The Ultimate Summer Beauty Starter Pack

Beauty BFFs: How to Keep Each Other Glowing

Traci Landy

May 03, 2025

You know who tells it like it is? Your brutally honest friend who looks you in the face and says, “That dress makes your hips look like a Pixar character.” – Ali Wong

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I asked a poll on Instagram Wednesday night about my furry Birkenstocks. The next day, I taught my class about social desirability bias. It’s basically when people answer a poll based on what they think the acceptable answer should be, rather than the truth. The poll results were: 73% of participants love them, 18% claimed to be “Switzerland,” and 9% had serious reservations. Either we’re a cult of furry Birkenstock fans, or only my longtime friends were willing to tell me the truth that, as one said, “…They are very sad shoes.”

Listen, maybe I just have a lot of friends who either truly appreciate my ugly fuzzy shoes or are just straight-up hype women — LOVE YOU for it.

But aside from the shoe poll, let’s be real: true friends need to be honest with each other when it comes to beauty and life. We need those girlies who will tell us when our makeup is really missing the mark, and do it in an obnoxiously public way.

I respect the people who tell me when I have a big black dot between my teeth. I’m mortified in the moment, but eternally grateful to not be nonchalantly walking around looking like an NHL hockey player.

I loved having this black mark in my tooth today. No one notified me of its presence.

Let’s all make a best friend beauty pact—we’re committing to doing the following for our girlies. We want our best friend to look stunning, not like Alice Cooper. (That’s how my husband describes me after I get out of the shower before I’ve applied my eye makeup remover.)

Alice Cooper Takes a Stand on Makeup ... — A photo of me after I get out of the shower (as per my Husband).

Here are my 7 commandments of BFF beauty support:

Mismatched Makeup: If my face is giving porcelain doll and my neck is giving spray tan—tell me. It’s a mismatch, not a statement.
Melting Mascara: I’m not trying to look like Kurt Cobain. If my mascara or eyeliner is running and I can fix it with a simple wipe of my knuckle—please tell me. I don’t want to go home and overthink how many people were staring at my horrible makeup instead of listening to me talk.
Lipstick Toothpaste: If my lipstick is on my teeth, just tell me. It’s a quick swipe to remove it and I’m on my way. My feelings will NOT be hurt.
Granny Greys: If my ride-or-die dry shampoo didn’t blend in at my scalp and it looks like I have a random circular patch of gray hair—know that I didn’t skip my color appointment. I’m a brunette struggling to blend the powder into my scalp.
Blush Face Paint: I need to know if my blush isn’t blended and looks like a random red stripe. I didn’t get run over by a car on my face—a straight, unblended line is not my normal.
Bronzer Beat Down: If the bronzer on my face looks like someone punched me and I’m bruising—that’s not intentional. You need to tell me that ish is not blended and guide me to your favorite oversized fluffy brush to fix it.
Sunscreen SOS: If my skin is burning on a beach day, please tell me I need to reapply. I’m not campaigning to be President of the Peeling Club.

Beauty is a team sport, and I want you on mine. Also, I’d really prefer not to go home and spiral about the piece of spinach in my teeth for the entire BBQ.

VERY IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Every single product listed below is something I have personally tried and loved. None of these items are just things I’ve seen on social media or would like to try. Keep in mind, everyone’s skin and needs are unique.

Elta MD SPF, Supergoop PLAY, Prequel Vitamin C Serum, Herbivore Milky Way Exfoliant, Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream

Best Face SPF - Elta MD (Tinted): This is my go-to sunscreen for everyday use. It gives off a little bit of a sheen but wears well under makeup, etc.
Best Body SPF - Supergoop, PLAY: I use this for my body and my kids. It absorbs into the skin nicely and comes in a jumbo size with a handle and pump.
Let’s all become SPF babes this summer.
Vitamin C Serum - Prequel: Even with great sunscreen, the sun can still cause damage—think dark spots and wrinkles. Vitamin C helps fight that, while also brightening dull skin.
- Pro tip: Apply in the AM before your moisturizer
Exfoliant Serum – Herbivore Milky Way: Exfoliating helps clear sunscreen buildup and dead skin so your makeup glides on smooth. Stick to a gentle chemical exfoliant 1–3 times a week—no harsh scrubs needed. Just don’t overdo it, and always follow with SPF.
- Pro tip: skip it right before or after a long beach day to avoid irritation.
- Pro tip: never use exfoliant the same day as applying retinol

Hydrating Night Cream- Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream: Skin loses its moisture overnight. Sun exposure, air conditioning, salt water, and your children will drain your skin and well-being. Get a great moisturizer and stay consistent, friends.

