The Ultimate Summer Beauty Edit: 11 Essentials to Keep You Glowing from Sunrise to Sunset

Hot weather heroes for hydrated hair, glowing skin, and SPF that actually slays.

Let’s face it: summer beauty is a different ballgame. The heat, humidity, and extra hours under the sun mean your skin and hair need a little more TLC—and your glam routine needs to be smarter, lighter, and sweat-proof. That’s where this edit comes in. These are the products I’m reaching for on repeat this season—designed to multitask, simplify, and keep your glow game going strong.

From juicy lip tints and glow-getting bronzers to sunscreens that protect without clogging pores, here are 11 must-haves for your summer beauty bag:

1. Blake Brown All-In Wonder Leave-In Potion – Bergamot Woods

This leave-in potion is your hair’s summer bodyguard—protecting, perfecting, and polishing all in one sleek step. The Blake Brown All-In Wonder Leave-In Potion is a lightweight, multitasking formula that hydrates, detangles, reduces frizz, adds shine, and provides heat protection without ever weighing your strands down.

Infused with nutrient-rich botanical extracts and conditioning agents, it helps restore moisture balance to sun-exposed, salt-swept, or chlorine-drenched hair. The scent? A sultry mix of bergamot and woodsy notes that’s fresh, warm, and subtly sexy—like your signature fragrance accidentally got caught in a sea breeze.

Why you need it: Between UV rays, saltwater, and humidity, your hair is under constant summer stress. This potion smooths, protects, and revives—all while leaving behind a fragrance that lingers in the best way. Toss it in your beach tote, use it post-shower, or mist through dry strands for a mid-day refresh. It’s like a summer vacation in a bottle—for your hair.

2. OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil

This is not your average body oil—it’s a sensorial experience in a sleek glass bottle. The OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil is a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula that delivers deep hydration, visibly firms the skin, and leaves a healthy, vacation-level glow. It’s powered by a proprietary blend of Undaria seaweed—rich in minerals and antioxidants—along with acai, babassu, passion fruit, and sunflower seed oils that nourish, smooth, and strengthen the skin barrier.

What makes it a summer must-have? It glides on like silk and soaks in fast, so there’s zero greasy after-feel—just supple, glowy skin that looks lit from within. The fresh, citrusy scent gives you that “just-stepped-off-the-beach” energy even if you’re just stepping out of the shower.

Why you need it: Sun, sand, saltwater—all the fun things about summer can leave your skin parched and dull. This body oil revives and hydrates instantly, turning dry patches into a glistening, golden-hour masterpiece. Use it daily post-shower, or anytime your skin is begging for some love.

3. Kiehl’s Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50

This is SPF—but better. The Kiehl’s Better Screen UV Serum is a next-gen sunscreen that does double duty as a high-performance skincare serum. With broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection, it defends against UVA and UVB rays while delivering skin-smoothing benefits thanks to ingredients like niacinamide and antioxidant-rich vitamin E. The lightweight, serum-like texture absorbs quickly, layers seamlessly under makeup, and leaves no white cast—just a soft, natural finish that feels like skin.

Formulated for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone, this UV serum not only protects but also helps reduce visible redness, uneven skin tone, and the early signs of photoaging. It’s non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and made to wear beautifully in hot, humid weather without pilling or greasiness.

Why you need it: If traditional sunscreens have ever made you breakout, ball up under foundation, or just feel like a chore, this one changes everything. It’s skin-first sun protection that feels like your favorite serum—and acts like your skin’s personal bodyguard.

4. Physicians Formula Butter Glow Bronzer

When it comes to bronzers, this one sets the gold standard—literally. The Physicians Formula Butter Glow Bronzer delivers that believable, back-from-the-beach radiance without looking muddy or overly shimmery. Its creamy, buttery texture melts into the skin, giving you a natural, sun-kissed finish with a hint of pearlescent glow.

Formulated with a blend of Murumuru, Tucuma, and Cupuaçu butters, plus nourishing essential fatty acids, this bronzer doesn’t just look good—it feels good, too. The ultra-blendable formula glides on effortlessly and is ideal for building up or sheering out, whether you want a subtle touch of warmth or full bronze goddess mode.

Why you need it: Summer calls for that healthy, glowy warmth—but UV damage? Not so much. This bronzer gives you all the glow without the exposure. Plus, it smells like a tropical vacation in compact form, which is always a yes. Whether you’re sculpting, bronzing, or faking a glow on your collarbones, this formula brings the heat—in the best way.

5. Eva NYC Curl Defining Cream

Say goodbye to summer frizz and hello to defined, touchably soft curls with the Eva NYC Curl Defining Cream. This lightweight, humidity-resistant cream is designed to shape and enhance natural curls and waves while keeping them hydrated and frizz-free from beach day to late-night cocktails. It’s formulated with powerhouse ingredients like argan oil for moisture and keravis protein to strengthen and protect against breakage.

Unlike heavy creams that weigh curls down, this one offers flexible hold without stiffness or crunch. It brings out your curl pattern, adds shine, and keeps flyaways in check—all with a breezy, salon-fresh scent that lingers just long enough to get compliments.

Why you need it: Summer humidity is not your hair’s best friend—but this curl cream might be. Whether you’re air-drying post-swim, refreshing second-day curls, or doing a heat-free wash-and-go, this cream gives your strands shape, bounce, and all the main character energy. It’s the low-effort, high-reward staple every curl type deserves.

6. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin SPF 60

When it comes to summer sunscreen, you want high protection that doesn’t leave you greasy, ghostly, or broken out. Enter La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin SPF 60—a dermatologist-recommended, oil-free sunscreen made specifically for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin. It provides powerful broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection using Cell-Ox Shield® technology, combining antioxidants with photostable UV filters for maximum defense.

The lightweight formula absorbs quickly and dries to a natural matte finish that resists sweat, shine, and humidity. It’s non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and designed not to clog pores or irritate sensitive skin—even with daily use. Think of it as sun protection with skincare benefits built in.

Why you need it: High SPF often means high maintenance—but not here. This is one of the few sunscreens that holds up under makeup, controls oil throughout the day, and won’t trigger breakouts. Whether you’re beach-bound or commuting under harsh city sun, this is the matte-finish protector your summer skin has been waiting for.

7. Too Faced Juicy Tint Lip Balm

This is the lip balm that flirts for you. The Too Faced Juicy Tint Lip Balm is equal parts hydration and tint—giving your lips a juicy, high-shine finish with just the right pop of color. Infused with ultra-nourishing ingredients like mango and shea butter, this balm smooths and softens lips instantly while delivering a glossy, pout-enhancing effect that looks effortless but feels luxe.

Each shade is sheer but buildable, so you can swipe once for a subtle flush or layer up for a deeper tint. It’s non-sticky, comfortable to wear, and the packaging is as cute as the balm is functional—making it a summer handbag essential.

Why you need it: This balm is made for sunny days, poolside selfies, and those no-makeup makeup looks that still require a kiss of color. Whether you’re topping off a full glam or going bare-faced with sunscreen, it adds that I-just-bit-a-cherry vibe in seconds. Hydrating, pretty, and just a little bit playful—it’s your lips’ new best friend.

8. Wander Beauty Pack Up and Glow priming spf

This is your sunscreen, primer, and radiance booster—all in one sunny little tube. The Wander Beauty Pack Up and Glow Priming SPF is a multitasking dream designed to simplify your summer routine while keeping your skin protected and luminous. With broad-spectrum SPF 40, it defends against UVA/UVB rays, blue light, and environmental stressors—all while prepping your skin for flawless makeup application.

The lightweight, pearlescent formula gives your complexion an instant glow without sparkle or greasiness. Enriched with skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, it hydrates, blurs, and smooths for a lit-from-within finish that holds up in the heat.

Why you need it: It’s sunscreen that doubles as a glow primer, so you never have to choose between sun protection and a gorgeous base. Whether you’re heading to brunch bare-faced or building a full beat for golden hour, this is the secret to keeping skin fresh, dewy, and perfectly prepped all summer long.

9. Elemis Pro-Collagen Black Cherry Cleansing Balm

This limited-edition version of Elemis’s bestselling cleansing balm smells like rich, sweet cherries—but it’s more than just a pretty scent. The balm melts away sunscreen, sweat, waterproof mascara, and all traces of grime while nourishing the skin with anti-aging marine collagen and nourishing oils.

Why you need it: Because cleansing is not optional in the summer. This turns a chore into a nightly ritual and leaves your skin plump, clean, and pampered.

10. Coola Classic Sunscreen spray SPF 30

Coola Classic Sunscreen Spray SPF 30

This invisible, weightless sunscreen spray is a summer staple for good reason. With SPF 30 broad-spectrum protection, it shields your skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays while delivering a refreshing, barely-there mist that dries down quickly with no sticky residue. It’s infused with antioxidant-rich plant protection—think algae, red raspberry seed oil, and buriti oil—to nourish and hydrate the skin as it defends against environmental stressors.

Perfect for on-the-go application, the continuous spray nozzle allows for quick and even coverage—no rubbing required. It’s reef-safe, vegan, and water-resistant for up to 40 minutes, making it your beach bag MVP whether you're catching waves or just catching rays.

Why you need it: Reapplying sunscreen every two hours is non-negotiable—but this spray makes it effortless. No greasy hands, no white cast, and no excuses. Just reliable protection in a sleek, skin-loving formula that smells like summer.

11. Huda Beauty Easy Bake Setting Spray

This isn’t your average setting spray—it’s Huda Beauty’s secret weapon for melt-proof makeup that lasts all day (and night). Inspired by the brand’s cult-favorite Easy Bake Loose Powder, this ultra-fine mist locks everything in place while delivering a soft-focus, blurred finish that smooths the look of pores and fine lines. Think of it as a real-life filter in a bottle.

Formulated with skin-loving ingredients and zero alcohol, it’s gentle enough for all skin types but tough enough to handle sweat, heat, humidity, and whatever the day throws at you. The micro-mist application means no droplets, no makeup displacement, and no drama—just a flawless, long-lasting finish.

Why you need it: If your glam has ever ghosted you by noon, this is your insurance policy. From beach days to rooftop parties, it sets, seals, and slays—no touch-ups required.

Final Thoughts

From dewy skin to sun-safe glam, these summer beauty essentials were made to withstand long days, hot nights, and everything in between. Whether you're headed to the beach or just want to look like you were, these are the products that won’t let you down when temperatures rise.

Stay glowing, stay protected, and let this summer be your most effortless and radiant one yet.