This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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Still relying on the same beauty products that got you through the winter? Bad move: The hair, skin, and makeup essentials that worked so well for you in cold weather can actually work against you when the temperature rises. Time to switch it up!
We asked three pros in the know: makeup artistJoanna Lily Wong, stylist Bradley Irion, and dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban — to suggest the best beauty products for warm weather. From makeup that won’t melt off to skin care products that won’t make you break out, these recommendations should inspire you to go clean out your makeup bag ASAP.
Foundation
According to Wong, because we’re not sitting inside next to moisture-sucking radiators, our skin is naturally more hydrated and becomes more dewy. Wong also says that sunlight in the winter is more diffused by the clouds, so you can get away with heavier coverage. In the harsh summer sun, you want your makeup to be sheer, dewy, and shimmery.
“In the summer heat, less is more — it means there’s less to melt,” says Wong. She recommends ditching foundation altogether and either just use concealer on your trouble spots (under the eyes, around the nose, and on any blemishes), or try a tinted moisturizer for more all-over coverage. “The pigment will cover unevenness and you can kill two birds with one stone if you use one with SPF in it,” she says.
AmorePacific Moisture Bound Tinted Treatment Moisturizer SPF 15, $70, available at Neiman Marcus.
Blush
To add some color to your cheeks, Wong says to avoid powder blushes and opt for creams instead. “Powder blushes sit on the skin and can look chalky under the glaring sun,” she says. “It can also become streaky with sweat. Use your fingertips to apply a cream blush into the apples of your cheeks — it will melt into the skin and the create a dewy finish that retains the natural texture of summer skin.”
Stila Convertible Color, $25, available at Stila.
Eyeliner
Many of the colors you wore all winter long are actually too severe for your coloring in the summer. Prime example? Eyeliner: According to Wong, lining your lids with black pencil is going to look way too heavy in the bright sunlight. “Consider lining your eyes with a brown instead,” she says. “You’ll still have definition, but it won’t look harsh. Many women are afraid of lightening up their makeup, but you can still have a defined, yet natural makeup look just by tweaking a few things, like the shade of your products.”
Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow in 22E, $20, available at Sephora.
Powder
“It’s best to minimize powder in the summertime; sweat and powder are not the most appealing mix, and because powder sits on the skin, it can look chalky under the blaring summer sun,” says Wong. If you’re worried about being too shiny, she suggests wearing a mattifying primer — it will blot up any excess oil, but since it’s absorbed into the skin, you won’t have to worry about it melting off or caking up.
Murad Hybrids Skin Perfecting Primer Matte Finish, $35, available at Murad.
Lipstick
Bright, statement lips are a summer staple; unfortunately, wearing a heavy, creamy lipstick is not the best idea in sweltering, muggy temps. Instead of caking on a thick, matte texture on your pout, Wong suggests trying a stain or a balm. “With sheer products like tinted balms and stains, you can achieve a bright pop of color to your look without adding a thick layer to the lips,” she says. “For even coverage, just be sure lips are moisturized and exfoliated before applying a stain.”
Smashbox Limitless Lip Stain & Color Balm in Guava, $23, available at Smashbox.
Thick Hair
While winter air can be drying and sap hair of its moisture and volume, winter is actually the best hair season for those with thick strands — no humidity to mess with your frizz-prone mane. In general, Irion says girls with full strands should stay far away from alcohol-based products — they can be super-drying on your texture, and leave your locks looking dull.
Instead, try products with a light silicone that are emollient and give shine and control. He likes Loma Peratin’s Fortifying Repair Serum because it’s “like fabric softener for the hair. This is one of the lightest silicone products on the market. What makes it special is the fact that they have infused pear protein in it, so not only does it cut the frizz and leave incredible shine, it also conditions and moisturizes at the same time.” Apply it from your roots to your tips, or, if you have fine hair, Irion says you can also get the same benefits by applying it from your mid-length to your ends.
Loma Pearatin Fortifying Repair Serum, $34.95, available at Amazon.
Fine Hair
Heavy masks and creams can be geat for moisture-starved winter strands, but not for fine hair in the summer. “Stay away from overly creamy products containing shea butter or argan oil,” says Irion. “The heat can be as intense as the humidity and this can make fine hair heavy with moisture and perspiration. Those heavy creams can leave the hair looking dirty and greasy.”
Irion likes texturizing dry shampoos for those follicularly-challenged ladies looking for some extra oomph in the summertime. “Dry shampoos can be great styling tools: They absorb moisture and won’t get sticky like some hairsprays,” he says. “They can also give the hair incredible volume and texture.” Irion also like lightweight volumizing sprays, as they give light hold and control without the stickiness of hairsprays and gels.
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, $39, available atNeiman Marcus.
Curly Hair
Summer is actually one of the best times to be a curly girl — providing you stop fighting your hair and just let it do its thing. “It’s a great time to let your curls move and be beachy,” says Irion. So drop the straightening balm and pick up a curl defining cream — your hair is going to fight you every step of the way if you try to straighten it in the heavy humidity. Do you really want to spend your summer sweating it out in the bathroom for hours, blowdrying your hair into semi-submission? We didn’t think so.
Irion says you should also avoid heavy, oil-based products: these tend to move around on the hair and melt onto your face as you perspire, which can lead to breakouts and intensify the effects of the sun on your skin (read: oil = zits and sunburn).
Aveda Be Curly Curl Enhancer, $20, available atAveda.
Moisturizer
While moisture is important in the summer (all that sun can be hella drying), equally important is the type of moisture you are getting. Too thick and creamy and you could break out. According to Dr. Shamban, you should avoid products that contain cocoa butter or any heavy oils (jojoba, coconut, mineral) as these can clog pores and lead to those dreaded summer breakouts.
Instead, look for lightweight moisturizers that are water-based and those that contain hyaluronic acid. Says Shamban, “Hyaluronic acid’s quick and effective hydrating action helps keep collagen and elastin moist and functioning, which helps keep you looking supple and youthful.” If your skin feels super-dry, she says that anti-inflammatory oils, like flaxseed and grapeseed, are great hydrators that won’t trigger breakouts.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Hydra-Pure Smart Spray, $18, available at Dermstore.
Sunscreen
Since you’re going to be out in the sun a lot more now that the weather is nicer, that SPF 15 in your regular moisturizer just isn’t going to cut it. According to Shamban, you should choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher and is water-resistant — you don’t want your UV protection to wipe off at the first sign of perspiration. Again, be sure you choose one that is lightweight and oil-free or you risk irritating the skin and triggering those dreaded breakouts. And of course, be vigilant on that re-application. “No matter how sweat-proof your sunscreen claims to be, remember that every couple of hours, you must reapply,” advises Shamban.
EltaMD Skincare UV Physical SPF 41 Tinted Chemical-Free Sunscreen, $27, available atDrugstore.com.
Treatment
UV rays help stimulate the production of melanin, which is what causes dark spots on your skin. While you may want to fight those spots now, Shamban says you have to be exceptionally careful about how you do that. “Be very careful if you use products with AHA’s (alpha-hydroxy acids) or retinol — these products can lead to discoloration and hyperpigmentation, so you must stay out of the sun if you use them,” she says. A better option is to choose treatment products that use natural, non-acid ways of brightening your skin as they will not make you super-sensitive to the sun.
L’Occitane Immortelle Brightening Essence, $56, available at Nordstrom.
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