10 Beauty Must-Haves for a Flawless Summer

Because looking good is worth the effort

By Taylor Stephan Jun 28, 2016 4:00 PMTags
Watch: Summer Beauty Must-Haves

You may think that you've got your summer look on lock (we see you, trusty bronzer and self-tanner), but you're going to need more than a killer, glowing bod to keep yourself looking effortlessly fresh and protected this season. Blame it on the sun, but you may run into a few beauty blunders, like sunburns, dry or oily skin...the list goes on.

Since you'll likely be parked beachside for the majority of the season, you'll probably want a low-maintenance look. Luckily, staying on top of your summer routine doesn't have to be a lot of work (or take a lot of time)—it just takes a few key products you probably haven't thought of. 

Here's our list.

Silky smooth skin tops our list of bikini-body musts, but shaving daily is no fun. Thanks to this high-tech handheld device, you can remove unwanted hair forever for always touchable legs, not to mention a stubble-free bikini line and under-arms. So go ahead and ditch your razor for good—you'll save time in the morning and have more time to spend at the beach! Win-win.

Silk'n Flash and Go, $199

Whether you plan on basking in the sun at the beach for hours at a time or you're just merely driving from point A to B, the rays of the sun are extra harsh right now. A high dose of SPF 50 slathered on your face will keep your supple skin intact.

Clinique Sun SPF 50 Body Cream, $23

Bet you didn't know that UV rays can strip your hair color and flash-fry strands. To avoid zapped ends and a brassy color, spritz hair with this supercharged 16-hour protective formula before hitting the beach, riding the waves or engaging in any other summer activities.

Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil$28

 

A golden glow, quite frankly, never gets old. To play up that inevitable tan you'll be sporting, dust the high points of your face with a barely-there illuminating powder. It's good over a full visage of makeup or wear it alone on for a low-maintenance summer look.

Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder, $46

All that fun in the sun can get the best of you—especially if you're running around, getting sweaty. To avoid a greasy face, keep an arsenal of blotting papers at the ready. This way, you'll be able to sleep sound, never having to worry about getting caught with an embarrassingly oily T-zone.

Too Cool For School Dinoplatz Dear Brachiosaurus Blotting Paper, $8

Just because you're staying out later (and perhaps letting loose a bit more than usual), it doesn't mean that you won't have to wake up early the next morning. In a pinch, use this little magic pen to mask under-eye bags and brighten skin that no one will know what you've been up to but you.

Eve Lom Light Illusion Concealer, $40

 

Whether you're smitten with a summer fling or you're single for the summer, keeping your lips protected and hydrated is always sexy. This fun-sized balm comes in bright colors, is loaded with SPF protection, comes in fruity flavors and most importantly will ensure a consistently sexy-smooth pout all summer long.

Eos Smooth Sphere Lip Balm, $3.49

 

Haven't you heard? It's out with subdued neutrals and in with pops of pink. Save the grays and nudes for cooler weather and make a statement with corals, fuchsias and baby pinks. Bright colors are playful and will give your summertime look that party-girl flair.

Zoya Nail Polish, $10

 

It doesn't matter if it's summer or not, you pretty much always need to shield your eyes. The difference between your go-to pair and your warm-weather pair? The frame game. Step it up for the beach with something bold and less serious like a marbled frame or an oversized shape.

Perverse Dawn Patrol Sunglasses, $45

 

So you got a minor sunburn after a little too much time in the sun. It's not the first time (and probably not the last) but to help heal the skin, natural calming ingredients like agave will hydrate the skin and repair damaged collagen.

Coola Radical Recovery After-Sun Lotion, $32

photos
Beauty Kits for Every Summer Hot Spot