
Summer is here! And at InStyle, we love beauty products that simplify our routines and help us stay flawless in the sweltering heat. Think Air-dry-enhancing hair products, whole-body deodorant, and self-tanning pads. Plus, we’re prioritizing travel-friendly formulas and sizes.
For example, our beauty director swears by a water-activated exfoliating powder that’s TSA-friendly and gently sloughs off dead skin. Our associate editorial director found a no-fuss hair cream that gives her perfectly sculpted waves every time. Shop these favorites and more ahead.
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essie
Nail Lacquer in Bordeaux,
$9.00
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A few years back, I traded tried-and-true red for a richer burgundy and never looked back—it just fits my vibe (and my color palette) better. My go-to? Essie’s Bordeaux. A classic for good reason: a deep, moody crimson with just the right hint of purple. —Lauren Valenti, beauty director
Whether you color your hair or wear it au naturel, a glaze can give your hair serious shine and help manage frizz. Celebrity colorist Rita Hazan, who works with the brand, especially loves it for blondes. “Glaze Supergloss is an affordable, at-home product that that helps to revive bleached, highlighted blonde hair,” says Hazan. —Kara Jillian Brown
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JVN
Complete Hydrating Air Dry Hair Styling Cream,
$28.00
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I tried this product as part of an air-dry products test and fell in love. I have used it twice a week since then and have never gotten so many compliments on my natural texture. It sculpts my waves and cuts frizz without making strands crunchy. This is going to be my go-to no-fuss product all summer long. —Shannon Bauer, associate editorial director
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Reforme
Power Lip Sculpting Wand,
$45.00
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The blurred lip look is all over the place, but I hadn’t discovered the *perfect* product for it and am uninterested in having to achieve the effect through multiple steps. Reforme has solved this; its Power Lip Sculpting Wand is chubby enough to achieve the look in a single swipe without looking messy. The only thorn in its side is that I want more than the existing two shades. —Tamim Alnuweiri, senior beauty writer
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Ranavat
Brightening Mineral Sunscreen,
$65.00
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Mineral sunscreens are tough. They can often feel heavy or (god forbid!) leave a greasy white cast behind. This new formula from Ranavat is none of the above—and so much more. The finish is beyond decadent, leaving behind a gorgeous glow perfect for bare-faced beach days. I wore this for a three-day vacation in the desert, and my skin felt nourished, protected, and bright the whole time. —Madeline Hirsch, fashion features director
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Ami Cole
Hydrating Lip Oil,
$20.00
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I never leave the house without a shiny lip, and lately this has been the only product I’ve been swiping on. I usually have tough luck with lip products as they tend to dry my lips out immediately. The blend of seed oils in this product leaves my lips feeling soft and kissable. My favorite part is the high-shine, glossy texture, despite it being a lip oil. The clear shade is a MUST. —Essence Wiley, writer
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Tarte
CC undereye corrector,
$30.00
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When it comes to summer makeup, my ultimate goal is to pare down to as little as possible. And though we’re just getting into warmer weather, I’m ready to make a bold prediction and say that this multitasking Tarte undereye corrector will be the MVP of my summer routine. It blends in like a dream and immediately erases my dark circles, so much so that I’ve been skipping foundation more often than not. —Karli Bendlin, senior editorial & strategy director
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Crown Affair
The Leave-In Conditioner x D.S. & Durga,
$48.00
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When two of my favorite brands decided to collaborate, I thought this was too good to be true. As it turns out, it’s even better. This super hydrating leave-in conditioner lets my hair air-dry frizz-free and smooth, as always. Except, now, I get the bonus of D.S. & Durga’s cult-favorite woody, ambery scent with each application. I love how it gives me more confidence by leaving my hair with an indescribable scent—I smell great without even trying, and what’s hotter than that? —Irene Richardson, writer
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Dr. Dennis Gross
Alpha Beta® Glow Pad™ Self-Tanner for Body,
$48.00
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Dr. Dennis Gross truly reinvented self-tanning with these glow pads, which feature none of the mess, smell, or stained sheets that come with traditional tanning. Just wipe yourself down with a towelette and watch your skin grow bronzed. You can leave the house right away, as there’s no colored residue you need to shower off. Gentle acids help exfoliate simultaneously for brighter, more even skin, and the tan lasts around a week. —Emily Kelleher, Evergreen & special projects editor
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Roz
The Foundation Shampoo / Conditioner Duo,
$72.00
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I have never gotten more compliments on my hair after I started using this shampoo and conditioner. Genuinely. Whenever I use this shampoo, my hair feels clean, without being overly stripped or dry. On top of that, the conditioner is light enough not to weigh down my bouncy curls while still giving me all the moisture I need to combat frizz. Most of the time, I can’t tell the difference between what different hair products do to my strands. However, after trying this, there is no going back. —Zizi Strater, associate social media editor
I love traveling with a water-activated exfoliating powder—it’s lightweight, mess-free, and won’t ruin my bag if it spills. One of my favorites is this classic from Tatcha. A teaspoon and a few drops of water transform it into a creamy paste that gently dissolves dead skin cells, thanks to rice bran and papaya enzymes. In just two minutes, it leaves my skin feeling smoother and visibly brighter. —L.V.
