How to Get the Ultimate Glowy Summer Makeup Routine After 40

The very best makeup products for a glowy summer makeup routine or vacation makeup!

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I’ll admit—I’m not one for the ‘no makeup, makeup’ look. I’m all about wearing makeup daily, but when summer heat hits, I prefer lighter layers. Think glowy, bronzy, and effortless. 

And after 40, it’s all about embracing that radiant, youthful glow through the right products that don’t look heavy.

 It’s true that less is more, but let’s be honest: good products and techniques are needed to look natural.

These are the absolute best products and makeup techniques for summer. They can give you that glowy summer makeup vibe even on more mature skin. 

These products are also my go-tos for a glowy vacation makeup look! They keep your skin fresh and radiant, perfect for relaxing by the pool. With these essentials, you can maintain that effortless, bronzy glow all day long.

Prep: Self-tan the Night Before

A little preparation goes a long way for this glowy summer makeup routine.

A light layer of self-tanner over the whole face will give you a good base the next day. A good self-tanner will cover imperfections, even your skin tone, and give you a slight tan. 

Self-tanner is my secret weapon – I can always wear less makeup with a tan base.

Related: How To Glow-Up Overnight: A Step-by-Step Guide

Favorite Self Tanners:

1. COOLA Organic Sunless Self Tanner Face Serum
2. Bondi Sands Dark Self-Tanning Foam
3. Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Self Tanner Mousse

Step 1: Illuminating Sun Screen

In the summer months, I prefer sunscreen as my primer, but you can use your favorite radiant moisturizer or primer.

The goal is to give the skin a little glow before applying foundation. 

If you have oily skin, you may opt for a traditional or matte primer/sunscreen instead – you’ll still get a great summer glowy look.

I’ve tried a ton – here are the best picks. 

Favorite Illuminating Sun Screens or Primers

1. Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40
2. e.l.f. SKIN Suntouchable Whoa Glow SPF 30 (close dupe for the Supergoop)
3. Colorescience Total Protection Face Shield SPF 50 (Glow)

Step 2: Hydrating Tinted Moisturizer, CC Cream, or Light Foundation

Some people may opt not to wear foundation. Personally, I feel a little naked without it, so I always wear a little. I’ll often sheer out my full-coverage foundations with moisturizer, which works great, too.

Let your primer, moisturizer, and sunscreen set for a few minutes before applying a tinted moisturizer, CC cream, or a light foundation layer.

Favorite Summer Foundations:

1. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream (I prefer this original one over their illuminating version)
2. Colorescience Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 (I use Medium – it has great coverage)
3. YENSA BC Foundation

Step 3: Radiant Concealer 

Even if you skip foundation, concealer is a must! For women over 40, a concealer that matches your skin tone typically works best (even under the eyes). 

Spot conceal where needed and then cover discoloration and dark circles under the eyes. If you have a beauty blender, I like to use this under they eyes to ensure there’s not too much product. 

Favorite Concealers:

1. Tarte Shape Tape Radiant Medium Coverage Concealer
2. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Radiant Brightening Cream Concealer
3. NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Bare With Me Concealer Serum

Step 4: Warm Toned Cream Bronzer

Cream products are your best friend when going for a radiant look. The key is finding a quality warm-toned cream bronzer that blends seamlessly and doesn’t get patchy on the skin. 

Cooler tones are best for contouring, and warmer tones give you an all-over bronzed look.

Use a synthetic medium-dense brush to gently stipple the bronzer on the high points of your face, including the forehead, cheeks, and nose. For a sunkissed look, go for the areas where the sun would naturally hit your face. 

Favorite Cream Bronzers:

1. Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer, Baked
2. Saie Sun Melt Bronzer
3. Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate
4. Westman Atelier Contour Stick

Step 5: Cream Blush

Can’t forget the blush – a little rosy or peach glow adds to our glowy summer makeup looks, and blush is a must-have, especially if you’re over 40. We need a bit of color! 

Like the cream bronzer, I gently stipple on the cheeks and a little on the nose.

