The weather may be a bit hit and miss, but holiday vibes are dominating makeup looks. In this GRWM feature, I want to share the makeup products that will be my go-to cosmetics this summer.
It doesn’t matter how high the mercury climbs, you can create your own kind of hot holiday look with a few carefully chosen staples. Whether you want to be a sun-kissed beach babe, use pops of colour for a more playful vibe or go all-out for a neutral, dewy finish, these products will ensure you pull it off flawlessly.
All the products in this collection have been purchased in the UK, but are also available globally. Each has been tested and chosen based on criteria that includes finish, long-wear and affordability.
Ready?
GRWM primer
I’m loving the tri-colour primer with SPF 50 from Temu. Priced at under £3, it delivers a layer of silky smoothness as well as skin tone evening properties. Similar products are available on Amazon for around £6.
If you are looking for a primer that leaves the skin with a soft, dewy glow while also delivering sun protection, this is a great buy. Look out for brands such as Tuz, Fashion Base and Angeala. As well as providing a great base, this type of product can be used on its own for a fresh-faced look with a touch of brightening.
Note: Don't rely on a primer with SPF for complete sun protection. Top up with a clear, spray sunscreen throughout the day, if you are outdoors.
Summer makeup products - foundations
During warmer months, I’m looking for a long-wear foundation that’s effortless to apply while delivering medium to full coverage. Staying power is my biggest priority. I need a formula that is going to withstand everything hot, humid weather is going to throw at it.
I don’t want a foundation that feels heavy on the skin. It has to be a light, breathable formula with excellent coverage.
The ones I am consistently reaching for are Catrice HD Liquid Foundation priced from £9.95 and Collection Cosmetics Lasting Perfection Matte Foundation, which retails on Amazon for under £7.
They are my go-tos, not just for play but also work. As well as being easy to apply, they set well and last literally all day. Perfect if you want to look cool and collected even during a heatwave.
My Catrice foundation is slightly darker than my natural skin tone and ideal for pairing with bronzer to create a tanned, summer look.
GRWM bronzer
I’m currently obsessed with the Revolution Ultra Cream Bronzer in the shade Light
Natural, wiith an easy to diffuse finish and a complete doddle to apply, this product costs around £6 for a good-sized compact. Buildable, breathable and perfect for the cheek bones, forehead, nose and chin, you can use this bronzer to cast warm shadows or go all-out bronzed babe.
It can be paired with a liquid or cream blush and, for the finishing touch, a swipe of highlight.
Buttery smooth, this oh-so affordable bronzer is just as good as the face frostings that will set you back three or four times the price.
Blush - PLouise The Cheek Of It
I’m really digging this collection right now. For a bush, it is just so simple to apply and blends effortlessly - even when using fingers. For a soft focus touch of a flush, this is where makeup products are really at this summer.
All The Cheek Of It blushes have removable sponge tips for precision application. Applied over bronzer, they give cheeks the perfect summer finish. This product retails at £15.
Summer eyeshadows
During the summer months, I tend to reach for neutrals for work and bold shades for play.
For truly long-wearing eye looks, my current go-to may surprise you. It’s the PLouise x Mikayla To Have & To Hold XL palette. Forget the winter wedding theme, the shades are perfect for warmer weather. The neutrals include light golds and a deep bronze, as well as toasty nude shades. The blues are purples are great for days out, the beach, parties - you name it. With no fewer than 50 shades to choose from, you can let your imagination run wild.
As well as offering blending perfection, the pressed pigments in this palette excel on the long-wear front. This palette, which has a light-up feature, will set you back £40, but it’s definitely worth it.
For night-time vibes, I’m reaching for Smoky by Beauty Bay. It delivers smouldering greys with a pan of black and truly dazzling shimmers. If you fancy adopting a sultry theme this summer, look no further. While this palette is available in a choice of three sizes, I recommend the 16-pan version, which retails at £14.
My final GRWM eyeshadow go-to is the two-tier A World Full of Wonder palette by PLouise. A stunning concoction of purples and blues, this 42-pan collection is sold in a beautiful case with a light-up lid. The mirror in this palette is also worth having.
While the palette retails at £47, I think it’s worth every penny. It gives off girly butterfly vibes with a consistent theme that delivers base, transition, blow-out and shimmering shades. Honestly, beyond beautiful.
Mascara
There’s only one mascara for me right now - Rimmel’s Thrill Seeker in extreme black. Affordable and buildable, it’s long-wearing and suitable for day or night. I think I paid around £7 for this mascara on Amazon.
I pair it with Rimmel no-smudge liners.
Lips
Lipstick is not on my go-to list for summer - not even for night looks. Because I use makeup to draw attention to my eyes, I want to keep whatever is on my lips light.
So, this summer, my go-tos are either Beauty Bay or PLouise neutral lip pencils topped with a clear Beauty Bay Super Plumping Lip Gloss (£8).
I like to keep this part of my routine super quick and easy, and creamy, soft pencils finished with a gloss are just the job.
Finishing powder
Finishing powder, set with a spray, gives any look extra longevity. I’m currently reaching for Revolution’s time-honoured loose Banana Power and the white finishing powder in Beauty Bay’s Make Face Palette.
To avoid a cakey finish, I usually set at least twice and dry each coat with a fan.
The Banana Powder costs around £6 while the complexion palette retails at £18.
Highlighter
Summer really is the time to use a highlighting product on the face. You don’t have to go for a strobe effect. A dusting of something to highlight features is all you need.
I’m currently using the cream highlighters in Beauty Bay’s Make Face Palette. They aren’t too in-your-face but deliver just enough of a sheen to given the skin a luminous finish.
Summer makeup vibes
I’m not seeing any peach eyeshadow palette launches at the moment, proving the Peach Fuzz trend prediction was way off the mark. Instead, all the blues and greys, along with warm neutrals that were so popular at the end of last year are taking hold. Throw in some lilacs and purples and that’s summer summed up - when paired with bronzer, blush and a dab or three of highlighter.
I’m loving this summer’s looks and I hope you are too! GRWM!
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