Hair Heroes

Briogeo Stick, Dae Styling Cream, Keratase Oil, Ouai Leave-In Conditioner, Living Proof Dry Shampoo, WOW Dream Coat Spray, Olaplex No. 3, Verb Ghost Oil (good affordable option!)

Dry Shampoo- Living Proof Perfect Hair Day: Holy grail, even as a brunette. The key is taking your fingers and massaging it into your scalp so you don’t look like a granny (Shoutout to all the grannies out there — we LOVE YOU, we’re just not ready to embrace the gray yet.)
Anti-Frizz Warrior- WOW Dream Coat: I heard Kim K uses this in the summer, and I wasn’t convinced, but then my mom saw it on HSN with rave reviews—sold (Mom > Kim K). I’ve got wild, frizzy curly hair (shocker, right?). When I wear it natural, I’m basically Weird Al (no shade). But this magic spray? My post-shower game-changer. Frizz-free and Weird Al-free.
A photo of me when I let my hair air dry.
Hair Mask - Olaplex 3, Ouai Leave-In Conditioner: Olaplex is ideal for repairing heat and color damage, while a deep conditioning mask like this one excels at restoring moisture and hydration. Ouai is my favorite for leave-in conditioner after I shower!
- 1-2 times per week
- Homemade masks: You could always make your own out of things like coconut oil, honey, and eggs. I can’t make a pancake on a good day, let alone concoct a hair mask, so I’ll pass on this.
Slicked Back Bun - Dae Cactus Cream, Briogeo Style & Treat Stick - Perfect look for a day you don’t want to wash your hair. I call it “Wet Rat Wednesday” when I wear my hair slicked back.
Collage of me celebrating Wet Rat Wednesday.
Hair Oil- Keratase Elixir Oil, Verb Ghost Oil- Hair oil serves as a protective barrier from the sun, salt water damage, and chlorine. Some people use it as a pre-wash overnight or 30 minutes before shampooing. Others coat their hair before a sunny beach day, while some, myself included, like to use it after drying as a frizz tamer.
Still cannot understand how my husband has baby soft skin with no wrinkles when he washes his body and face with the same soap.

Summer Makeup

Bobbi Brown Primer, Drunk Elephant Drops, IT Cosmetics CC Cream, Hourglass Skin Tint, RMS Blush, Trish McEvoy Bronzer, Hourglass Mascara, Urban Decay Setting Spray, L’Oreal Primer, Hourglass Setting Powder, Smashbox/Becca Highlighter

Primer- Bobbi Face Base: A makeup primer and moisturizer in one? Count me in. Primer helps my makeup stick and last longer throughout the day, controls oil, and reduces the appearance of pores.
Favorite Foundations- Hourglass Skin Tint, IT Cosmetics CC Cream: – These are my go-to summer foundations.
- IT Cosmetics CC Cream: I love this product mainly because it covers like a full-coverage foundation and has great SPF protection.
  - I like to use a damp beauty blender to apply this.
- Hourglass Skin Tint: When I want to go lightweight, I use my Hourglass Skin Tint. It goes on so beautifully and light. I do need to carry an oil blotter for later in the day if my face gets a tiny bit greasy. Also, no SPF. Rude.
Bronzing Drops - Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Sunshine Drops: These are MVPs. I mix a few drops (less is more) into my foundation to adjust for my tan—no need to buy new foundation each season. They can be a bit shiny, but I don’t mind. Just don’t forget your neck! Bonus: they wash off after each use.
Bronzer- Trish McEvoy Cream Bronzer: My favorite bronzer. It’s a cream formula that blends effortlessly. I use this brush to contour my cheeks, forehead, chin, and neck. I wasn’t blessed with a gorgeous bone structure instead a head that looks like a marshmallow. Therefore, I have to carve out cheek bones. Blend well to avoid any muddy spots.
Blush- RMS Beauty Shade: Pomegranate Fizz: Love this affordable pink blush—it blends beautifully and has a nice shimmer, so you could skip highlighter. I use this brush.
Highlighter- Becca/Smashbox (Color: Champagne Pop): The Becca highlighter is my favorite. I’ve had it since 2017, when I decided to become a makeup artist (LOL). I use it on my cheek bones and down my nose & tip of my nose.
Mascara Primer - L’Oreal Lash Primer: This drugstore snag is just as good as the $$$ ones. Apply to your lashes before your usual mascara. Helps lengthen and keep your mascara in place.
Favorite Mascara- Hourglass Cosmetics Unlocked: Love this tubing mascara. This means when you wash it out it comes off in chunks. Don’t worry your lashes aren’t falling out. This mascara gives you the best fake lash look.
Setting Powder-Hourglass Veil Powder: Setting powder keeps liquid makeup in place and prevents shine. After applying liquid makeup, I use it to set everything and avoid looking greasy. It also helps prevent mascara smudges under my eyes. In summer, I apply it quickly to my T-zone and under-eyes (over concealer if I wear it), but if it feels cakey, skip it—no shame.
Setting Spray- Urban Decay Setting Spray - OG setting spray for the last makeup step.

