I always dial back my makeup when the summer heat rolls around and even now I am really into minimal, super glow-y makeup and skin when I find myself getting ready on certain days. I’ve been testing a variety of new products lately and found some new favorites that are perfect for that minimal-effort, maximum pay-off glow we often want in warmer months.

Today’s post features some tried and true favorites of mine along with some new noteworthy finds as we head into summer skin + makeup season.

The Best Products for Summer Glow

While I love a good highlighter, I’ve learned that the best summer glow starts long before makeup. Hydrated skin, daily SPF and lightweight products that enhance rather than mask your complexion are the foundation of every glowy look I create.

Whether you’re looking for the best makeup for summer glow, glow-boosting skincare or body products that leave skin radiant, these are the products I reach for year after year.

1. Saie Glowy Super Gel Illuminating Serum

Ever since I brought this part-serum / part-primer gel I can’t quit it. I *love* this stuff and have turned so many friends onto it. It looks amazing under the Erborian BB Cream and just gives the most beautiful dewy finish to your face without much work. It is easy to see why it is a cult favorite of the brand.

I use the Starglow shade. Don’t miss my Saie Beauty Review detailing my other favorites from the brand.

2. Erborian BB Cream

This product needs no introduction at this point because I’ve talked about it extensively and use it nearly every day. It is my holy grail filter-for-your face glowy bb cream. You can read my full review here. Truly one of the best makeup products I have ever tried.

I don’t use it every day of the summer if it’s going to be hot and humid (read on for what I reach for instead!) but it remains my #1 most days.

Not convinced yet? Ulta sells travel sizes of this BB cream you want to try it out for half the price! I stock up on these personally to travel with because I can’t be without it. 

It has SPF20 in it but I don’t rely on SPF in makeup. Instead, I opt for one of my favorite sunscreens as a last skincare step before applying primer + BB Cream or a tinted moisturizer.

3. Chanel Les Beiges Water Tint

I’ll admit – I didn’t like this stuff at first – but then when I saw how it held up in humid summer months here in NYC? I was hooked. It evens out skin tone, adds a slight bit of sheer coverage and doesn’t have the melt factor that so many base products have in the summer. 

Don’t bother with the brush they send with the product – it’s garbage. I recommend instead using the Hourglass Foundation Brush to blend it out.

Related: The Best Chanel Makeup Products

4. Caudalie Self-Tan Drops

If you’re not big on bronzers but want your skin to have a tanned glow this summer, add 2-3 drops of these tanning drops to your favorite moisturizer at night and you’ll wake up with an effortless tan. I truly couldn’t believe how much I liked the effect of these! 

Caudalie just introduced these this year and I’ve been hooked ever since – truly the best tanning drops I’ve ever tried for the face.

5. Julep Cream to Powder Shadow Sticks

These eyeshadow sticks are so, so handy. Foolproof to apply, stay put and I love the lit-from-within glow they give around the eyes when you use them under your lower lashes, too. I never travel without these. The perfect summer eye makeup. (Make sure they stay put with this stuff I swear by.)

6. Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter

Glowy, filter-like skin is achievable with this Instagram famous product. I like to dot it all over my face and then add my bb cream above it but I also know plenty of people who use this just as their base makeup!

7. Saie Sun Melt Bronzer and Big Brush

This bronzer + brush  is my go-to for a summer bronze sun kissed look. It’s a super unique bronzer that melts into your skin. Despite looking a bit tricky to apply, the Big Brush really makes it effortless to get a “I summered in St. Tropez” kind of glow.

The brush will buff and blend out Sun Melt into a glowy finish that’s buildable. Highly, highly recommend this for your summer makeup looks.

Alternatively, I’ll use the Westman Atelier Bronzing Drops (lightest shade – a dream when applied with this brush). They instantly make me look like I didn’t spend the afternoon in the shade of a parasol!

8. Pai The Impossible Glow

Instant glow can be yours when you mix these glow drops with your favorite moisturizer. I tried it alone (the instructions say you can use it both ways) but thought it was a bit much solo but I got multiple compliments a few days later when I tested it mixed in with my daily moisturizer.

The drops are made with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and sea kelp and lemon fruit water so you really get a major dose of radiance with just a drop or two. You could also mix this in your daily SPF if that’ll help you be better about wearing SPF daily but I’d use no more than a drop for daily use.

9. Saie Lip Oil

A glowy, non-sticky lip oil that hydrates lips and is the perfect lightweight wash of color for summer.

A few other lip oils / balms I love in the summer:

• Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm (in shade Vanilla Beige)
• Tower28 Lip Jelly

10. Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil

Liquid gold. I often find body oils too sticky or too slick but this one absorbs in gorgeously right away and leaves skin glowy and hydrated with little effort. It’s super lightweight and smells amazing. A little goes a long way so it’ll last you all summer and beyond.

Whenever I slather this all over my body I get compliments on how my skin looks. Win/Win. Just be sure to apply it to damp skin!

Related: Osea Malibu Review

11. Chantecaille Blush

This “gelee” is a gel formula and the shade Happy is the prettiest, glowy wash of poppy pink. I love it layered with my fav Gucci blush in particular but it is great on its own, too.

The Haus Labs Blush is also amazing for summer. Has such a cool glossy finish!

12. RMS ReDimension Blush

I’m so sad RMS discontinued my favorite blush they used to make but I do like their new pressed blush that is equally as glowy. 

For less hot and humid days I will layer if over a favorite cream blush.

1. Osea Salts of the Earth Body Scrub

This body scrub is heaven-sent. It is a match made in heaven when paired with the Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil – your skin will never be as soft – trust me! 

