Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Do you wear makeup in the summer? I wanted to create a routine with products that would fit in my cute little lemon bag.

My Merit stick has since bit the dust. I have had it since 2023! Merit is really what got me started on “stick” makeup. At first I didn’t love it, but now I would totally buy it again. I still have and love Seint, but it seems like too much work right now. Maybe one day it will come in stick form?

I start with face lotion with sunscreen (not pictured). I let that dry/settle and then I do Lumi glotion followed by the new Physician’s formula bronzer/blush stick. I don’t think I will buy this again. The product feels a little too slippery/greasy. I do the bronzer stick first and blend it with the Merit brush. I do the brows with three products now – the elf pencil, then the elf tinted brow gel, then the clear elf gel. I bought a new forest green pencil eyeliner and I’m trying to get better at it. I had been using a tiny brush and an eyeshadow palette for lining, but it was not lasting. Maybe I need an eyelid primer.

I use mascara primer and then mascara and I have been using one of my Revlon Colorstay colors.

I just don’t think I can wear a full face foundation anymore. I have one and it feels too thick.

Awkward “naked” face:

Completed face:

My melasma has come out despite being diligent about daily facial sunscreen. My skin always looks worse in the summer.

I feel like cream/stick makeup doesn’t settle into your fine lines like powder, but I could be wrong.

I am super curious about Laura Gellar makeup. I also feel like I deal with more watery eyes in this stage of life. I need to buy more Lumify because I really think that works for a clearer eye, too.

What products are your ride or die for summer or always? I do want a more natural looking face this season and I don’t want it all to sweat off!

Help a girl out!

Amy

53 thoughts on “Summer Makeup Capsule”

  1. The Laura Gellar powder foundation works so well! It really is magical because it does not make mature skin look old and dry. My eyes have gotten watery too, I have had good luck with Revant eyeliner. But I have had pretty decent results if I spray setting spray on my eyeliner brush and then use dark eyeshadow to line my eyes. You can always try ChatGPT and see what you come up with!

    xo,

    Kellyann

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  4. I’m not very adventurous with regard to make up products. If it came out in the late 80’s/early 90’s when I started wearing make up, that’s the make up I use today! I am not on the “stick” bandwagon but I’m thinking of making that switch. Thanks for sharing your routine!

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  5. I, too, love the Laura Gellar powder foundation – it works very well for me! I actually use the Elf multistick blush when I want a little “sun kissed” look on my cheeks in the summer – a little goes a long way! My problem area is mascara – my lashes are thinning out now that I’m in my sixties and I struggle with finding one that looks natural without clumping. Thanks for sharing!

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  6. I don’t change my makeup much with seasons; but I love that glowy look and will use the Glotion all year long. I have tried stick makeup, and it doesn’t last on me for some reason…I’ve tried blush and eye shadow. I don’t hate the eye shadow stick and will use it in a pinch, and last week it stayed put. Maybe I’ll keep using it, and then work on the blending process. My favorite little eye shadow palette is Elf, and it’s the shimmery one with the creams and dark brown; the brown is what I use as eyeliner. My lips are usually a very sheer or light pink shade of gloss; it’s also keeping my lips hydrated! This was a fun post today!

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  7. I love a beauty product post! I think your skin looks great – I have those dark sun spots too (80s baby oil tanning 😦 ) but I also have wrinkles now and an angry 11 between my eyes. I use a primer on my eyelids now too – and then I use a pencil, then eyeshadow with a wet brush – helps it last. I ordered two different shades from Laura Gellar and both of them looked orangey on my skin so I gave up.(it’s hard for me to buy makeup without trying it) I use Chanel foundation but am going to try Jones Road, have you tried it?

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    1. Oh Jones Road! So curious! Do you have a brand of eyelid primer that you recommend? I do kind of think more expensive brands last longer and you get what you pay for even though my post contained lots of drugstore stuff.

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  8. That bag is so cute! I use a tinted daily face cream that has SPF to make life easier. I will check out some of these products. Stopping over from Talking About it Tuesdays.

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  9. Of course you know I’m gonna chime in on this one!

    Laura Geller’s foundation is nice, but I find the colors to be a little weird. I have it in light, and the depth of color is good, but it pulls a little orange on me. I fear the fair would be too light and the medium too dark. I know they say it’s “forgiving”, but there’s too many good products out there to settle for “forgiving”. If you can find a shade that works, it’s great stuff. I will say, her blush in Tropic Hues is one of my all-time favorites.

    I think this is my new ride-or-die coverage product… https://purlisse.com/products/perfect-glow-bb-cream-spf-30?variant=21343896240186

    I always set with Kosas Cloud Set powder. It is the lightest-weight, most non-powdery powder ever. Takes down just enough shine, but still leaves you glowy. Best. Stuff. EVER!

    I very rarely use cream blush or bronzer in the summer. Too much cream = melting Jules. I opt for satin-finish powders. The NYX Buttermelt line is fantastic. Hourglass products are pricey, but gorgeous.

    I always set with the Charlotte Tilbury setting spray.

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    2. You aren’t the first to mention orangey. Yes to not settling! I have also hear Purlisse recommended by a few bloggers. That is a good point about creams for winter and powders for summer – or that is how I am interpreting it.

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      1. The whole cream vs powder thing is total personal preference. Even on my normal-dry skin on a cool day, creams don’t last very long on my skin for some reason. Add in the heat and humidity of our typical summers, it’s a lost cause. I don’t need the extra juice.

