Another of Meghan Markle’s favorites, this “No Makeup Makeup” foundation feels super light and gives the ultimate “woke up like this” look. It works as a color-corrector, concealer, and foundation, all in one!
The beige blush trick
As stated above, in spring and summer, the brownish palette is the go-to makeup option for eyes, lips, and cheeks. You don’t have to go very dark. In fact, opting for beige, mild blush has many benefits. Although it wouldn’t be the intuitive pick when looking for a blush, it is a precious discovery. Going for beige, almost the color of powder, or your own skin tone gives a super natural and warm look while doing everything you expect of a blush – contour, enliven, etc… This Melba one by M.A.C. does all that and more.
The face cream to reduce redness
If you’re after a face cream that corrects redness, smoothes the skin and feels as if you’ve just had a luxurious facial, then this Erborian CC Red Correct will do the trick. It also has SPF 25.
Anti-wrinkle booster serum
In our hectic day and age, when sleep is often overlooked and needs are ignored, if a product has the word “booster” in it, I am sold. But the Q+A product range is supposed to be really good. This booster serum is anti-wrinkle and works great on all skin types.
Selena Gomez’s bronzer stick
The stick bronzer has a few advantages over a powder one. Namely, that it allows for a more precise application and helps you be more in control of the build-up and product quantity. As far as bronzers go, this Rare Beauty one by Selena Gomez is popular and just the warm, dark shade befitting of summer.
Peach perfect affordable blush
What’s great about the e.l.f. cosmetics blushes is that they are liquid-based, so you only need a very tiny amount to get the pigment and look you desire, which makes them super affordable and long-lasting. Shade “coral crush” and “peach perfect” feel very spring-y.
The lip pencil for natural definition
This Jones Road lip pencil gives the lips natural definition. Their creamy formula makes for easy and smooth application. It also comes with a complimentary collagen sheet mask!
A brow freeze gel to keep eyebrows in place
You’d think eyebrows are just eyebrows, no? And yet everyone who has played around with makeup knows that they have the power to make or break a look. The problem is this: they rarely remain where we want them to. Anastasia Beverly Hills brow gel comes to the rescue. It can help to style, brush, and keep eyebrows in place.
Laura Mercier’s Scarlet Velvet lipstick
Another great red lipstick to help you achieve a classy and elegant look is this Laura Mercier matte one. It offers sixteen-hour hydration and a scarlet-velvet color. It is smudge and transfer-proof.
Tanning drops for a natural looking glow
It’s that time of year again when we need to transform our legs from winter legs – scaly, dry, and chalky white to smooth, moisturized, and tanned. It’s too early for annual leave and holidays, though, so this is where self-tanners come in handy. These Isle of Paradise self-tanning drops create a gradual glow and even out skin tone. Simply mix a few with your favorite moisturizer.
A serum from Japan’s no.1 skincare line
An anti-aging and hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid and collagen from Japan’s number one skincare line. It increases skin elasticity and reduces signs of aging, fine lines, and wrinkles.
The lip tint everyone carries in their phone case
You’ve probably seen those lip tints on phone cases of influencers and other mirror selfie enthusiasts. News flash: turns out you can get the lip tint without the case, too! It looks bougie, and if everyone is going through the major inconvenience of having a lip gloss built-in on their phone cover at all times, it must be good, right? It offers a subtle hint with buildable color and a hydrating formula.
The Dior Backstage concealer
The Dior backstage flash perfector concealer has a good rep—and that’s for a good reason. It does everything you want from a concealer: smoothes and enhances radiance without settling in fine lines and wrinkles, blends easily, and looks chic.
Jelly Bear lip mask
The state of your lips determines, to a large extent, how good lipstick looks on them. The more hydrated they are, the better. This jelly bear lip mask with hyaluronic acid by Dr.Jart + Vital makes lips smoother, plumper, and visibly adds shine. It also looks super cute.
The best on-budget mascara
For beauty finds on a budget, this L’Oreal Paris Telescopic lengthening mascara is a great one. It enhances lash length by lash separation. Perfect for sensitive eyes and those wearing contact lenses.
Lady Gaga’s volumizing mascara
Another great mascara is the Haus Labs one. It gives not just length but volume, too, and it achieves this by coating each lash evenly. It is smudge-proof and waterproof, so it is perfect for wearing from morning to night or night to morning. It is also suitable for sensitive eyes.
The mask to target appearance of fatigue at the roots
When you’d prefer to address dark circles and puffiness at the roots rather than cover them up, this 111Skin mask is a great way to do so. It reduces the visible effects of fatigue, while de-puffing and infusing the skin with beneficial ingredients.
The mighty patch for pimples
In the same vein, these mighty patches take immediate care of unforeseen breakouts and spots. They absorb pimple gunk without the need for popping. All you need to do is put one over the spot before bed, and you wake up with clearer, healthier-looking skin.
Jane Iredale’s subtle looking eyeshadow palettes
Jane Iredale has lovely palettes of subtle-looking eyeshadow hues that are perfect for those times when you’re after a day makeup look and want the eyeshadow to open or highlight the eyes or add some shimmer without being too dramatic.
Halo Glow contour beauty wand
This Halo Glow contour wand features an easy-to-use cushion-tip applicator and takes the confusion and hardship out of contouring! Simply draw a line under cheekbones, on the sides of the nose, the jawline, hairline, and temples, and blend in. If you want even more definition, it’s easy to build up.
The skin exfoliant for acne-prone skin
For those with acne-prone skin, Paula’s Choice TikTok-popular skin exfoliant promises to unclog pores, control oil, improve hydration and barrier, and combat blemishes. Use after cleansing skin and before applying moisturizer two to five times per week.
The “spa in a jar” cleansing balm
Skin condition is also hugely dependent on how well makeup is taken off at the end of the day. Emma Hardie’s Moringa Cleansing Balm also known as “Spa in a Jar” does it the right way, with care. Infused with moringa seed oil, vitamin E, wild sea fennel, orange, neroli, and other essential oils it has a no-rinse formula that nourishes and hydrates while gently removing face and eye makeup.
TikTok’s beloved TirTir foundation
Another beauty product championed by TikTok, that lives up to its reputation, is the Tirtir Red Cushion foundation. Whether you’re after medium or full coverage, the cushion applicator makes it easily achievable. Its uniqueness, apart from being the first Korean cushion foundation to offer a forty-shade range, comes from being super lightweight and non-greasy. It also boasts a 72-hour long wear.
The perfume that smells uniquely you
A skin-scent enhancer, the Glossier You perfume is meant to maximize your natural scent. It smells a little different to everyone. It features notes of pink pepper, iris, and a musky base.
The salt spray to get your hair in the mood for summer
Whether you’d like to get your hair in the mood for summer, or just sport some bouncy, beach waves, this Not Your Mother’s sea salt spray can help with both. It softens, hydrates, and protects against UV rays (goodbye to drastic haircuts at the end of summer).
