SUMMER GLAM SURVIVAL KIT

Written By Meghan Owens

I think we can all agree—our makeup routines change when summer starts creeping in, right?

Being born and raised in Nashville, the weather gets humid, steamy, and just plain disrespectful. Zero chill.

And knowing that, there’s absolutely no way I can do the same glam routine in the summer that I do in the winter. Ain’t. No. Way.

So here’s what I need my makeup to do, and look like, when the weather starts acting crazy.

First, it has to hold up. Not just to the heat, but to the humidity. That moisture in the air will have your skin looking real dewy, real fast. Add in the sun, and boom: you’re a walking puddle. So I need longevity. Period. I want my base to last, but I don’t want to pile on thick formulas. In the summer, I gravitate toward foundations that give me coverage without the weight. If I’m going to be outside, I’ll almost always go for a matte finish because I already know that between the sun and the air, my skin is going to glow on its own. At night, though? That’s when I lean into the dewy, radiant finishes.I look for something hydrating and luminous that still wears like a dream.

There are a few non-negotiables I switch up during this season, starting with skin prep. I have dry skin year-round, so I usually reach for thick, creamy moisturizers. But in the summer? They’re a no for me. I need something lightweight but still hydrating. One of my go-to’s is the Charlotte Tilbury Water Cream. It has a thinner texture than I usually grab for, but the glow it gives is crazy. And of course, I never skip sunscreen. I’ve really been enjoying the Vacation Classic Whip. First of all, the texture is so fun. It literally comes out like whipped cream. But more importantly, it melts right in and doesn’t leave a cast on my skin. Win-win.

I normally say “no” to primers. I don’t think they are a must have if your skincare prep is dong what it needs to do. However, if I know for a fact I will be in hot weather for awhile, I will reach for the Milk Hydro Grip Primer and lock everything in with a loose powder prior to foundation. In between makeup steps, I will also use a setting spray to really have it locked in, but more on those later.

Now let’s talk about foundation because this is where I start building the look. One of my absolute favorites is the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder. It's super lightweight and ridiculously versatile. I can buff it in for a sheer, natural finish or press it in to build more coverage. Plus, it’s self-setting, so if I’m heading to a cookout or something outside, I’ll keep it light and let the product work on its own. If I need more coverage, I’ll just press a little extra into those areas and call it a day.

Another fave? The Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation. That texture threw me for a loop the first time I used it because it’s so thin, but the finish is absolutely gorgeous. It gives that satin, medium-coverage look that I like to call “model skin in a bottle.” You know exactly what I mean. Think Zendaya on the red carpet—flawless but lived-in, glowy without being greasy, and just effortlessly perfect.

When I want a bit more drama in the coverage department but still want that soft, radiant texture, I’ll reach for a few different options depending on the day. The NARS Light Reflecting Foundation always delivers, and I’ve also been into the KVD Good Apple Liquid Foundation, which is surprisingly lightweight for how much it covers. If I’m feeling like butter-skin realness, the Fenty Eaze Drop Stick is that girl.

Now, if I know I’m going full glam and I need it to last for hours and photograph well, there are only two foundations I trust: the One Size Turn Up The Base and the classic Estée Lauder Double Wear. These don’t play. Full coverage. Transfer-proof. Sweat-proof. Perfect for weddings, events, or days when you want your face to say “I’m HER”.

Some of these can be pricey but there are some drugstore foundations that come very close. The Maybelline Fit Me (either matte or dewy) has been a staple for years, and the L’Oreal True Match is a solid go-to when I want something buildable, affordable, and effective. They both have that lightweight texture with customizable coverage that’s ideal for summer.

Now… let’s talk skin tints. I’m going to be honest…I’m usually not a skin tint girl. Most of them are too sheer and end up looking greasy on me. But there are two I actually love. The Fenty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint gives the softest matte finish and feels like a foundation that’s already been perfectly set. It’s got just enough coverage to even things out without doing too much. The other one is the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Tint. This one gives a glow and not a grease. I wouldn’t wear it alone if I wanted more coverage, but when I mix it with something like the IT Cosmetics CC Nude Glow, it’s chef’s kiss. That combo gives me glow and coverage. If you like sheer to light coverage definitely reach for a skin tint.

If I do go for a skin tint, but ant to up the glam, dimension with concealer and a good bronze. You can still get an amped-up glam moment without layering on a full face of foundation. Then just add in a little smudged liner and suddenly you’re giving soft, sultry, editorial vibes with almost no effort.

Oh, and while we’re here: Danessa Myricks Colorfix. This is THE product I will never go without, regardless of the season. It’s waterproof, it’s multi-use, and it does not budge. I use it as a lip color, liner, shadow, blush, everything. And the new Colorfix sticks? Don’t even get me started. They’re blinding and beautiful. I’m so obsessed.

Bronzing is also a huge part of my summer routine. I love the Makeup By Mario SoftSculpt Skin Enhancer for that sun-kissed, radiant finish. It's super lightweight and blends like a dream. And of course, glowing skin is part of the Summer Baddie Starter Pack. I rotate between a few face and body luminizers, like the Danessa Myricks Illuminating Veil, Fenty Body Lava, Sol de Janeiro GlowMotions, Naturium Glow Getter Oil, and the Patrick Ta Major Glow Balm. Trust me. Any one of these will have you looking like a bronzed goddess the second the sun hits your skin.

Lastly, you have to lock all this in. I don’t care what kind of look I’m doing. I will neva eva eva eva walk out the house without setting spray. No ma’am. I’ve got a few ride-or-dies that keep me locked in: the One Size On ‘Til Dawn Waterproof Setting Spray, the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, and the Milk Hydro Grip. All three keep me fresh, flawless, and locked in all day. Okay. I think we covered it all.

The summer heat has nothing on you. We’re out here gleaming, glowing, and giving full beat energy that’s not going anywhere. Y’all let me know how that sun is hittin’.

I’ll be in the A/C watching How to Get Away with Murder for the 100th time.

xoxo,
MeghanBStudios

  • Charlotte Tilbury Magic Water Cream – $72
    https://www.sephora.com/product/charlotte-tilbury-magic-water-cream-P506553?skuId=2671145

  • Vacation Classic Whip Sunscreen – $22
    https://www.ulta.com/p/classic-whip-spf-50-sunscreen-mousse-pimprod2052399?sku=2637918

Meghan Owens
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