This summer has been a very good one for makeup lovers. Well, technically brands have been very kind with their summer product launches. While there have been months where I’ve tried dozens of products only to be disappointed by most of them, the past two months have been the opposite. But since it would be honestly insane to give you all a list of 18 products you should go buy, I’ve gone out of my way and picked four that I absolutely adore. They’re my babies, so to speak.
Of the products I tried in June, the best ones were Tarte’s new Creaseless Creamy Concealer, Clinique’s (limited edition) Black Honey Mascara, Huda Beauty’s Filter Soft Glow Liquid Blush, and One/Size’s Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder.
Tamim Alnuweiri
Tarte Creaseless Creamy Concealer
tart
Tarte’s Shape Tape has a mythical reputation among makeup enthusiasts, so the brand feels a lot of pressure when it comes to launching new products in the category. Their newest product, Creaseless Creamy Concealer, is a far cry from its sophomore (or whatever) slump: It’s super pigmented, crease-resistant, glides on effortlessly, and lasts a long time.
You can dab a little on problem areas and blend it in so it’s indistinguishable from bare skin, but I can (and do) use it all over my body as a foundation, and three light coats are enough to cover my entire face.
Clinique Black Honey Mascara
Ulta
I was decades late to the Clinique Black Honey craze, but now that I own the original Almost Lipstick, I fully understand the craze. When I heard they were releasing an extension product, I had to try it. And I was blown away by the Black Honey Mascara.
The color is not black, purple, or brown, but a magical neutral that accentuates my dark brown eyes and makes them look more awake. The formula itself defines the eyes and gives them a subtle look, which I love, especially since I don’t get spidery lashes. They’re similar to my own lashes, but thicker and flutterier.
This is a limited edition, so don’t miss out.
Huda Beauty Filter Soft Glow Liquid Blush
Sephora
This blush from Huda Beauty is pigmented but has a small applicator so you don’t get too much on your face, it’s super easy to blend, and the color stays the same, even in NYC’s heat-warping weather.
Pro tip: If you struggle with applying liquid blush, I recommend this Glo Skin Beauty brush. I don’t know what magic it is, but this is literally the key (brush) to a flawless, natural blush application.
One Size Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder
Sephora
Until now, there has only been one setting powder that I truly loved. My conspiracy theory is that most setting powders are made to make your skin look bad and trick you into spending more money on beauty products. One/Size’s Blurring Powder does not do that!
The trick is to only apply it where it’s needed, which for me is my T-zone, where my pores are the biggest and where my oily skin causes my makeup to go haywire as the day goes on. I use a very small amount on a low-bristled brush and dab it on, and it actually reduces the appearance of my pores and keeps my makeup in place even when I’m wearing glasses.
