These 17 Designer Beauty Products Are at the Top of My Summer Wish List (Some Are on Sale)
As a beauty editor, I take my summer beauty prep seriously. In many ways, the season feels like a fresh start—like we're collectively shaking off the stale energy from winter—and I want my beauty routine to reflect that.
Even though it's not quite here yet, I've already made good progress. I went to the nail salon for a fresh gel manicure and a pre-sandal pedicure. I touched up my hair color and snipped away split ends. I even invested in a new self-tanner to bring a long-forgotten glow back to my skin.
The only thing left to do is to refresh and revamp my at-home beauty collection with summer-appropriate products. I'm talking about things like shimmering body oil, bright lipstick, and natural-looking foundation. You know, my summer staples. And if they happen to be high-end, luxury products, well, I'll gladly make the investment. Ahead, see every designer beauty product on my summer wish list. The best part? Some are discounted right now thanks to Nordstrom's Half-Yearly Sale.
In case you didn't hear the news, matte lipstick is back. But it's not the flat, drying matte lipsticks of yesteryear. It's modern matte lipsticks like this one from Armani Beauty. It has a whipped, soufflé-like texture that feels hydrating on the lips while intense pigments offer bold color payoff. My favorite shade is this vivid, orange-leaning red called Cardinal Red. I plan on swiping it on fresh, sun-kissed skin for minimal makeup with a pop of color.
One of my favorite summer products, this one never fails to make my limbs look incredible thanks to a combination of moisturizing oil and golden flecks of shimmer. I slather this stuff on for post-beach dinners, date nights, you name it.
A soft, neutral eye shadow palette is always in season, but come summer, it's an essential part of my beauty routine. The key is to find one with expertly curated shades that can be mixed and matched with ease. For me, this one is it.
Here's another YSL product (except this one's on sale!). I call these lipsticks "modern matte formulas" because they're not drying, flat, or one-dimensional. Instead, they're soft, hydrating, and velvety. The shade True Chili is a personal favorite. It's the perfect orange-toned red shade for summer wear.
Dyson products are so expensive (but so effective). The Airstrait usually goes for $500, but right now you can snag it for $100 off. It styles and straightens hair without using excessive heat, which means heat damage will be significantly reduced. That goes for straightening dry hair or wet hair. Yep, it will dry and straighten hair simultaneously.
Two things. First, I know this is $75, which is expensive for a lip product. Second, I know this looks shockingly orange in the tube. Hear me out on both. I've had a tube of this Poppy Lip Shine for over three years, and I've barely made a dent in it. So, even though it's $75, it lasts forever. Maybe it's girl math, but I think that counts for something. As for the color, it's sheer on the lips. In fact, you can't detect an orange tint at all. Instead, it makes the lips look plump, hydrated, and glowy—all while giving them incredible shimmery shine. Trust me, swipe this on before heading out into sunlight, and you'll be glad you purchased it.
This is one of my favorite bronzers. Fun fact: It's also the one Cillian Murphy wears. I love how silky and blendable it is and how soft and natural it looks on my skin. It's my secret weapon to instantly sun-kissed skin.
If you prefer liquid bronzer or, like me, mix your foundation with bronzer, then these Armani bronzer drops are the best bet. They create a natural-looking, sun-kissed effect; boost the skin's glow; and even provide SPF 15 for extra sun protection.
I've raved about this foundation before, but that's not going to stop me from doing it all over again. The lightweight, hydrating formula basically sinks into the skin, providing natural-looking coverage. It never looks cakey, heavy, or greasy, and it never breaks me out. I swear I get compliments on my skin every time I wear it.
Another Chanel foundation product I love, this one is even more lightweight and hydrating since it's a skin tint. Those little beads you see are actually pigments suspended in a hydrating solution. They burst upon contact with the skin, giving it the most luminous, plumpest, and smoothest-looking tint. I'm obsessed.
The only way I can describe this perfume is Y2K fever dream. Yeah, I know that's oddly specific, but it's a woodier, spicier take on Thierry Mugler's iconic Angel perfume, and it feels nostalgic yet fresh.
In my opinion, you can't really go wrong choosing any Chanel nail color. There are so many I'd recommend, but this year, I only have eyes for this sun-soaked terra-cotta color. I just think it's so elegant and on-trend for summer. I can totally see myself wearing this while walking on the beach, browsing at the farmers market, or drinking my daily iced coffee.
I've had my eye on this liquid highlighter for a while now. I love the ultra-fine shimmer. I love the chunky doe-foot applicator. And I love the variety of shades it's available in. I'm adding the shade Nude to my cart, and I plan on applying it to my cheekbones, nose, Cupid's bow, and eyelids for a subtle summertime shimmer.
One of my all-time favorite designer fragrances, this warm floral scent is everything. Notes include three types of jasmine extract, blackcurrant accord, bergamot essence, guaiac wood, and bourbon vanilla. They create a scent that's soft, refined, and fresh.
Just like a skin tint, a lip tint is a must for warm, sweaty summer days. This one comes in a variety of bright, poppy colors, but my favorite one is this peach shade. It's so soft and flattering, and I love that the color lasts for hours at a time with no touch-ups needed.
Usually I'm not a full-coverage kind of girl. I find full-coverage foundations and concealers to be too heavy and cakey-looking on my skin. Not this one. It offers natural-looking, flexible coverage that doesn't sink into my pores or settle into fine lines. Bonus: It actually covers blemishes and dark circles.
I'm not done with lip products yet. The last one on my list is this Prada lipstick. The color is lovely and timeless, the formula is soft and hydrating, and the packaging is refillable. What's not to love?
Kaitlyn McLintock is an Associate Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. Although she covers a wide range of topics across a variety of categories, she specializes in celebrity interviews and skincare and wellness content. Having lived in Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, she recently relocated back to her home state of Michigan where she works remotely. Prior to Who What Wear, she freelanced for a variety of industry-leading digital publications, including InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, Hello Giggles, and Coveteur. Before that, she held a long-term internship and subsequent contributor position at Byrdie. When she's not writing, researching, or testing the latest and greatest beauty products, she's working her way through an ever-growing book collection, swimming in the Great Lakes, or spending time with family.
-
Scent Experts Say These 4 Major Fragrance Trends Will Define 2025
From genderless scents to yuzu and beyond.
By Kaitlyn McLintock
-
Elle Fanning Has Blush Blindness (and She's Not Afraid to Say It!)—This $13 Product Is Key
"More, more, more—there can never be enough!"
By Jamie Schneider
-
Home Fragrance Is Kind of My Thing—12 I'm Snagging During Nordstrom's Black Friday Sale
It's time to scent your space.
By Maya Thomas
-
Olivia Rodrigo's French Red Lipstick Is About to Go (Even More) Viral
You could say I'm obsessed.
By Jamie Schneider
-
Um, Nordstrom Is Having an Early Black Friday Sale—11 Beauty Gems I'm Buying First
Talk about being prepared…
By Kaitlyn McLintock
-
A Celeb Makeup Artist Broke Down the Best Way to Apply Eye Shadow (Plus What Not to Do)
Class is in session.
By Maya Thomas
-
I'm Done Gatekeeping—This Little-Known Foundation Is My Secret to Flawless Skin
I've been using it for over three years.
By Kaitlyn McLintock
-
"You Smell So Good" Is My Favorite Compliment—16 On-Sale Scents I'm Stocking Up On
Byredo! Diptyque! Tom Ford!
By Kaitlyn McLintock