Summer Makeup Routine for Oily Skin: High-End Products That Are Worth the Splurge

A beginner’s guide to a long-lasting, luxury makeup routine that actually stays put—even in the heat

Let’s talk real summer struggles: you’ve done your full face, you’re glowing (in a good way), and then… 30 minutes later, you’re melting. If you have oily or combination skin, you know exactly what I mean.

The good news? A well-curated summer makeup routine using luxury makeup products can keep your face looking flawless, fresh, and shine-controlled without feeling heavy. I’ve personally tested these splurge-worthy picks through NYC heat, long work days, and humid nights out—and they pass the vibe check.

So, if you’re ready to invest in a routine that delivers long wear makeup, enhances your skin, and feels like a treat every time you apply it—this one’s for you.

Let’s walk through it, step-by-step.

Step 1: Skin Prep is Key (Don’t Skip This!)

Your base is only as good as your skincare. In summer, especially with oily skin, it’s tempting to skip moisturizer—but don’t. Hydrated skin balances oil production, and skipping this step can actually make you more oily later in the day.

The Charlotte Tilbury Water Cream is a gorgeous gel-cream hybrid that sinks in fast and gives a smooth, bouncy base. It hydrates without greasiness, making it perfect for long lasting makeup. If you’re following this routine during the day, make sure to wear spf.

Pro Tip: For best results, apply to clean, slightly damp skin and let it set for 5 minutes before going in with makeup.

Step 2: Frame the Face

If there’s one area that defines the face—it's your brows. For summer, I love a long-wear, layered approach. First, outline with the Joey Healy Brow Pencil, then fill in with the Luxe Brow Powder for a softer, more dimensional look.

Top it off with the Nyx Cosmetics Brow Tint Pen to add realistic hair-like strokes. Even in humid weather, these formulas stay put and don’t smudge. To lock in the brows, the Covergirl Clean Fresh Brows Gel Wax is incredible and will keep them inplace.

Pro Tip: clean up the brows with concealer for a clean makeup artist finish.

Step 3: Prime Like a Pro

Product: Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Water Powder Serum

This isn’t your average primer. The Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Water Powder Serum helps control oil and smooth out texture—perfect for those summer pores. It feels like skincare, but performs like a mattifying primer. A little goes a long way, and it grips foundation beautifully.

Step 4: Color Correct Where Needed

Product: Bobbi Brown Skin Corrector Stick in Dark Peach

Dark circles? Hyperpigmentation? This stick is a lifesaver. The Bobbi Brown Corrector Stick blends like a dream and works beautifully under concealer without creasing. If you’re doing a lighter base for summer, this can help you use less product overall.

Step 5: Eye Makeup That Stays All Day

Let’s be honest—long wear eye makeup in summer is a non-negotiable. Start with the Hydro Grip Eye Primer to prevent creasing. Layer in matte and shimmer shades from Shades by Shan, and top the center of the lid with Armani Eye Tint in 67S for that high-end shimmer that doesn’t budge.

Use Essence Super Precise Liner to wing it out, and line your inner waterline with the Flower Beauty Eye Lighter Crayon—it instantly brightens the eyes. Add a touch of drama with Too Faced’s glide liner on the upper lash line - this one is incredibly precises!

For lashes, I like to double up: YSL Lash Clash for volume and Lancôme Idôle for fluttery length. Finish with the Kiss lashes if you want extra glam.


Step 6: Foundation That Won’t Slide Off

Each of these foundations offers buildable coverage, long wear, and a natural finish that plays well with oily skin. If you need max durability, go for Estée Lauder Double Wear. For a radiant skin-like finish, Fenty Soft’Lit is a dream. Want something in between? Armani Luminous Silk gives a soft, lit-from-within glow without making you greasy.


Step 7: Conceal, Sculpt & Blush (cream products first)

Use your concealer to brighten the under eyes and any areas where oil breaks through. I like to mix the Natasha Denona and Lancôme concealers for both coverage and a lightweight feel. 

PRO-TIP: let the concealer sit for about 30 seconds before blending it.

For sculpting, the Fenty Match Stix melts into skin and stays all day. Put this along the perimeter of your face and blend using an angled brush.

