It’s finally that time of year again. Ice cream starts to melt seconds after you get your scoop, the weekend beach traffic begins, and the scent of sunscreen fills the air. Every summer, as soon as the temperature crawls up over 60 degrees, I clear out space on my bathroom shelves for my favorite warm-weather beauty products, anticipating long beach days and sunkissed skin.
But the rush from that beautiful summer glow can go right out the window if I’m not prepared to protect my body. We’ve compiled all of our must-have summer beauty products that are bound to keep you happy, healthy, and glowing from the first rooftop happy hour to the last beachside sunset.
From gentle sunscreen that won’t block your pores to highlighters and lip colors that will complement your summer skin to remedies for overexposure to UV rays and pesky bugs, we’ve got all bases covered — including some easy ways to brighten up your hair and makeup routines when the heat is on.
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Whether you’re packing up the car for an epic cross-country road trip, heading seaside for the entire season, or jetting to far-off destinations with varying climates, these travel-friendly beauty products are what you need to be totally summer-ready. While most picks are carry-on and TSA-friendly (liquids less than 3.4 oz.), some of our favorites are better siphoned into smaller on-the-go containers. Especially for a short trip, save space and weight in your travel makeup bag by taking only as much as you’ll need.
So grab your favorite swimsuit, toss your summer beauty essentials (and plenty of water!) into the perfect beach bag, and hit the road.
Sunblock
While most of us love posting up under the sun for hours on end, we all know that too much time catching UV rays can have some pretty severe consequences. These SPF body and face lotions will keep your skin moisturized and protected from damaging rays, without blocking pores or causing extra problems — and some of them even double as a bb cream.
1. Aveeno Baby Natural Sunscreen SPF 50
To buy: target.com, $11
2. Estée Lauder DayWear BB Anti-oxidant Beauty Benefit Crème SPF 35
To buy: sephora.com, $42
3. Fresh Sugar Sport Treatment Sunscreen SPF 30
To buy: sephora.com, $25
4. Maui Babe Sun Protectant Lotion
To buy: walgreens.com, $11
5. Soleil Toujours SPF 30 Glow Mineral Sunscreen
To buy: dermstore.com, $25
6. Colorescience Sunforgettable Mineral Powder SPF 50
To buy: colorescience.com, $64
After-sun care & burn relief
Mineral water spray is our go-to for rehydrating post-sun (and in dry airplane cabins!). We’ve also included some soothing burn remedies, like organic coconut oil and aloe gel, for when your diligent reapplications every few hours happen to miss a spot.
1. Earth’s Daughter Aloe Vera Gel
To buy: amazon.com, $15
2. Eau Thermale Avène Cicalfate Restorative Skin Cream
To buy: dermstore.com, $28
3. Radha Aloe Vera Gel
To buy: radhabeauty.com, $13
4. Shea Moisture Coconut Oil
To buy: target.com, $11
5. Evian Mineral Water Spray
To buy: sephora.com, $13
Makeup
I always err on the side of “less is more” when it comes to makeup in the summertime. Between tanned skin and sunkissed hair, it’s easy to use just a few products to create a dewy, finished look that seems like you’re hardly wearing any makeup at all. Below, we’ve picked out some brightening cheek and lip colors, highlighter to compliment your bronze, and mascara that will draw attention to your eyes and provide a full lash that will last all day (even if that day involves splashing in the ocean).
1. Benefit Dandelion Twinkle
To buy: benefitcosmetics.com, $29
2. Benefit Benetint Cheek and Lip Stain
To buy: benefitcosmetics.com, $30
3. Clinique Lash Power Mascara Long-wearing Formula
To buy: nordstrom.com, $18
4. Too Too Hot Essie Nail Polish
To buy: dermstore.com, $9
5. Cle de Peau Lip Enriched Lip Luminizer
To buy: neimanmarcus.com, $25 for holder; $35 for color refills
6. Lancôme Matte Shaker High Pigment Liquid Lipstick
To buy: sephora.com, $22
7. Glossier Generation G
To buy: glossier.com, $18
Body Moisture
Even though the summer months might not dry out your skin the way wintertime does (especially if you’re applying sunscreen daily!), it’s important to stay hydrated both inside and out this season. These lotions and balms will keep your skin from feeling too thirsty.
