With summer comes a serious shakeup to my beauty routine: I become extra vigilant about sunscreen, trade out my heavy winter moisturizer for something lighter, and completely abandon foundation. As a sweaty gal, I want to look fresh, bright, and like a pound of makeup isn’t slowly sliding down my cheeks in the heat. Because I am always on the lookout for summer holy grail products, I surveyed some of the Coveteur staff on their favorite warm-weather beauty essentials, from weightless sunscreens to peachy cheek stains.
Jess Teves, Head of Brand & Editor-in-Chief
Photo: Courtesy of Jess Teves
Diamond Cocoon Sheer Cream
In lieu of foundation for day-to-day wear in the summer months, I now turn to Natura Bisse’s tinted Diamond Cocoon Sheer cream, which has just a hint of color but packs a big hydrating punch. It beautifully blends into the skin—evening out my complexion and adding a dewy glow that doesn’t feel heavy.
Frizz Block Smoothing Spray
This humidity-blocking spray is a summer hair game-changer. It protects your strands from UV damage—which, let’s be honest, is critical in the sunnier months—and because it’s nearly weightless, it’s amazing at preventing frizz without making your hair feel heavy or greasy.
Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder
This multi-use powder gives you a luminous and bronzed finish (no shimmer in sight!)—perfect for faking that natural summer glow. I use it all over my face as a finishing powder and dust it along my collar bones and decollete to heighten my skin’s appearance.
Leya Kaufman, Head of Brand & Publisher
Photo: Courtesy of Leya Kaufman
Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF 40 Serum
This Supergoop vitamin C-infused SPF serum just became my summertime skin savior. I use this as an all-in-one step before my light base layer of makeup. It keeps my skin hydrated and glowy throughout the day. Plus, I’m all about the added benefits of sun protection and age-defying vitamin C.
Sculpting Brow Gel
My barely-there brows tend to get even lighter in the summer. So, this volume-boosting light brown sculpting brow gel from La Perla is a game-changer. Even when I’m opting for a minimalist beauty look for an afternoon at the beach, I reach for this.
Tinted Love Lip & Cheek Stain
This lip stain pops against a white outfit and natural glow–or, in my case, faux tan. I love that this Charlotte Tilbury tint is a two-in-one product too. It’s perfect to throw into a tote bag when you’re on-the-go or need to transition from day-to-night. I’m obsessed!
Leigh Weiss, Affiliate Coordinator
Photo: Courtesy of Leigh Weiss
CC+ Cream with SPF 50+
This CC+ cream is lightweight, has medium-full coverage, and best of all, has SPF 50. It’s perfect for both light daytime and heavier nighttime looks.
Nudies Bronze in Sunkissed
I have been hooked on this product for over three years now. I exclusively wear it during the summer because it gives your skin a subtle yet warm and sunkissed glow. I also love the shade Poppy Girl for a brighter cheek.
SoftSculpt Shaping Stick in Light Medium
This product continues to sell out because it is truly the best. Mario formulated these products to be lightweight and natural, with no orange undertones. It sculpts your face beautifully and can easily be layered.
Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle
I have been on the hunt for a natural-looking highlighter and my friend recently introduced me to the Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle. Unlike other highlighters, this one blends right into your makeup without any underlying hues.
The Mascara
Upon only a few wears of this mascara, I have been showered with compliments. It's easily buildable and never clumps together.
Maraya Fisher, Fashion Fellow
Photo: Courtesy of Maraya Fisher
Antioxidant Face Shield Daily 100% Mineral Spf 30
My current favorite sunscreen is this new release from Kopari. It’s super lightweight, doesn’t leave a white cast, and layers great under my tinted moisturizer. I can’t stand anything heavy-feeling on my face during the warmer months, so this is perfect!
The Face Pencil
I have been obsessed with the Jones Road face pencil recently. I use it to cover any redness that my tinted moisturizer doesn’t conceal and to brighten under my eyes and inner corners. It makes me appear extra doe-eyed too—even on the mornings I wake up a little haggard from the previous night’s festivities.
Matte Fluid Eye Paint
I keep my makeup pretty lowkey during summer days, but I love the subtle warmth and definition this soft brown shade adds to an eye look. I’ll pair it with a brown mascara and a tiny bit of highlighter on my brow bone and call it a day!
Generation G in Crush
This has been my go-to lip shade for several summers now. It’s perfectly pigmented for casual use, goes on matte but isn’t drying, and smells like my senior year of college—making me feel how you should in summer: young and wild.
Katie Mok, Editorial Production Fellow
Photo: Courtesy of Katie Mok
Radiant Creamy Liquid Color Corrector
With the dark circles I have, a color corrector is much needed. This one is becoming a top favorite of mine as it’s not too matte and it doesn’t budge until I remove it. It's perfect to withstand the humid New York heat!
Velvet Lip Tint in Daffodil
This is by far my perfect shade of poppy red. It’s bright and vibrant and I’m so in love with the texture! Add more on for a dramatic look or a few light dabs for the perfect dash of color.
Perfecting Serum
I don’t think I’ll shut up anytime soon about my new perm. For 24 straight years, my hair refused to curl, no matter what hair product or tool was used. So I booked an appointment for a digital perm and I’m loving it. I have slight waves, and this hydrating serum helps define the curls just a tad more while also adding shine.
Limitless Lash Lengthening Mascara
Like my hair, my eyelashes are equally stubborn. Curls do not hold whatsoever. That changed when I was introduced to this mascara. This actually clings to my lashes and holds a curl without giving me any sort of raccoon eye situation after three hours of application. This is definitely on my repurchasing list.
Kohl Liner in Simma Brown Now!
I rarely ever walk out of the house without eyeliner. I love a little bit more definition and this Kohl liner gives it for 98 cents. I either smudge this out for a more natural look or set it with a dark brown shadow if I want a more dramatic wing.