Favorite Cream Blushes:

1. Honest Beauty 2-in-1 Creme Cheek Blush + Lip Color
2. Anastasia Beverly Hills – Stick Blush
3. Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
4. Revolution Beauty Blush Bomb (Savage Coral)

Step 6: Liquid or Cream Highlight

Optional, but a little liquid or cream highlighter on the highest point of the cheekbones will catch the sunlight and make your face look radiant. The goal is to achieve a natural glow – so just a tiny bit is all we need for glowy skin. 

There are so many great products on the market – here are some of the best I’ve tried.

Favorite Liquid Highlights:

1. e.l.f. Halo Glow Highlight Beauty Wand (Exact dupe for Charlotte Tilbury!)
2. ILIA – Liquid Light Serum Highlighter
3. L’Oreal Paris Makeup True Match Lumi Glotion

Step 7: Hydrating Setting Powder

In the next step, we’re adding a little extra powder bronzer, so I’d like to add a hydrating setting powder to set those cream products.

Use a big fluffy brush to pick up the powder and remove nearly all the excess—we want just the light set. Not too much product, just enough to set the cream products so the powder bronzer glides seamlessly across the face.

Favorite Setting Powders:

1. Jouer Soft Focus Hydrate & Setting Powder
2. e.l.f., Halo Glow Setting Powder
3. bareMinerals Mineral Veil Setting Powder

Step 8: Powder Bronzer

The right powder bronzer applied correctly finishes off this glowy summer makeup look perfectly. 

Here’s my secret: I opt for illuminating bronzers or bronzers that are mixed with pink and peach blush tones rather than a typical matte bronzer without any dimension. 

It gives a subtle rosy bronze look—like you’ve been sitting in the sun for a few hours. 

Use a big fluffy brush to sweep over the forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. I like to apply the “3” motion across the face on each side for the perfect sun-kissed glow. 

Then, take the bronzer and dust slightly down the neck, shoulder, and collarbone (if you’re wearing a tank or dress that will show these areas. It helps blend it all together.

For more summer glow, dust powder highlighter on the cheekbones, inner corners of your eyes, and cupid’s bow. 

Favorite Summer Bronzers:

1. Hourglass Ambient Strobe Bronzer
2. LAURA GELLER NEW YORK Baked Blush-n-Bronze
3. Physicians Formula Butter Glow Bronzer + Blush

Step 9: Bronzer as Eyeshadow

I use the same bronzer as eyeshadow! I bring the bronzer into my crease and then use a pencil brush to sweep it under my eyes. This creates a cohesive look that’s not too overdone. 

Related: Best Makeup Tips for Women Over 40 You Haven’t Heard Before

Step 10: Waterproof Mascara

Of course, you should add your favorite mascara—if I’m at the beach or pool, I will opt for waterproof mascara.

Curl the lashes and add a couple of coats of waterproof mascara. 

Plus, did you know waterproof mascaras hold a curl better? 

Favorite Waterproof Mascaras:

1. L’Oreal Paris Makeup Voluminous Original Volume Building Waterproof Mascara
2. L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara
3. Maybelline Full ‘N Soft Waterproof Mascara

Step 10: Hydrating Lip Gloss

A small amount of pink or peach lip gloss brings this glowy makeup look together. I like a good moisturizing formula that’s not too sticky or goopy. A tinted lip balm is also an easy, effortless choice. 

Favorite Hydrating Lip Products:

1. Maybelline Lifter Gloss (Raspberry) SUCH A GOOD, AFFORDABLE GLOSS!
2. LANEIGE Lip Glowy Balm (Berry)
3. Clarins Lip Comfort Oil (Pitaya)

Step 12: Finish with a Hydrating Setting Spray 

Use a hydrating setting mist with moisturizing properties like hyaluronic acid to set your glowy summer makeup. Bonus points if it has SPF, like the Vacation setting mist (plus, this smells like a tropical vacation!)

Favorite Setting Sprays:

1. Vacation Super Spritz SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray
2. Pixi Beauty Milky Mist
3. CHARLOTTE TILBURY Charlotte’s Magic Hydrator Mist

And that’s it – the perfect glowy summer makeup that should only take about 10 minutes. 

Related: Here’s Your Ultimate 12-Week Summer Glow-Up Guide For 2024

What are the best summer makeup items you’ve tried? Let me know in the comments or on Pinterest – I always like trying new products!

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