Advertisement
Home Shopping Beauty

How To Build Your Summer Beauty Ritual, According To A Beauty Writer

From glossy hair to glowing skin
Lili Reinhart in a hotel bed
Image: @lilireinhart
Our editors handpick everything we recommend. We may receive revenue for sharing this content or when you shop through our links. Read more here.

There’s something incredibly cathartic about a beauty ritual, whether it’s a Sunday evening spent preparing for the week ahead or a Thursday-night tan in anticipation of the weekend. But naturally, our beauty rituals evolve. With time, with age and with the seasons, too.

Advertisement

For me, summer beauty rituals are all about staying hydrated, cool, glowy and bronzed. When the days get longer and the temperatures climb, I want to show off a little more leg (preferably with a sun-kissed glow in tow), have a glistening décolletage and, of course, protect my hair and skin from the harsh Australian sun.

The Best Sleepwear Brands, According To marie claire:





That’s not to say I don’t love my winter beauty rituals. Long, warm baths and slathering myself in rich body moisturisers, I miss you already. But there’s something about summer that makes you want to step out into the sunshine feeling like the best version of yourself.

And as someone who’s spent a fair bit of time working in beauty, I can tell you that our needs can change with the seasons. Lighter skincare textures might feel more comfortable in the heat, while fresh, citrusy or aquatic fragrances can feel particularly lovely on a warm day. It’s all about finding what works for you as the weather shifts.

Advertisement

So, if you’re looking to build a beauty-girl-approved summer ritual, consider this your starting point. Whether you’re topping up your existing line-up or looking for a few new additions to ease you into the warmer months, I’ve rounded up the summer beauty products worth making time for.

Read: Inside Naturium’s Glow Getter Craze—The $32 Body Wash Giving Skin That Post-Holiday Glow


Body Care Rituals

  • Dry body brushing
  • Exfoliating scrubs
  • Nourishing body serums

Summer is when I really get into body care, from exfoliating away dry patches to layering hydrating lotions and lightweight body serums for that silky, light-catching finish. A gradual tan or a little wash-off bronzer can add extra warmth when you want it, and remember that daily SPF is non-negotiable for keeping exposed skin protected.

For me, the ritual itself is at the end of a long day, with a hydrating oil-based body wash and a few extra minutes spent gently exfoliating with a nourishing body scrub. I’ll use a shimmering body oil for that extra glow if I’m heading out for the evening, or dry brush before showering when I want to give my skin a little extra attention.

THE BODY SHOP
Brazilian Cupuaçu Scrub-in-Oil

THE BODY SHOP
Brazilian Cupuaçu Scrub-in-Oil

L'OCCITANE
Almond Shimmering Body Oil

L’OCCITANE
Almond Shimmering Body Oil

NATURIUM
The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Wash

NATURIUM
The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Wash

LUNA BRONZE
Glow Gradual Tanning Moisturiser Medium

LUNA BRONZE
Glow Gradual Tanning Moisturiser Medium

TRONQUE
Ionic Dry Body Brush

TRONQUE
Ionic Dry Body Brush

NECESSAIRE
The Body Serum

NECESSAIRE
The Body Serum


Advertisement

Skincare Rituals

  • Refreshing face mists
  • Cooling face masks
  • Under eye patches

When the humidity hits, rich creams can sometimes feel like a little too much, so summer is a good time to reassess your textures and reach for lightweight serums, gel moisturisers and hydrating mists if they suit your skin. I also reach for hydrating lip products (this one has a cooling metal applicator) and a few bronzing drops to give me a sun-kissed glow.

I love turning my evening skincare routine into a little wind-down moment, applying my products slowly rather than rushing through the steps before bed. A chilled face mask or treatment straight from the fridge or a refreshing facial mist can make the whole experience feel that little bit more luxurious, especially after a warm day in the sun.

AESTURA
Atobarrier365 Cream Mist

AESTURA
Atobarrier365 Cream Mist

THE ORDINARY
HA + Asiaticoside Lip Treatment

THE ORDINARY
HA + Asiaticoside Lip Treatment

CAUDALIE
Self-Tan Sun Drops

CAUDALIE
Self-Tan Sun Drops

KIT:
Cold Therapy Facial Treatment

KIT:
Cold Therapy Facial Treatment

RHODE
Peptide Eye Prep

RHODE
Peptide Eye Prep

AUGUSTINUS BADER
The Hydrogel Face Mask

AUGUSTINUS BADER
The Hydrogel Face Mask


Hair Care Rituals

  • Glossy hair masks
  • Fragrant hair oils
  • Refreshing hair perfume

In summer, we’re naturally drawn to the water, whether that’s the beach, the pool or a little freshwater swimming spot. All that sun, salt and chlorine calls for some extra TLC, so I reach for nourishing hair treatments (I put mine in pre-swim to protect my strands), glossing products to keep hair looking shiny and a spritz of hair mist when I’m heading out for the evening.

I like to make hair care part of the ritual before and after a swim, taking a few minutes to prep my strands and then following up with an oil after I shower. On evenings when I’m heading straight from the beach to dinner, dry shampoo for a quick refresh makes me feel a little more put together without having to start from scratch.

REDKEN
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Treatment

REDKEN
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Treatment

KERASTASE
Gloss Absolu Glaze Drops

KERASTASE
Gloss Absolu Glaze Drops

ORIBE
Mirror Rinse Glass Hair Treatment

ORIBE
Mirror Rinse Glass Hair Treatment

MATIERE PREMIERE
Vanilla Powder Hair Perfume

MATIERE PREMIERE
Vanilla Powder Hair Perfume

GHD
Bodyguard Heat Protectant Spray

GHD
Bodyguard Heat Protectant Spray

K18
Airwash Dry Shampoo

K18
Airwash Dry Shampoo


Fragrance Rituals

  • Light, summery candles
  • Refreshing room sprays
  • Bright, floral fragrances

There’s a certain perfume wardrobe that just feels right for warmer weather: think sparkling citrus, juicy fruits, fresh florals and breezy aquatic notes. I love the idea of keeping a lighter daytime scent on rotation, then reaching for something a little more sensual for balmy evenings.

For me, fragrance is as much about setting a mood as it is about smelling good, whether that’s spritzing a fresh citrus scent before heading out in the morning or layering perfume over a matching body lotion before dinner. I’ll even light a fresh, citrusy candle while getting ready or winding down for the evening, turning an everyday routine into something that feels a little more like a summer ritual.

PRADA
Paradoxe Sweet Chemistry Eau De Parfum

PRADA
Paradoxe Sweet Chemistry Eau De Parfum

GLASSHOUSE
Sunsets In Capri Candle

GLASSHOUSE
Sunsets In Capri Candle

AKT
Body Deodorizing Mist | Orange Grove

AKT
Body Deodorizing Mist | Orange Grove

ELLIS BROOKLYN
Salt Eau De Parfum

ELLIS BROOKLYN
Salt Eau De Parfum

JO MALONE
Lime Basil & Mandarin Room Spray

JO MALONE
Lime Basil & Mandarin Room Spray

CILLIE
XL Scented Candle | Water

CILLIE
XL Scented Candle | Water

Advertisement

Related stories


Advertisement
Advertisement