The 12 Best Summer Makeup Tips to Try This Year

We've gone through what feels like endless mattifying powders, makeup-setting sprays, and grease-absorbing sheets. But it wasn't until we recently tried Murad's MattEffect Blotting Perfector that we knew we found a winner for greasy summer skin. The product (which comes in a travel-friendly compact) truly does it all: instantly mattifies skin, absorbs oil, and visibly minimizes pores. And because the formula is a liquid, it’s also super refreshing—a godsend on a hot summer day.

Bronzer may seem like the most obvious product for those hoping to achieve a faux-sun tan glow, but don’t forget to balance out the look with a luminous highlighter. NYC-based makeup artist Ashley Rebecca Schultz recommends Benefit High Beam or Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer for a soft glow. “Using cream or liquid highlighter helps the skin to appear dewier, which is great for summer skin,” she tells Jetsetter. We also like Natasha Denona’s Tan Bronze & Glow Palette for its cream base, for those who prefer powders but still want a velvety sheen.

Let’s face it: even our favorite mascaras can become clumpy and runny after a full day in the sun and sea. If you’ve got a beach trip coming up, prep your lashes with Lashfood’s Phyto-Medic Eyelash Enhancer, which gives the appearance of longer, thicker lashes without the side effects that prescription growth serums cause. After a few uses, you’ll notice a real difference—and maybe even ditch your mascara for good.

RELATED: Jackie’s Beauty Buys: 15 Items I’m Obsessed With This Summer

Matte lipsticks require too much precision for sweaty summer days (they do not look good smudged outside the lines), but lip glosses can give off a stickiness that’s even worse. The compromise? Tinted lip oils, made to moisturize skin and allow for easy application without the syrupy finish. Try the Memebox Nooni Appleberry Lip Oil, which uses a blend of botanical oils and soothing apple water.

If you’re someone who never leaves the house without a full face on, it might be tough to ditch what some consider the base of any look. But replacing your foundation with a full-coverage SPF moisturizer (try It Cosmetics’ Bye Bye Foundation) will give your skin a much lighter feel, add sun protection, and keep your skin hydrated, rather than dried out—so it won’t go into extra oil production mode.

And if you must wear foundation? You’ll probably find that your go-to shade is no longer your go-to after some time in the sun. Luckily, Physician’s Formula’s new foundation shade adjuster is here to help: simply add a couple drops of the oil-free Light or Dark formulas (they're enriched with the brand’s Vitamin C and E Antioxidant Blend) to your regular foundation as needed to change the color of the product before applying to skin.

RELATED: 18 Cool Things JS Editors Are Buying This July

Even if you wear SPF moisturizer on your face, you're probably missing one key area that needs sun protection: your eyelids. That’s why Supergoop!’s ingenious new Shimmershade eye shadow is so incredible—not only does it give off a beautifully subtle sparkle, it’s also formulated with SPF 30.

We typically love filling in brows with a shadow for a natural look, but for pool and beach days, we sub in Chanel Stylo Sourcils’ Waterproof Defining Longwear Eyebrow Pencil, which has unbeatable staying power in any weather or water condition. Use the flat edge to create short, hairlike strokes in sparse areas, and comb through with the spoolie brush to soften.

While we’re all about rosy pinks for spring or deep purples for autumn, during the summer warm tones really shine through, helping you achieve a sunkissed look. Look for peaches, oranges, corals, or orange-y reds—or just invest in Kevyn Aucoin’s Neo-Blush, which delivers a range of the shades in one product, perfect for swirling together or applying individually.

RELATED: 30 Beach Essentials to Pack Next Time You Hit the Sand

We’re obsessed with the coral Hint shade of Vapour Organic Beauty’s Siren Lipstick. Aside from the gorgeous color, the product is formulated with essential oils and natural fruit essences, which work to nourish the lips while flattering them.

Nomad’s Marrakesh Medina Intense Eyeshadow Palette includes 15 stunning, vibrant shades, mostly warm-toned, with the exception of a few beautiful bright blue-green hues to mix things up. There are matte and shimmery options, bold and neutral, so you can whip this palette out for every occasion.

Smith & Cult’s Plastic Beach nail polish shade (a hot guava pink) reminds us of a tropical summer vacay—and that’s exactly the vibe we’re going for, even when stuck at home. The best part? The formula is 8-free—meaning it contains none of the top eight toxic chemicals found in ordinary polish—so it’s good for your nails, too.