Affordable Summer Makeup + Skin Care Staples

Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post!

I’m thrilled to be sharing a makeup and skin care post today that features affordable options from brands that have been beauty routine staples for me for years (plus a couple of new products too!) I’m a big fan of mixing high and low and that goes for my outfits and beauty routine. I purchased all of these products at my local Walmart and/or on Walmart.com. Walmart carries a ton of beauty brands I use on the regular and offers free 2-day shipping on many items when you spend over $35.

My beauty routine really focuses on brightening and smoothing my skin, achieving a flawless look and long-lasting wear for my foundation and finding products that flatter my skin tone and help me glow! Most of the products in this post are tried-and-true favorites I’ve been using for years and some are new-to-me products that I’ve come to adore.

Let’s get started! MILANI Keep It Full Nourishing Lip Plumper | Revlon Super Lustrous™ Lipstick (primrose) | OPI Infinite Shine nail polish (indefinitely baby) | Essie nail polish (bikini so teeny + also love lighten the mood) | Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder (024 Translucent or 041 Translucent Extra Coverage) | L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara, Blackest Black (waterproof version, here)  |  beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge | Bioderma Sebium H2O Micellar Cleansing Water and Makeup Remover Solution for Combination to Oily Skin

SUMMER BEAUTY: NAILS

OPI Infinite Shine nail polish (indefinitely baby) | Essie nail polish (bikini so teeny) | OPI nail polish (cajun shrimp)

I paint my nails at home once a week and these three colors are on heavy rotation all summer. I like to mix it up between baby pinks, orange/reds and fun colors like a bright baby blue. This week I’m wearing Cajun Shrimp! 

SUMMER BEAUTY: SKIN

Olay Mist Ultimate Hydration Essence Calming With Aloe Leaf & Chamomile |  Olay Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25 | Bioderma Sebium H2O Micellar Cleansing Water and Makeup Remover Solution for Combination to Oily Skin| Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Cleansing Water and Makeup Remover Solution for Face and Eyes Olay Mist Ultimate Hydration Essence Calming With Aloe Leaf & Chamomile 
Olay Mists are great for mid-day hydration – and especially if you spend a lot of time indoors due to working in an office. They’re also refreshing and cooling if you’re outside in the summer heat. 

Bioderma Sebium H2O Micellar Cleansing Water and Makeup Remover Solution for Combination to Oily Skin & Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Cleansing Water and Makeup Remover Solution for Face and Eyes
I was introduced to Bioderma micellar water when we were in Paris. It also has a cult following in the YouTube beauty community.  It’s basically a makeup remover that you don’t have to rinse off, which is kind of amazing. I either use it prior to cleansing or after cleansing, before toning. In the summer, when the heat can cause pores to become clogged and your skin may be more oily, I like to use the formula for oily/combination skin. Just apply to a cotton round and see your makeup melt away!

Olay Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25
I cannot over-emphasize enough just how important SPF is. Olay’s formula is a great affordable option for your day cream – it has an SPF of 25, is lightweight and melts into your skin (feels like a primer!) It has anti-aging ingredients to benefit your skin while you wear it.

SUMMER BEAUTY: FAUX GLOW

St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse| Jergens Natural Glow +Firming Daily Moisturizer Medium to Tan

St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse
I’m extremely fair and I love to have a little color on my skin in the summer without baking in the sun. That’s where St. Tropez comes in. Their tanning mousse is very highly rated and has a cult following – it gives you a real-looking tan, is easy to apply (use a mitt) and lasts about a week. Don’t let the dark color intimidate you – make sure you really take the time to blend it in and apply lotion to areas like elbows, knees and ankles to avoid too much buildup in those areas. I also saw St. Tropez came out with a Self Tan Luxe Dry Oil Tanner, which promises a tan that lasts for 10 days and I’m intrigued by the formula and will try that next!
 Jergens Natural Glow +Firming Daily Moisturizer Medium to Tan
For those that like to use a lotion daily, in. the summer, I recommend switching to one that’s also a gradual self-tanner. One I’ve used and repurchased for years is this Jergen’s formula. I also see Jergen’s has released a new self-tanning mousse for under $12 that gives more immediate results if that’s more your speed. I’ve used Jergen’s self-tanning products for years and have always liked that they give a little color to the skin with no weird smell.

