Welcome to my first ever Substack video! In the spirit of taking risks and trying new things, along with a desire to do a more casual chatty video, I’m trying out my first long-form video. If this is something you want to see me do more of, let me know!
Today’s video features my summer makeup routine, which couldn’t be more different than my winter makeup routine. Not only is my skin a completely different tone (thank you, olive skin), but the hot weather brings my skin into full oily skin mode. So while summer is not my greatest friend, the moment the average temperatures reach 80 degrees, I’m itching to change up my entire makeup routine and look forward to the switch every year.
My summer makeup tends to be lighter and more minimal overall, mostly because I can’t stand to add too many layers on my skin when it’s so hot out. But I also find that when I get tan (or when I use self–tanner to even out my face to my body), minimal but more tonal makeup tends to suit me better.
Before we get deep into the details, I want to preface that with humid summer weather and oily skin, skin prep is probably just as important to creating and long-lasting and non-greasy makeup, and while that does start with skincare, I’m saving my skincare for a separate post. I also already have a base routine for oily skin and/or hot summer skin over on my blog, so head over there if you’re looking for a full base routine.
Products used:
FACE
Danessa Myricks Water Powder Serum - this super light weight watery serum helps reduce excess shine on my face, and keeps my makeup from getting oily throughout the day. It’s very similar to my other favorite, the Glow Recipe Strawberry Blur Drops, but I find that this initially leaves a slightly less powdery finish so if your skin leans more normal to combo, you may find the Danessa Myricks a little more helpful.
Chanel Water Fresh Tint - my forever holy grail,and tried and true summer base product. Effortless and glowy when used on its own, but it also mixes beautifully with just about every base product I own. With watery gel texture and light coverage, it feels refreshing to apply and maintains a radiant, but never greasy, glow that lasts all day on me. I wear shade Medium.
Bobbi Brown Corrector Stick in Light Peach - my favorite corrector, hands down, and the stick formula has a much easier application with a lighter feel and coverage than the pot. Overall, I’m finding the stick much better suited for my correcting needs.
Les Filles en Rouje Le Correcteur -I admit that the gorgeous tortoise shell packaging is what initially drew me into this, but the formula of this little concealer duo is fantastic. With an exceptionally creamy formula, it blends into a second skin finish that is completely undetectable on my skin. The only downside is that the shade range is quite limited the fair shade is most like light to light-medium, and there are 4 shades in the line. I’m wearing Medium, which is very much my summer tan shade. Ideally, I would be using the darker shade in the Fair palette with the lighter shade in the Medium palette for my year round match. While I pray for a shade extension and refillable option soon, don’t skip on this if you do have a shade match.
Bare Minerals Liquid Blushlighters - perhaps my glow product of the season?? From the longwearing gel-cream formula to the ultra glowy finish without being too shimmery to the most ethereal shades, these are absolutely IT for me. They have less shimmer than the Charlotte Tilbury Highlight Wands (which I still love! This is my favorite shade) and have a lighter look overall due to the sheerer formula, making them perfect for a summer minimal look. I’m also loving the Blonzer shades, which are more pigmented and have less shimmer so they work as a true bronzer.
Bodyography Liquid Cassette Blush - I’ve heard nothing but good things about these new liquid blushes from Bodyography, and after trying them out for a few weeks, I’m adding to the rave reviews. The liquid serum formula is such a joy to use with its lightweight texture and although these shades look neon in the tube, the sheer serum feature makes these sheer out into an almost translucent watercolor finish that is actually very approachable.
All base products were applied with this brush - one of the best and most versatile foundation brushes that never leaves a streak, and works for highlighter, blush, and bronzer on lazy days.
