What’s In My Summer Beauty Bag

Blogger Alicia Tenise rounds up her favorite beauty buys of the summer.

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Ah, summertime! I absolutely love all things summer beauty, because it’s my time to pull out the brightest lipsticks I own and have fun with bronzers. The downside? It pretty much feels like a swamp in the Mid-Atlantic, and the humidity here is out of control! Despite the mugginess, here are a few of my favorite products I’ve tried this summer, some new and some old!
 
Clarins Pore Perfecting Matifying Kit with Blotting Papers

Lancome Bienfait Pure Focus Matifying Moisturizing Lotion
For starters, I have combination/t-zone skin, so my forehead/nose/chin gets really oily during the day, while my cheeks remain somewhat dry (however: this oppressive humidity can make these dry cheeks shiny too!)

I tried out the Lancome Bienfait Pure Focus Matifying Moisturizing Lotion while I was in Ulta a month ago, and I’ve been using it nonstop ever since! I’ve used a ton of matifying primers in the past, but they had a tendency to really dry out my skin and leave me with weird white residue. I love this lotion because it matifys and hydrates my skin at the same time. Win, win!

 


 

Clarins Pore Perfecting Matifying Kit with Blotting Papers
Welp, I told you guys: it is disgustingly humid in D.C. at the moment! I have to use the Matifying Lotion I mentioned earlier before I put on my makeup, and I keep the Clarins Pore Perfecting Matifying Kit in my bag so I can eliminate shine during the day. My friends and I love to walk around Philly and not rely on taking Ubers all of the time, so it’s incredibly easy to get shiny when you’re walking several blocks around town.

This duo is pretty much all you need: there’s matifying powder when you need to reduce shine, and there are also blotting papers included whenever you want to touch up quickly.

The Best Beauty Buys for the Summer

Tarte Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Contour Concealer
This isn’t a beauty product that’s specific for summer, but it is a recent find that I had to share with you all! As a dark skinned woman, I’ve actually had a lot of issues in the past finding the right concealer for me. A lot of companies straight up just didn’t sell the shade I needed, or the product they offered didn’t have the right undertones for my skin.

My (amazing!) sales associate at my local Ulta helped me try out several different concealers since the one I was using didn’t have the right undertones for me. Ultimately, I decided on Tarte’s Shape Tape Concealer and I couldn’t be happier! It brightens my skin and I also use it for contouring as well.

 


 

Clarins Sunkissed Bronzing & Blush Compact
I absolutely love a good bronzer in the summer! The folks over at Clarins were nice enough to send their Sunkissed Bronzing and Blush Compact over for me to try, and I fell in love with this product!

I love that this product includes both a blush and bronzer, and I’ve been carrying it with me on all of my travels this summer — it saves a ton of room in my beauty bag! This product also helps blur out any fine lines/wrinkles, so it’s a great way to get a sun-kissed glow without the sun damage! 

NARS Heat Wave, MAC Ruby Woo, Tom Ford Wild Ginger Lipstick

My Go-To Lip Products
 
My favorite part about summer is trying out new bold and bright lip colors! First up, NARS Heat Wave Lipstick. I actually have been rocking this shade for a couple of years now: it’s the perfect red-orange hue that looks good on nearly every skin tone!

Second: Tom Ford’s Wild Ginger Lipstick. I was getting my makeup done one day and my MUA used this on me. I ran out and bought it the next day! It’s the prettiest coral shade that’s been my go-to for all my summer soirees. I use it so much, that it’s definitely not photogenic anymore. Oops!

MAC’s Ruby Woo Lipstick is a shade I’ve been rocking since last year. It’s the perfect bold and bright red for summer, and it’s not as deep as the reds I typically wear in the fall. This is another lip color that looks great on nearly every skin tone in my opinion!

I like to wear the Clarins Lip Oil in Berry Red either over my Ruby Woo lipstick, or on its own for a light shine. Sometimes I wear too many matte lipsticks several days in a row, so it’s nice to give my lips a bit of a break and wear this super hydrating lip oil!

What are your favorite summer beauty products?

Photos by Anna Meyer

Leave a Comment

9 Comments

  1. GIRL YAAAAS another Ruby Woo fan!! I’m so hooked on it – it’s been my go-to red for forever. I also have a Lip Oil and lovelovelove. It feels so fabulous on!

    Coming Up Roses

    Posted 7.24.17 Reply
  2. Lanae Bond wrote:

    You picked some wonderful items and I always wanted to try Lancome products!

    Posted 7.24.17 Reply
  3. Ashley Garza wrote:

    Everyone has been raving about the Tarte Shape Tape!! I have to give it a try!!!

    Posted 7.24.17 Reply
  4. Jenny wrote:

    I have heard such good things about the shape tape. Totally need to check it out.

    Posted 7.24.17 Reply
  5. Ruthie Ridley wrote:

    You have a lot of goodies in your bag!! Loving these images babe!! I need that tarte shape tape!!

    Posted 7.24.17 Reply
  6. Dana Mannarino wrote:

    I need to try that Clarins kit — definitely necessary in this disgusting New York heat!

    Pink Champagne Problems

    Posted 7.24.17 Reply
  7. The Clarins Matifying kit is a summer must and Tarte products are always good. Love the NARS Heat Wave for you! I bet it looks gorgeous on.

    Posted 7.25.17 Reply
  8. Hannah Palamara wrote:

    I love that bronzer/blush compact! Definitely giving it a try

    Posted 7.25.17 Reply
  9. Oooooh I love that Tom Ford lipstick color. It is so gorgeous.

    Posted 7.26.17 Reply