How to Transition Your Beauty Routine for Summer

As the seasons change, so should your beauty routine. Just like you swap out your wardrobe for summer—trading sweaters for sundresses—your skin, hair, and makeup also need a warm-weather refresh. From longer days under the sun to higher humidity and increased exposure to elements like chlorine and saltwater, summer can bring a variety of challenges. But it also opens up an opportunity to embrace lighter, breezier beauty rituals that enhance your natural glow.

At Moored Beauty School, we believe that understanding seasonal transitions is a key part of becoming a beauty professional. Whether you’re a student, alum, or beauty lover, this guide will walk you through how to transition your skincare, haircare, and makeup routines for the summer season—and look and feel radiant all summer long.

Why Seasonal Changes Matter in Beauty

Your skin and hair are sensitive to environmental changes. In the winter, you may deal with dryness due to cold air and indoor heating. In the summer, you’ll often battle sweat, oiliness, frizz, and UV damage. These shifting conditions require new ingredients, updated routines, and smarter techniques.

Making seasonal updates to your beauty regimen isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s also about protecting your skin and hair from long-term damage and ensuring that your products continue to work as intended.

Step 1: Lighten Up Your Skincare Routine

Summer = lightweight skincare. The hot, humid weather makes rich, heavy creams feel sticky and can clog pores. Instead, think hydration without the heaviness.

Tips to transition your skincare:

• Switch to a gel-based cleanser: Foaming or gel cleansers can help remove sweat and oil without stripping the skin.
• Use a lightweight moisturizer: Look for water-based or gel moisturizers with hyaluronic acid to keep skin hydrated without feeling greasy.
• Apply sunscreen daily: A broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher is non-negotiable. Choose a non-comedogenic formula to avoid breakouts.
• Add antioxidants: Vitamin C serums can protect your skin from sun-induced damage and help fade dark spots.
• Exfoliate—but don’t overdo it: Use a gentle exfoliant 1–2 times per week to clear away buildup from sweat, sunscreen, and dead skin cells.

Bonus tip: Keep a facial mist in your bag for mid-day refreshment. It’s a small luxury that cools you down and rehydrates your skin on the go.

Step 2: Simplify Your Makeup Look

During the summer, minimal makeup reigns supreme. Your skin’s natural glow is at its peak, and wearing too much makeup can feel uncomfortable and melt in the heat.

Summer makeup swaps:

• Use a tinted moisturizer or BB cream: Ditch the full-coverage foundation and let your skin breathe.
• Switch to cream formulas: Cream blushes, bronzers, and eyeshadows blend more easily and give a dewy finish.
• Go waterproof: Choose waterproof mascara, eyeliner, and brow products to prevent smudging in the heat or pool.
• Try a setting spray with SPF: Two-in-one protection and staying power.
• Blotting papers > powder: Instead of caking on powder, use blotting papers to remove excess oil without disturbing your makeup.

Color trends for summer: Think coral cheeks, golden highlighters, glossy lips, and soft pastel eyeshadow. These hues complement tanned skin and feel light and playful.

Step 3: Protect and Hydrate Your Hair

Your hair also reacts to summer heat, humidity, UV rays, saltwater, and chlorine. These factors can strip moisture, dull color, and increase frizz.

Haircare routine adjustments:

• Use a clarifying shampoo once a week: It helps remove sweat, sunscreen, and product buildup.
• Deep condition regularly: Hydrating masks or leave-in treatments can restore moisture lost to the sun.
• Apply a UV protectant: Just like your skin, your hair needs sun protection. Use a UV-protectant spray or serum, especially if you color your hair.
• Air-dry more often: Skip the heat tools when you can and embrace your natural texture. Try braids, buns, or beach waves instead.
• Trim frequently: Summer damage can lead to split ends. Regular trims keep hair looking fresh and healthy.

Styling tip: Embrace protective styles like loose braids, buns, and scarves to reduce breakage and maintain shine.

