I am not a summer person. It’s taken me years to finally admit that to myself, but it’s true. I’m a winter girlie. An autumn girlie. A chilly spring day girlie. But a summer girlie, I am not. In Australia, that’s basically considered treason, since so much of our nation’s identity is wrapped up in sun-drenched imagery and warm days spent on the beach.
But one of the big reasons I don’t like summer (besides the sticky, sweaty feeling that’s unavoidable on the morning commute), is because of the effect it has on my beauty routine. I’m not too proud to admit that, even as a beauty editor, I struggle to adapt my beauty routine — and, in particular, my makeup routine — to the humid days that plague Sydney for five months of the year.
It’s for this reason that I’ve formulated a beauty routine that involves minimal products and doesn’t feel too heavy on my face when the sweating starts. This is a particularly handy three-product no-makeup routine for beach days and sweaty days when I don’t have to front up to the office. My goals are simple: glowing, fresh, respectable. Essentially, I want to look like a glowing Hailey Bieber who just naturally wakes up looking luminous and makeup-free. Ahead, I share the three products that help me achieve a similar look without slathering on makeup.
Ultra Violette Queen Screen
$52 at Sephora
Best for: sun protection
The Ultra Violette Queen Screen is a cult sunscreen that’s widely loved for its luminous finish on the skin. It’s a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50+ UVA and UVB protection, and has the texture of a lightweight serum.
It’s glowy without being sparkly and is pumped with skin-loving ingredients like vitamins B5, C, E and F to hydrate and protect the skin. On days when I feel like I need a little bit of coverage, I’ll dab some concealer under my eyes, but you can also wear it on its own and bask in the glow.
Natio Miracle Lash Twist Brush Mascara
$19.95 at Natio
Best for: volume and definition
A slick of mascara can go a long way to making you look more awake, which is why I never skip it, even on sweaty days. I prefer to focus my mascara application at the root of my lashes, rather than applying for length, and this new volumising mascara from Natio is a great pick for this purpose.
The spiral brush allows you to build volume easily, and though you can run it through your lashes for next-level lengthening, I love wiggling the wand at the root of my lashes to add definition close to the lash line.
If you’re particularly sensitive to smudging mascara, we suggest also checking out Natio’s tubing mascara, the Precision Tubing Mascara, which is available in black and brown.
Lanolips Tinted Balm SPF 30
$14.95 at Sephora
Best for: a touch of colour
In the summer months, I’ll add SPF into my routine wherever I can get it. Applying a big glug of sunscreen after my skincare is a no-brainer, but tossing an SPF lip balm into your handbag is also a good idea, so you’re never caught without.
This one from Lanolips has a sheer red tint, so it adds a touch of colour to the lip. I love also dabbing a little bit onto my cheeks when I feel like my complexion needs a slight blush, and even over my eyelids for a wet look. As it’s a balm, it will also add a glowy sheen to any skin it touches, which is perfect for summer.
This article originally appeared on Marie Claire Australia and is republished here with permission.
