Let's talk Summer Skin. Summer heat and make-up don't always gel well together but thankfully we are inundated today with great make-up products and techniques that will keep us looking fresh and flawless all day and night. But regardless of the climate, having a beautiful base is always in season. We all have our go-to favourites and being the natural coverage lover that I am, I do you get asked a lot about what tints and lightweight foundations I wear myself and recommend. Naturally, I have posted many of them to my Instagram and Blog already but I thought it was time to do a summer 2021 roundup of what is being well-loved as we speak. Many of them I have loved and worn for many years but there are a few new-ins that have recently crept up the list.
So if you are looking for products that will enhance your skin and not mask it for that natural, summer glowing look, from tints to medium coverage .... then read on!
*Just for reference I have a normal skin type so I tend to gravitate towards products that give a fresh dewy look to my skin. It is very easy to use primers and powders alongside these all to get the ideal wear and finish that will work best for your skin type and preference.
Lightweight makeup for summer
*Skin Tints (top 3 favourites)
These are products that will simply add color to your skin without the coverage - for when you want that barely there/I don't want to wear make-up but I need some color on my skin kind of wear.
Light Summer Makeup
CHANEL Eau de Teint 30ml (linked here)
This unique water-fresh tint offers skin no coverage, just a tint of color to bronze and enhance your skin and give it a boost of hydration and dewiness. As this is composed of 75% water, it gives you an instant splash of freshness and hydration for a fresh complexion. The is a go-to on good skin days and no makeup days where you don't want to wear much yet want that bronzed healthy glow. This paired with a good concealer is all that you will need! Application; I like to use this with the brush it comes with then I buff it into my skin with a Bobbi Brown Complexion brush. I have used this now since it launched and always keep it in back stock as it has become a staple for me. I have written a full post on this should you want to know more here.
Light summer makeup
TAN-LUXE Super Gloss Drops Spf30 30ml (linked here)
This is a multi-tasking, daily use, glow serum that gives you bronzed looking skin instantly. It's DHA-free and a hydrating serum all in one, which streamlines your daily routine combining skincare, makeup & SPF 30. This took some playing around with before I started to really enjoy using it so it may be a tad love/hate but bear with it. It really is up to you how you use it but I have come to love it used as a base under makeup, as an extra serum in my routine or simply alone when I want that no makeup day. It adds a lovely boost of 'glow' with its warm tone to bronze up your skin and even though it will appear very shimmery, it's very flattering on the skin and won't leave you looking like a glitter ball. Do not expect coverage here, but if you need a hydration boost, Spf and some color on your skin then this is worth t try.
Light summer makeup
BY TERRY CC Serum (linked here)
How could I leave this superstar out? This is ByTerry's famous illuminating, brightening face primer with color correction. Infused with rosehip butter, it helps to regenerate skin cells as well as hydrate and strengthen the skin’s protective barrier. Sunny Flash is the bronzy shade that will add that golden glow to your skin and in turn even out to instantly brighten your look. You can wear this alone for a simple summer/no coverage look or mix it with your desired base; I love to use it as a liquid bronzer also over makeup - try it, it's superb.*Tinted Moisturisers
These will all offer up a light coverage for that natural, comfortable, fresh looking everyday wear.
Light summer makeup
FENTY Eaze Drop 32ml (linked here)
I have always been on the fence with Fenty Base Products as there hasn't been that one that ever wowed me but I recently jumped on the trend bandwagon to try this because it sounded like my ideal for summer ... and this is that Fenty product I was waiting for! This is a Skin Tint with light/medium coverage; you will see your skin through this but you can build. It lightly blurs to add a no make up/makeup kind of feel when you just want a little something. Feels super lightweight, like you are wearing nothing hence it is perfect for the summer especially as it’s humidity-proof/Sweatproof. This wears really well for me and stays put as I set it in certain areas with a little powder just where needed generally to keep it naturally glowy. I prefer to use a brush when I apply this one but it does blend really easily with fingertips. Being Fenty, there is a great shade range and in my opinion, you will even get away with wearing multiple shades.
