Grew up in Florida. Learned fast that humidity doesn’t care about your skincare routine.
It’s relentless. Frizz-inducing humidity. Surprise thunderstorms. Long days on the beach. I had to learn which summer beauty products actually held up. And which ones just melted into my foundation.
Living in Miami and hopping over to Jamaica gave me the blueprint for my oily, acne-prone face and textured hair. A decade in the industry didn’t raise the bar. It broke it. Now, as beauty editor, I test everything. But my standard remains childhood-tested.
If deodorant fails? Return it. Sunscreen leaves a white cast? Trash it. Dull razor? Done.
I swim. I have color-treated hair. I need formulas that stop breakage and kill frizz. These are the picks I’d keep if an airline lost my suitcase.
Best Cleansers and Moisturizers for Oily Skin
Oily skin girly needs an elite cleanser. One that rebalances, doesn’t break you out.
SkinMedica is doing heavy lifting here. It shrinks zits. Unclogs large pores. Smoothes rough patches without over-stripping. The formula packs four alpha-hydroxy acids (lactic, glycolic, citic, malic) plus salicylic acid for chemical exfoliation. Throw in jojoba spheres for physical scrubbing. It feels clean. Not tight. Clean.
Subway heat? No AC on the train? That’s when I reach for French mineral water spray.
The mist is ultra-fine. Instant hydration. Soothes skin post-beach. Cuts through powdery setting powder when you get heavy-handed. Simple. Effective.
Moisturizer in summer needs to vanish. Prequel, created by Dr. Sam Ellis, does exactly that. No clogged pores. Just cushiony, radiant skin.
It combines polyglutamic acid, glycerin, osmolytes, and minerals. Hypoallergenic. Fragrance-free. Safe for sensitive and eczema-prone faces. If your skin gets irritated by summer sweat, this is your anchor.
Sun Protection and Body Care That Doesn’t Quit
Light sunburn last year. Dermatologist handed me Isdin.
Layered it over moisturizer. Two days later, redness was gone. I was floored. Only change in routine. One year later? Still worth it.
Lightweight formula. Absorbs quick. Water-resistant for active lives. Skin doesn’t break out. That’s the holy grail.
Body wash isn’t just about cleanliness in July. You need hydration. Barrier support. Microbiome health.
Nécessaire nailed it. Hyaluronic acid. Vitamin E. Prebiotic inulin. Ashwagandha for antioxidants. Skin feels softer. Smoother. Hydrated before lotion even hits.
And the smell? Warm caramel. Vanilla. Coffee. Maple. It’s indulgent but refined. Not like middle school locker room spray.
Shaving misses? Ruin mood. Fast.
Flamingo razor solves this. Flexible head hits every curve. Five sharp blades on a hinge. Surrounded by aloe and shea butter. Stops irritation.
Ingrown hairs are a war zone for many. Fur is one of the few winners.
Oil treatment. Used in-shower with exfoliating mitt. Focus on bikini line and underarms. A few drops after. Done. Unsightly bumps disappear. Says it’s face-safe for chin hairs too. I haven’t tried it there.
Swap heavy creams for body lotion with niacinamide, peptides, omega fatty acids. Vitamins A, C, E.
Supports barrier. Locks moisture. Firms sagging skin. Improves tone. Nécessaire’s fragrance-free version lets your perfume lead. But Eucalyptus scent gives total spa vibes.
Deodorant usually fails me in heat. Coconut/lime scents smell cloying.
Each & Every is different. Smells like Florida weekends. Tropical but fresh. Aluminum-free. Keeps pits stink-free. Not for extreme heat waves, but odor protection is solid. Zero irritation.
Makeup and Hair Essentials for High Humidity
Supergoop! goes on invisible.
Velvety. Weightless. Sun protection that doesn’t feel like sun protection. Airy liquid texture. Melts in. Zero white cast. Doesn’t irritate eczema-prone skin. Essential for daily wear.
Hand sanitizer is my nemesis. Subway commutes. Product testing. Washing hands constantly.
