Top 15: Our Luxury Summer Beauty Guide 2025

August 15, 2025

The heat is on and it’s the perfect time to reveal our Top 15 Summer Beauty Brands! 

This year, we are celebrating the very best in skincare, makeup, fragrance and haircare to keep you glowing all season long. Our editorial team devoted more time than ever to curating this selection: we began our research back in May, testing and trying close to 100 products under the sun (literally!) to ensure only the very best made the cut. 

We’ve organized all products by category, and included direct links and pricing, so your summer beauty shopping is as effortless as possible. Here they are.

 

SUNCARE / SPF PROTECTION 

Clé de Peau Beauté

No suncare routine can be started without sunscreen. Silky, fast-absorbing and elegantly luminous, the UV Protective Emulsion for Body SPF 60 wraps skin in high broad-spectrum protection without a chalky cast or stickiness. It glides on like a luxe body lotion, leaving a refined satin finish that keeps arms, legs, and décolleté comfortable and hydrated through sun-soaked days. Water-resistant and beautifully lightweight, it layers seamlessly with fragrance and won’t transfer onto clothing. Truthfully, it’s the prettiest sunscreen we have ever seen: and we have reviewed thousands of products over the years. It’s an absolute must-have!

We equally love Clé de Peau Beauté’s UV Protective Cream SPF 50, which offers broad-spectrum defence while cushioning skin with comfortable hydration. It wears beautifully under makeup too – think smooth grip, zero pilling, and a soft, radiant finish that looks fresh from morning to evening. It is fast-absorbing and offers high sun protection with SPF 50+. Unlike many sunscreens, it has a light texture and a pleasant scent, making it an easy and enjoyable part of any daily skincare regimen.

For lips, the Protective Lip Treatment SPF 25 is our definite go-to, with its cushiony, conditioning balm that features sheer, elegant sheen. It smooths the look of fine lines, fends off dryness, and preps perfectly for colour, all without stickiness. This lip treatment features a luxurious metallic package and has a very light, neutral scent. Unlike many SPF lip treatments, it has no unpleasant odour and does not leave a white cast on the lips. It layers beautifully over lipstick and can be reapplied while out in the sun, protecting your lips without disturbing the colour. It’s also portable for vacations, you can easily pack the Lip Treatment in your bag for easy SPF top-ups throughout the day.

 

HAIRCARE

Kérastase 

The Kérastase Gloss Absolu collection is a true saviour for anyone struggling with frizz, dullness, or colour-treated hair in need of shine and softness.

The Bain Hydra Glaze Shampoo has a rich, creamy lather that gently cleanses the scalp and strands without stripping essential moisture, instantly leaving hair feeling lighter and refreshed. This is a hydra-illuminating shampoo for long hair prone to frizz. It’s specifically formulated with hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid and wild rose in oil to deliver bouncy, glossy hair. Pair it with the Insta Glaze Conditioner, which is luxuriously smooth yet weightless, gliding through hair to detangle with ease while delivering deep hydration and a silky finish.

Meanwhile, the Anti Frizz Glaze Milk is a multi-tasking powerhouse – adding moisture, without ever feeling greasy or heavy. With its milky lightweight texture, this super-melting multi-purpose spray instantly detangles, hydrates, smooths, eases blow-dry, and absorbs frizz and fly-aways while protecting from heat and humidity. And then there’s the crown jewel: the Glaze Drops Hair Oil, infused with wild rose oil, which transforms even the dullest, most unruly strands into a glossy, luminous mane.

Used together, the four products work in perfect harmony to deliver hair that looks polished, feels nourished and moves like you just left the salon. Luxurious, effective and fabulous: this line is an absolute must-have.

 

SKINCARE

Shiseido

If skincare were a symphony, the Shiseido Future Solution LX line would be its grand finale. Luxurious, potent and backed by centuries of Japanese skincare expertise, every product in this golden collection feels like a ritual of self-love.

