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*

Products to Prep Your Skin For Summer

As the seasons change, so does my skin. Winters cause my skin to get dry, blotchy, and dull but during Spring/ Summer, my skin gets oily and gives me slight acne. Anyone else have the same issues? Because of this, I need to change my skincare routine. While hydrating my skin is still so important, I need to do so without getting oily and getting oil bumps/ acne which I am more prone to during the spring and summer.

So how to I change up my skincare routine? I switch to products that are lighter weight, have spf for sun protection, and use the products that serve more than one purpose so I don’t have to wear so many layers.

L’OCCITANE SPF SKINCARE

Immortelle Precious Light Cream SPF 20

I have been using L'occitane products for a few years now. I trust their quality so I continue to use new products they add to their growing line. As we all know, sun UV rays are harmful to skin so protecting ourselves is key! When I heard that L'occitane released their highly rated Immortelle cream with SPF 20, I was so excited. After using it for a few weeks, I can say that the consistency of the cream is luscious, moisturizing, and smells like bliss. I use the lotion after my serums in the morning before foundation. I recommend letting the cream soak in for a few minutes before applying your foundation. I usually do my hair or get dressed while I let the lotion seep in. There is a lot of product in this jar of lotion and I can see it lasting from 6-9 months.

PAULA’S CHOICE

I had heard about the brand Paula’s Choice for years and I recently had the opportunity to finally try out their products. The raving reviews from consumers lived up to the hype! Here are the products I highly recommend trying and why:

Hydrating Gel-to-Cream Cleanser Face Wash

If you have sensitive skin, this is a great face wash for you. I really like this one because the formula is light and it doesn’t feel like all oils have been stripped from my face after use. I hate having dry skin after washing my face. The bottle is huge (6.7 oz for $18) and a dime size dollop will go a long way. You will get your moneys worth with this product.

Eye Cream

Another Paula’s Choice product I’m loving is the Clinical Ceramide Enriched Firming Eye Cream! It has a blend of five replenishing ceramides, four forms of brightening vitamin C, two peptides and clinically proven retinol. I recommend using this under the eyes at night. I have been using it for the past month and feel that it has given me more of an “awake” look in the mornings with firmer under eyes. I sometimes even add a dollop of the C25 Super Booster with 25% Vitamin C to brighten my dark circles.

DERMA DOCTOR

Kakadu C Serum

with 20% Vitamin C Serum with Ferulic Acid & Vitamin E

I think a key ingredient for a beautiful skin is vitamin C! It’s amazing what a difference it for your skin. I apply this serum both morning and at night but alternate days. When I use this serum during the night, I wake up with a natural glow- more even skin tone. The vitamin E and C helps brighten skin and enrich it with nutrients. It really does work miracles! I drip a few drops of the serum into my hands and rub them together first. Then I pat it into my skin gently and repeat this step until I feel like the product is evenly distributed. A little bit goes a long way with this product. Plus this product is made without sulfates, dyes, or any artificial fragrance.

NATURA BRASIL

Daily Revitalizing Oil

This Natura Brasil oil is a lightweight  blend of natural oils and esters which include grapeseed, almond, and lavender oils. The Brazilian Sapucainha in the oil provides powerful antioxidant protection too!

You may think that oils aren’t good for summer but I would say otherwise. I think using an oil like this from Natura Brasil is a great way to keep up with the summer glow. I recommend applying this oil in your dryer areas in your face. Mine is my jawline and chin. Sometimes, these areas stay dryer than the rest of my face so I like to maintain my glow and apply it to those areas. Another place I recommend putting an oil is your neck and collarbone. It just gives an extra sheen to make this area look extra beautiful. If you really want a beautiful summer glow, mix a drop of this oil with your foundation. It will leave your skin with a dewy look and the sun will reflect off beautifully!

You can shop this oil HERE.

ARTISTRY FACE MASKS

Multi-masking is the new way of masking! Our skin is not the same all in all part of our face. We all have different concerns that need to be treated properly. That is why I have been loving multi-masking.

Image from Artistry

Image from Artistry

In my forehead area that is the oiliest, I use Polishing Mask (purple) which helps smoothen the skin. The face mask has exfoliating beads that are perfect to remove excess dead skin cells.

In my nose area, I use the Purifying Mask (yellow), which is a clay mask that removes excess oil, dirt, and black heads.

Under my eyes and cheeks, I use the Brightening Mask (white), that helps dull skin looks brighter and energized.

Around my jawline and cheeks, where I am most dry, I like to use the Hydrating Mask (green) mask. This mask helps hydrate and smooth the skin.

I apply these masks on with my hand and remove it with a wet washcloth. I love how these masks are interchangeable for each person!

Thank you for reading!!

XOXO,

Krity

Photography by Ashley Gallerani

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

Summer Beauty Esstentials

My #1 secret to smooth skin is my cleanser. I live by this product!! I've used this Cetaphil face wash for over 6 years now. It is amazing!! It removes all the dirt in your pores, delicate on the skin, and fragrance free. 