Armani Cheek Tint gives a natural flush that doesn’t fade! To finish, I layer Neen’s Cream Highlighter which gives the perfect amount of glow.

Step 8: Set & Warmth + Glow

After you’ve applied the cream products on, lock it all in with use the NARS Soft Matte first. The pressed powder will truly set the creams down. The bake using Huda Beauty Easy Bake Powder in your T-zone. Let that sit for 2-3 minutes and dust off the excess to finish everything off.

Your face is set, now it’s time to bring it to life. The YSL Hyper Bronze adds that sunkissed look without looking orange. NARS Blush in Thrill pops beautifully on medium-deep skin tones.

Top with Hourglass Strobe Powder for a multidimensional glow that looks lit-from-within rather than greasy.

Step 9: Lips That Last (and Shine)

Outline with MAC Cork for that soft 90s shape, then fill in with the Fenty Gloss Bomb. The texture is non-sticky, hydrating, and summer-perfect.

Step 10: Lock It In

Finish with a double set. First, mist with Fenty You Mist for hydration and glow. Then, go in lightly with Kryolan Fixing Spray to truly seal everything. Your makeup? It’s not going anywhere.

Final Thoughts: Is the Luxury Makeup Worth It?

Short answer: YES.

When you have oily skin, not all formulas work. Investing in high-end makeup for summer can actually save you time, product, and mid-day touchups. These products were chosen because they feel good, perform well, and truly last through heat, humidity, and long days.

If you're building your first luxury kit or upgrading your summer routine, start here. You don’t need everything at once, but these picks will give you that polished, confident glow that lasts.

Thank you for reading!!

XOXO,

Krity 

*I get a commission for purchases made through links in this post*

Four Vitamins That Should Be In Your Skincare Routine

My skin is feeling ____, what skincare product should I use? 

Skincare vitamin serums and how skincare benefits

Are you trying to prevent wrinkles or reduce the appearance of the wrinkles? Would you like your skin to look less dull, possibly add some glow? Or are you looking to even out your skin tone and texture? Many of us are trying to better the appearance of our skin, fighting one of the issues above or all three. The main question is how!? Well, I believe it is through using the correct skincare products with the right vitamins. Vitamins A, B, C, and E all target different skincare issues and they are a vital part in preventing aging. But which one does what? And when should you use them? Can I use all four vitamins at the same time? Well I’m breaking down each skincare vitamin below in simple English.

Comment below and tell me which skincare concern you most relate to.

VITAMIN A - Anti -Aging

Are your main skincare concerns the wrinkles you currently have or want to prevent? If so, adding vitamin A will help! Retinol is one of the best ingredients to help prevent fine lines as well as help reduce the ones you may already have. Vitamin A not only helps fight signs of aging but can help control acne and reduce acne scarring over time. 

Use retinol and night 2-5 times a week depending on your age. If you’re new to retinol, start slow and work your way up to more days. Apply to dry skin (not damp skin). Make sure to always follow up with SPF the following day. I prefer to use retinol at night after cleansing and follow up with a moisturizer. Do not use retinol if you are pregnant or doing laser hair removal to the area where you are applying retinol. Shop some of my favorite retinol below. 

Vitamin pairs well with vitamin B

VITAMIN B- SKIN BARRIER PROTECTOR

Is your skin feeling dry or looking blotchy? If so, consider adding vitamin B into your skincare routine. Vitamin B is one of the best ingredients for sensitive skin and pairs well with a lot of other skincare ingredients. Vitamin B builds moisture for dehydrated skin. It helps even out skin tones/ pigmentation. A prime example of vitamin B is Niacinamide. Niacinamide pairs really well with retinol (vitamin A). Retinol can cause irritation for many people, and adding niacinamide to the routine, can alleviate some irritation. 

VITAMIN C- Enhances Clarity & Glow

Is your skin looking dull or uneven? Vitamin C is a miracle worker and is one of my all-time favorite skincare ingredients. If you feel that your skin looks dull, uneven, or sun-damaged with dark spots- vitamin C will be your go-to! I recommend using vitamin C 3-6 times a week in the morning and following up with sunscreen. Over time, you will see a huge improvement and gain a glowing complexion. Vitamin c also pairs well with vitamin E and can be found combined together in some serums. Some of my favorite vitamin C serums are below. 

