I’m a Magnificence Editor, and These Are the 8 Greatest Summer season 2024 Merchandise

Summer is my favorite time to experiment with beauty products, when makeup is really put to the test—it has to look good and last through the hottest, sweatiest, and most humid conditions of the year. It really separates the wheat from the chaff in a way that is otherwise very difficult. In May, I tested upwards of 50 makeup products and the eight below were divine and long-lasting enough that they migrated from my testing basket to my bathroom shelves. 

8 Editor-Approved Summer Makeup Picks

BeautyBio Perfecting BlendDrops Invisible Finish Primer

The primer is seamless enough that it is invisible (thus the name) but the effect is not. It makes my skin look smooth and poreless even on its worst days. Plus it starts my routine off on the right foot thanks to SPF 40 protection. 

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation

Foundations and skin tints is the category in which I am most discerning. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation is lightweight but completely concealing and imperfection-neutralizing. It has a dewy finish and doesn’t get oily throughout the day. 

Chanel Le Blanc Rosy Light Drops

In the summer, I switch from a regular highlighting technique to underpainting (applying it under foundation instead of over). This is one of my favorite products for that. I apply it with a heavy hand before foundation and it shines through, making my skin glow like it has an eternal golden-hour radiance. 

InnBeauty Project Mineral Sun Glow SPF

InnBeauty Project’s new sunscreen is great on its own, but I love to use it as a primer and to underpaint my makeup. It has a subtle, glow-enhancing effect that catches light while keeping my makeup in place. 

Lawless Beauty Pinch My Cheeks Soft Blush

This is a creamy but self-setting blush that is foolproof to use. Unlike similar products that are pigmented to a fault, this has balmy buildable coverage that looks (and feels) like the carefree vibe summer is all about. 

Kaja Dewy Bar Creamy Multi-Stick Blush

I like applying this on my face when I am doing a W-shaped blush look—sun-kissed, maybe even a little sunburnt, without the actual sun damage. It has a juicy, dewy, and subtle finish that makes it a staple. 

Gxve by Gwen Stefani Dewyplump Collagen Boosting Cheek Tint

Okay, I know, another blush?! But this is really their season, and brands have been killing it with these new cream and liquid formulas. This one makes my cheeks look plump and glass-like. It was the only blush I packed for my two-week sojourn in Portugal. 

Freck Beauty Makeout Club Soft Blur Lipstick

In the summer I like lip products I can pull out of my purse or tote bag and apply without a mirror. It’s a little bit of a tough ask, but subtly matte blurring lipsticks are the solution and this is one of the best. It feels hydrating, applies like butter, and lasts longer than you’d expect.