Why Summer Is My Skincare Season
There’s something about July that calls for less. A little less fabric, a lot less obligation, and sometimes even less noise. But most excitedly, less makeup.
Every summer, like clockwork, I stop wearing it altogether. No primer, foundation, concealer, powder, or blush. Not even a light dusting of anything. The brow pencil and mascara stay tucked in the drawer too. And I love that for me!
Not because I’ve let myself go, but because I’ve finally let myself be. With long days, hot air, and a full calendar of casual plans and spontaneous outings, I’ve learned to lean into the ease. And that ease shows up on my face.
My Skin, But Better: A Routine That Works
Okay, so, I wouldn’t be nearly as confident going barefaced if my skincare routine wasn’t pretty solid. I’ve worked to get here. After many years of trial and error, I’ve learned what works for my skin. I’ve also learned when it needs a little TLC and when it just needs me to leave it alone.
My Morning Lineup
A gentle cleanser. A calming toner. A glow serum with rice and alpha-arbutin. And then the real MVP: my Supergoop! Superscreen SPF 40 moisturizer. That’s my skin’s daily armor.
My Nighttime Routine
The same cleanser and toner, with a centella serum that calms and repairs, a rich but breathable moisturizer, and a few drops of rosehip oil. (Only at night though because summer days are no place for oil on my combo skin.)
But the real secret weapon that doesn’t come in a bottle: I cut back on salty foods during PMS. My skin used to break out every cycle, with huge, scarring zits. And I finally traced it to my salty cravings. So now, I have alert set for 5-10 days before my cycle begins to closely monitor my sodium intake. I’ve been doing that for years now, and voilà, no breakouts. Literal magic.
When Makeup Meets Meaning
A friend recently said, “You don’t even need makeup.” And while I know it was meant as a compliment, and it was flattering, it made me pause.
Because needing makeup was never the point.
I wear makeup not because I need it, but because it feels like a ritual. It’s my way of saying, “This moment matters.” Whether it’s church, a packed day of meetings, or a Saturday date night, taking the time to apply makeup is how I honor the moment and the people in it. Like that oft-cited Tom Ford quote: “Dressing well is a form of good manners.”
Makeup is how I show respect for the occasion. And sometimes, respect looks like a full face. Other times, it’s letting my skin breathe and catching that natural glow the sun gives me for free.
The Summer Version of Me
This year, someone else said I looked like a “new, carefree version” of myself without makeup and with a tan. And, honestly, that felt accurate. When I’m barefaced, it’s usually because I’m off-duty. Relaxed and living.
When I’m in full makeup, I’m on. Performing. Navigating. Showing up for other people, other roles, other needs.
But when I’m barefaced in the summer, I’m just… me. Not shrinking or striving. Just frolicking in the sun, hydrated and at peace.
The Tension Between Low-Maintenance and Intentional
There’s this narrative on Instagram (maybe you’ve seen it), where some women seem to exist on sheer gloss and brow gel. They look flawless, like they woke up radiant and rolled into effortless. And every now and then, I catch myself comparing.
I wonder if they’re really skipping the foundation, or if there’s just a really good filter involved. (My bet’s on both.)
But I also remind myself: my version of beauty doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Some days I’m high-maintenance with a bronzer and liner. Other days I’m low-effort with dewy skin and nothing else. Either way, I’m showing up exactly as I intend.
Becoming the Kind of Woman Who…
I didn’t always wear makeup every day. In fact, I started the habit when I began to see myself differently, as more capable, more grown, more grounded.
It happened after my divorce, when my daughter was around five and I was about two years into my role at Price. I was no longer just surviving. I was building a whole life. I was showing up in rooms and owning my space. And I wanted to look like I belonged there.
So makeup became a kind of armor or symbol. A way of stepping into my power, one brushstroke at a time.
But what I’ve learned since then, especially in these slower summer months, is that I don’t need (or want) that armor every day. Sometimes I can just be.
Let Your Skin Tell the Story
If July has taught me anything, it’s that beauty doesn’t have to shout. Sometimes it just whispers. A tan that catches the light just right. Skin that says, “I’ve been drinking my water and minding my business.” A confidence that doesn’t need contouring.
So here’s your invitation:
Let your skin breathe. Let the sun kiss your cheeks. Let yourself off the hook. And if you want to wear makeup, wear it. If you don’t, don’t.
But whatever you do, make sure it’s for you.
And if you’re feeling inspired to simplify your summer beauty routine or reimagine what effort looks like for you this season, I’d love to hear about it. Share your skincare faves, your no-makeup days, or your “this moment matters” glam moments with me over on Instagram @imlaurenmarie. Let’s glow together!