The Extra Rich Cleansing Foam transforms your daily cleanse into a spa moment; it lathers like a dream, gently removing impurities without stripping your skin. Think clean, soft and radiant – and never tight or dry. The Total Protective Cream SPF 20 is your daily armour. With SPF and antioxidant protection, it not only hydrates deeply but also shields your skin from pollution and UV stress. It’s thick but not greasy, and your skin will feel nourished all day long.

The Intensive Firming Brilliance Serum is where the magic happens. This refillable gem is like liquid silk for the skin. It tightens, lifts and revives dullness, all while being featherlight. After a few days of use, expect compliments – the glow is ethereal. And let’s not forget the Eye and Lip Contour Regenerating Cream – the unsung hero of the set. This tiny pot packs a powerful punch, melting into the delicate skin around the eyes and lips to smooth, plump and rejuvenate. No more tired eyes or fine lines creeping up by noon.

What ties this whole collection together? The rare Enmei Herb, harvested in sacred Japanese mountain regions. It’s the soul of the line – a botanical legend said to promote longevity and radiance. And yes, your skin will feel it.

SkinCeuticals

Results-driven and friendly to sensitive complexions – this trio from SkinCeuticals delivers hydration, soothing care and daily defence in a polished, no-fuss routine.

Start with the HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan Serum – a lightweight, non-sticky hydrator that visibly plumps and refines the look of large pores. It keeps skin comfortably moisturized, and if you’re on the oilier side, you may find you can skip an additional moisturizer and go straight to SPF.

We also recommend the P-TIOX Wrinkle-Modulating Peptide Serum – a gentle yet effective addition for sensitive, rosacea-prone skin. With niacinamide and peptides to soothe, this serum targets signs of ageing, improving the appearance of fine lines and skin texture.

For daytime and perfect for hot summer days, the Clear Daily Soothing UV Defense SPF 50 stands out for its weightless, invisible finish and calming care. This dermatologist-tested formula blends mineral and chemical filters (including zinc oxide, homosalate, octisalate and octocrylene) with Netlock™ technology for even coverage that won’t leave a white cast. It layers beautifully under makeup, won’t clog pores, and helps reduce irritation and redness while delivering high, broad-spectrum protection. 

 

FOR MEN

Aesop

An excellent choice for men this summer, we can’t get enough of is Aesop. For all your shaving needs, opt for the Aesop Neroli range. The Aesop Moroccan Neroli Shaving Serum glides on super smooth, smells delicious, and actually makes shaving feel clean and easy. It doesn’t foam up too much, which makes it feel more like skincare than a chore. Meanwhile, the Moroccan Neroli Post-Shave Lotion is the perfect finish after a shave. It will calm the skin right away and will smell clean without being too strong. 

Up next on our list is the Geranium Leaf line. Start with the Geranium Leaf Body Scrub – this exfoliator will leave the skin feeling brand new. Soft, and yet massaging at the same time, it is almost like exfoliating with a rose bush but without the thorns! Just phenomenal all around. The Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser was also another staple. This Aesop favoured body wash has been captivating users for more than 30 years. It forms a pleasing lather as it cleanses the skin, while imparting an invigorating aroma that lingers on the body and senses. It will clean your skin without drying it up. 

Follow up with the Geranium Leaf Body Balm. It’s thick enough to handle dry skin but doesn’t leave you feeling sticky. Last, but certainly not least, is the Geranium Leaf Hydrating Body Treatment. This one surprised us: it’s an oil, but it sunk in really fast, even in the heat of the summer, and left the skin feeling fresh, not greasy. 

ClarinsMen

Another top brand for men this summer is Clarins and their Men’s range. Let’s start off with the ClarinsMen Exfoliating Cleanser. This 2-in-1 creamy exfoliating face wash for men deeply cleanses embedded impurities and removes excess oil, dirt and dead skin cells that make skin look dull and tired. Formulated with gentle exfoliants, this daily face scrub helps clear out blackheads and clogged pores, leaving skin soft, purified and shine-free. An added bonus is that its creaminess leaves the skin feeling soft and purified. 

