I wait all year for summer. Once it's here, I take it seriously. I plan out events and activities. I schedule a short vacation or two. I even make a list of all the restaurants I want to try. Sure, the weather is perfect, and I love wearing all the summertime fashion staples—sandals, linen pants, and flowy skirts—but it's about more than that. It's about the laid-back summer vibe. I love that everything is so breezy and casual, including my beauty routine.
As soon as the weather warms up, I swap out fuller-coverage foundations and concealers for lightweight ones. I swap out a comprehensive multi-step makeup routine for a simpler one. I even reduce my skincare routine to include only the essentials—cleanser, serum, and moisturizer with SPF. When I want to wear something extra, like red lipstick, I choose a long-wearing and fuss-free formula. As I said, I want my beauty routine to be as laid-back as possible. Ahead, see the effortless essentials I'm shopping for this summer.
My 22 Effortless Essentials for Summer
I love using refreshing face mists during hot summer days. This one delivers cooling hydration to my sun-drenched skin.
This skin tint is so lightweight and hydrating, thanks to micro-droplets that deposit pigment when they burst upon application.
This sunscreen oil is at the top of my summer wish list because it protects the skin with SPF 30 while giving it the prettiest vacation glow.
I always keep one of these iconic lip balms nearby. I love the hydration and the light wash of color they give my lips. This bright shade, called Cherry, makes my lips look plump and youthful, and it's so easy to swipe on (no mirror necessary).
This is one of the best multitasking makeup products for summer. It offers a sheer wash of coverage, hydration to plump and smooth the skin, and SPF 30 to protect it from damaging UV rays. I apply it over my sunscreen for extra protection.
Sunscreen sticks are the easiest way to apply (and reapply) sunscreen. This one is water and sweat-resistant, offering SPF 50+, so I feel confident that it's actually protecting my skin.
Eyeshadow sticks are so easy to apply with your fingers. Plus, I find they crease less than powder eyeshadows, especially when it's warm and humid outside.
I'm obsessed with moisturizing my skin in the summer. It has to put up with so much sun, salt, and sweat that I know it could use a little extra comfort. That's why I'm investing in an antioxidant-rich moisturizer like this one.
This multi-use balm is fool-proof. Use it on the eyes, lips, and cheeks for an effortless and monochromatic glow.
I love a no-fuss body wash in the summer—one that will dissolve sunscreen and sweat in the blink of an eye. This one does that. It also treats my skin to niacinamide and a long list of vitamins.
Another complexion product I love, this one offers the sheer coverage of a skin tint along with SPF 30 and good-for-skin ingredients like hyaluronic acid, plant-based squalane, and niacinamide.
My highlighted hair tends to be dry, but in the summer, it reaches a whole new level of lackluster. This hair oil helps keep my strands smooth and soft and prevents split ends from appearing. I run a little bit through my hair almost every day to protect it from the harsh effects of the sun and water.
This product is on my wish list for three reasons. The first is the gorgeous shimmer finish. The second is that it has a crease-proof, water-resistant formula. The third is that it has a summer-appropriate name.
Another iconic Dior product, this one is perfect for my laissez-faire approach to summer makeup. I use it instead of traditional lip gloss, which can be sticky and catch my hair when it's blowing in the breeze. The silky formula moisturizes my lips and leaves the prettiest sheen behind.
On long summer days, I need makeup products I can toss in my bag and touch up on the go. This one, which can be used on the cheeks, eyes, and lips, has an attached brush for easy blending. It gives me that TikTok-viral sunburnt blush effect I love.
I know this is expensive, but it's worth it. It's jam-packed with nourishing plant extracts, and the rich formula means it doubles as a serum and face oil. I use this after my cleanser at night for a quick two-step skincare routine.
My brow routine in the summer is simple: I brush them up with a spoolie and then apply some volumizing brow gel to hold them in place all day long. This is one of my go-tos.
Since my summer makeup routine is so laid-back, I like to emphasize my natural features as best I can. One way I do that is with a lash and brow serum. This 2-in-1 formula is at the top of my list.
This gentle cleanser works through sweat and sunscreen—even dissolving makeup—without stripping my skin. I've used it since high school and won't stop anytime soon.
There's nothing easier or more long-lasting than a lip and cheek tint. This classic one is well worth the money.
I don't wear mascara every day in the summer, but when I do, it has to be a waterproof formula. This one separates my lashes, lengthens them, adds volume, and stays put all day long (even after swimming and sweating).
If you have keratosis pilaris (those little red bumps that gather on the back of the arms and legs), this body scrub will be your best friend. It easily smooths skin texture, leaving it feeling silky soft.
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