Summer Minimal Makeup Essentials

With the recent heatwave much of the East Coast has been experiencing (and likely more to come), now is a good time to share some of my favorite makeup that lasts through heat and humidity. I’ve used some of these products for years, and some are newer items that are holding up beautifully.

I used to have insanely oily skin and nothing would hold up for me and I’ve spent years trying out dozens of products that would last in the summer. My skin has since calmed down, but it still doesn’t take much to look like I’ve doused my skin with highlighter…but it’s all natural glow.

PREP AND BASE

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50 PA++++. This has fast become my HG sunscreen, which I hoard whenever I go to Asia. This is my last one, so I’ll have to start ordering from online,but this is about the perfect everyday sunscreen to wear underneath my makeup. It’s lightweight and feels like a gel-cream. It sinks in immediately into my skin and doesn’t affect how my makeup applies on top. I would only recommend this is you have combo/oily skin since it does contain a lot of alcohol – it doesn’t bother me, but I know it irritates some people’s skin.

Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer. Okay, I don’t actually have one of these to show because I just finished one and haven’t bought a replacement yet, but this is hands down my favorite primer all year round. I wouldn’t say it’s super oil controlling, but it does make my skin feel silky smooth without feeling too heavy like most silicone primers are.It applies like a lotion, and my foundation just applies so smoothly over it. It also makes my makeup last much much longer, so it’s a winner for me.

Becca Cosmetics Ever Matte Primer. If you have super oily skin, you basically NEED to get this, but I don’t actually use this as a primer. I use this after I finish all my face makeup – foundation, powder, blush, bronzer, etc – and the way that you apply is matters. Follow the directions on this one, folks – squeeze out half a pea size to a pea size amount, and rub it between your fingers. This is important. Warm it up between fingers so that it is absolutely clear, and pat is on your face, don’t rub it in. If you don’t warm it up enough, it leaves little white patches that look awful. I also tend to apply this before my highlighter because it is so mattifying my face often looks pretty flat, but it prevents oil from breaking through better than any other produce I’ve ever used. On the most hot and humid days, I still get some oil breakthrough after 9-10 hours, but my skin used to get oily after 3-4 hours, so this is a vast improvement.

Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder. You all probably know by know that I love my By Terry Hylaronic Hydra-Powder, which I love to use for every day. But for hot summer days, I like to bring out something more heavy duty. Enter this Innisfree powder. It’s not only super affordable (around $7-10 USD depending on where you buy it online), but it really helps keep my skin matte. I tend to use all of the above products together with this, but I’ve worn this on its own and it also really helps to prolong the wear of my makeup.

Jack Black SPF25 Lip Balm. I’ve used these balms for years, and it still remains my favorite lip balm for daytime. It’s so moisturizing, and the SPF content ensures that I don’t get sunburned lips – which HURTS, btw. I do not wish to repeat the experience of being sunburned on my lips. They also come in a few scents and flavors, and they’re all good.

BLUSH AND HIGHLIGHT

Vincent Longo Gel Lip and Cheek Stains. I’ve used the gel stains for years and years and have almost all the shades. Apparently lip and cheek stains are back “in” because it seems like every brand is coming out with new versions. These ones are so nice because they have more of a liquid/gel formula so it’s not quite so watery, but they just last and last without being too drying. I rely exclusively on these for beach vacations or pool days to give me a hint of color that lasts.

Chanel Rouge Coco Cheek and Lip Blush. I’ve already raved about these here. Just know that they’re still in heavy rotation for when I want a bright but still lightweight color on my cheeks and lips. They aren’t quite as long lasting on my lips as a stain, but they still last for several hours.

Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector in Rose Gold. Normally I would not be caught dead without wearing bronzer, but some days, I really just can’t be bothered. I want to wear as little as possible, and I’ll reach for highlighter to amp up that summer glow a little more. Rose Gold is just about the perfect shade for me when I’m tan to give me a golden glow.

EYES

Tom Ford Cream and Powder Eyeshadow Duo in Golden Peach. I love wearing a full face of makeup, eyeshadow, and eyeliner. I really do. But I must be going insane this year because I’ve been wearing barely any eye makeup about 50% of the time this summer. I’ll often just wear a healthy dose of mascara, but when I want just a little something, this Tom Ford duo has been a go-to. It’s warm, but still brightens my eyes, giving me a nice alternative over my preferred bronze eyes. I usually just layer the glitter powder all of the lid on top of the cream eyeshadow for a gorgeous shimmering wet look.

Heroine Make Long and Curl Mascara Super Waterproof. This stuff is so dang good. I’ve heard it as a great mascara for Asian, stuper stick straight, downward pointing lashes – so, my lashes. I’ve always been happy with the American drugstore mascaras – my favorites have usually been from Maybelline – but this has blown my mind. It is a lengthening formula, and the brush is fine enough that I can reach every lash without getting it all over my eyelids, something that I’ve never been able to do with American mascaras. It makes my lashes look more full just because all my lashes are lengthened and coated, rather than just the middle bits. I also like to layer a regular volumizing mascara over it for extra oomph. I need more of these mascaras. Soon. Also noteworthy is my Shiseido Eyelash Curler. My favorite curler that doesn’t pinch, and gives me a great curl.

LIPS

Clarins Water Lip Stain. I received a mini of this free with Influenster, but I was already planning on buying it myself. I love the lip oils, and obviously, also stains, so I was curious about this formula. It feels different from other stains I’ve used – it’s very very watery, true to its name. It’s easy to overapply and have it drip all over your mouth (and inside your mouth, getting it all over your teeth…cute). But applied very lightly, it leaves a waterfully light and weightless stain that truly feels like water. I’ve been wearing this in addition to the Vincent Longo stains and in comparison, this looks much more pigmented, which is a nice look sometimes.

Also not pictured is a healthy dose of Urban Decay All Nighter Spray, which I’ll use if I’m wearing makeup for the day and not just to the pool. It really helps lock my makeup in place and is absolutely necessary in the summer!

All of these products means I can create a minimal but fresh looking makeup routine that is very much pared down and more weather appropriate than my usual looks. What are your minimal routine products?

As always, thanks for reading!