1. Skin Trip Body Lotion
To buy: amazon.com, $7
2. Black Hills Honey Farm Bee Balm
To buy: amazon.com, $23
3. L’Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream
To buy: loccitane.com, $13
4. Kopari Coconut Body Glow
To buy: sephora.com, $42
Self-tanner & Bronzer
And for those of us who might have to spend more time in the office than under the sun…
1. James Read Overnight Tan Sleep Mask
To buy: target.com, $28
2. Tan Towels
To buy: amazon.com, $29
3. NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna
To buy: nordstrom.com, $40
4. St. Tropez Essentials In-shower Gradual Tan
To buy: dermstore.com, $25
Bug Protection
Whether you’re camping your way through our national parks or taking an evening walk along the beach, the summer bugs are bound to find you at some point this season. These solutions (like itch relief and natural tea tree oil) will save you all that itching and scratching.
1. Burt’s Bees Outdoor Herbal Insect Repellent
To buy: amazon.com, $28
2. Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil
To buy: amazon.com, $9
3. Badger Anti-bug Spray
To buy: amazon.com, $10
4. Neosporin Eczema Essentials Anti Itch Relief
To buy: amazon.com, $11
5. Honest Bug Spray
To buy: honest.com, $13
Scents
These light and floral fragrances (in travel-friendly sizes) are the perfect way to finish off your summertime beauty routine.
1. Byredo Kabuki Gypsy Water Perfume
To buy: barneys.com, $65
2. Diptyque Mini Figuier Candle
To buy: saksfifthavenue.com, $34
3. Tarte Clean Queen Vegan Deodorant
To buy: tartecosmetics.com, $14
4. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb
To buy: nordstrom.com, $55
5. Tocca Stella Eau De Parfum Rollerball
To buy: dermstore.com, $25
Hair Care
It’s easier to let your hair’s health fall to the wayside in the summer, with all that focus on sunscreen application and lounging in chemically treated pool water. Here, we’ve picked out some shampoos, masks, and sprays that will keep your hair shining, hydrated, and ready for sand, saltwater, and sun.
1. Bumble and Bumble Surf Infusion
To buy: nordstrom.com, from $17
2. Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil
To buy: bloomingdales.com, $22
3. Jason Sea Kelp Shampoo
To buy: target.com, $9
4. Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask
To buy: sephora.com, $16
5. Klorane Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk
To buy: sephora.com, $20
6. Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
To buy: sephora.com, $12
Face Cleansers
Even when you’re wearing little makeup or facial products with a lightweight feel, it’s still Skincare 101 to cleanse at the end of every day. These cleansers and wipes will keep you fresh-faced on the go.
1. Cleanse by Laura Napier Cleansing Wipes
To buy: net-a-porter.com, $40
2. Thank You Farmer Back to Iceland Cleansing Water
To buy: amazon.com, $40
3. Sephora Coconut Water Facial Cleansing Wipes
To buy: sephora.com, $8
4. Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser
To buy: glossier.com, $18
Face Creams and Masks
After cleansing each evening, moisturize, evening mask, and repeat. These are some of our favorite skin-hydrating creams of the season, and a few masks for a post-sunshine treat.
1. Too Cool for School Egg Cream Mask
To buy: sephora.com, $24
2. Pure Body Naturals Dead Sea Mud Mask
To buy: amazon.com, $15
3. Laneige Water Bank Mask
To buy: amazon.com, $32
4. Karuna Renewal Eye Mask
To buy: dermstore.com, $36
5. The Seaweed Bath Co. Restoring Marine Night Therapy Cream
To buy: amazon.com, $49
6. Crème de la Mer
To buy: nordstrom.com, from $85
Bath Time
While you might spend lots of time swimming in pools, the ocean, and lakes this summer, try to make time for a relaxing bath now and again. These products are the ultimate indulgence for a summertime soak in the tub.
1. Herbivore Bamboo Charcoal Detoxifying Soap Bar
To buy: sephora.com, $12
2. Kai Body Polish
To buy: dermstore.com, $38
3. The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Gel Wash
To buy: thebodyshop.com, $17
4. LUSH Sakura Bath Bomb
To buy: lushusa.com, $7
5. Dr. Teal’s Relax & Relief Soaking Solution
To buy: target.com, $5
