Amazing Summer Makeup Products

We’re heading right into summer! This summer will look a little different than normal, especially for those of us with suppressed immune systems. One way that I can feel “normal,” though, is by doing things I normally would, like wearing makeup. Along that vein, today I’m going to talk about the amazing summer makeup products that I’m wearing and using.

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Primer: Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer – Perfecting – I first tried this primer through a 500-point Sephora Reward prize, and I absolutely love it. I bought a larger bottle recently after loving the mini size and it’s absolutely amazing. “Perfecting” is the variation (like the shade if it was a different type of makeup product), and other types are Illuminating, Blurring, Hydrating, and Protecting. There are also 2 mini versions if you want to try them for Hydrating and Blurring.

But about this primer specifically: it has vitamin C, green tea extract, and aloe vera gel. Additionally, “The breathable formula seals in skincare and creates a protective barrier that extends makeup wear. It is formulated with skin-loving ingredients, so it not only protects skin, but is also good for skin” (x). Once I started using this primer, I haven’t looked back. I love it!

BB cream: Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 – I super love this BB cream! I’ve been looking for a good one for a while that, most importantly, came in my shade. I’ve mentioned this before, but I am extremely pale. A lot of brands don’t have a shade as pale as I am – that kind of pale. (I’m Irish, I have anemia, and I like being inside.) But Smashbox has BB cream that goes as pale as I am! This BB cream has light coverage and a natural finish. It has SPF 35 and is “Free of sulfates SLS and SLES, parabens, and phthalates, and contains less than one percent of synthetic fragrances. This product is also vegan and cruelty-free” (x).

The best fair skin makeup

Mascara: Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara – This has been my go-to waterproof mascara for at least 4 years. Seriously. It is “the first patented fanning brush with 10 layers of bristles to reveal a full flourish of lashes. Liquid Ink formula coats from all sides for a sensational full fan effect” (x). It takes very little effort to have beautiful lashes with this mascara! Especially because something us glasses-wearers know is that you need to have a bit more intense eye makeup than you normally would wear for it to stand out through glasses. Which is one reason why I love this mascara!

As for why to wear waterproof mascara in the summer – do you sweat a lot? I know that’s a kind of gross thing to mention, but large amounts of sweating is very prevalent in my family. And if you have POTS or any condition that causes heat intolerance, you probably also sweat a lot. In that case, waterproof mascara is your friend.

Drugstore vs. high-end mascara: which is really better?

Brow product(s): Glossier Boy Brow – There’s a reason Boy Brow is so popular, and that reason is that it’s awesome. Glossier’s website says that it’s “A brushable, creamy wax that visibly thickens, shapes, and grooms brows into place” (x). The website also says that it’s “Inspired by traditional hair pomade, it gives brows soft, flexible hold in one easy swipe, and doesn’t stiffen or flake” and that it’s “alcohol free, fragrance free, paraben free, cruelty free, appropriate for all skin types, hypoallergenic, ophthalmologist tested, dermatologist tested” (x).

I first tried Glossier because my sister is a huge fan and I needed new brow products. Once I started using Boy Brow, I knew I could never go back to other brow gels. I absolutely love that it also works to help thicken and condition brows, as because I’ve been on chemo for 9 years (for my RA), my brows are a lot thinner than they once were. I’ve definitely noticed an improvement in them since I started using Boy Brow.

Highlighter: Glossier Haloscope Highlighter – Once I started using Boy Brow, I wanted to try out other Glossier products. Since highlighter is one of my favorite types of products, I tried out their Haloscope Highlighter, and it’s soooo pretty. It’s “A crystal-infused highlighter with skin conditioning benefits” (x). It comes in three shades: Moonstone, Quartz (what I have), and Topaz. What’s so fun about it is that it has a sparkly outside with an oil-based inside core. The outer core “is formulated with genuine crystal extracts for an all-day glow that’s not glittery” and the inner core “is made from vitamin-rich moisturizers for a hydrated, dewy finish” (x).

Setting Spray: NYX Professional Makeup Matte Finish Makeup Setting Spray or Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray – I like and have used both of these setting sprays! The Urban Decay one is definitely better, but the NYX one is pretty good and a lot cheaper. Let’s talk about Urban Decay first.

The Urban Decay All-Nighter setting spray is “An award-winning setting and finishing spray that keeps makeup looking just-applied for up to 16 hours without fading” (x). It is free of parabens and is cruelty-free! Additionally, “With patented Temperature Control Technology, this weightless vegan mist lowers the temperature of your makeup—from foundation and concealer to eyeshadow and blush—to lock it in place. The result is smoother-looking skin and vibrant makeup that lasts all day or night” (x). As someone with heat intolerance, this is a big selling point for me! My birthday is in a few weeks and I’ll be doing my annual Sephora birthday buy, and I’ll definitely be treating myself to this.

But the NYX matte setting spray is what I use daily now. I use the matte spray because I’m naturally very oily (and sweaty). And “This lightweight and long-lasting formula grants a matte finish and works hard to make sure your makeup stays put. Spray away and your matte makeup will last from day to night” (x). This setting spray is also vegan and cruelty-free; it’s even PETA certified! If you’re looking for a dewy finish, NYX also has a Dewy Finish Makeup Setting Spray.

What are your favorite amazing summer makeup products?

Like this post? Check out:

Current Daily Makeup Routine, My Skin Care Regimen, Top Drugstore Makeup, My Favorite Face Masks