Today, I’m sharing my favorite makeup edit for summer, the one I’ve been reaching for ever since the sun finally returned to Amsterdam. I do hope it’s not too late to speak of summer… Even now, in early July, autumn collections are already making their appearance. I haven’t yet taken a holiday (and truthfully, I don’t know if we will this year), though this summer, I dream of a rural hotel nestled in Mediterranean greenery, a place to slow down, disappear into nature, and find a little quiet for myself :). So for now, I’m still very much in the mood to savour each long, golden day, and the soft, lingering evenings that come with them. That said, I’ll admit: a part of me is already a little giddy at the thought of September, the new silhouettes, richer tones, that back-to-school feeling I secretly love. But I’m getting ahead of myself…
Back to summer and to the products I’ve been using daily these past few weeks: a bronzing powder that flatters fair skin without turning orange or muddy, a sunscreen so comforting it feels more like a moisturiser, a mascara that rinses off easily with warm water, and a balm highlighter that lends the kind of glow you only get after a week in the sun. Each one has been tried, loved, and thoroughly enjoyed.
In spring, I lean toward soft rosewoods and raspberry reds to wake up the complexion after winter’s dullness. But summer calls for something different: sunlit skin, gently warmed with just a touch of colour. On lighter complexions like mine, it’s a subtle way of capturing that luminous, solar quality we long for at this time of year. So whether you’re away on holiday (perhaps even reading these lines from a sunbed ;)?) or staying in the city, here is my take on summer makeup: radiant, effortless, and always natural, you know me by now.
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SPF or Day Cream?
That is the question :). I’ve already mentioned the Aime The Daily SPF (SPF 50, UVA + UVB), which the brand kindly sent me to try and I truly loved it. (As always, even when products are gifted, I only ever share the ones I’ve tested and genuinely enjoyed.) Formulated in Korea, this SPF 50 has the texture of a beautiful day cream: fluid, comforting, and so easy to apply, no white cast, no greasiness, no sticky residue.
Personally, when I reach for an SPF, I much prefer it in the form of a skincare product, a hydrating cream, rather than as part of a makeup formula like a tinted base or foundation. Having tried many over the years, I often find tinted SPFs too complicated: too thick, too oily or too drying, too light or too orange… rarely quite right. I prefer a sunscreen I can reapply throughout the day, even if it means skipping makeup, or layering it underneath my favorite complexion products instead.
In the same spirit, and at a slightly more accessible price point, I also adored the cult-favorite Relief Sun Aqua-fresh Rice + B5 SPF50+ by Beauty of Joseon. It has a silky, lightweight texture that melts into the skin. If your skin leans dry (or feels parched from sun exposure), or if it’s more mature, I’d recommend their more hydrating version: the Relief Sun Rice + Probiotic SPF 50+. You can use these SPFs in place of your regular day cream, or layer them on top, depending on how your skin is feeling that day. I’ve tested all three under makeup, and they work beautifully as a base for a touch of concealer or corrector.
A Touch of Concealer, Here and There
Lately, I’ve been relying on two products I truly love, especially to soften the blue tones under my eyes (just enough to look a little less tired) and to discreetly blur away signs of fatigue, blemishes, dark spots, and other little imperfections.
The first is one I purchased earlier this year and still use regularly: the UnCoverup Concealer by RMS in shade 11.5, which has a subtle apricot tone that helps neutralize the blue under my eyes. I apply it with my fingertip, let it sit for a moment while I do the rest of my makeup, then gently tap it in to blend and remove any excess. I really appreciate how hydrating it is, it doesn’t dry out the delicate under-eye area or settle into fine lines.
Another product I’ve become quite a fan of, and I’ve mentioned it before, is The Minimalist by Merit. I use the shades Ecru and Bisque, one for winter, one for summer. It’s not exactly a foundation, nor a tinted moisturizer, nor strictly a concealer… but rather a bit of all three. It applies beautifully with either fingers or a brush, has a soft, velvety finish, and blends seamlessly into the skin. What I love most is its natural, real-skin result. Sometimes I use it only under the eyes or in small touches to even out my complexion. It never looks greasy by the end of the day, something that can happen with other complexion products. Truly, it’s a beautiful all-in-one base I reach for again and again.
A Bronzer for Sunlit Skin
Let’s get straight to it, this is one of my absolute favorite makeup categories. Bronzer may even be starting to rival blush in my personal makeup top tier :). There’s one bronzing powder I’ve been loyal to for what feels like forever: Terracotta by Guerlain. It’s simply perfect for adding warmth and glow, even to fair complexions like mine. I particularly like using a powder formula to complete my look and to softly mattify any areas that tend to get a bit too shiny. At the moment, I alternate between The Bronzing Powder and The Sun-Kissed Natural Healthy Glow powder (this one is part bronzer, part blush), both in the shade Light Warm. Neither leaves an orange cast, and they apply beautifully with a large kabuki brush, effortless, diffused, natural.
A more recent discovery I’ve fallen in love with is the Bronze Balm by Merit, which the brand kindly sent me in the shade Clay. What I appreciate most about Merit is how intuitive and easy their products are to use. I treat this balm almost like a blush, applying it to the tops of my cheeks and cheekbones, along the sides of my forehead, and down the bridge of my nose for that subtle “I’ve just spent a day in the sun” effect. Don’t be put off by the depth of the shade, despite how rich it looks at first, the formula blends seamlessly into the skin, simply by tapping it in with your fingertips. You really can’t overdo it, it’s foolproof and gives the most natural, sun-kissed finish.
The Final Touches
As for the rest of my makeup, I like to keep things simple, just a touch of mascara, if I feel like it. Personally, I’m a fan of tubing mascaras: they’re incredibly practical, easy to remove with warm water, and they don’t smudge throughout the day. I’m currently using the one from Aime, and I’ve just ordered the Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara, which I’ve been meaning to try for a while now. And finally, a hint of highlighter on the highest points of my cheeks. I really love the Day Glow Highlighting Balm in the shade Solstice: the bronzy tone blends beautifully with any bronzer and gives the most effortless, luminous finish. And voilà, a sun-kissed summer look, soft as a golden glow… and always, à la française.
