New York City is experiencing an intense heat wave. It's so hot and humid that commuting to the InStyle office feels like intense cardio. So, as far as our beauty routines are concerned, we're all about the products that help us move through the sweltering weather smoothly and worry-free.
From a botanical-laced cleansing balm to a must-have detangling spray, shop the 13 products InStyle editors can't get enough of here.
Eve Lom Cleanser, $145.00 Shop Now
The warm, herbal scent of Eve Lom’s OG cleanser is one of the most nostalgic as a beauty editor—it reminds me of when I was first starting out and raiding the beauty closet! A blend of shea butter and Egyptian chamomile, clove, and eucalyptus oils, it remains one of my favorite melts-everything-off balms of all time. I love the sensorial ritual of warming it up in my fingers, massaging it into my face, and using a hot, damp muslin cloth to maximize the cleansing and exfoliating benefits. It’s so relaxing and refreshing before bed. — Lauren Valenti, beauty director
e.l.f. Bronzing Drops, $12.00 Shop Now
When the temps climb above 90°F and the humidity is high enough to make walking feel like swimming, foundation is the last thing I want on my face. Instead, I reach for these bronzing drops. After I apply SPF, I rub a few drops of them all over my face. It adds color while blurring my skin, acting as an IRL filter. My heatwave beat is lightweight and easy, topped with concealer, blush, and setting powder. — Kara Jillian Brown, beauty editor
Phlur Vanilla Skin Eau de Parfum, $99.00 Shop Now
I'm not a vanilla perfume fan typically—amber and florals forever—but this one lured me in. It's less of your body has become a bakery and more of a your natural skin scent is vanilla. Mixed with cashmere and woody notes, it's subtle yet layered and I have worn the perfume daily since it launched. — Shannon Bauer, associate editorial director
Clinique Limited Edition Black Honey High Impact Mascara, $26.00 Shop Now
I've tried but have never stuck to using a mascara that wasn't black. Clinique's Black Honey mascara is a brownish, slightly purple mascara that makes my eyes brighter and more awake. The formula is natural-looking, like my regular lashes, but subtly longer and thicker. — Tamim Alnuweiri, senior beauty writer
Dr. Loretta Universal Glow Daily Defense Mineral SPF 40, $60.00 Shop Now
If you need the perfect mineral sunscreen to wear blissfully carefree under makeup, look no further. Dr. Loretta’s formula glides on like silk and has a perfect pinky tint that leaves my skin looking miraculously radiant instead of dull and chalky. But what truly sets it apart? It doesn't pill or add too much shine, making it ideal for extended wear and reapplication throughout the day. — L.V.
Shani Darden Triple Acid Signature Peel, $125.00 Shop Now
This peel has been part of my beauty routine for over a year now—and I can't live without it. In a perfect world, I'd use it weekly. But realistically, it's more like every other week. It helps me keep the hormonal acne around my chin at bay and recover from the occasional night spent in my makeup. I will note that this is not for those with sensitive skin. Frankly, it stings a lot. But for me, the results are worth it. If you've never used an intensive peel, shelf this until fall when sun exposure decreases. — K.J.B.
Huda Beauty Blush Filter Soft Glow Liquid Blush, $21.00 Shop Now
I have been a blush girly for far longer than its been a trend but until a year ago, I was almost exclusively wearing powder. My newest obsession, and the one that finally made me like a liquid formula (I know, I know), is Huda Beauty's Blush Filter. I swipe, tap the formula with my fingers, and go—over foundation or just sunscreen it still looks beautiful. Cotton Candy and Strawberry Cream are my favorite for a natural-looking flush. — S.B.
Crown Affair Air Dry Mousse, $38.00 Shop Now
Every hairstylist from NYC to Poughkeepsie has essentially banned me from using hot tools until I can whip my weakened strands back into shape. I’ve tried countless heatless air-dry creams and serums, but this weightless mousse has become the winner for defining my natural wavy hair. It dissolves upon contact on my damp strands and gives my mane body, bounce, and a gorgeous texture that holds all day. Plus, I can actually touch my hair without coming away with the sticky residue most mousses leave behind. When it’s particularly humid, I apply the Flexible Hold Finishing Gel to my more wayward strands and fashion them into coils with my fingers. Effortless, truly! — Irene Richardson, commerce writer
Dundas Beauty Day to Night Eye Pencil, $18.00 Shop Now
From spring through this summer’s first heat wave, I’ve used this dual-sided pencil down to the nubs. The white side, both on its own and in tandem with the classic black, is great for brightening your eyes as it neutralizes redness. The richly pigmented black side is creamy, yet waterproof, making it ideal for a lived-in liner look that won’t melt down your face in this soupy weather. — L.V.
dae Mirage Mist Leave-In Conditioner, $30.00 Shop Now
A few weeks ago I left my boho braids in a ponytail for…far too long. This led to intense tangles that took a ton of combing to get out. The only thing that allowed me to free my hair of tangles was this detangling mist. It provides amazing slip to help you remove knots without loosing too much hair in the process. Bonus: It smells divine. — K.J.B.
Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter, $36.00 Shop Now
Josie Maran's body butters and I go way back. I have lost count of how many tubs of the whipped oil goodness I have gone through in the last decade. The scent Topless Tangerine is my go-to for summer. It's the ideal product to smooth on after that post-beach shower while you're sipping a chilled white wine before dinner—you know the vibes. Super hydrated skin and a glow with no shimmer? There's nothing better. — S.B.
ciele. tint & protect SPF 50, $44.00 Shop Now
I'm on an endless quest for the perfect face makeup, whether it's a self-setting foundation or a lightweight tinted moisturizer. This heavily depends on the season, of course, but my Roman Empire product would ideally be able to transition from season to season with me. I'm happy to say that I've found that in Ciele's tint & Protect SPF 50+. It's a tinted serum that doubles as a "pollutant-fighting daily skin protector"—according to the brand—and not only does it blend in perfectly, but it lasts all day without shine or smudge. — Samantha Brash, director of content strategy
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer, $21.00 Shop Now
A regular in my lip rotation, Fenty Beauty’s Gloss Bomb has it all. It’s smooth and non-sticky while supplying gorgeous shimmering color in shades like warm gold Champ Stamp Fantasy (my personal go-to!) and copper brown Hot Chocolit. I also love how cushiony the ludicrously capacious doe tip applicator feels on the lips. Lastly, fair warning: Its light peachy-vanilla scent is truly addictive, — L.V.
The Hair Edit Brilliant Cuff, $14.00 Shop Now
The Hair Edit never disappoints. They carry the cutest and chicest hair accessories, like this cuff. It's attached to a hair tie, allowing you to easily make any ponytail look like a thoughtful and intentional style. — K.J.B.
Lash Food Makeup Eraser Pen, $18.00 Shop Now
I have always been an eyeliner girl, and my secret to refining it is this makeup eraser. It's too much to ask of a person to make sure their cat eye looks perfect. For those moments when you have a shaky hand or distracted mind, this eraser comes in handy to clean up the edges and keep everything looking sharp! — Kelly Chiello, associate photo director
Aveda Be Curly Advanced Co-Wash, $50.00 Shop Now
Co-washing—a.k.a. “conditioner-only washing”—is part of my hair-care routine year-round, but becomes all the more integral in summer. This is because I need to wash my hair more often, but I don’t want to overdo it and strip my hair of its natural oils. It’s about keeping my curls strong, bouncy, and silky to the touch. Between wash days, using Aveda’s gently cleansing and citrus-scented Be Curly Advance formula (laced with nourishing kokum seed butter and baobab seed oil) has helped me do just that. — L.V.