Light summer makeup
BARE MINERALS Complexion Rescue 30ml (linked here)
For me, this does exactly as the name suggests, rescues your complexion which is why this will keep your skin looking like skin. This is a bit of a cult classic in the beauty world and since being lured in, I haven't been without this in my collection. Complexion Rescue combines a moisturizer, skin tint and SPF 30. The lightweight gel-cream evens skin tone and blurs imperfections and boost skin’s hydration. The water-infused, oil-free formula smooths onto skin with a refreshing feel that makes your skin instantly feel bouncy and glowy. I love that you can build this from sheer to light coverage and really personalise how you want it to cover. They offer a great shade range to accommodate all skin tones and undertones. This will be your instant go-to for a dewy, healthy-looking glow.
Light summer makeup
CHANEL Les Beiges Tinted Moisturiser 30ml (linked here)
A gorgeous tinted moisturiser that is lightweight, super hydrating and instantly evens out your skin giving a light coverage and a nice tint of color. The ultra-fine fluid is creamy and glides on easily when applied with your fingers - it's that easy to use. If you want a bit more coverage then you can apply it with a brush. For me, this tint feels like a lighter version of my beloved Vitalumiere Aqua. It gives skin a summer look that is natural, sheer and lightweight and just effortless with that signature Chanel scent. I wear this a lot on holidays as it's just super easy to wear yet ticks the boxes that you want ticking when it comes to summer skin.
Light summer makeup
URBAN DECAY Hydramaniac Glow Hydrator 35ml (linked here)
A long-wearing, tinted moisturiser infused with kombucha filtrate and marula oil for 24-hour hydration and a fresh healthy glow. The very lightweight, almost gel-like formula gives nice medium coverage with just enough to look like your real skin. It gives this gorgeous healthy glow that looks fresh and helps to minimise pores and imperfections with a smooth, blurring effect, while evening skin tone and texture. It cleverly feels very cooling on your skin once you have buffed it in. I love how easy it is to blend with both a brush or fingertips and gives an instant dewy finish. I have been reaching for this a lot because it is that happy medium that sits between a light tint and a good coverage foundation for those summer days/nights when you want that flawless look but without the look of a heavy base. I think Urban Decay hit gold with this launch as I have never previously been lured into trying their bases but this has been a fabulous surprise.
Light summer makeup
CHANTECAILLE Just Skin Tinted Moisturiser (linked here)
This product has been a long term favorite of mine going back to my days when I worked for Space NK as this was always a highly popular product. Just Skin gives you exactly that, just skin. It is a smoothing, skin-perfecting tinted moisturiser with a non-toxic SPF that fights against free radicals and helps lock in moisture. Even though this is very lightweight it somehow manages to give flawless, velvet-like coverage that makes your skin look so perfected and natural, as if you aren't wearing makeup at all. It's suitable for every skin type even highly sensitive due to its anti-irritant properties and soothing ingredients. This tinted moisturiser is like no other and if you don't mind the more luxury priced tag then it's 100% worth the purchase. It does last well, but once you try this, you won't want to be without it.
Light Makeup Bases
ERBORIAN CC Cream Spf25 45ml (linked here)
I have used this product on and off for years now and is the Korean secret to the perfect complexion. It is one of those creams that goes on a greyish/white but as you blend, it magically adapts to your own skin tone. The texture is ultra-fine and contains color pigments to enhance your skin whilst improving its texture and look. A CC Cream is the perfect combination of skincare and makeup. It is enriched with Centella Asiatica which helps to boosts radiance, protects and hydrates, whilst helping to camouflage dehydration fine lines and refine the appearance of skin’s texture. This is that hassle-free product you reach for when you just need a little something that again is quick and easy and will just help perfect and illuminate your skin with a creamy formula. A great makeup for the summer months and holidays!*Foundations for Natural Radiance
These will all offer up a light to medium coverage for a flawless and perfected yet still nice and natural look.
Light summer makeup
CHANEL Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation 30ml (linked here)
As you have guessed, I am not a full coverage kind of gal these days because you will find as you get older, full coverage can actually age you whereas a lighter coverage can do wonders to keep your skin looking youthful. Chanel Healthy Glow is designed to give skin radiance like a day spent in the great outdoors ... or let's say on a yacht (more fitting!). It feels light, silky, hydrating and just glides onto skin leaving this beautiful natural “fresh-faced” glow. It has light-reflecting powders & pigments that help the skin's texture appear smoother which I love! Even though it gives a glow, it's long-wearing so don't fret. The shade range is good (35 shades) with a range of undertones too. I highly recommend this one if you want makeup that is heavier than a tint yet light enough to wear every day and make your skin look perfected, glowy and lovely. 
