Summer is not always the best time for a face full of makeup. Heat and humidity can cause you to sweat, which can make a drippy mess out of a carefully applied beauty look. Plus, if you’re spending time outdoors, it’s recommended to reapply your SPF every two hours, which can be tough if you’ve already piled on foundation.
If you want a softer, subtler makeup look that’s lightweight and easy to apply for summer, I recommend adding bronzing drops and/or cream blushes to your summer beauty routine. These products create a natural-looking glow without looking overly caked on.
In this article: IT Cosmetics Glow with Confidence Sun Cream Blush with Hyaluronic Acid, Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Hue Drops Sun Glow Serum and Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Eaze Drop'lit All-Over Glow Enhancer
The best part about bronzing drops and cream blushes is that they’re so versatile and easy to apply. You can use a variety of application methods and wear them with as little or as much other makeup as you’d like. Here are some popular ways to wear them:
While bronzing drops or bronzing serums can certainly be worn on their own, they also work quite well when mixed in with other face products such as moisturizers or foundations. Combined with a moisturizer, bronzing drops will deliver a subtle, sheer glow that mimics a natural suntan. If you mix a couple of bronzing drops with your foundation, you’ll get a slightly darker hue than the original product.
The great thing about cream blushes (and bronzing drops, for that matter) is that they can be applied and blended out with your fingers. This makes for easy application, especially on the go. Still, you may wish to use a stippling blush to apply your cream blush. It’s more sanitary than touching the blush directly with your fingers and some people find it easier to get a smooth, even finish with a brush.
If you want to get a natural, sun-kissed look, apply just a touch of cream blush to the bridge of your nose along with your cheeks. This mimics where the sun would naturally hit, and makes you look like you just got back from a sunny day at the beach. If you want a fully monochromatic makeup look, you can use the same cream blush on your eyelids instead of eyeshadow.
IT Cosmetics Glow with Confidence Sun Cream Blush with Hyaluronic Acid
Available in five shades, this blush-and-bronzer combo product helps deliver a natural-looking sun-kissed glow that’s perfect for summer. It contains nourishing vitamin E, collagen-supporting peptides and hydrating hyaluronic acid. A little goes a long way with this creamy balm, so apply a bit at a time and blend and build from there.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Hue Drops Sun Glow Serum
This lightweight gel serum is skin care and makeup in one: A sheer tint evens skin tone with a warm glow, while niacinamide visibly brightens skin over time. It also contains centella asiatica, an antioxidant that softens and calms skin, decreasing the appearance of redness, and hydrating hyaluronic acid.
This aptly monikered product provides a sheer flush of color that’s soft, subtle and buildable. The creamy, transparent veil of color lets your skin show through, providing a natural-looking glow. It’s formulated with vitamin E to nourish and condition your skin while you wear it.
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Serum Drops
Add a drop or more of this product to any Drunk Elephant serum, oil or cream to get a bronzy wash of color as you apply the mixture. The antioxidant-rich, peptide-infused serum nourishes skin, protects against environmental stressors and helps reduce the look of fine lines.
Nudestix Nudies Bloom Dewy and Radiant Cream Blush
Of all the cream blushes on the market, Nudestix’s selection stands out for its excellent color variety. We also love that each blush stick has a nifty brush on the other end for easy application. Still, you can apply the creamy formula to your eyes, cheeks and lips with your fingers, if you prefer.
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Eaze Drop'lit All-Over Glow Enhancer
This launch from Rihanna’s beauty brand went viral on TikTok because it delivers a dewy, glowy finish on melanin-rich skin. You can wear the illuminating, radiant-finish product alone, under makeup or mixed with foundation.
L'Oreal Paris Makeup True Match Lumi Glotion
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly glow enhancer that delivers on par with pricier products, consider L’Oreal’s fan-favorite Glotion. Available in five shades, the drops infused with glycerin and shea butter can be worn alone or mixed with a moisturizer or foundation.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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