Face lotion and under eye cream is a must no matter what (seriously, no matter what!). Estée Lauder Advanced Time Zone collection is great! Ladies, studies show that you should start to use preventative skin care in your 20's to reduce wrinkles later in life. Yes, I know, it's so sad. Make sure you get the correct kind for your type skin (if you have oily skin, get oil free).

Sunscreen is the #1 essential for summer. No body wants wrinkles! The best thing you can do for your face is keeping in out of the sun. I have really oily skin and I've tried a ton of sunscreens. Instead of wearing sunscreen, face lotion, and foundation this Shiseido BB cream does all three! It has great coverage and doesn't make your face look greasy. 

Primer makes a difference when you wear foundation! This NYX Shine Killer Primer is perfect for the Summer! It removes and prevents your skin from looking shiny. It also feels really good on the skin!

For the nights when I go all out, I love the MAC Studio Fix Foundation. It has full coverage and last all night! It leaves you looking like you have perfect skin. I also mix this with my face lotion if I want a thinner application. I apply this with my kabuki brush for an even layer all around. Check out reviews on other foundations here!

Throughout the day everyone needs a little touch up. Powder is great to help reduce the oily look and this MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus is perfect for that. It mattefiys your skin

Under eye concealer is perfect for those days you're exhausted from partying all night or just working non-stop. This NYX Concealer does wonders! It covers discoloration and under eye bags. I also use this as a base for my eyelids before applying eyeshadow. I add Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer when I do a full face makeup as a highlight under the eyes. It's amazing!

Bronzer gives that extra glow that we all need a little bit of. This Nars Bronzing Powder works like magic, literally! It gives the perfect amount of shine and leaves your skin looking perfectly sun kissed.  

Contouring is a simple yet effective way of defining angles with makeup. BH Cosmetics Contour and Blush Palette has the perfect 6 color palette for highlight, contour, and blush and it's only $14! The colors are very pigmented (a little goes a long way). It's perfect for brown girls like myself because the colors are dark enough to see the contouring.

Summer is the perfect time to play with fun eye makeup looks. I love this BH Cosmetics 120 Eyeshadow Palette. There is literally every color imaginable! The colors are vibrant and it's super affordable! I use the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in the color Milk (listed below) as a base to brighten up colors too. 

My makeup look is never complete without my liquid eyeliner. My go to liquid eyeliner is NYC Liquid Eyeliner. I've tried expensive brands but this one is just as good if not better! I can't live without this product!

The secret to making your eyes look bigger is applying white eyeliner on the bottom. It really works! My favorite is the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in the color Milk. This product also works great as a primer on the eyelids to make eyeshadow brighter!

Mascara makes the difference. This Estée Lauder Sumptuous Mascara is amazing! It thickens and lengthens lashes. It looks like you have falsys on. It also doesn't clump like a lot of other mascaras. Tip: use mascara on your eyebrows to define and make them look fuller.

I can't live without my chapstick! I've used Burt's Bees for over 8 years now and LOVE it! They prevent and cure chapped lips and protect them from the sun. Yes, lips can get sunburned too (trust me, it really hurts). I keep one in every purse I own. 

Summer is all about wearing bright colors, especially bright lipsticks. Maybelline Color Sensation Vivids lip collection has the richest brightest colors! My favorites are Electric Orange and Fuchsia Flash. To make the color last all day and night, I'll apply a little concelor on my lips before applying the lipstick.

Nail polish! This 4 step nail system by Sephora is great! First you use the nail cleanser, base coat, super fun color of your choice, and last the shiny top coat. This at home manicure system lasts up to 2 weeks and is just as good as the salon! They have hundreds of colors to choose from too!

Don't forget the deodorant, another must have for summer.  Degree is my favorite because it lasts all day long! 

My #1 secret to smooth skin is my cleanser. I live by this product!! I've used this Cetaphil face wash for over 6 years now. It is amazing!! It removes all the dirt in your pores, delicate on the skin, and fragrance free. 

Face lotion and under eye cream is a must no matter what (seriously, no matter what!). Estée Lauder Advanced Time Zone collection is great! Ladies, studies show that you should start to use preventative skin care in your 20's to reduce wrinkles later in life. Yes, I know, it's so sad. Make sure you get the correct kind for your type skin (if you have oily skin, get oil free).

Sunscreen is the #1 essential for summer. No body wants wrinkles! The best thing you can do for your face is keeping in out of the sun. I have really oily skin and I've tried a ton of sunscreens. Instead of wearing sunscreen, face lotion, and foundation this Shiseido BB cream does all three! It has great coverage and doesn't make your face look greasy. 

Primer makes a difference when you wear foundation! This NYX Shine Killer Primer is perfect for the Summer! It removes and prevents your skin from looking shiny. It also feels really good on the skin!

For the nights when I go all out, I love the MAC Studio Fix Foundation. It has full coverage and last all night! It leaves you looking like you have perfect skin. I also mix this with my face lotion if I want a thinner application. I apply this with my kabuki brush for an even layer all around.

