Oh, is it just me, or does skin genuinely look better in the summer? Maybe it’s the tan, maybe it’s the fact that I’m actually drinking water, or maybe it’s just that holiday glow we all start manifesting the second we book a flight. Whatever it is – I’m into it.
That said, summer make-up is a whole vibe. I’m talking luminous, soft, barely-there, but still there enough to make you feel like you’ve got it together – even if you’ve just rolled out of a sun lounger. After a few weeks of airports, sunshine, and not-so-quick outfit changes, I’ve figured out the make-up products that are really doing it for me this season. They’re easy, reliable, glowy, and they actually survive a hot afternoon in Rome or a dinner al fresco in Saint-Tropez.
Here’s what’s been living in my make-up bag lately…
It all starts with skin, and the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation has been my ride-or-die for years now. It melts in beautifully, giving just enough coverage without ever looking heavy – think second skin with a satin glow. I follow that with the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, which I dab under my eyes and around the nose – it blends like a dream and never creases, even in the heat.
To add a bit of shape, I’ve fallen in love with the Rare Beauty Contour Stick – it’s so creamy and easy to use, I barely need a brush. I finish the complexion with two glow-boosting staples: NARS Laguna Bronzer, which gives me that “just spent the weekend in Capri” warmth, and the Rare Beauty Highlighter, which I tap onto my cheekbones, nose and even the inner corners of my eyes for that subtle, summer-lit effect.
On the eyes, I’ve been reaching for the new Prada Beauty Mascara – it lifts and defines my lashes without clumping, which is exactly what I want on a warm day when I can’t be bothered with full eye looks. For cheeks, I’m utterly obsessed with the Dior Rosy Glow Blush. It somehow adapts to your skin tone and gives the healthiest, prettiest flush – I’ve honestly worn this more than any other blush this year.
Lips are simple: I keep a Dior Lip Glow Oil in every handbag. It’s glossy, hydrating, and adds just the right tint without looking overdone. But when I want a bit more of a statement, especially for dinners out, I turn to my Valentino Spike Lipstick. It’s bold, elegant, and makes me feel instantly pulled together.
And finally – a little luxury I can’t go without – the Tom Ford Shimmering Body Oil. Whether I’m wearing an off-shoulder dress or just want to feel a bit more put-together in the evening, this oil gives my skin that sunkissed sheen and smells absolutely divine.