Check out my post on vitamin C  HERE

VITAMIN E- Emergency Repair

Okay so maybe you overused a skin ingredient too much and now your skin feels aggravated, reddened, dry, or is flaking. If that is the case, vitamin E will be your go-to! I also recommend using vitamin E if your skin is mature or has scars. A couple of examples of vitamin E are facial oils (like jojoba seed, rosehip oil) or moisturizers. While vitamin E may not be the most drastic skin improving ingredient, it works really well when combined with other ingredients like vitamin C. Making sure your skin is moisturized correctly over time will help tremendously- most of us don’t hydrate our skin enough. 

Skincare vitamin serums and how skincare benefits

In my personal opinion, a combination of using all four vitamins is crucial for youthful and healthy skin. I recommend alternating between the vitamins through your morning and evening routines and alternating different days throughout the week. Also keep in mine to give your skin and these ingredients time to actually work. It can take 6 to 12 weeks to see changes so keep at it! 


Thank you for reading!!

XOXO,

Krity 

Photography by Ashley Gallerani

*I get a commission for purchases made through links in this post*

April 2018 Beauty Favorites

It's finally feeling like Spring here in NYC and my skin is totally loving the warmer fresher air! I wanted to share my easy morning routine with you all this month because I have seen a difference in my skin from using the following products. I have an oily t-zone but some dry parts too, like my chin, so I try my best to give every area of my face the kind of love it requires. I do this skin prep before I apply any makeup on or just as is if I'm not in the mood for makeup that day.

1. Wash my face

I make sure to rinse my face off every morning to start off with a clean slate. I prefer to use a mild face was like Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser- creamy formula or Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser. These products help get dirt, oil, and dead skin off of your face without harming your skin.

2. Scrub lips

I absolutely hate when my lips are chapped and cracked. Once or twice a week I scrub my lips with Found Exfoliating Lip Scrub to get all the dead skin off. I apply on a generous amount and massage in the product then after 1-2 minutes, wipe off the product. It leaves my lips feeling oh-so-smooth!

3. Nourish under eyes

On days where I really see black circles/ redness/ or just look really tired, I like to perk my eyes up by using the Patchology Rejuvenating Eye Gels. I simply apply the eye mask on and leave it on for 5-10 minutes. The feel nice and cool under the eye. After the time is up, feel free to rub in the excess serum into your skin!

4. Serum 

I started using a serum on my face about a year ago and I didn't know how nice it well it helped the skin! I apply one pump of the Innisfree Intensive Hydrating Serum all over my face and let in soak in. The serum is light weight and filled with amino acids and minerals to nourish the skin. 

5. Jade Roller 

After I apply the serum, I take a cool jade roller and roll my face and neck. I keep my jade roller in the fridge or cool it in ice for 5 minutes prior to using. This simple step cools the jade down and really helps wake the skin up. Make sure you always roll the jade roller in an upwards motion. 

6. Under Eye Cream

Under the eyes are a sensitive spot and will show the first signs of aging first. So make sure to take care of them. I use the Innisfree Youthenriched Eye Cream. The formula is creamy and really eyes my dry under eye skin a lift. The Jeju Orchid helps strengthen, firm, smooth, nourish and brighten the look of skin around the eyes

7. Moisturize Skin

I am currently using the Patchology Daily Gel Moisturizer and loving it! It is a water-based gel moisturizer that is perfect for my oily skin! It gives serious hydration powder but leaves my skin looking matte all day. It's lightweight and pore-friendly, never sticky or greasy. I love Patchology products and trust them to create items I love!

8. Target Dry Areas

My chin is dry and needs a little extra love. So I use a heavier cold cream that really nourishes the dryness so my skin does not flake. The perfect cream for dry skin is the Aloepure Maximum Moisture Complex. This cream also helps prevent wrinkles! 

9. Lips

Last but not least, I finish off by using the classic chapstick to prevent and cure chapped lips! The classic flavor is my favorite!

Thank you for reading!!

XOXO,

Krity 

*I get commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post*