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  10. OK, watery runny eyes. I’m dealing with this too! Is this a thing with age?? WTH? And tell me about Lumify,,,,

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    1. It is! Lumify is amazing. It makes your whites of your eyes whiter. I remember one of my twins responding, “white” when someone asked what color their eyes were. Bahahahaha

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  11. I still love Seint too but I started using it before I knew about other stick makeup like Merit…I’m intrigued but that option for sure. I don’t wear much makeup in the summer & it’s a nice reprieve

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  12. Hi,

    Long-time reader but rare commenter. I recently purchased some Jones Road makeup and really like it. I use What the Foundation, the under eye concealer pencils, and Miracle Balm. The foundation and balm require minimal skin prep; sometimes I use a bit of primer, but they are designed to be skin care and makeup and seem to work best on their own. I do use an eye cream to prep for the concealer.

    The foundation looks thick in the jar but does not look or feel thick on my face. At 57, I have some wrinkling and some acne damage, and the foundation does not pool in the wrinkles or acne scars. It has great staying power, and I think I get a nice glow. It has a scent, which I don’t mind but some people might find it off-putting.

    I’ve read mixed reviews on the Jones Road, with some people saying that it feels sticky. That’s not been my experience, and my sense is that it’s because my skin is more “mature” with less “self-moisturizing” capability!

    It’s pricey, but a little goes a long way. I was able to go to a brick-and-mortar store and sample the products before purchasing, which I would recommend if possible because (1) it’s pricey, and (2) it is different from the makeup I’ve used in the past and might not be what you’re looking for.

    Kate

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      2. You’re welcome. If you order any products, please let me know what you think of them. Also, I really enjoy reading your blog. In an only-in-the-interwebs weird way, I feel like I’m talking with a friend (although clearly there is no talking!).

        Get Outlook for Androidhttps://aka.ms/AAb9ysg ________________________________

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      3. You are so kind to say that! I get it! I feel like my blogger friends are real friends. We get pretty deep and some of my IRL friendships can be more surface level.

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  13. I also have more watery eyes as I’ve gotten older. You know I’m all about the stick products – eyeshadow, eyebrow, eyeliner, and foundation if I wear it. My summer routine is my cover girl powder, eyebrow pencil and mascara. I add liner and shadow if I’m going out somewhere.

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    1. I am wondering if I didn’t like the stick eyeshadow because I simply needed a primer! I bought Urban Decay travel size yesterday. I am excited to try a full face today. I would love to see your makeup post with all your products laid out!

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  14. You look beautiful with and without makeup! I agree that summer makeup is difficult! I swear by the Neutrogena healthy skin serum! It’s very light weight and still give me good coverage! I made a post about my go-to makeup routine here a few weeks ago! But for foundation I agree with the liquid/powder, I LOVE bare minerals but it always looks cakey on me!

    I can’t find a pencil that I like… I have a really good makeup brush with a slanted tip and I use black eyeshadow for liner. So far it works well for me!

    Loved visiting your post today!

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    1. Thank you so much. I am glad I found your blog through your comment! Your makeup routine is inspiring and the fact that you have found cleaner products is so great. I have a little eyeliner brush and I am going to try spraying setting spray on it. I am also going to try an eyelid primer. I am putting some of your products in my cart now!

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  15. Love your makeup bag! I don’t wear much makeup in the summer at all. I only wear it if we go out to dinner or if I am not going to be exercising or swimming. There aren’t many days like that in my summers and that is ok. Your make up looks good! You are so good about picking a good lipstick color!

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  17. I sometimes use eyeshadow as a liner. Sometimes, I wet the brush if I want a little more color. I have worn Laura Gellar off and on for years. I messed up and bought a shade too light last winter so I just warm it up with the bronzer. I do use a mineral SPF so I use Laura Mercier setting powder because I can’t stand the feel of my hair sticking to my face! What I wouldn’t give for your eyebrows! Mine are just like a drag queen’s…only the half nearest my nose! Thank you, dear underperforming thyroid! I finally splurged on a Tom Ford eyebrow pencil, and it is perfection. So many that I’ve bought break off, and I lose a lot to that. This pencil is thick enough it’s not going to break off. I actually have dry eyes and have to use a prescription eye drop for them. It’s weird because I never had any symptoms other than a cloudiness in one eye which I thought was my baby cataract.

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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    1. That is what I did for year but now it doesn’t stay. I am going to try the setting spray on my tiny brush trick! Thank you but they are getting more sparse. That is great that Tom Ford works so well for you. I am going to try Revant. I try to do eye drops most days now.

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  19. If you want a capsule, look into Subtl. My friend loves it and I explored it but didn’t commit.

    I like this post idea because it’s really practical this time of year. I have been revamping my own routine too.

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  20. Pingback: Friday Faves – Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa

  21. I don’t know if you read the comments on these old posts, but… Great inspiration for summer make up! I agree; creamy formula is the best for summer and 50 year + skin! I also have problems with eyeshadows and liners not staying put – hate it when it ends up like a line above the eye! Please tell if you find a solution! 😀

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    1. Hi TT! Is Florida going well? I do read old post comments. Here is the trick – spray setting spray on your eyeliner brush. If you don’t use an eyeliner brush, try the lid primer from Tarte I think it is. I have had good luck with both eyelid primer and the setting spray.

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  22. (Don’t know if I managed to post?) Amy! So nice to hear from you! We’re actually home again! Hope you’re fine!! Thank you for good advice on eye make up!

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      1. I know! It’s crazy! I start on Tuesday! I’m actually reading all your summer posts in a slow pace, really enjoying it!

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