Skincare First: My Pared-Back Summer Beauty Routine
It’s been a while since I’ve written about beauty favorites, so today I’m sharing my summer skincare routine and easy, pared-back makeup. The older I get, the less time I want to spend on fussy, complicated routines. The products that earn their place on my (small) bathroom vanity are those that deliver the best results with the least amount of effort.
This year, I’ve re-committed to only purchasing and recommending personal care and home products that are cruelty-free (not tested on animals, or sold where such testing is required). So everything I’m featuring today meets that standard.
I always start with skincare. Get that right, and the makeup takes care of itself.
Skincare
I’m too Type A to spend lots of time on elaborate skincare rituals. 😜 Both my morning and evening routines have me in and out of the bathroom in 5 minutes or less.
Morning
- I usually just rinse my face with cool water. No cleanser.
- Next, Tatcha the Dewy Serum. I started using this a few months ago, and love how the hyaluronic acid plumps and gives my skin a nice glow.
- If the air or my skin is feeling particularly dry, I’ll add some Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream moisturizer. Love how this feels and absorbs into my skin.
- For the eyes, I’ll apply By Brian Illuminate & Contour Eye Treatment. This firms and minimizes that crepe-y look on the lids.
- A little of the By Brian Firming Neck & Chest Creme to firm & smooth the skin on my neck.
- And of course, sunscreen! I prefer all-mineral formulas, and now that my current bottle is running low, have ordered this one to try: OSEA Marine Sunscreen SPF 50 (Tatcha also makes a nice one, but I prefer non-tinted formulas.)
Evening
- Cleanse with Colleen Rothschild Radiant Cleansing Balm. I keep coming back to this one…it’s just the best!
- Prescription Retin-A, 0.05%. During the months with a higher UV index, I use once or twice a week. Otherwise 5x per week.
- Follow that with the Tatcha Dewy Skin moisturizer on my face & neck.
- Or, if my skin is feeling more sensitive, I’ll use Tata Harper Superkind Calming Cream. (They sent this to me to try, and I really like it!)
- By Brian Illuminate & Contour Eye Treatment
- Revitabrow Advanced brow conditioner. This has really helped re-grow my once almost non-existent brows!
In Between
- I tend to have very dry lips, so have found applying By Brian Re-Creation Lip Treatment 2-3 times per day keeps them moisturized and prevents flaking. (This is one of my Holy Grail products!)
- The team at Tatcha sent me their Kissu Lip Mask to try, and I like to apply it to my lips at bedtime as an overnight moisture mask.
Makeup
I’ve been finding myself wanting to wear less and less makeup over the last few years. Most days I keep it very minimal, and some days I don’t wear anything except a little lip color. Here’s my current routine:
- Jane Iredale PurePressed Mineral Foundation. This is a very clean formula that evens out the skintone without looking like I’m Wearing Makeup. (My color is “Warm Silk.”) I like this brush for application.
- Jane Iredale PurePressed Blush (color “Whisper”) or Glow Time Blush Stick (color “Enchanted”) when I want a bit more glow.
- Jane Iredale Pure Brow Gel.
- Jane Iredale Lash Fixation Tubing Mascara (Brown). I love this mascara, which doesn’t flake or smear!
- During the warmer months, I usually opt for tinted lip balm rather than a very pigmented color. My favorites are: Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip & Cheek Stain (“Forever Peach”), By Brian Lip Tint (“Coral Balm“), and Westman Atelier Hydrobalm Tinted Lipstick c/o (“Pop”)
Watch My 5-Minute Makeup Look
Note: I use the Jane Iredale products on my Color Analysis clients, and they love them!
Special Promotions
Tatcha is having their annual “Fukubiki” event. Get 2 minis (great for travel) with any purchase of $100 or more, and 4 minis with orders over $200. And use code FORTUNE26 for a chance to win an additional prize.
And By Brian has a current promotion on his lip tints and lip pencil pairings.