Fake & Bake (Self-Tanning Essentials)

Himalayan Scrub, Josie Maran Body Butter, LovingTan Self tanner, Tanning Mitt, St. Tropez Face Mist, Fluffy Brush, Body Brush

Tanning Prep - Pink Salt Exfoliator- ALWAYS exfoliate (& shave) before you self-tan. One time I didn’t, and my knees had aggressive, dark brown circles on my kneecaps. My old boss came up to me and asked if I was okay and if I was injured. I was so confused, and then I looked at my knees—she thought I had bruises. Not a hot girl moment for me. I immediately overshared with her my self-tanning fails, rambling on for way too long.
Body Lotion- Josie Maran Body Butter: Love this for my whole body. The key to maintaining a great self tan is staying highly moisturized after you do it.
Use a Tanning Mitt - Amazon Tanning Mitt: This is non-negotiable. If you want an even fake tan, you have to use the mitt.
Tan Your Body - Loving Tan Dark 2 Hr Express- This is the BEST self-tanner I have ever encountered on the market. I use the medium color in the spring and the dark color in the summer.
Face Self Tanner - St. Tropez Face Bronzing Water: I have tried it all. This face spray has NEVER let me down. I spray it as the last step of my skincare routine before bed.
Extra Credit Tools: If you don’t like the sticky feeling of self-tanner, use a fluffy brush to apply baby powder or setting powder to your body — it helps eliminate the tackiness. This brush can be used to drag the self tanner onto your hands and neck - an oddly difficult task.

Hydration Station

Solar Recovery, My Beauty Diary Mask, Pixi Eye Patches, Skyn Eye Patches, Fresh Face Mask, Youth To The People Overnight Mask

Face Mask-Fresh Rose Mask, Youth To The People Mask: We have to hydrate in the summer months.
- Fresh Rose Face Mask I wake up, plop it on my clean skin in the morning, make my coffee, walk around with little rose petals on my face scaring the family, and then just wash it off.
- The Youth To The People Mask is my go-to on a hydration night. It replaces my PM moisturizer. I just rinse it off first thing in the morning and feel like a glowy, dewy goddess.
Post-Sun Spray- Solar Recover: A friend introduced me to this. I have no clue how and why this works. I think even the inventors of it were shocked how great it is.
Eye Patches- Skyn Iceland Eye Patches, Pixie DePuff Eye Patches - For hydration, I love a good eye mask. Skyn’s are my favorite—definitely on the pricier side, but worth it. I also like these Pixi as budget friendly option.
Sheet Masks- My Beauty Diary Sheet Masks: Love a sheet mask after a day boiling in the sun. I usually wear them while relaxing in bed. Then, without fail, my kids come in to say goodnight, take one look at me, scream in horror, and accuse me of being a descendant of Jason.
A photo of me masking at the end of a long day.

Somewhere out there, a 12-year-old Sephora-loving teenybopper is reading this, laughing, and calling me old, uneducated, and basic. And while they’re busy calling me basic, I’m just over here with my glowing skin… and reading glasses.

I’m not a dermatologist or an esthetician—just a mom who follows way too many beauty influencers on TikityTok. (Here are three of my favorites: Lindsay Regan Thorne, Kathleen Jennings, and Kelli Anne Sewell.)

You are now ready for summer. This is quite possibly the largest “starter” kit I’ve ever seen, imagined or invented. I’m definitely going to be the reason even Substack puts a character limit on people’s work.

Thoughts? Am I missing any products? What do you love to use in your skincare regiment? What do I need to try? Tell me in the comments!