Step 4: Focus on Body Skincare

It’s tank top and shorts season, which means more skin exposure—and more attention to body care.

Warm-weather body care tips:

• Exfoliate weekly: Slough off dead skin to keep your skin glowing and prep for self-tanner.
• Moisturize with a lightweight lotion or body gel: Look for aloe vera or coconut water-based formulas that absorb quickly.
• Use SPF everywhere: Don’t forget often-missed areas like the back of the neck, hands, feet, and ears.
• Shave smarter: Shave in the evening, and use a soothing aloe gel or oil to prevent razor bumps and irritation.
• Add shimmer for a glow-up: A subtle body shimmer or glow lotion can enhance your tan and make skin look radiant.

Step 5: Nail Your Summer Mani & Pedi

Summer is the time for bold polish and sandal-ready feet.

Trending summer nail colors:

• Bright coral
• Neon pink
• Tropical turquoise
• Pastel lavender
• Sunshine yellow
• Classic white

Pro nail tips:

• Use a base coat to prevent staining.
• Always finish with a top coat to protect from chipping and UV rays.
• Try gel polish for long-lasting wear—perfect for beach days and travel.
• Hydrate cuticles with oil to prevent cracking and peeling.

At Moored Beauty School, nail technology is one of our specialties—so don’t be afraid to experiment with nail art like floral prints, beachy gradients, or metallic accents.

Step 6: Reevaluate Your Tools & Products

As you adjust your routine, make sure your beauty tools and products are up to the challenge of summer.

• Clean your brushes weekly: More sweat and product = more bacteria. Use a gentle cleanser or baby shampoo.
• Swap out expired sunscreen and makeup: Sunscreen doesn’t last forever—check the expiration date!
• Switch to lighter fragrances: Ditch heavy musks and opt for floral, citrus, or aquatic scents.
• Use silk pillowcases: They’re cooler on hot nights and reduce hair breakage and skin creasing.

Step 7: Hydrate From the Inside Out

No beauty routine can fully work if you’re dehydrated. The body needs water to maintain healthy skin, hair, and nails—especially in the summer heat.

Hydration hacks:

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day (aim for at least 8 glasses).
• Eat water-rich foods like watermelon, cucumber, oranges, and strawberries.
• Avoid excessive caffeine or alcohol, which can dehydrate you.
• Consider a skin-supporting supplement like collagen or biotin—ask your dermatologist first.

Bonus: Summer Travel Beauty Tips

Heading to the beach, camping, or going abroad? Travel-friendly beauty routines are essential.

Pack smart:

• Travel-sized SPF and skincare
• Multipurpose products (e.g., tinted lip balm with SPF)
• Hair ties, dry shampoo, and mini detangling brush
• Hydrating sheet masks for after flights
• Compact mirror and tweezers

Keep it simple on the road. Focus on hydration, protection, and a few key products that help you feel fresh and confident.

Learn Seasonal Skincare and More at Moored Beauty School

If you love learning how to care for your skin and hair through the seasons, imagine turning that passion into a career. At Moored Beauty School, we teach students how to become confident professionals who understand both the science and art of beauty. From cosmetology to nail technology, skincare, and more, our programs are built to give you real-world skills—season after season.

Our students not only learn technical training, but also how to stay ahead of trends, educate clients, and build a career that grows with them.

Your Summer Beauty Reset

Summer beauty is about embracing ease, glow, and protection. Transitioning your beauty routine doesn’t mean starting over—it means working smarter, using the right products, and listening to your skin and hair’s changing needs.

Whether you’re lounging poolside, heading to work, or studying at Moored Beauty School, you deserve to feel your best all summer long. So grab your SPF, lighten your load, and let your beauty routine shine as bright as the sun.

Want to learn more?
Follow Moored Beauty School on instagram for seasonal beauty tips, student showcases, and upcoming enrollment info. Or contact us to book a tour and explore how you can start a future in the beauty industry.