15 Summer Beauty Favorites
A few forever favorites; but mostly new and exciting things I've tried.
One of my favorite parts of my job is testing and trying allllll of the products. It is the best—something I really enjoy and find to be fun!
Brands send me a lot to try but I buy even more! I consider it part of my job to be up to date on what’s current, so that when a reader says, “Have you tried XYZ,” I can respond with an educated answer. Not everything makes the cut. A lot is passed on to friends or family who have different skin or hair. The bad stuff is thrown away, not to be thought of again. Today? 15 products (mostly new stuff!) I’ve been reaching for again and again this summer.
Tan Luxe The Water: An old favorite, but a standby. This is the only self-tanner I use, for both face and body. It is impossible to mess up. Just mist all over, rub it in, and wash your hands for an effortless, sun-kissed glow.
Experiment Super Saturated Serum: An affordable favorite that I’m newly obsessed with, despite what I consider hideous packaging. If you have dry skin, you will love this! I’ve been reading a lot about the benefits of glycerin (there are many) and this serum is one of the best ways to leverage those benefits. It contains 30% glycerin and is so, so hydrating!
No Makeup Makeup Foundation (my shade is light/medium) This is a newer brand that I’ve been testing and I really like it. Great coverage that feels like you don’t have anything on your face. I reach for this a lot. (I recommend getting their brush as well!)
Cyklar Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Spray: I fell victim to an Instagram ad here (but I am so glad I did!) This $34 body spray is epic. It contains 10% glycolic acid to smooth skin (and help fade dark spots). I like to use it after showering. I’ll dry off, spray this all over (it stings/tingles a little bit at first). Let it dry, and then apply moisturizer. My skin is so much less rough and bumpy since using this a few times a week.
May Lindstrom The Blue Cocoon: I am working on a blog post about the best balms. This one is a winner. It is so hydrating and soothing. It smells faintly of cocoa. This one is more of a splurge, but honestly, it is worth every penny. It’s one of the most luxurious feeling products I own. I have my third microneedling session this morning and will be soothing my skin with this tonight.
Dr. Brandt No More Baggage: If you get bad undereye bags, this serum is a must. I can’t get over how effective it is (short term, of course!). It tightens and smooths, giving you results in five minutes. I’ve fallen in love with everything I’ve tried from this brand. The neck cream and pore refining primer are two other faves.
No Makeup Brush: This is the brush that goes with the foundation above. These two products together make base makeup an absolute breeze. The coverage (and blur) is amazing, but it’s so lightweight!
YSE Beauty Skin Glow: This is a primer, an SPF, and it makes you glow. It gives you the most gorgeous golden radiance. I often use this and skip makeup if I don’t have a shoot or event to get dressed up for.
Lake & Skye Sheer Fig Body Mist: This smells addictively good. I love it so much. GRACEATWOOD15 should still work for a discount!
Sarah Creal Bronzer: I have a longer review of this brand on my blog, but every product they make has really impressed me! This bronzer is no exception to that rule. I love how creamy and hydrating it is; it feels very good on the skin. And the wear is incredible: it really does last twelver hours.
Sarah Creal Brush: Really, you should probably just buy everything Sarah Creal makes. They only have two brushes (I like the other one a lot too) but this is an excellent multipurpose brush for bronzer and highlighter.
Esker Bodyplane: This was another Instagram ad that I couldn’t resist. I LOVE this thing so much. Before showering, slather body oil onto your legs, arms, and torso. Then, firmly run this up your legs and arms (like you’re shaving). Get your torso too. It exfoliates incredibly well. My skin has never been softer.
Le Prunier Body Creme: This is my other new body holy grail (ideally after a body plane session, followed by the glycolic spray post-shower!). This lotion leaves your skin like silk. I am not sure what the plum extract does or how it works so well, but it’s pretty fantastic.
Crown Affair Leave-in Conditioner: This is hands down my favorite summer hair product (and I love the collaboration with DS & Durga). It leaves hair soft and silky (never crunchy) and hydrates, which we need when we spend time in the sun, salt, and chlorine. It’s the best leave-in conditioner I’ve ever tried. I even bought the smaller bottle to take to France.
Crown Affair Air Dry Mousse: This is step two in my air dry routine! I use quite a bit, scrunch it into my hair, and then try not to touch it. You can use GRACE15 for 15% off at Crown Affair.
Literally was just thinking how I needed a new foundation brush after my merit one has become unusable with shedding. I almost thought about holding my nose and buying the westman atelier brush but at $30 I’ll give the no makeup brush a try! Thanks!!
The crown affair leave-in conditioner is a DREAM! Ordering the experiment super saturated to try! Yay!!