Up next on our list was the ClarinsMen After Shave Soothing Gel. This aftershave gel is absolutely perfect because it isn’t oily or sticky, and it absorbs quickly. What else can you ask for with an aftershave? Follow this up with the Energizing Eye Gel. It will quickly lift those dark circles and reduce morning puffiness, while simultaneously hydrating you to keep you looking fresh. 

Last, but certainly not least, is the ClarinsMen Wrinkle Smoothing & Firming Care. Let’s just say: it’s a game changer. This cream will immediately hydrate your skin and leave it looking firm and toned. The Clarins anti-pollution complex in this product helps to protect the skin from the harmful environmental effects. Meanwhile, extracts of furcellaria and organic white marrubus provide multi-protection against indoor and outdoor pollution. Its light, non-greasy, non-sticky fluid has a tightening effect, making it effortless to apply to the skin and providing hydration all day long. Bonus points: it features an ultra-fresh, comfortable texture with an iconic, invigorating lemon fragrance.

 

MAKEUP

Lancôme

The Skin Idôle 3 Serum Supertint will make an excellent addition to your daily makeup routine. This product features a featherlight, glow-enhancing formula that evens tone without hiding skin. 

The Skin Idole 3 Serum Supertint melts in like a serum, blurs the look of pores and texture, and builds from sheer to wearable medium with a soft, natural finish: no caking, no heaviness. It layers seamlessly over SPF and under concealer, wears comfortably through warm days, and leaves skin fresh, bouncy and polished in just a few swipes. Supertint is infused with skincare ingredients (Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E) to care for your skin as it covers. Locking in moisture for 24 hours, it strengthens skin barrier function for a more radiant and more luminous complexion. 

With a buildable coverage, the range consists of 20 flexible shades, from light to dark. It truly covers like a tint, but feels like a serum!

Charlotte Tilbury

A swipe-and-go flush that looks like you just stepped into good lighting, the Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Stick range cannot be missed in your summer shopping. Inspired by the effect of beautifying summer light and colour on the skin, Tilbury created a sunset spectrum of 6 unreal shades infused with Colour Light Mapping Mesh Tech for a lit-from-within, soft-focus glow and a weightless, second-skin finish. 

This product melts into skin with a creamy, fingertip-blendable texture and a fresh, dewy finish. The colour builds from whisper-soft to runway-ready without patchiness, sits beautifully over skincare or base, and leaves cheeks with that lit-from-within sheen Charlotte is known for. Tap it onto lips for a tonal, pulled-together look: it’s the fastest route to rosy, healthy radiance.

The six fabulous colours are infused with light-mapping pearlescent pigments, and each shade stretches across a range of skin tones, lasting for up to 8 hours. 

Smashbox

If you are looking for photoshoot-ready skin this summer, we highly recommend Smashbox’s primer range. We tried them all and chose our favourite four.

The first one is Photo Finish Primerizer+ Hydrating Primer. This skincare-powered formula creates a breathable, silky barrier that perfects the canvas by smoothing skin and strengthening it against damage from environmental aggressors like pollution and blue light. It delivers dewy skin in seconds and hydrates for up to 72 hours. This silky primer preps with triple hyaluronic acid, leaving skin plump and perfectly primed. It absorbs instantly, creating a smooth, soft-focus base that feels as luxurious as it looks.

Up next is the The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer, which truly is a game-changer! It smooths out pores and fine lines, giving you that flawless, airbrushed look, and keeps the makeup in place all day. This velvety, lightweight primer nourishes skin with vitamins A and E, and has a vegan and cruelty-free formula.