EYES
Lawless Shape Up Soft Fill Eye Brow Pencil in Cacao - I’m not picky with brow pencils and this one from Lawless has an easy to use waxy formula that sticks around all day
Lisa Eldridge Liquid Lurex Eyeshadow in Titania - it took me awhile to get on board with the Lisa Eldridge liquid shadows but I’m THERE now. These have a stunning sparkly formula that adds just a touch of everyday glam to my look without being too much. Titania, which is a bronzey-antique gold type of shade is usually not the shade I would reach for, but on my skin it pulls much more bronze. It’s absolutely perfect for a bit of summer glam. Applied with the discontinued Sonia G. Fusion Eye Worker; however I also love this brush for cream or liquid eyeshadows.
Sisley Ombre Eclat Liquid Shadow in 5 Bronze - More often than not in the summer, this is the only eye product I’m wearing. The shade Bronze is the perfect shade for my skin to give a bit of a glow with a soft pearlescent shimmer and gives my eyes a little hint of something while still looking very minimal and effortless. The formula is also budgeproof (over this primer that I always use), and doesn’t need to be set with a shadow. She’s a pricey girl for an eyeshadow but if you’re looking for a delightful summer treat for yourself, make it this one.
Dior Eyeshadow Palette in Poncho - if Dior Soft Cashmere is my ideal winter palette (that I raved about here), the Poncho is the perfect summer counterpart. The warmer peachy shades give me just the hint of warmth that I need for the summer, plus it has all the essentials I need for my standard neutral looks with a satin neutral tan shade, plus a deep matte brown for my signature smoky eyeliner.
Lune and Aster Dawn to Dusk Eyeliner in Copper - this unassuming eyeliner has become my hero product in the past few months. Not only is it the perfect deep bronze leaning brown shade with a teeny hint of shimmer, it lasts forever without any budging, smudging, or fading. The best part is that I can use this as a tightline on my sensitive and watery upper lashline, it doesn’t fade all day, AND it doesn’t mess with my contacts. I’ve tried dozens and dozens of eyeliners over the years and while I’ve tried many excellent eyeliners, very few have worked as a tightline for me. Copper is also just the perfect deep, but not too deep shade to subtly define my eyes and thicken my lashline. Eyeliner smoked out with this absolute holy grail brush - I have 3!
The best eyeshadow curler is from Shiseido, paired with YSL Lash Clash Waterproof, the best luxury waterproof mascara I’ve ever tried.
LIPS
The Mob Beauty Lipliner in 1990 - the cool toned rosy brown lip liner shade to evoke the 90s without going too deep, too cool, or too much. Mob Beauty really nailed this shade and the formula is really lovely as well. It glides on but isn’t too slick, and sticks around for a few hours without becoming drying. Do I have 1000 other lip liners in a similar tone? Sure, but none of them have this unique cool toned rosy brown shade that manages to be a perfect neutral to pair with any lipstick.
Les Filles en Rouje Le Balm in B.B. - for that effortless minimal look - the kind where my lips look perfectly defined but somehow still soft and plush with a hint of shine. The shade B.B. is also the prettiest pinkish brown shade that is my lips but better. This works beautifully on its own or layered with lip liner and gloss like I did here.
Eadem Le Chou Chou Lip Balm in Fig Sauce (code STEPHANIE15 for 15% off)- I’ve been raving about these Eadem lip balms every chance I get because I have a feeling these are going to reach holy grail status very soon - it’s that good. It has the perfect goldilocks formula of being thick and nourishing, but not too thick. It also has this magical ability to just wrap my lips in a cushiony layer of moisture that lasts for hours, all while providing a little hint of tint. Fig Sauce is currently my most worn shade but I’m also reaching for Boba Bounce whenever I want more of a 90s brown look.
Beauty Pie Le Smash Santal - the best summer finishing touch is a few spritzes of fragrance, and Le Smash Santal is really something special. It’s spicy and sweet and creamy all at once with notes of cardamom, tonka, and sandalwood, but it also has a bit of freshness from notes of tea leaves. It’s absolutely heavenly, totally unique in my collection, and it’s under $40! It could be $140 and I would still enthusiastically sing its praises.
So what do we think of the video format? Love? Hate? Don’t be shy! Let me know what you think, and as always, thanks for reading (and watching!)
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