Getting made up with layers of makeup – primer, base, concealer, foundation, blush, bronzer, eye shadow, and highlighter, then baking with powder – may seem like the last thing a sane person would do in the sweltering temps of the hottest summer on record. For the sake of maintaining our collective mental health and still indulging in the latest makeup launches, late summer is high time for minimalist glam. In contrast to full glamazon glam, this lighter, quicker beat focuses on just a few multi-use products in bold colors and ultra modern formulations for maximum color payoff and wearability that can withstand humidity and sun.
As sunscreen is a must, Daybird, the anti-beauty beauty brand harnesses the base of zinc-based mineral sunscreen as a piggyback for skin-loving actives and light coverage. Like the tinted moisturizers that are all the rage these days, the hybrid, vegan 4-in-1 Serum Skin Tint delivers a dose of niacinamide for a smooth complexion, anti-inflammatory bisabolol chamomile extract, and the slightest bit of coverage to counteract redness and even skin tone.
The SPF 50 lotion triples as a serum and moisturizer, while offering reef-safe sun protection that’s water resistant for 80 minutes. As the brand’s female founders are BIPOC, embracing shade diversity is as fundamental to 4-in-1 Serum Skin Tint as its multitasking. The Light, Medium, and Medium-Deep shades flatter a wide range of complexions without a white cast while maintaining a low maintenance routine.
On summer days that call for more attention to conceal the undereye area and play up cheek bones without a full beat, Rodial just launched a darker shade for its range of ultra silky, skin care-adjacent Lowlighters. Latte, a sandy, caramel tone, blends seamlessly into medium skin and works ideally as a highlighter shade for medium-deep complexions. On lighter skin tones, it imparts a non-shimmering, sunkissed warmth for minimal bronzing and the most subtle of contours.
The emollient formulation at work in Latte, as with Peach and Banana, contains caffeine to depuff the under eye area, hyaluronic acid and vitamin to hydrate and nourish. Banana, the lightest shade, is yellow-based for serious color correcting of cool-toned complexions or highlight for medium tones. The Peach Lowlighter – the favorite shade of the brand’s female founder Maria Hatzistefanis – is universally flattering with an overall brightening that corrects dark under eyes and marionette lines.
When applied, the Lowlighter feels like a cross between a rich serum and moisturizer. Extremely creamy, hydrating, and pigmented, it’s best applied sparingly and allowed to penetrate into the skin, followed by a dense brush to push the coverage into the skin and buff seamlessly for a diffused, barely there make-up look. A strategic application of Banana, Peach, and Latte gives light, yet complete coverage and contour.
Because a pop of color around the eyes is the most fun stage of makeup play, summer minimalist glam doesn’t mean sacrificing colorful statements. The key for summer eye looks is high quality shadow collections that are well-pigmented, finely milled, and expertly pressed. The History Eyeshadow Palette launched by female-founded MrayaBeauty – it means ‘mirror’ in Arabic – is a favorite of beauty editors for a reason. Its 12 eyeshadows offer warm neutrals without any pan fallout, plus true color payoff.
The clean (free of parabens, sulfates), vegan, and halal-friendly collection of expertly blended shadows – 5 shimmers and 7 matte shades – in light and medium peach, browns and deep oranges, and a perfect black offer a myriad of eye looks that play up warm complexions or jazz up fairer ones. The black and browns are perfect for brows, smoking, and lining. The light highlighter shade works for cheeks as well as the inner eye corner.
For more play and pops of color, the MrayaBeauty Velvet Tint is a multi-use product that will be a workhorse in any makeup bag. The highly pigmented cream formulation, infused with meadowfoam oil and hyaluronic acid, in a shade range of coral, orange, red, pink, and mauve, takes the 2024 cream blush/lipstick trend to the next level of makeup artistry. For a bold pop of color, dot a singular color on the eyes, cheeks and lips for a uniform look that checks both the minimalist and glam boxes.