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Manuela Piccard
Red Carpet Ready Vitamin C Peel,
$15.00
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If I want my skin to stay blemish-free, regular exfoliation is a must. I need products that will slough away dead skin without drying out my skin. That’s why I’m head-over-heels for this peel. I love all the goodies from this new-to-the-States brand, but the peel is a huge fave. It’s made with 6% vitamin C and a 9% complex of polyhydroxy, betahydroxy, and azelaic acids. It has a slight tingle, but leaves my skin feeling comfortable and clear. —K.J.B.
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geologie
Acne Control Face Wash,
$15.00
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I’m a 30-year-old who is still prone to bouts of acne, and many of my skin-care solutions for this have been recalled or indefinitely discontinued due to hazardous ingredients. I was really at a loss, but Geologie’s face wash has filled that void. It strips my skin of the icky oil but doesn’t make it feel so tight that it could crack. It also does a pretty good job at removing makeup, so I’m rarely double cleansing. —T.A.
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Neuraé
Harmonie The Oil,
$180.00
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I was already obsessed with Neuraé’s Harmonie Serum, and now their accompanying face oil is one I need to replenish immediately. It’s lightweight, softly scented, and sinks in without ever feeling greasy. It’s perfect for everyday use, but it really shines when my skin is struggling post-travel. I massage it in to revive dullness, soothe dry patches, and help rebalance my skin barrier. —L.V.
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Evolve
Travel Compact Carry On Edge Brush,
$6.00
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I wish I were one of those girls who can return home looking the exact same way I left without touch-ups, but I have accepted that I’m not, especially in the summer. You will always find an edge brush in my purse, but they’re so difficult to keep track of. Plus, it’s kind of unsettling to think about the dirty NYC air touching my home beauty utensils. This innovative carry-on brush totally solves all of my dilemmas as it’s a foldable format that I can easily stick down in ANY sized bag and whip out when I need to touch my baby hairs up. —E.W.
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About Face
The Curtain Call Set & Smooth Loose Powder,
$21.00
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I live and die by powder—it’s one of the few makeup products I use every day. However, About Face’s recently launched loose powder has been finding its way on my face more than the rest. Specifically, the bright pink shade Finale has made me get over my fear of having any rosy shade on my skin. I use it under my eyes and instantly feel prettier—and just as instantly get compliments on my makeup whenever I leave the house. A natural, feminine flush…I live! —Z.S.
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Makeup Up For Ever
“Artist Color Pencil Longwear Lip Liner “,
$24.00
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A longtime favorite of mine—creamy, long-lasting, and the shades are so good. I’ve always loved the soft nude pink of Completely Sepia, but lately I’ve been reaching for Anywhere Caffeine. It’s a go-to for so many thanks to its just-right, warm caramel nude tone. Pair with a clear or lightly tinted gloss to make lips look naturally plush. —L.V.
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metamorphosis
MagicMoon Eye Evolution,
$298.00
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I will go to the ends of the earth to find something that will improve the dark circles and eye bags that are apparently a structural part of my face. My latest find, and hopefully, possibly last, are these LED under-eye masks from Metamorphosis. They finally bring all of the clinically backed benefits of LED therapy to the area I need the most. It hasn’t been long enough to comment on all the results, but so far, my dark circles have been slowly brightening, and I generally look less rundown in the mornings. —T.A.
Everyone’s talking about what the song of the summer will be, but I’m here to say this is the scent of the summer. Despite its confectionary name, the fragrance isn’t too sweet and instead leans into its citrus notes. Like a sundress, the perfume is lightweight, airy, and pairs well with anything (particularly with woodier fragrances!). I appreciate how the fragrance develops creamy vanilla notes as it dries down, making it a comforting scent to wear every day. —I.R.
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Wildfleur
HydrO18 Triple Lipid 2.0% + Linoleic Acid Hydrating Moisturizer,
$24.00
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I’d heard great things about Wildfleur, now available at Ulta, and my first empty is their moisturizer—lightweight, bouncy, and perfect for spring and summer, especially under makeup. It features HydrO18 for deep, 24-hour hydration and lipid support, while linoleic acid helps strengthen the skin barrier by building essential lipids like ceramides, leaving my skin soft and dewy. —L.V.