2. Rituel de Fille Rare Light Luminizers

When I want a highlight that can be seen from space, I reach for this cream highlighter. We are talking major wattage from this highlighter.

I have shades Phosphene and Solar Flare and whenever I wear one of these highlighters I get compliments. A little goes a long way so apply sparingly! I think this highlighter is so, so underrated. 

3. Saie Glow Sculpt Multi-Use Cream Highlighting Blush

One of those great mult-taskers I love in summer the most. Part blush, part highlighter and great for when you don’t want to put much effort in.

4. Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Loveshine Lipstick Balm

Full of nourishing oils, I adore this medium-coverage, hydrating lipstick with a high-shine, balm-like texture that conditions and moisturizes the lips.

I have this in so many shades now and almost always have one in my purse all summer long. They just make your lips look so healthy and shiny. 

5. Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow Duo

I never travel without this duo as it is foolproof for getting bronzy and glowy all summer long. Apply the powder bronzer wherever you’d like a bit of contour and then highlight the high points of your face with the powder highlighter.

Pro tip I love? I apply the powder highlighter over my favorite cream highlighters included in this post for even more extra glow.

The Makeup I Never Travel Without.

6. Westman Atelier Super Loaded Tinted Cream Highlighter

This highlighter packs some major wattage and is multi-purpose. You can swipe it on your cheeks, your cupids bow or you can add it on your eyelid. Apply it with your fingers or use a brush to pick up as little or as much of the super-loaded tint as you’d like.

I have all three shades but Peau de Peche is my favorite in summer for a bronzy-glowy finish.

And for even more glow, I can’t recommend the Liquid Super Loaded Illuminator Drops enough. Dewy, gorgeous skin in an instant. Just a couple of drops does the trick!

Related: Westman Atelier Review

Don’t miss shopping the brand’s sets if you’re keen for some savings and want to try multiple SKUs.

7. Tan Luxe The Gradual Lotion

Body self tanner that makes it so easy and so much less annoying. I absolutely love the spent-the-weekend-at-the-beach vibes this lotion gives you and the fact that it is easy to apply and usually doesn’t cause any tanning nightmares.

I wrote a whole review here. It’s truly so good.

8. Westman Atelier Skin Activator

This is my go-to key to glowy, radiant looking skin. It makes makeup go on with so much more wattage. One pump goes a long way but given the price I only ever restock when it is on sale. 

9. Chanel LES BEIGES Sheer Healthy Glow Highlighting Fluid

I picked this up on a trip to Paris after the sales associate told me you can use it on your body, face and even your hair. I love the shimmery finish it has to give skin an added boost of radiance – particularly on the décolleté.

For an extra glow, I like mixing a few drops into the Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil.

10. Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm

A high-shine finish and something that feels like a lip balm but has the color payoff a lipstick without the weight. This stuff makes your lips look amazing.

11. Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize Cream Shadow

I adore these cream shadows that go on seamlessly. I reach for the Champagne shade on summer days when I want glowy eyelids without a lot of effort.

And don’t forget to set all your hard work with the best makeup setting spray ever!

How I Create A Summer Glow

My 5-Minute Routine for Glowing Summer Skin

On most summer days, I keep things incredibly simple. After applying SPF, I’ll use Saie Glowy Super Gel as my base, add a light layer of Chanel Water Tint for coverage and warm up my complexion with Saie Sun Melt Bronzer.

A touch of Chantecaille Blush and a swipe of Saie Lip Oil is usually all I need to look polished without feeling overly made up. The whole routine takes less than five minutes and wears beautifully even on hot days as long as I apply a good makeup setting spray.

Products I Skip In Summer

Over the years I’ve learned that less is often more during the hottest months of the year. I tend to skip heavy foundations, powder-heavy makeup and overly matte formulas that can look flat or feel uncomfortable in the heat. I also swap thick body creams for lightweight body oils and serums that absorb quickly while still delivering plenty of hydration and glow.

Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Glow Makeup

What makeup products create a natural summer glow?

Cream bronzers, liquid highlighters and lightweight complexion products tend to create the most natural-looking summer glow. I especially love Saie Glowy Super Gel, Chanel Les Beiges Water Tint and Erborian BB Cream mentioned in this post. 

How can I make my skin glow in summer without tanning?

I rely on self-tanning drops, hydrating skincare, body oils and daily SPF rather than sun exposure.

Are cream products better than powder products in summer?

In my experience, yes. Cream formulas melt into the skin more naturally and create a fresher, more radiant finish.

What is your most-used summer beauty product?

If I could only choose one, it would be Erborian BB Cream. It gives skin the most beautiful natural-looking glow while still looking like skin.

. . .

When it comes to achieving a healthy summer glow, I always focus on skincare first and makeup second. No amount of highlighter can replace well-hydrated, protected skin, which is why daily SPF remains my most important beauty step year-round. As someone with a history of skin cancer, you’ll never find me chasing a tan from the sun. Instead, I rely on great skincare, self-tanning products and a handful of glow-enhancing makeup favorites.

During the warmer months, I tend to reach for cream and liquid formulas over powders whenever possible. They melt into the skin more naturally, feel lighter in the heat and create that effortless, radiant finish I love. If I had to narrow this list down to the products I use most often, it would be the Erborian BB Cream, Saie Glowy Super Gel, Saie Sun Melt Bronzer, Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil and the YSL Loveshine Lipstick Balm.

These are the products I reach for again and again when I want to look a little more polished without feeling overly made up. They make getting ready easy and help create that fresh, glowy summer look that never goes out of style.

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• My Most Re-Purchased Beauty Products.
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