Inside the Brain of a WWW Beauty Editor—5 Summer Mood Boards With Endless
Whether we're reviewing the latest Chanel nail polish shades or ranking luxury skincare brands, you can expect informed beauty news underlined with a refined sense of style from your Who What Wear beauty editors. Our weeks involve mingling with celebrity makeup artists and wading ankle-deep through the latest and greatest beauty products, allowing us to forecast seasonal beauty trends with a critical eye—of course, taking bits and pieces of insider intel and applying them to our personal styles in the process.
There's not much we're not willing to try, including $2700 high-powered facial lasers and fiancé-shared fragrance collections in the name of journalism. All this to say, we're not scared to switch up our beauty regimens every once in a while. In heated anticipation for summer, I polled our fashion-forward beauty team on their summer mood boards—and their sun-soaked visions did not disappoint. From slicked-back sultry updos to runway-inspired makeup looks, these are the vibes (and the exact products we're eyeing) that have been living rent-free in our minds.
"If I had a summer beauty slogan, it would have to be 'a dash of whimsy.' Think bare, dewy skin with a flick of seafoam green shadow à la Collina Strada; short, square nails glazed with holographic glitter; or loose, textured strands adorned with a ginormous hair clip—just a kiss of something eccentric to catch the eye. I’m not one to opt for a full beat on a weekly basis, and certainly not during summer when the mere thought of applying foundation or plugging in a blow-dryer makes me want to melt into a sweat puddle, so committing to just one girly accent feels at once attainable and playful—and a little Miu Miu coded, might I add."
Shop the Board
Ilia
Eye Stylus Shadow Stick in Adorn
Dior
Diorshow 5 Couleurs Eye Shadow Palette in Pink Riviera
Essie
Metallics Nail Polish in Set in Stones
Sophie Buhai
White & Beige Fan Shell Hair Clip
Byredo
Eyeshadow Palette in Syren
Kosas
Cloud Set Airy Setting Spray + Smoothing Mist
"Growing up in the snowy Midwest, I lived for the short summer season and the warm, sun-soaked days it would bring with it. Now that I'm back living in my hometown, my summer beauty aesthetic is the same as it was all those years ago. It's set smack-dab between Mamma Mia and Dirty Dancing—think a dreamy, sun-drenched Mediterranean escape mixed with a sepia-tinged, '80s-inspired retreat in the north. I want to listen to ABBA under the bright sun on the beach, yet end the night drinking lemonade and watching the fireflies from my front porch as if I were staying at Kellerman's (IYKYK).
"As such, my summer beauty look tends to be carefree. I let the natural wave of my hair do its thing. I load up on SPF but go light on makeup. I don't worry about getting my nails done (unless I'm painting them myself while sitting on the floor next to an open window). Blame it on some deep-seated nostalgia, but I like to have fun with my summer beauty routine and channel the youthful exuberance of years past, whether that means wearing body shimmer, lining my lids with a pop of bright blue, or not getting too worked up if my lip combo melts away with the vanilla ice cream cone in my hand."
Shop the Board
Nuxe
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Shimmer Multi-Purpose Dry Oil
Victoria Beckham Beauty
Eye Wear Longwear Eyeshadow Stick in Cornflower
The 7 Virtues
Coconut Sun Eau De Parfum
Henry Rose
Windows Down Eau De Parfum With Grapefruit + Bergamot
Vacation
Classic Lotion SPF 50 Sunscreen
Rhode
Pocket Blush in Toasted Teddy
"Right now, I'm all about leaning into natural textures and tones in my wardrobe and want to do a similar thing for my approach to beauty. Rather than worrying about a base makeup routine that provides full coverage, I'll be embracing my natural glow by pivoting to products that are comfortable to wear, long-lasting, and have skin-loving, active ingredients that will work hard to improve my skin while I'm relaxing on the California coastline.
"This summer will also be dedicated to some much-needed R&R away from the hustle and bustle of city life, so I'll be revamping my bodycare collection with hydrating, essential oil–infused lotions that pair perfectly with my perfume. And you can bet I'll be wearing as many peony-inspired accessories as I can to celebrate my favorite flower's season. (I just saw my first peony bouquet at the bodega recently and almost cried.) So if anyone asks, I'll be having a Nancy Meyers meets Meghan Markle kind of summer!"
