In the season of sun-drenched terraces and spontaneous weekend escapes, my beauty philosophy shifts completely. Summer makeup must be breezy yet polished, resistant to both humidity and happy hour. It should be executed in under ten minutes, all without compromising on a refined finish that turns heads without trying too hard.

An ideal summer makeup look should be lightweight, breathable, long-wearing, and sweat-resistant. Summer makeup should mirror the spirit of the season, light, joyful, and effortlessly relaxed, much like the sun-filled days we dream about all year. It’s the perfect time to cherish a “less is more” approach, allowing your skin to breathe freely without the weight of full coverage products. Think fresh, sunlit tones that enhance your natural features while feeling breathable and effortless.

Whether you’re heading to brunch, running errands, or catching sunset cocktails, the last thing we want is a heavy amount of makeup. I tend to keep things simpler yet glowy. Here is my 10-minute updated summer makeup routine.

1. SPF Is a Must:

Let me say it louder for the people in the back: SPF is not optional, especially in summer. Skin protection is of the utmost importance on sunny days, and your skin will thank you later for being religious with daily application. Trust me, a daily layer of sunscreen is the easiest way to show your skin some long-term love. I constantly remind my readers that sunscreen is non-negotiable. In summer, when my skin tends to shine a lot (thanks to my combination skin), I reach for Foxtale matte sunscreen SPF 70, which leaves the skin matte for those super oily, sweaty days.

Pro tip: Apply it to the eyelids, ears, and neck, the oft-forgotten zones that age faster than your feed scrolls.

2. Bronzy Glowy Skin to the Rescue:

Dewy, bronzed skin is basically the mascot of summer beauty. Skip heavy foundation; instead, mix a pump of liquid bronzer or illuminator (like e.l.f. Cosmetics Bronzing Drops or Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter) with your SPF or tinted moisturizer. It instantly warms up your complexion and gives you that just-back-from-vacation vibe even if your tan is courtesy of Netflix.

Patrick Ta once said in one of his videos that he presses glow products into the skin using a damp beauty sponge for a “second-skin finish.” The technique? Divine. The effect? Airbrushed, without the effort. Trust me, it works like magic. Heavy foundations have no place in your summer makeup bag. Instead, hot sunny days call for summer skin that wears a sheer veil of warmth and luminosity.

3. Spot Conceal, Strategically:

Instead of blanketing your face with foundation, I use a creamy concealer just where I need it, around the nose, under the eyes, or on any surprise blemishes. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer and Maybelline Fit Me Concealer are staples in my bag. I dot it on, wait a few seconds (this lets it thicken slightly), and then gently tap it in with my ring finger or a brush. Pro tip from makeup artist Nam Vo: “Concealer isn’t paint, it should enhance, not erase. Let some skin show through for that real-skin summer glow.”

As a pro makeup artist, my go-to tip is to use a peach-toned concealer for fair skin tones, while deeper complexions benefit most from an orange-based shade to counteract dark circles effectively. According to colour theory, these shades neutralize blue and purple under-eye tones, brightening the face effortlessly without piling on extra product in the summer heat.

4. Add a Sun-Kissed Flush:

Summer is all about that “I just got back from the beach” flush, even if the closest you’ve been to sand is your setting powder. Cream blushes and cheek tints are your best friend here; they blend beautifully and won’t cake or crease. I adore Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch Liquid Blush and Praush Beauty juicy jelly tint. Dab high on the apples and sweep toward the temples for that unmistakable beachy lift. Want a pro trick? Hung Vanngo, ever the architect of luminous skin, recommends dusting blush lightly across the bridge of the nose to mimic a real tan. It’s a small gesture with maximum charm.

5. A Whisper of Mascara:

A little mascara goes a long way when you’re keeping the rest of your face minimal. I curl my lashes (don’t skip this!) and swipe on a coat or two of a waterproof or tubing mascara like Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara or Clinique High Impact High-Fi Full Volume Mascara, especially on hot days when sweat is not your friend.

Quick tip: Don’t overdo it. One to two coats keep it natural and fluttery. If you’re really in a rush, focus just on the top lashes; it opens up the eyes without looking too “done.” Curling your lashes will make you look instantly more awake. Also you can experiment with different colours this summer.

6. Set, Spray, and Go:

Summer calls for long-wear everything, but without layering on powders like it’s 2010. After I’m done with my cream products, I use a light dusting of translucent powder only where I need it (usually my T-zone). I love Laura Mercier’s Translucent Loose Setting Powder for a radiant, not chalky, finish. I love to keep a powder puff filled with loose powder handy in my bag for further touchups. A few spritzes of Urban Decay All Nighter or Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray locks everything in and revives that dewy finish. I keep a mini bottle in my bag for midday refreshes, it’s like a coffee break for your face.

7. Finish Off with Lip Tints:

The final touch? A juicy, sheer lip that screams “summer.” Lip tints or stains are perfect, they’re low-maintenance, transfer-proof, and give you that popsicle-lips look we all love. My go-tos are Benefit Benetint, Praush Beauty juicy jelly tint, or Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint, for a more balm-meets-tint vibe. I recommend using a waterproof lip liner before applying lip tints for that smudge-proof pout.

Bonus tip: Pat a bit of your lip tint on your cheeks for a monochromatic moment. It’s easy, chic, and perfect for on-the-go touch-ups. You can also use these lip tints to layer before your matte lipsticks for that long-lasting look. For an extra touch of shine, swipe on your favorite balm or gloss; it acts like a glossy top coat, while your lip stain or waterproof liner stays perfectly sealed underneath.

Final Thoughts:

In a world of 12-step routines and contour maps, there’s something wildly freeing about embracing the undone. This quick summer makeup edit is less about perfection, more about polish. It’s breathable beauty with backbone, skin that glows, lashes that flirt, lips that linger. The best part? It all comes together in under 10 minutes. Because summer isn’t for standing in front of mirrors, it’s for making memories, chasing sunbeams, and feeling radiant in your skin.