I’m shamelessly high-maintenance with my beauty regimen. 10-step skincare. Daily at-home blowouts. Full makeup and eyeshadow—to the office. But, every year, summer makes a point to rearrange my routine completely. Humidity undermines my heat styling. Tinted sunscreen pushes out even the best foundations. And achieving a glowy tan takes up the majority of my attention. For three months, I become an easy, breezy, I’ll-be-ready-in-10-minutes type of girl.
Such a dramatic pivot isn’t doable without a large Sephora haul filled with summer beauty staples. So, just before hopping on a plane and heading off to a tropical island for a week's time, I stopped by the beauty retailer to stock up on the essentials. I needed slick-back hair sticks and body oil for beach days; glowy blushes and clear brow gel for dinners outside; aloe and soothing moisturizers to keep my skin hydrated after the sun.
Ahead, you’ll find all the Sephora summer beauty staples I personally put to the test. This curated list of 17 products each receives my personal stamp of approval. I promise: They'll see you through any long weekend, beach day, or European getaway.
The Best Sephora Makeup Products for Summer
I’m very likely Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm’s number-one fan. While Pink Sugar has been my running favorite, the brand new (deliciously tasting) iced coffee rendition was my VIP during vacation. I applied it approximately 12 times daily and my lips have never felt softer or smoother.
Foundation is a nonexistent word in my vocabulary during the summer. Instead, I like to play up my skin's sun-kissed factor by piling on the blush—on my cheeks, my nose, under my eyes, even my chin. Lady Gaga’s latest creation is my just-off-the-beach go-to. It’s glowy, glassy, and provides a nice hydration boost.
I shield my face from the sun like my life depends on it. I use big hats and an exorbitant amount of sunscreen. Unfortunately, that leave my face approximately five shades lighter than the rest of body. The solution: Mario’s new launch, which I like to apply all over my face as a lightweight, bronzy tint.
As a rosacea girl with heat as my trigger, my skin gets pretty rosy (not the cute kind) during a beach day. I tossed this serum-meets-sheer coverage stick in my beach bag—and it quickly became the product I reached for daily. It has enough pigment to cancel out redness, goes on perfectly atop sunscreen, and feels entirely weightless.
Fun fact: You need to replace your mascara every three months, so there’s really no point buying a full-size bottle. This Ilia travel bottle lasts me the perfect amount of time, stays fresh and creamy, and makes my lashes look fluttery yet natural with just one swipe.
The Best Sephora Hair Products for Summer
I’d rather squeeze in an extra hour on the beach than be hauled up in the hotel room, blow-drying my hair in 90-degree heat. With that in mind, Crown Affair’s air dry cream was my true savior—it allowed my hair to dry sans frizz while creating enough grit to prevent my hair from looking like an oily mess.
Dare I say this has been my favorite hair launch of the year? The product, developed in tandem with Kim Kardashian’s hairstylist Chris Appleton, provides incredible shine, heat protection, and color-boosting properties. I use it daily before stepping out of the shower, but it’s also great for a post-ocean swim detangle.
Island or beach vacations can get windy, so my hair is doomed to resemble a rat’s nest. That’s why I’ve been converted to a slicked-back bun girl during the day. This formula isn’t too sticky or crunchy but still slicks down all my flyaways and creates a healthy shine.
I don’t trust hotel shampoo and conditioner. I’m a bring-your-own girl, and this Oribe kit contains my preferred lineup. The deeply hydrating trio nourishes my hair after spending the day in drying salt water and strengthens my stands against the extra tugging involved with slicked-back styling.
The Best Sephora Skincare Products for Summer
This product is my best-kept summer secret. With the warm and sweet smell of Soliel Blanc and a bit of a shimmer, the Tom Ford Body Oil makes my legs glow in any skirt, dress, or pair of shorts. I’ll even use it for a pool day. Plus, it smells incredible.
Summer’s biggest downfall: Chafing. Excess sweat and shorter hems often result in annoying bumps and redness between the legs. First Aid Beauty thankfully created the perfect solution. Boosted with soothing colloidal oatmeal and shea butter, this stick provides glide for up to 10,000 steps.
I may or may not have powered through 10 different face sunscreens on a 10-day vacation (I’m a religious reapplier). My favorite was this mineral SPF, which is infused with naicinamide to brighten skin and reduce hyperpigmentation. It leaves a gorgeous, glowing finish and, no matter how many layers I apply, doesn’t pill.
Even with diligent sunscreen applications, my ghostly skin still got a bit burned in the island sun. But Dr. Sturm’s Aloe Vera offered instant hydration and a cooling, soothing effect. It brought my redness down overnight, restored hydration, and prevented peeling.
The Best Sephora Travel Fragrances for Summer
For months, my fragrance collection had uninspired me. This Maker perfume changed that. It’s truly like nothing I’ve ever smelled before, balancing citrus notes like pomelo and hibiscus with grounding cedarwood. At first spray, it’s smooth and soft, but with time, it settles into a deeper, muskier scent.
Sophia Richie’s go-to fragrance, this airy floral blend epitomizes summer. It’s light and airy, floral with a tinge of fruit, and subtle enough to wear during the daytime. I find that spritzing my clothes with two sprays helps it last longer.
While gourmand scents are typically associated with chilly winters, I enjoy their sweetness in the summertime. This particular fragrance stacks a trio of vanilla notes to create a fragrance with depth and an aura of sophistication. Sometimes, I’ll wear it on its own, but I actually like to layer it with Phlur’s Father Figure (peep below) to add a hint of freshness.
When I tell you I got to the bottom of this travel-sized fragrance in just a week, I’m not exaggerating—my whole family wanted in. With fresh notes of fig and cassis balanced out by warm Madagascar vanilla and sandalwood, this perfume is an intoxicatingly delightful blend ideal for summer dinners set outside.
