25+ Vacation Beauty Essentials Vogue Editors Swear By All Summer Long

Vogue

3 days ago

Summer is upon us, and you know what that means—it's time to set your OOO and pack up your vacation beauty essentials in a chic carry-on. Whether you're jetting off to the Amalfi Coast or mastering the art of the city staycation, the key to breezing through the heat lies in a well-curated beauty bag. Vogue's editors are no strangers to a passport stamp (or a packed subway platform at 80 degrees), and they've fine-tuned their seasonal beauty arsenal accordingly.
Vogue's Summer Beauty Essentials
From featherweight skin tints that won't melt mid-tour to cream blushes that mimic the flush of a sun-drenched afternoon in Ibiza, our favorites are all about low-lift radiance. Scroll for 25+ summer beauty and vacation essentials, handpicked by Vouge's staffers.
The Glow Getter
'My vacation essentials are centered around glow, obviously! To wit, I stock my carry-on with a few illuminating solutions for the body. Tom Ford's Soleil Blanc lends a lightweight, non-glittery sheen; as does Kopari's shimmering gel which also offers broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection. For face, I rely on a sunscreen fluid—easily reapplied throughout the day. And what better way to round out the good vibes of a getaway than a sparkling fragrance? Tory Burch's Sublime utilizes a blend of rose, Osmanthus flower, and mandarin that has garnered me too many compliments to count.' —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writer
La Roche-Posay
Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen
$33
AMAZON
Tory Burch
Sublime Eau de Parfum
$125
NORDSTROM
The Sun Drops
'My summer essential is always SPF—because I burn at the mere suggestion of sunlight. I love these Sun Drops because I can mix them right into my moisturizer or foundation without disrupting the rest of my routine.' —Lilah Ramzi, contributing editor
Dr. Barbara Sturm
Sun Drops Face Sunscreen SPF 50
$160
NORDSTROM
$160
BLUEMERCURY
The No-Makeup Makeup Staples
'In keeping with my non-comedogenic routine, all of my complexion products must be acne-safe, especially when beating in the seasonal heat. Chanel's gel tint provides enough coverage without clogging pores or feeling heavy. Meanwhile, VB's concealer pen is perfect for spot coverage. My olive skin tans immediately upon stepping in the sun, so SaltyFace's tanning water keeps my face matching the rest of my body with a natural glow. Last but certainly not least, there's always a lip liner in my bag—this one stands the test of time through sweat, humidity, and drinking plenty of water. Best of all, my summer go-tos are great for every day, or tossed in my carry-on.' —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty commerce writer
Saltyface
Tanning Water
$44
GOOP
Make Up For Ever
Artist Color Pencil Extreme Waterproof Lip Liner
$26
NORDSTROM
The Barely-There Tinted Lip Balm
'I swear by this lip color in the summer. It's glossy—but not sticky—and provides the perfect hint of color for a great no-makeup makeup look, ' —Leah Faye Cooper, digital style director:
Saint Laurent
Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick
$42
NORDSTROM
The Beachside Beauty Bag Picks
'One thing that's always in my summer bag is Rhode's pocket blush. I love putting it on when I go to the beach—it adds that sunburnt touch to my cheeks even if I'm lathering myself in sunscreen every 30 minutes! Also, my hair hack after coming out of the ocean is to not wash it and instead use the Heavenly Hair Milk from Emi Jay so that my waves dry without frizz.' —Irene Kim, production and editorial coordinator
The Tinted SPF
'When it comes to face sunscreen, I'm a La-Roche Posay loyalist. It's a lightweight, mineral-based formula that won't leave your skin feeling cakey or greasy—a must for my fellow rosacea- and eczema-sufferers. Not only does it not leave the cursed white cast, but the tint helps even out my complexion. I've all but replaced foundation with my sunscreen—and I even get compliments on how good my skin looks.' —Hannah Jackson, fashion writer
La Roche-Posay
Anthelios Tinted Sunscreen SPF 40+
$40
AMAZON
The Flushed Cheeks and Full Brows
'Summer is the season of lightweight makeup and dewy skin and, like many others, I like to keep things minimal. My essentials are a glowy base, flushed cheeks, sculpted brows, and a glossy lip— just enough to feel pretty and put together with little effort. Saie Glowy Super Gel is the perfect product for a glistening, hydrated base—I wear it alone or use it as a primer for extra dew. My go-to brow gel is from Half Magic because it gives me long-lasting definition without leaving any residue. For blush, Saie's liquid formula is my favorite lately. Lastly, a berry lip balm from Laniege is truly never not in my summer bag for its high-shine, and perfect subtle pink tint.' —Sam Ravin, community manager, Vogue app
The Radiant Sunscreen
'I didn't realize how much I relied on this sunscreen until I ran out. I kept thinking I could skip restocking —until every morning felt off without it. Now that it's back, so is the glow everyone keeps asking about. Won't make that mistake again!' —Sache Taylor, special events director
The Fail-Proof Eyeshadow and Blush
'My summer makeup routines are all about ease! Eyeshadow sticks and liquid blushes always make it into my vacation beauty bag because of their easy application. These from Ilia and Nars swipe on effortlessly and last in the heat and ocean air. Tried and tested!' —Alexandra Ditch, associate producer
The Subtle Nail Color
'The new limited-edition Blanc Orage shade of Les Mains Hermès nail polish is exactly my summer beauty attitude! Easy, breezy, sheer, iridescent, and just one coat enhances my natural nail color but dries fast enough for me to move onto the next thing without debossing it in accidental fingerprints.' —Arden Fanning Andrews, beauty editor at large
Hermès
Les Mains Hermès in Blanc Orage
$66
HERMÈS
The Minimalist Beauty Duo
'I prefer a less is more approach to makeup. A beauty editor friend recently gave me this Dior lip balm and I'm so into it—it gives a dewy, natural flush with a hint of glow that is neither shiny nor sparkly. This will be going everywhere with me this summer and beyond. I also swap tinted moisturizer for EltaMD's tinted SPF. It's a great daytime alternative for great sun protection with a little bit of coverage.' —Daisy Shaw-Ellis, jewelry director
Dior
Addict Lip Glow Balm
$40
NORDSTROM
Elta MD UV Clear Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
$43
AMAZON
The Multipurpose Hair Oil
'Whether I'm tackling unruly flyaways in a slick back bun or smoothing out fluffy curls for a summer wedding, Kérastase hair oil is my best friend. There is truly no weather condition too hot, humid or sticky for this magical concoction.' —Florence O'Connor, associate content manager
Kérastase
Elixir Ultime L'Huile Original
$62
AMAZON
The DIY Freckles
'I just got back from a trip to London and the English country side—needless to say, these two summer beauty favorites of mine were in my carry-on luggage. For starters, I'm obsessed with Freck's pen to emphasize the freckles I already have (and create new ones!). To hold my DIY beauty marks and makeup in place, I've switched out my primer for Milk's illuminating primer to amp up my summer glow.' —Molly Barstein, audience development associate manager