There are many perks of a career in beauty journalism. I receive packages full of new luxury perfumes on my doorstep before the public even knows they exist, and I get blowouts and haircuts from my favorite celebrities’ hairstylists on a regular basis. But best of all, I come home toting bags bursting at the seams with new makeup products nearly every day of the work week—and as a devout makeup lover, there’s practically nothing better.
Now, I don’t say this to brag (even though it sounds highly pretentious to list all of the perks that come with this kind of job). I’m eternally grateful for the product oasis that my apartment has become, but it’s just that—a small New York City apartment split between three roommates that’s spilling over with makeup, skincare, hair tools, and more. While it’s important to do spring cleaning on this overflowing stash, I make careful evaluations when assessing my go-to makeup collection and “try someday soon” pile. If a product seems better suited to wintertime and feels worth the wait, I’ll add it to the “someday” stock. But this is an ever-flowing ecosystem, which means I’m unearthing summer products that were stored away in winter while also sifting through beauty’s latest launches.
All this to say, I’m very meticulous about the seasonal beauty swaps I make—especially when it concerns summer makeup. Not only should my products protect my skin from the sun, but I also expect them to feel weightless on my skin, make my routine easier so I can race off to my next plans, and resist sweat (as much as humanly possible). It’s a lot to ask of my makeup routine, but seeing as I could stock a small Sephora from my bedroom stash, I set the bar extremely high. Luckily, I found 12 products that are rising to the challenge this summer. Below, the skin-perfecting, sweat-defying, and sun-shielding makeup products I’ve subbed in for summer 2026.
Summer Makeup Must-Haves
Fenty Beauty
Invisimatte Instant Setting + Blotting Powder
There’s nothing, and I mean nothing, that I detest more than my makeup sliding off in the summer heat. Though it’s inevitable, I’ve made some deliberate swaps to delay the process for as long as possible, and my most effective switch yet has been Fenty’s Invisimatte Instant Setting + Blotting Powder in place of regular finishing powder. A translucent formula, this powder sets makeup and blots oil, all without leaving a white cast.
ONE/SIZE
On ’til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray
While I adore my Invismatte, that’s not where things end in the pursuit of sweat-proof glam. I’ve tested several setting sprays, but none bear the transfer-resistant, stay-put power of this waterproof setting spray. It’s in a hairspray can for a reason—it has ultra-strong, 16-hour hold—and is the only formula I trust for hot, long summer days.
Sarah Creal
Brilliant Repair Shield Illuminating Broad Spectrum Mineral Sunscreen Serum SPF 50
I’m a full-glam lover, but I know that no amount of foundation can stand up to the sweltering New York City heat. Instead of letting sweat track tan streaks down my face as I wait for the subway in what feels like the seventh layer of Hell, I’m swapping out my regular foundation (M.Ph’s Le Skin, which is still a great option for lightweight glam moments) for a tinted sunscreen, which gives my skin a sheer amount of coverage while also letting it breathe. Oh, and protecting it with SPF—arguably the most essential quality of summer beauty products.
L’Oréal Paris
True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer
Sorry, but there’s no glowy-skin product that could make me part ways with my L’Oréal Lumi Glotion. This buttery, hydrating skin tint offers my skin a delicate wash of sun-kissed color while offering a luminous glow, serving as my usual evening makeup base for the last two years now. (Why evening, you ask? Because we’re using SPF during the daytime, of course.) I’ve yet to find a concealer, bronzer, blush, or powder that doesn’t play well on top.
Sarah Creal
Back of the Cab Volumizing & Tubing Mascara
If you can’t tell, I’m on a bit of a Sarah Creal kick at the moment, and this tubing mascara has become a fast favorite as the summer heats up. Though I typically swear by my Prada Beauty Pradascope Mascara, I’ve needed to turn to a tubing mascara to sustain the slippery humidity and nauseatingly hot temperatures. This inky formula not only holds the curl of my lashes fabulously, but also sustains up to 12 hours of wear, all while sliding off easily at the end of the day with face cleanser—no painful waterproof mascara tugging over here.
Rhode
Pocket Bronze Long-Wearing Cream Bronzer
I’m a newcomer to the Rhode fanbase, but Hailey Bieber’s latest makeup concoction has thrown me on the bandwagon. Each summer brings a slew of new bronzer launches, and this formula has quickly ascended to my top spot. Warm, buttery, and smooth to the touch, this bronzer is easy to blend with a brush, sponge, or even your fingers, and the ergonomic packaging makes placement easy to control.
Armani Beauty
Eye Tint Long-Lasting Liquid Eyeshadow
With summer comes a booked social calendar, which means cutting corners with makeup that won’t look rushed or sloppy to get yourself out the door faster. My secret weapon? A cream or liquid eye shadow—in this case, Armani’s Eye Tints. These long-lasting liquid pigments are packed with color, offering high-impact looks with just a few dots and a blend, and will last for up to 16 hours.
Victoria Beckham Beauty
Blush Stylus
I’m always on the hunt for a new favorite blush, and I expect these blush sticks from Victoria Beckham Beauty to do just the trick. Powder blushes are a favorite of mine in the cooler months, but I’m officially putting my regular hues into seasonal storage in hot anticipation of these slim sticks, which make precise placement easier than ever. Tap out the color with your fingers for a concentrated flush or blend with a fluffy brush for a watercolor look.
Honorable Mentions
Celisse
Quickcoat in Vanity
Celisse, the upscale nail care brand co-founded by celebrity manicurist Holly Falcone, has become my summer nail obsession. Instead of shellacking my nails in all different types of nail glue and colors, I’m taking a more mindful approach to summer manicures with this easy-to-use, chic nail polish formula that lets my natural nails breathe. They already look stronger, healthier, and chicer overall.
Discothèque
Call for a Good Time
I love seasonal fragrances as much as the next person, but I’m shelving my spring perfume for this juicy, bright floral scent from lively perfume brand Discothèque. Notes of yuzu, jasmine, and ylang-ylang twist this fragrance into a sparkling cloud, making it the perfect scent for summers spent on the dance floor, spritz in hand.
BRAZIL EDITION
Restorative Peptide Hair Mask
I’m on a quest to master my wavy hair routine this summer, which means that I’m momentarily kissing my hot tools goodbye. This nourishing leave-in conditioner is a great fix for anyone who wants to define their natural texture, Brazil Edition founder and celebrity hairstylist Rogério Cavalcante tells me, which is why I’ve started using it as a post-shower treatment on my air-dry days. The lightweight formula is enriched with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and Amazonian butters for enhanced hydration and protection against the sun, making this a summer hair must-have.
ANUA
PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Moisturizing Cream
There is something so decadent about a rich moisturizer, especially in the wintertime. Though I still reach for these thicker moisturizers in the evening, I now rely on Anua’s PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Cream at the start of my day. It’s lightweight, deeply quenching, and sinks into the skin quickly, making this a great product for makeup prep. Essentially, it’s the featherweight moisturizer I now start my routine with when the sun is on full blast.