We also absolutely loved the Photo Finish Illuminate Glow Primer. This primer is super light, packed with ingredients that are good for your skin. It’s not sticky nor oily, which makes it a perfect choice for hot summer days. The skincare-powered formula creates a breathable, silky barrier that perfects the canvas by smoothing skin and strengthening it against damage from environmental aggressors like pollution and blue light. It delivers glowy skin in seconds with universally flattering shimmer. Another bonus is that your skin will glow just enough without looking oily. Pro tip: mix it with your bronzer for that extra beach-glow look.  

And, we highly recommend the Correct Anti-Redness Primer. The green-toned primer delivers calmer-looking skin in seconds by neutralizing redness and the appearance of irritation. Can’t go wrong if you want to look fabulous in all those summer photos!

Make Up For Ever

This is a true makeup kit essential: the Artist Color Crayon range glides on with a creamy, comfortable feel, then sets to a soft, long-wearing finish that won’t smear or migrate. Precision is easy, blending is effortless and the texture stays smooth – no tugging, skipping or patchiness. This multi-use pencil, available in 26 shades (both shimmer and matte), will take you from crisp definition to lived-in softness in seconds. Think: one tool, endless looks. 

Use it as a blush, eyeshadow, contour, bronzer or highlighter. Define and smoke out the eyes, tight line for subtle depth, or sketch a blurred wing as a base for powder shadow. On lips, overline for a pillowy contour, or use it under balm or gloss to dial up dimension. It can even map gentle sculpting on cheeks or freckles for a playful edit: the formula layers cleanly over skincare and under powders without pilling.

Toss it in a bag for quick touch-ups; a few strokes and a fingertip blend are all you need. 

 

FRAGRANCE

YSL

One of the hottest fragrances this summer is YSL’s Muse Inspiring Ink. This unisex eau de parfum is a study in quiet power. It cloaks the skin in an ink-inspired aura: modern, refined and subtly addictive. The scent opens with a clean, elegant brightness before settling into a smooth trail that feels effortlessly chic from day to late evening. This is a perfect signature for those who favour understated luxury over loud projection. Sensual and supple, iris concrete offers powdery, buttery, woody and leathery facets for a perfect blend. This is sublimated by a sensual Bourbon vanilla absolute.

Sleek, sharp, sensorial, every detail of this bottle whispers Yves Saint Laurent. From the architectural purity of its angled cut to the luxurious reflections on the glass, it is the epitome of the YSL style. The precious cap and textured label are sublimated by the emblematic grain de poudre crafted in Yves Saint Laurent’s favourite colour: black, unveiling the daring character of the YSL spirit.

Tom Ford

Another all-time favourite for us is Tom Ford’s Café Rose Eau de Parfum. This unisex fragrance wraps skin in velvety petals, subtle roasted warmth and polished woods. It opens luminous, then deepens into an addictive, satin-smooth trail with refined sillage that lingers for hours: elegant by day, smouldering by night. 

A modern, moody rose with a gourmand wink, this perfume reveals sensual depth with opulent floralcy, where the untamed sensuality of a refined rose is infused with an unexpected twist of dark coffee. Built around Turkish rose, Bulgarian rose and coffee, it is packaged in an elegant and semi-transparent rosy flacon, topped with a violet bronze–toned cap and matching plaque.

 

CROSS-CATEGORY

Oribe

We have featured Oribe in our past guides and we just can’t get enough of their amazing products. For the sweltering summer months, we highly recommend the Serene Scalp range for hair care and the Côte d’Azur for hands and body. 

Start with Serene Scalp Oil Control Shampoo to gently cleanse and reset the scalp, helping reduce excess oil while keeping lengths soft and manageable. On clean, towel-dried hair, mist the roots with Serene Scalp Oil Control Treatment Mist. This is a lightweight, leave-in refresher that helps control sebum at the source and keeps the scalp comfortable between washes. For touch-ups (or day two and three), tap on Serene Scalp Oil Control Dry Shampoo Powder to absorb shine instantly, add airy lift, and extend your style with a clean, invisible finish. Bonus: the dry shampoo is packaged in a small dispenser which makes it easy to transport when traveling by air, plus it doesn’t leave white residue like many other dry shampoos on the market.