SUMMER BEAUTY: FLAWLESS SKIN

Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder (024 Translucent or 041 Translucent Extra Coverage) |  beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge 

Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder (024 Translucent or 041 Translucent Extra Coverage)
About a year ago, I stopped purchasing expensive setting powders. I found myself going through them so quickly that I searched for comparable options that were 1/3 of the price. Low and behold Coty’s loose powder. I swear it sets your makeup so beautifully that even after a day in and out of the summer heat and an at-home workout, my makeup still looks good. You will NOT regret this purchase. I’m wearing the translucent color in these photos but they also have an extra coverage translucent version if you need a little more coverage. This powder is seriously an incredible value and I hope you try it and love it as much as I do – would definitely say this is a must-have!
beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge 
Speaking of skin looking great, the classic beautyblender is a purchase you will never regret. I use it to blend in my under eye concealer and it gives an amazing airbrush effect to the skin. You can also completely wet it and use it to apply foundation to your skin. There is something magical about the sponge that makes your skin look totally flawless and airbrushed. I’ve been using a beautyblender for probably five years now and continue to repurchase them!

SUMMER BEAUTY: LASHES FOR DAYS

L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara, Blackest Black (waterproof version, here)
If you’re wanting thick, voluminous and long lashes, look no further than L’Oreal’s lash paradise mascara. It may become your favorite of all time (don’t say I didn’t warn you). The brush is thick and applies mascara in a way that really plumps the lashes (but without dreaded clumps). I can’t rave enough about it – it has gained a reputation as being one of the best volumizing mascaras on the market and I know why.

SUMMER BEAUTY: PERFECT POUT

MILANI Keep It Full Nourishing Lip Plumper | Revlon Super Lustrous™ Lipstick (primrose) 

MILANI Keep It Full Nourishing Lip Plumper 
This plumping gloss is a recent purchase and I love it!  Has a slight shimmer that makes lips look plumper but isn’t glittery or juvenile. It comes in several colors and I love the dimension it gives on its own or applied over lipstick.
Revlon Super Lustrous™ Lipstick (primrose) 
I’m incredibly picky about lipstick. I prefer a cooler-toned pink and they can be difficult to find. Many pinks are too warm or too brown on me and it doesn’t suit my coloring. I found this one at my local Walmart recently and it’s truly the best cool pink shade I’ve found in a long time. The formula is moisturizing and it’s just the perfect shade of pink! Definitely pick this one up if you have similar coloring to mine or like a cooler-toned pink on your lips! They also have the formula in a shade called “nude attitude” if you’re looking for a pretty summer nude to wear with a smokey eye!  
SUMMER BEAUTY: EXTRAS

• To line your eyes: NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette, Warm Neutrals – I have this palette and it has so many great colors you can use to line your top and bottom lashes. I actually think shadow can sometimes have better staying power than pencils.
• To brighten your skin: Obagi Professional-C Vitamin C Serum, 15%, this serum is pricey but a vitamin C serum is an absolute must in my skin care routine. Obagi has an excellent brand reputation and this serum is a high concentration. 
• To protect from the sun & control oil: Olay Sun Face Sunscreen + Shine Control, SPF 35- this sunscreen has fantastic reviews, is affordable and helps control shine in the summer heat. Yes please!
• To minimize pores: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Pore Minimizing – a little goes a long way – apply after skincare and before makeup for a smooth canvas for your foundation and other products. Smashbox’s primer is kind of the OG – I don’t think I even heard of makeup primers until they released theirs and suddenly every brand followed suit!

S H O P  T H E  P O S T:

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