Summer is upon us, and you know what that meansâitâs time to set your OOO and pack up your vacation beauty essentials in a chic carry-on. Whether youâre jetting off to the Amalfi Coast or mastering the art of the city staycation, the key to breezing through the heat lies in a well-curated beauty bag. Vogueâs editors are no strangers to a passport stamp (or a packed subway platform at 80 degrees), and theyâve fine-tuned their seasonal beauty arsenal accordingly.
Vogueâs Summer Beauty Essentials
From featherweight skin tints that wonât melt mid-tour to cream blushes that mimic the flush of a sun-drenched afternoon in Ibiza, our favorites are all about low-lift radiance. Scroll for 25+ summer beauty and vacation essentials, handpicked by Vougeâs staffers.
The Glow Getter
âMy vacation essentials are centered around glow, obviously! To wit, I stock my carry-on with a few illuminating solutions for the body. Tom Fordâs Soleil Blanc lends a lightweight, non-glittery sheen; as does Kopariâs shimmering gel which also offers broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection. For face, I rely on a sunscreen fluidâeasily reapplied throughout the day. And what better way to round out the good vibes of a getaway than a sparkling fragrance? Tory Burchâs Sublime utilizes a blend of rose, Osmanthus flower, and mandarin that has garnered me too many compliments to count.â âKiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writer
The Sun Drops
âMy summer essential is always SPFâbecause I burn at the mere suggestion of sunlight. I love these Sun Drops because I can mix them right into my moisturizer or foundation without disrupting the rest of my routine.â âLilah Ramzi, contributing editor
The No-Makeup Makeup Staples
âIn keeping with my non-comedogenic routine, all of my complexion products must be acne-safe, especially when beating in the seasonal heat. Chanelâs gel tint provides enough coverage without clogging pores or feeling heavy. Meanwhile, VBâs concealer pen is perfect for spot coverage. My olive skin tans immediately upon stepping in the sun, so SaltyFaceâs tanning water keeps my face matching the rest of my body with a natural glow. Last but certainly not least, thereâs always a lip liner in my bagâthis one stands the test of time through sweat, humidity, and drinking plenty of water. Best of all, my summer go-tos are great for every day, or tossed in my carry-on.â âConçetta Ciarlo, beauty commerce writer
The Barely-There Tinted Lip Balm
âI swear by this lip color in the summer. Itâs glossyâbut not stickyâand provides the perfect hint of color for a great no-makeup makeup look, â âLeah Faye Cooper, digital style director:
The Beachside Beauty Bag Picks
âOne thing that’s always in my summer bag is Rhodeâs pocket blush. I love putting it on when I go to the beachâit adds that sunburnt touch to my cheeks even if I’m lathering myself in sunscreen every 30 minutes! Also, my hair hack after coming out of the ocean is to not wash it and instead use the Heavenly Hair Milk from Emi Jay so that my waves dry without frizz.â âIrene Kim, production and editorial coordinator
The Tinted SPF
âWhen it comes to face sunscreen, Iâm a La-Roche Posay loyalist. Itâs a lightweight, mineral-based formula that wonât leave your skin feeling cakey or greasyâa must for my fellow rosacea- and eczema-sufferers. Not only does it not leave the cursed white cast, but the tint helps even out my complexion. Iâve all but replaced foundation with my sunscreenâand I even get compliments on how good my skin looks.â âHannah Jackson, fashion writer
The Flushed Cheeks and Full Brows
âSummer is the season of lightweight makeup and dewy skin and, like many others, I like to keep things minimal. My essentials are a glowy base, flushed cheeks, sculpted brows, and a glossy lipâ just enough to feel pretty and put together with little effort. Saie Glowy Super Gel is the perfect product for a glistening, hydrated baseâI wear it alone or use it as a primer for extra dew. My go-to brow gel is from Half Magic because it gives me long-lasting definition without leaving any residue. For blush, Saieâs liquid formula is my favorite lately. Lastly, a berry lip balm from Laniege is truly never not in my summer bag for its high-shine, and perfect subtle pink tint.â âSam Ravin, community manager, Vogue app
The Radiant Sunscreen
âI didnât realize how much I relied on this sunscreen until I ran out. I kept thinking I could skip restocking âuntil every morning felt off without it. Now that itâs back, so is the glow everyone keeps asking about. Wonât make that mistake again!â âSache Taylor, special events director
The Fail-Proof Eyeshadow and Blush
âMy summer makeup routines are all about ease! Eyeshadow sticks and liquid blushes always make it into my vacation beauty bag because of their easy application. These from Ilia and Nars swipe on effortlessly and last in the heat and ocean air. Tried and tested!â âAlexandra Ditch, associate producer
The Subtle Nail Color
âThe new limited-edition Blanc Orage shade of Les Mains Hermès nail polish is exactly my summer beauty attitude! Easy, breezy, sheer, iridescent, and just one coat enhances my natural nail color but dries fast enough for me to move onto the next thing without debossing it in accidental fingerprints.â âArden Fanning Andrews, beauty editor at large
The Minimalist Beauty Duo
âI prefer a less is more approach to makeup. A beauty editor friend recently gave me this Dior lip balm and Iâm so into itâit gives a dewy, natural flush with a hint of glow that is neither shiny nor sparkly. This will be going everywhere with me this summer and beyond. I also swap tinted moisturizer for EltaMDâs tinted SPF. Itâs a great daytime alternative for great sun protection with a little bit of coverage.â âDaisy Shaw-Ellis, jewelry director
The Multipurpose Hair Oil
âWhether Iâm tackling unruly flyaways in a slick back bun or smoothing out fluffy curls for a summer wedding, Kérastase hair oil is my best friend. There is truly no weather condition too hot, humid or sticky for this magical concoction.â âFlorence OâConnor, associate content manager
The DIY Freckles
âI just got back from a trip to London and the English country sideâneedless to say, these two summer beauty favorites of mine were in my carry-on luggage. For starters, Iâm obsessed with Freckâs pen to emphasize the freckles I already have (and create new ones!). To hold my DIY beauty marks and makeup in place, Iâve switched out my primer for Milkâs illuminating primer to amp up my summer glow.â âMolly Barstein, audience development associate manager