The Recap
That’s everything in my beauty routine this summer. If you try any of these, let me know what you think. And do share your favorites in comments; I’d love to know what’s working for you.
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My daytime moisturizer also has spf not because spf is additive but because I dont reapply and am sure I miss spots. I do love the Isdin sunscreens (tinted or not) and Kosas for added glow. Nudestix also has blush that is a gel with spf 30. Also love soapwalla skin oil at night in the winter.
Two things…..loved the draw string fashion tips yesterday and I love the 5 minute tutorial (I think I may try the powder foundation and blush and brow gel), I consider myself a low maintenance person when it comes to make up. I also think doing the lips really did help finish the look (I never realized how it helps looks like you’ve done a lot but didn’t).
Merci
I’ve been using Revitabrow for several years. It really works. My brows are much more lush.
I love the Jane iredale makeup. Thank you for the recommendation
I’ve been using Jane Iredale for years. The products are great for sensitive skin, and it gives me extra confidence to know they are sold at my dermatologist’s office as well as the surgeon’s office, where I had my MOHS surgery for skin cancer. The line has beautiful items, always in keeping with current trends while keeping its safety profile.
I’m not familiar with the other brands you mention, but will surely try them!
Hi Susan,
Thank you posting the products you use. I’ve never tried Jane Iredale or the skincare products you mentioned. I’m going to now. I do use the Tatcha sunscreen. I use Glo Skin HA Hyaluronic Hydrator, A light moisturizer from Honest beauty and the Tatcha sunscreen. For makeup I’ve been using Laura Gellar tinted moistuizer or her hydrating foundation, creamy concealer from Tarte, cream/powder blush and bronzer from Bobbi Brown, (I worked for Bobbi doing makeup) brow pencil from Anastasia, mascara from ILIA, ELF lipgloss and lip pencil from NYX. Stay as cool as you are. Love from NYC
Good skin makes the whole process easier and produces a better result. AM-Murad collagen infusion, the Ordinary 23% C serum and cerave sunblock. L’Oréal Paradise Mascara, Thrive Eyebrightener (shadow) and liner, NoMakeup foundation, Too Faced loose powder, NARS powder blush. I’m allergic to every lip product so I go with eyes. PM-ROC daily resurfacing pads, Olay microsculpting cream, Tazorac prescription Retin A, Revitalash serum. I get a lot of “you look a lot younger than 70” feedback. This takes little time and has worked for years.
I wholeheartedly agree about using non cruelty products- there is no reason to needlessly kill innocent animals. I also use fragrance free as a personal preference- I learned both of these from Paula Begoun in the 90’s. She set me up for great skin care practices and I miss her insight and research. Thanks for all that you do for us!
I wear good old Sun Bum tinted sunscreen with spf 30 as my “foundation.” I haven’t found anything I like better to subtly even skin tone and provide a nice matte finish. I use Silvering brow powder, which is made specifically for people with grey hair. For eyes, Thrive shadow sticks and mascara.
I want to try this when it becomes available.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved bemotrizinol (also known as BEMT or PARSOL Shield) in June 2026. This marks the first new active over-the-counter sunscreen ingredient greenlit in the United States in over 20 years, having been widely used in Europe and Asia since the 1990s.Key Benefits of BemotrizinolBroad-Spectrum Protection: Blocks both UVA and UVB rays effectively on its own. Photostable: Does not break down quickly under direct sunlight, lasting longer than older U.S. chemical filters.Low Skin Absorption: Features larger molecules that sit largely on top of the skin with minimal systemic absorption. No White Cast: Blends transparently like a chemical filter without the chalky residue typical of mineral zinc oxide.
Investigate microblading your eyebrows! No more pencils or gels. Mine has lasted 7 years so far.
Hi Weezie, I’m glad you had good results. I’ve had two friends that had microbladed brows who weren’t happy with how they turned out, so I’ve been hesitant to try it.