Light summer makeup
CHANEL Vitalumiere Aqua 30ml (linked here)
In a nutshell, I had to add this to my list because I have used it for about 10 years ever since it launched this is a perfect every day, fresh looking skin foundation. Compared to the one above, I would say this is more of a satin finish where the healthy glow definitely gives you that more dewy look. I would say dry skins may prefer the Healthy Glow for that reason. This gives you a 'second skin' that is fresh and very natural looking but still very buildable to however much coverage you need without being cakey or too heavy. Its fluid formula is very light like water and glides over your skin to make it look like your skin ... just a more perfected, flawless version of it. If ever there is an occasion where I don't know what to wear on my skin I will always gravitate towards this because I just know it will serve me well.
Light summer makeup
DIOR Forever Natural Nude 30ml (linked here)
Now I have previously not been a fan of the Dior Forever foundation family as it just simply didn't suit my skin, however, this one was a huge surprise. After really liking the Dior Forever Concealer I decided to dip my toe back into the water and thanks to a Sephora sample, I dived straight in. The Dior Natural Nude foundation offers a nude-skin sensation thanks to its formula enriched with 96%** ingredients of natural origin and concentrated floral skincare. Fresh and lightweight, the texture of Dior Forever Natural Nude foundation achieves a natural and luminous finish with no mask-like effect, allowing the skin to breathe from morning to night. This I tend to gravitate towards you when I know I want flawless looking skin yet still one that is light enough for the warmer months. Actually can't believe how flawless this makes skin look, almost like your skin has a filter on it. It wasn't until I took a selfie to show friends that I really noticed the true effects of this beautiful make-up. I loved it so much that I actually invested in the matching Bronzer. I think the Dior Natural Nude range was made for me and my skin.
Light summer makeup
ARMANI Neo Nude 35ml (linked here)
As you may know, Armani Luminous Silk is still one of my all-time favorite foundations and the foundation that I wore on my own wedding day so it will always be special. For this reason, I tend to keep it for special occasions rather than an everyday wear but for every day in the summer, I do like something slightly lighter. Launched last year, Neo Nude is a hybrid foundation that uses hyaluronic acid & glycerine to give a fresh, healthy, hydrated looking complexion. It's lightweight, fresh, hydrating, buildable and is that base for a healthy-looking glow that makes you feel confident with your skin (and doesn’t sit in lines!). It feels like a tinted moisturiser yet covers very well. The shades are a little back to front as I wear a 5 in Neo Nude and a 4 in Luminous silk, so maybe swatch before you buy. I think this could be the perfect summer option of Luminous Silk if like me you are a fan!
Light summer makeup
BY TERRY Hyaluronic Hydra Foundation (linked here)
This is a water-like foundation infused with hyaluronic acid and works to perfect and hydrate the skin with a very lightweight buildable coverage and protects with SPF 30. The formula is luminous, weightless and floods skin with moisture, delivering seamless coverage with an ultra-fine texture. It suits all skin types and is a particularly good foundation for dry skin, working to plump out wrinkles and fine lines and create a matte luminous finish. With light-reflecting pigments to create a lit-from-within allure. You do need to work quickly with this one because it dries quickly but will take you seconds to blend. Unlike other bases, you don't have to be precise because the formula is so buildable, you can just add to the areas you feel you need more coverage and not feel like you have too much on and need to remove for instance. It does give a soft, matte finish yet doesn't go cakey or dry at all because this is part skincare remember so your skin will just lap all the hydrating benefits up! If you prefer more of a satin finish as opposed to a dewy look then this will definitely be one for you. See my previous full review and swatches here.
Light makeup base
I could go on and on with the recommendations but I've tried to keep them as short and brief as possible just to give you an idea of some real gems out there. As you're probably can gather, most of these products have very similar finishes and properties because that is what I naturally look for in this category but you will also find they sit in different price brackets so hopefully there is something for all.
Like with most make up do bear in mind that you can personalise all of the above to how your skin works with makeup i.e. adapting your primer or setting with a powder and concealing this all goes hand-in-hand. You can even add the foundations to your moisturiser to sheer them down and create your own little mix maybe even throw in a drop of highlighter as well. This is the beauty of makeup.
Feel free to let me know any shared favourites!