Onto the Côte d’Azur line, which is all about experiencing the signature Oribe fragrance. With notes of Calabrian bergamot, white butterfly jasmine and sandalwood, the citrus floral scent embodies the glamour and heat of the legendary destination. These products will serve as a sensorial ritual from sink to shower. Your skin will feel polished, cushioned and luminous, with the signature Côte d’Azur scent lingering on. Start by gently polishing with the Refining Hand Scrub: it smooths rough patches and preps hands to drink in moisture. We recommend following up with the Nourishing Hand Crème. This is a silky, fast-absorbing cream that softens without a greasy feel and keeps cuticles neat and comfortable. It features a luxurious blend of oils and shea butter that will hydrate and repair your skin, making this product perfect for everyday use or as an overnight treatment.

In the shower, opt for the Replenishing Body Wash that will cushion your skin with a gentle lather and cleanse without stripping, leaving a refined, just-stepped-off-the-Riviera finish. Finally, wrap up your self-care routine with the Restorative Body Crème: rich yet elegant, it delivers hours of plush hydration and a soft, light-catching sheen that pairs perfectly with summer dresses and evening linens alike.

Moroccanoil

Over the years, we’ve all been in love with that distinct scent of Moroccanoil’s haircare, but this summer we are taking it a step further and checking out their products for both: hair and body. 

Up first in this cross-category is the Hair & Body Fragrance Mist, which we absolutely loved. Just put it on your hair and skin in the morning, and you will still be able to smell the scent in the afternoon, as it’s definitely long-lasting. The mist features the signature Moroccanoil scent, so it’s not overpowering but subtle. It is packed with argan oil and vitamin E, which both nourish the skin and hair follicles without the clogging factor. This product is an absolute summer must-have (and, frankly, will be great all year long, especially when you want to beat the winter blues). 

Body Lotion Fragrance Originale also made our list of favourites. It’s very hydrating yet lightweight. The lotion features a blend of moisturizing oils—including argan, tsubaki, and evening primrose oils—and soothing aloe leaf extract to leave skin softer, smoother and more radiant. It is available in six Mediterranean-inspired scents and packaged in a recyclable bottle. It’s perfect to use all summer long, especially after being out in the sun!

Lastly, we absolutely had to include the Dry Body Oil Fragrance Originale that infuses skin with the antioxidant-rich, nourishing properties of argan oil, as well as olive and avocado oils. The weightless formula absorbs quickly to lock in moisture, while soothing dry areas and improving overall skin texture and tone. 

Fenty

Fenty brings a cross-category lineup that keeps everything gleaming and nourished: from lips to haircare to bodycare. Think effortless shine, deep moisture and soft, touchable finishes that last.

The Fenty Treatz Hydrating and Strengthening Lip Oil is a daily staple: it’s perfect after your morning cleanse and again in the evening. It’s deeply hydrating, smells amazing, and has no added colour, so it layers beautifully over stained lips for extra shine. This is year-round essential that will also transition seamlessly between seasons thanks to its strengthening, cushiony finish.

For hair that needs serious TLC, the The Richer One Moisture Repair Deep Conditioner is a standout. After just one use, dry, brittle ends feel nourished and restored, with smoothness and manageability dialled all the way up. Follow that up with The Water Boi Reparative Leave-In Detangling Conditioner Spray – an ultra-light mist that tames frizz and helps deliver a bouncy blowout with zero residue. Hair stays soft for days, and the scent is as luxurious as the finish.

Last, but certainly not least, if your body care needs the velvet treatment, opt for the Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream. Expect instant glow (the Instagram-filter kind), long-lasting hydration that actually lasts for hours, and a soft, luxurious Fenty Fresh scent that never overwhelms. If your skin runs desert-dry (even in summer), this is holy-grail material. Rihanna really said, “I got you,” and she meant it.

All images courtesy of each brand. Feature image courtesy of Getty Images / Unsplash+.

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