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Dime
Décolletage Defining Serum,
$48.00
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I am super prone to stretch marks, and I’ve had them for as long as I can remember. Lately, I’ve been on the hunt for products that can help fade them. Though this serum is marketed for your neck, I’ve seen a noticeable difference in hyperpigmentation and stretch marks all over my body. I use it right after the shower while my skin is still damp. It absorbs immediately and is totally fragrance-free. When paired with a shower oil, it makes my skin feel extremely hydrated. —E.W.
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R+Co Bleu
Optical Illusion Smoothing Oil,
$59.00
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In the face of humidity, this lightweight oil, infused with smoothing babassu oil, shine-enhancing sunflower seed oil, and hydrating kendi oil, has been my silver bullet for frizz. Just a few drops smooth the fuzz around my crown, while enhancing definition and shine. It works wonders not just after washing, but also when I need a quick refresh, leaving my curls polished and under control. —L.V.
This product has been a game-changer for evening and brightening my skintone across my body—face, legs, arms, and beyond. Since regularly using the cleansing bar, my face has been brighter, dark spots and freckles have faded, and scars on my legs from shaving have been…well.. faded! —Z.S.
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Dove
Whole Body Deo Cooling Sprays,
$10.00
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This whole body deodorant is coming everywhere with me this summer. It has a cooling effect that leaves you instantly refreshed, and I love that it’s aluminum and baking soda-free, so I don’t have to worry about it irritating my sensitive skin. —E.K.
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AKT
The Body Wash Concentrate,
$37.00
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AKT makes me relish sweating. Yes, really. The sleek, lightweight tube of body wash is perfect for travel, and the earthy scent of The Onsen—vetiver, lavandin, citrus—turns my shower into a soothing ritual. Its gentle formula, packed with prebiotics, olive squalane, and vitamin E, cleanses without stripping. Plus, just a little mixed with water creates the perfect lather. Oh, and did I mention it’s a Best Beauty Buys winner? —L.V.
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Ourself
HA+ Replenishing Serum 15mL,
$120.00
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This soothing, all-in-one serum replaces at least three products in my routine. It features two kinds of hyaluronic acid, plus peptides, niacinamide, and vitamin C, leaving my skin hydrated, calm, and glowy, while improving its texture over time. It’s rare for me to find a vitamin C serum that doesn’t aggravate my skin. Still, I went weeks without realizing this contained any, as it leaves my skin just as soothed and hydrated as with hyaluronic acid or niacinamide alone. In the month-plus I’ve been using it, my skin has only gotten brighter and smoother. And though fine lines aren’t my primary concern, the before and after photos on the product page are shocking. —E.K.
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Kérastase
Nutritive 8H Magic Night Serum,
TK
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I have tried a ton of new products as part of my hair health journey, and only a select few have made a noticeable enough difference to become a mainstay in my routine. However, this night serum from Kérastase joined the permanent roster after one use. I’m usually not a fan of overnight products (they often make my fine hair greasy or leave residue), but this serum leaves no evidence behind. I wake up with notably softer, smoother hair in the morning every time. —K.B.
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Oribe
Oribe Mini Supershine Hydrating Shampoo,
$19.00
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When I travel, I love stashing Oribe’s travel-size products in my carry-on. They’re a little dose of luxury—from the jewel-like bottle to that signature Côte d’Azur scent—and always keep my hair happy. This mini shampoo lathers like a dream (I love really getting in there when I wash) and leaves my curls defined, soft, and super glossy. A vacation hair essential! —L.V.
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Joico
Scalp Vitality Exfoliating Foaming Scrub,
$26.00
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I am usually not a fan of scalp scrubs because they tend to result in a tangled mess on my dense, coily hair. The consistency of this one, however, makes it easy to get a good scrub in and maintain the work of my detangling process. When met with water, it foams up, matching the texture of a runny shampoo. The menthol, squalane, apricot seed powder, and nettle leaf extract really helped to relieve my inflamed, flaky scalp in one use. The formula does include proteins, which is nice for some extra strength, but may overwhelm fragile hair. —E.W.
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Femmue
Lip Sleeping Mask,
$22.00
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I’m pretty particular about lip masks—many are too goopy and slip around. But this one from K-beauty brand Femmue has become a nightstand staple (though it’s lovely for daytime, too!). A light, zesty mint layer cocoons my lips and stays put overnight thanks to its smooth, firm balm texture. Its blend of ingredients—including squalane and sunflower seed oil—soothes and hydrates, leaving my lips soft and pillowy by morning. —L.V.