Summer makeup: 6 beauty products to start using this season

by Paige Dzenis June 5, 2013

See all our summer makeup must-haves »

There are plenty of reasons to switch up the products in your makeup bag. From a friend’s suggestion to a sale at the drugstore, if you’re obsessed with beauty products, almost anything can inspire a change in routine. But if you’re looking to justify the purchase of a new eyeshadow, blush or moisturizer, let the change in temperatures guide you. After all, summer makeup is the stuff that beauty dreams of made of. Bronzed cheeks, dewy skin, relaxed hair and bright colours are all popular this time of year, making it an ideal time to try something new.

(Need further incentive? Just check the expiration dates on your current roster of products. If it’s been more than 12 months since you bought it, toss it and indulge in a new summer makeup product, guilt-free!)

First up on our list of summer must-haves is a new facial moisturizer. But instead of going for a traditional cream, try an oil. Sticky, humid weather may seem like a counter-intuitive time to try a facial oil, but Olìe Biologique Huile Moderne 004 Hydrating Oil ($68, thedetoxmarket.com) is so smooth, you’ll barely notice it’s on—save for how smooth your skin will feel. Even better, this multipurpose oil can be used anywhere in need of hydration, from razor-burned legs to split ends. Trust us when we say once you try it, you’ll wonder how you lived without it.

Sunscreen is, without a doubt, the one thing you should not leave the house without during the summer months, but it can be hard to find a non-greasy formula that works under your everyday makeup. Look no further than SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 ($39, skinceuticals.com). It has the consistency of a tinted moisturizer, is non-greasy when applied and has zero sunscreen scent. (Or taste—if you’ve ever started sweating with sunscreen on, you know what we mean!) Even better, this 100 per cent mineral sunscreen’s broad-spectrum formula protects you from both UVA and UVB rays.

Now that you’re protected from the sun’s harmful rays, add a little glow to your complexion. Forget powder products—summer makeup is all about cream formulas. Two new products to try are Dior Diorblush Cheek Creme blushes ($30, at the Bay) and Lise Watier Gel Illuminateur Soleil bronzer ($30, lisewatier.com). Both offer intense pigment payoff with little effort—but are extremely bendable, meaning you can easily avoid any too-bright blunders.

While we’re talking pigments, Stila has just released a game-changing collection of shadows. Inspired by music festival style, the bright Countless Colour Pigments ($22, stilacosmetics.com) palettes are the ultimate summer makeup. The multi-colour shadows look like watercolour swatches and apply just like you’ve dipped your fingers in a pool of paint. You can blend the shades together or press directly onto your eyelid for a boho tie-dye effect.

And finally, dry shampoo addicts will tell you no two formulas are created the same. We’ve tried enough to know this can indeed be true, but Garnier has developed an extremely satisfying dry shampoo. Garnier Volume Extend Instant Bodifier Dry Shampoo ($7, at drugstores) hides any day-old grease and amps up your hair with healthy boost of volume. This may not be summer makeup, but when the hot weather strikes, it means one less morning spent under the heat of your blowdryer—and that’s certainly worth celebrating.