8 Must-have Summer Beauty Staples

As summer settles in, beauty enthusiasts have much to celebrate

A fresh wave of smart, summer-fresh products help redefine effortless beauty. We’re all about natural radiance—without the fuss. These products will get your summer glow on in record time so you can spend more time in the sun.

1. Always On Cream Shadow by Smashbox, $34

This vegan and cruelty-free cream shadow combines rich, matte colour with a long-lasting formula that lasts for up to 24 hours—even on hot summer days. Infused with primer, this one won’t crease, cake, smudge or settle. Its cushiony, mousse-like texture glides on easily, allowing for mistake-proof application and seamless blending. Used as a shadow or liner, this highly pigmented product delivers saturated colour with a comfortable matte finish. It’s available in nine “colourful neutrals” that make it easy to add a splash of colour to summer eyes.
Available here

Have you ever tried a skin care product so good you thought, “I’d bathe in this if I could”? When the original Resurfacing Compound launched in 2019, it shot U Beauty and its founder, Tina Craig, to fame. There continues to be universal love for this elixir that does it all: it smoothes fine lines and wrinkles, minimizes pores, improves skin texture, and also tightens, hydrates and exfoliates. But we wanted more.

After two years in the making, Tina Craig has finally released a *body* compound and bumpy, flaky skin everywhere is rejoicing. If you have keratosis pilaris (KP), bumpy razor burns, dry rough heels or ashy knees, this will help. It includes AHAs and salicylic acid to speed up cell turnover and smooth skin, as well as antioxidants, peptides and enzymes to protect skin and increase hydration.
Available here

3. BYOMA skincare, starting $15.99

The core premise behind BYOMA skincare is protecting the moisture barrier. So if you have dry skin, you’ll love this. If you have oily skin, you won’t experience overstripping. These dermatologist-approved formulas perform beautifully. And if their fun, modern colour-blocking  packaging doesn’t pull you in immediately, their prices will (the most expensive products are $20.99). BYOMA is made of gentle, skin-compatible ingredients that respect the skin’s barrier function, while delivering effective results. The line is gentle enough for sensitive skin, yet powerful enough to deliver noticeable, glowing results for all skin types.
Available online

4. Technocolor 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam, by Bondi Sands, $35

The days of orange bronzer are over! Bondi Sands has a range of self-tanners that factor in your skin’s undertones. We don’t think twice about asking for foundations that are cool, warm, olive, neutral, etc., so why do we accept just one, ultra-warm shade of self-tanner for all bodies? The new innovative and inclusive Technocolor range from Bondi Sands is formulated to enhance your natural skin tone, whatever your undertone. There are four colour enhancers tailored for every skin tone: Sapphire (for cool tones), Caramel (for warm tones), Emerald (for olive tones) and Magenta (for neutral tones). The foam is tinted to provide a colour guide and the foam itself does leave an odd tint to the skin, but once washed off leaves the ideal bronzy glow. It provides solid medium coverage.
Available online

5. Hydromaniac Blush Glow Hydrator by Urban Decay, $29

This product contains water, glycerin and dimethicone, an ideal combination for summer cheeks, especially if you tend to get oily. The water and glycerin will keep your skin hydrated (without adding excess oil) and the dimethicone will lock it in while giving the colour a smooth, creamy finish. It comes in six vibrant colours, though application is sheer and buildable.
Available here

6. Izumi Hair Tonic Collection by shu uemura, starting $65

The beauty benefits of rice water have been trending for the past few years. But using rice water to boost skincare and haircare has been a centuries-old tradition in Asia. Shu uemura’s izumi tonic energizing water is a five-step hair care collection featuring rice water’s power to help strengthen hair. The new izumi tonic line contains a balance of rice protein and ceramides providing hair with what it needs and only what it needs—in the case of rice water, more isn’t more (which is why those DIY tutorials have got to stop). Too much rice water can lead to protein overload, causing hair damage and breakage. But the right amount can result in shinier, stronger and healthier hair. The scent is delicate, sophisticated and gender-neutral with citrus, wood and musk.
Available here

7. Rare Earth Deep Pore-Minimizing & Polishing Powder by Kiehl’s, $46

Kiehl’s first-ever powder cleanser is the perfect product for summer. The clay-based formula is water-activated, so you can control how intense/weak or tick/thin the emulsion is. While it is brilliant for washing your face at the end of hot, sweaty day, it’s also really great if you thin it out and use it as a light refreshing cleanser in the morning (yes, we all sweat—a lot—through the night). Made with Amazonian white clay, AHA and microcrystalline cellulose grains, this is a triple threat on large pores, oily skin and bumpy texture. The bonus? The new formula is made with 96 percent renewable ingredients, 98 percent less water than Kiehl’s Rare Earth liquid cleanser and is packaged in a bottle consisting of 100 percent post-consumer recycled materials.
Available here

8. Clean Fresh Yummy Gloss by Cover Girl, $10.99

This shiny, vegan gloss is summer personified. Available in a dozen fun, happy colours (and in three scents and flavours: berry, coconut and pineapple), this product make lips scrumptious and plump in a single swipe. Infused with antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, these will also add instant hydration, making your pout look nourished and healthier.
Available here