Beau Domaine rehydrates with shea butter and organic olive oil Grape-derived antioxidants help appearance of hard-working hands. Absorbs fast. Zero grease. Silky finish.
Flooding ruined my BK Beauty brushes. Reordered immediately.
They’re that good. Densely packed bristles. Maximum coverage with just tinted SPF. Fluffy. Plush. Ideal for reactive skin. Blend liquid, cream, powder beautifully. Permanent spot in my kit.
Beauty of Joseon shocked me. Full coverage. Replaced foundation entirely.
15 shades. I wear 35 in summer. Switch to 33 in fall. Broad-spectrum SPF 30. Lasts sunrise to sunset. Especially with Charlotte Tilbury setting spray. Use BK Beauty 101 large brush for quickest app.
Nars The Multiple in “Hot Take” (apricot).
Cheeks eat cream blush like candy. This one? Stays put. No powder needed. Pigmented from AM to night. Can apply to lips and eyelids. Chic monochromatic look. Acts as base under balms and shadows. Blend with smaller BK Beauty brush for realistic flush.
Charlotte Tilbury setting spray? Non-negotiable.
Soaks up oil. Soft-matte finish. Blurs large pores. Visibly improves skin texture. One of the hardest-working items in my summer routine. Use at least one Tilbury product a day. Maybe five. Truth.
Mascara shouldn’t be wet. Goopy. Drooping lashes.
Make Waves separates fringe flawlessly. Falsie effect. No irritation to sensitive eyes. Water-resistant. Keeps lashes lifted in NYC humidity. Crucial for summer.
Fine hair flails outside. Lip gloss? No. Feels wrong.
BeautyStat mineral SPF lip balm. Nourishes. No goop. Heavy feel. Sodium hyaluronate. Squalane. Vanilla-creamsicle scent. Impressive color payoff. No liner or lipstick needed underneath.
Swimming. Sweating. Root touchups. Hair needs TLC.
Joico Defy Damage duo. Staple since 2019. Strengthens bonds. Reduces breakage. Stops balayage fading. Salon-quality shampoo/conditioner. Softer. Shinier. Works on all hair types. From my bouncy coils to mom’s fine straight strands.
Dust Brush on Block powder sunscreen.
Sets makeup. Extra layer of protection. Dermatologists say apply along part for UVA/UVB coverage. I use it as dry shampoo alternative. Absorbs oil. Adds SPF. Dermatologist Hadley King swears by it.
Women’s Health Beauty Award winner dry shampoo? Living Proof (implied context of lightweight mist/dark hair safe).
Light mist. Refreshes style between washes. Dissolves oil. Neutralizes odor. No white powder on dark tresses. Touchable texture.
Detangling spray. Oribe Soft Silk.
Stubborn tangles stand no chance. Pomegranate, apricot, coconut oils. Smooth cuticles. Separate strands. Watermelon, lychee, edelweiss blend prevents environmental damage. Stops color fading.
Curling iron? I still can’t master it.
Summer needs easy waves. CurlWrap rotating iron pushes button. Automatically winds strands. 10-15 seconds hold. Textured looks. Low effort. 1-inch and 1.25-inch barrels. Prefer bigger for longer hair. Fingers through hair. Malibu beach babe energy.
Vacanza perfume makes me pretend I’m not at a desk.
Bright bergamot. Fresh violet leaf. Hello Provence. Settles into warm, skin-like scent. French Riviera summer in a bottle. Cap is Spanish stone. Hand-selected. Shaped. Each bottle unique. Statement piece on nightstand.
Nicole Saunders tests this stuff. For real. Nine years in beauty. Writes about red light therapy. LED masks. Strengthens guides on shampoos and body washes. Doesn’t guess. Researches. Tests.
Used to be at Best Products. Tested thousands. Launched beauty coverage at NBC News. Contributed to CNN, Cosmo, Billboard, THR, Harper’s BAZAAR.
Follow her on Instagram for the behind-the-scenes chaos.