Throughout the day everyone needs a little touch up. Powder is great to help reduce the oily look and this MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus is perfect for that. It mattefiys your skin

Under eye concealer is perfect for those days you're exhausted from partying all night or just working non-stop. This NYX Concealer does wonders! It covers discoloration and under eye bags. I also use this as a base for my eyelids before applying eyeshadow. I add Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer when I do a full face makeup as a highlight under the eyes. It's amazing!

Bronzer gives that extra glow that we all need a little bit of. This Nars Bronzing Powder works like magic, literally! It gives the perfect amount of shine and leaves your skin looking perfectly sun kissed.  

Contouring is a simple yet effective way of defining angles with makeup. BH Cosmetics Contour and Blush Palette has the perfect 6 color palette for highlight, contour, and blush and it's only $14! The colors are very pigmented (a little goes a long way). It's perfect for brown girls like myself because the colors are dark enough to see the contouring.

Summer is the perfect time to play with fun eye makeup looks. I love this BH Cosmetics 120 Eyeshadow Palette. There is literally every color imaginable! The colors are vibrant and it's super affordable! I use the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in the color Milk (listed below) as a base to brighten up colors too. 

My makeup look is never complete without my liquid eyeliner. My go to liquid eyeliner is NYC Liquid Eyeliner. I've tried expensive brands but this one is just as good if not better! I can't live without this product!

The secret to making your eyes look bigger is applying white eyeliner on the bottom. It really works! My favorite is the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in the color Milk. This product also works great as a primer on the eyelids to make eyeshadow brighter!

Mascara makes the difference. This Estée Lauder Sumptuous Mascara is amazing! It thickens and lengthens lashes. It looks like you have falsys on. It also doesn't clump like a lot of other mascaras. Tip: use mascara on your eyebrows to define and make them look fuller.

I can't live without my chapstick! I've used Burt's Bees for over 8 years now and LOVE it! They prevent and cure chapped lips and protect them from the sun. Yes, lips can get sunburned too (trust me, it really hurts). I keep one in every purse I own. 

Summer is all about wearing bright colors, especially bright lipsticks. Maybelline Color Sensation Vivids lip collection has the richest brightest colors! My favorites are Electric Orange and Fuchsia Flash. To make the color last all day and night, I'll apply a little concelor on my lips before applying the lipstick.

Nail polish! This 4 step nail system by Sephora is great! First you use the nail cleanser, base coat, super fun color of your choice, and last the shiny top coat. This at home manicure system lasts up to 2 weeks and is just as good as the salon! They have hundreds of colors to choose from too!

Don't forget the deodorant, another must have for summer.  Degree is my favorite because it lasts all day long! 

Summer Skin Esstentials

A couple times a week, I wash my face with this Aveeno Resurfacing Scrub to remove any dead skin cells. It leaves my skin feeling so new, like i just got a facial. Tip: wash your face in small circular motion for 1-2 minutes. Check out reviews on other cleansers here!

Smooth legs are a must for the summer especially when you're wearing cute dresses that show your legs off. I've used this Gillette Satin Care Shaving Gel for years now and I love it. It smooths the skin and doesn't leave you with razor burn. 

Summer showers feel so much better thanks to this Dove Go Fresh Cool Moisture Bar Soap! It's super refreshing and leaves my skin feeling clean. 

We get so much sun in the summer (sometimes too much) so body lotion is very important. I prefer to use lotions with aloe to help sooth sun burns. This Vaseline Intensive Aloe Lotion feels nice and cool on the skin and is so refreshing!

I love high heels and cute summer sandals but I hate the blisters! I always carry band aids in my wallet for just such an occasion that a blister appears. The clear Band Aids are great because it's less noticeable.  I know the ladies understand the pain

Rembrandt Whitening Strips are great for getting your teeth looking super white. I only use these strips for a touch up when I feel like my teeth can use a quick boost. These strips don't make my teeth sensitive and help whiten after several uses. 

Toner is a key ingredient for clear skin! This Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Triple Action Toner is amazing! I discovered toner about a year ago..too late in life. I swear by this product!! It has made such a difference in my acne and skin. It has really help decrease my acne and prevent pimples. I use this after cleansing my face twice a day. Toner helps balance out the pH levels in your skin. 

One of the most sensitive parts of your face is the skin under your eyes. I use under eye cream to reduce puffiness in the mornings. The cool tip on the Loreal RevitaLift Triple Power Eye Treatment feels so good and refreshing! I press very gently and apply in before my second layer of eye cream Estée Lauder and face lotion.

Sunscreen is also very important for the body. I apply this Banana Boat SPH on my shoulders and chest whenever I go out in the sun because they are very prone to getting burnt. When I go to the beach, I apply this sunscreen head to toe.  

Something new I recently tried out is the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum. It came in my Lisa Perry Gift bag (it's free with any $35 purchase). I use a few drops at night after rinsing my face. It left my face feeling really moisturized in the morning and less puffy too!