13 Products for Glowy Summer Skin
I've got a confession-
three years ago, my version of glowing summer skin would have been me just straight up covered in sweat. Arriving at events, people would be like "Oh girl, your skin is glowing!". And I'd be like "Omg! Thanks! It's just a natural glow!" (...that only took 10 blocks I had to sprint because I'm late, 2 subway rides and a trek through Midtown, all while carrying my purse, leftovers and a tote with my laptop in it, to achieve!). Nothing like a little humidity to go ahead and try to kill your glowing skin vibes.
Needless to say, I've found it much easier to achieve a sweat-free proper golden summer glow since moving to California. I mean honestly, we could just end the post right here. Who needs all kinds of products to help you achieve glowy skin when you could just move to California?! I'm kind of sort of only kidding ;)
Ok, ok, so if moving to California is NOT an option (Ha!), don't worry, I have you covered with some product suggestions. Some of these are humidity-resistant, tested back in my NYC days, and some are more recent founds, but they're all solid members of my "golden girl arsenal" aka all the products I like to use to achieve glowy skin. Most of these items are more about skincare and creating a glowy base, but I do have a few makeup selects in here, too. Either way, you're just 13 products away (or a move, depending on how you look at it ;D ) from achieving your best glowy summer skin yet.
What are your favorite beauty products to use for glowing summer skin? Let me know if you've tried any of the ones listed below.
Borghese Radiante Revitalize and Firm Mask (as needed) //
After playing with this mask for my recent collaboration with Borghese, it quickly became one of my all time favorites. It's quick and easy to use, and ummm, hello! It's gold, so you know, without a doubt, it's going to leave your skin glowing!
Avène Thermal Spring Water (as needed) //
This has been a staple of mine since I discovered it in France years ago. It's perfect for giving makeup a dewy finish, for a mid-day refresh or, at the beach, to keep your skin hydrated and looking fresh. Oh, and don't worry, it's now readily available so you don't have to go all the way to France to track it down (but, TBH, still a good excuse to book a trip there!).
RMS Living Luminizer (daily makeup) //
This gives the perfect natural highlight, you know, the one where people are wondering if it's a product, or just your natural (not sweat) glow. It's all natural, comes in a few different colors, and honestly just melts right into your skin. A little goes a long way, but if you're suffering from lack of sleep, add a little extra under your under-eye concealer and thank me later.
Glossier Coconut Balm Dotcom (daily) //
My go-to, can't-live-without product to provide the perfect natural shine to my lips, because no golden glowing look is complete without glossy lips, right?! (PS You can also use it as a V natural highlighter in a pinch!)
Ole Henriksen Power Bright (1-2 x week) //
I am OBSESSED with this product! It's one of the few things I've used where I actually see a noticeable difference almost instantly, and continue to see better and better results with continued use. I think I first tried this product a few years ago using Sephora points, and the results were truly so good, I've been buying it ever since. I use it 1-2 a week, or anytime my skin is looking especially dull and dry and in need of an extra boost.
Trilogy Rosehip Oil (morning and evening) //
I've tried so many oils (including ones that cost well over $100) but I return to rosehip oil time and time again because the results just can't be beat. I use it right before my moisturizer (and sometimes as my only moisturizer), and have noticed a dramatic difference with dullness, wrinkles, tone, dry skin and even my acne (which is a whole other post in itself). It honestly just leaves my skin with the perfect glow, all on its own.
The Ordinary Lactic Acid (every other evening) //
I adore Sunday Riley's Good Genes, but can't get behind that price tag so easily, so I decided to give The Ordinary's Lactic Acid I tried, and I'm so glad I did. Honestly, I wake up with the most perfect glowing skin after the evenings where I put it on. I swear it's full of magical fairies that erase everything overnight. I'm obsessed, and the price tag is pretty good, too!
Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask (as needed) //
This is a recent find (I received it in a gift bag.), but I've enjoyed using it when my face needs a quick pick-me-up and I don't have time to do the full Ole Henriksen treatment (which takes almost 30 minutes, compared to this mask which only needs 5 minutes).
Borghese Rinfrescante Sugar Body Polish (a few times a week) //
This product smells like heaven and it leaves my skin soft, smooth and absolutely glowing. I mean, honestly, it's so good, I don't even need to moisturizer after using (but I still sometimes do because I'm so extra!).
NKD SKN Tan Mousse + Daily Moisturizer (daily) //
This has been my go-to sunless tanning product for years now. It provides the perfect glow, it's easy to apply, doesn't smell strange, it's all-natural and the price point can't be beat (especially for the quality).
Coconut Oil (daily) //
No explanation necessary, just my favorite way to keep my skin moisturized and glowing (side note: I only use this on my body and hair, never my face, as I found it would cause terrible breakouts.).
Nuxe Dry Oil (for going out) //
I adore this product! It's another France find (that is now readily available) and, honestly, it's so good, I would bath in it if I could. It smells like heaven (I wear the original kind as my summer fragrance.) and nothing will leave your skin with the more perfect golden glow than this. An absolute must for summer! Go for the gold (See what I did there?!) by first using the Borghese scrub, then self-tan with the NKD SKN tanner and finish with this oil. I mean, you'll basically be an Oscar statue when you're done!
