A Texas Girlfriend’s Guide to Beauty: The State’s Leading Ladies Reveal Their Best Tips and Tricks

Seldom is there a better resource for sublime beauty products than girlfriends, BFFs who know their way around La Mer and La Prairie and who know the difference between a stinky self-tanning lotion and a divine tanner sans odor.

In fact, I recall a girlfriends birthday lunch last year that before the cake had arrived, the conversation had turned to body lotion, mascara, moisturizer and an entire litany of skincare and beauty products. So lively and convincing was the beauty talk that before the sun had set, more than a few of the dozen femmes had headed to Sephora or Neiman’s or Saks for a  handful of  miracles in a jar.

For the record, the winner in the self-tanning arena that day was Kate Somerville’s self-tanning towelettes. And that is our first beauty tip of the day.

For this article, we surveyed a handful of savvy women, who know a thing or two about beauty regimens and products. Below are their recommendations and thoughts.

Amy Lee

Self-tanner: St. Tropez Self-Tanner because it doesn’t really smell bad. The mousse is easy to put on evenly and it gives you a nice and natural looking color.

Body lotion: Aveeno is my go-to body lotion because it absorbs nicely and gives you soft skin for 24 hours. I use it right after a shower.

Face moisturizer: I change it up, but currently, I am using Natura Bisse Vitamin C+C Cream with a Vitamin C serum to help repair sun damage.

Summer makeup foundation: I am a big fan of MAC Studio Fix combo foundation and powder. It’s not too cakey and gives a nice smooth finish.

Best way to beat the heat: A ticket out of town. But if you can’t do that, then I suggest lots and lots of water, good air-conditioning and an early evening swim when the sun has gone down.

Kristy Bradshaw

Self-tanner:  One of the benefits of being Cuban is having a perpetual tan year-round, so no self-tanning products for me.

Body lotion: I LOVE Kai body lotion. It’s substantial without feeling greasy. I also alternate with Houston’s own Parry Botanicals. Houstonian mom and entrepreneur Elizabeth Parry developed this non-allergenic, chemical-free lotion that is amazing.

Face moisturizer: I have been using Clinique’s moisturizer since I was 13. Old habits die hard! For bedtime, I use Avene Extremely Rich Compensating Creme. A local dermatologist turned me on to this french brand. I’ve slowly transitioned nearly all my products to them. The evening cream feels so good and it’s made a big difference in my skin each morning.

Summer makeup foundation: The Avene High Protection Tinted Compact is by far the best combo powder/foundation I have ever used. And it is SPF 50!

Best way to beat the heat: Other than leaving town, wear light colors, drink lots of water and indulge in plentiful air conditioning. And, also, remind myself how wonderful our winters are.

Patti Murphy

Self-tanner: A great way to add some color is to mix L’Oreal Sublime Bronzer into your body lotion or moisturizer. It ads a hint of color without being overwhelming.

Body lotion: Clarins body lotions.

Face moisturizer: Yonka Creme PS

Summer foundation: I like the weight of Clinique for a light base makeup in the summer. Then, to top it off, I have discovered a great liquid bronzer by Chanel.

Best way to beat the heat: Staying cool during a Houston summer is a state of mind. I wear light clothing, put my hair up a lot and spend time by the coast boating and swimming. Of course, a good mojito or wine spritzer always does the trick.

Hannah McNair

Self-tanner: I don’t use any.

Favorite body lotion: Adoptive body moisturizer by Beauty Counter. I have dry skin and have tried so many lotions. This one I can feel and see results overnight.

Face moisturizer: Beauty Counter facial oil number 1.

Summer foundation: I use a tinted sunscreen from Beauty Counter, then apply a Color Science power sunscreen on top. I try to use products that don’t have a lot of bad chemicals in them.

Best way to beat the heat: The swimming pool and air-conditioning.

Kelli Kickerillo

Self-tanner: For my face, I love adding Tan-Luxe drops to my moisturizer. The color develops overnight. For instant color on my face, I use Charlotte Tilbury‘s Health Glow. It’s a cool product that washes right off.

For my body, I keep going back to St. Tropez sunless tanners. They have a ton of different options — gel, mousse, lotion. I love their One Night Only Instant Bronzer for a quick solution on my legs. It’s a wash off formula so if there are mistakes, you aren’t committed.

Body lotion: Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Lotion

Face moisturizer: I use Elta MD‘s UV Daily Broad Spectrum sunscreen as my everyday moisturizer under makeup after I use SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF antioxidant treatment. At night, I religiously use Avene’s Cicalfate mixed with their Calm Mask. I’ve tried others and this is my go-to combo.

Summer foundation: Ninety percent of the time, I use It Cosmetics CC Cream. It is a holy grail product for me and my mom. It has SPF 50 and gives excellent coverage. The other 10 percent of the time, I have been using Laura Mercier’s Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation, a new find that I love. It’s very light and beautiful. It doesn’t have any SPF, so I tend to use it at night.

Best way to beat the heat: My strategy for staying cool in Houston’s summers is leaving Houston! But in all seriousness, beauty-wise I stash as many beauty products as I can in the fridge. I keep a rose quartz face roller, a few masks and eye creams in my refrigerator and use them first thing in the morning. Also, I keep Supergoop‘s Setting Mist in my bag. It’s SPF 50 and helps add sun protection during the day over my make-up.

Christina Stith

Self-tanner: In all honesty, I haven’t used a self-tanning product since high school . . . I still tan the old-fashioned way: poolside.

Body lotion: Eucerin.

Face moisturizer: CeraVe PM

Summer foundation: Lune + Aster‘s CC Cream. It has SPF 50 for sun protection, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid and buckthorn for hydration.

Best way to beat the heat: Drinking lots of water during the day and finding patios with powerful fans for a glass of rosé or Ranch Water after work. Most effective strategy though is heading to the mountains during late July or early August.

Joanna Marks

Self-tanner: I don’t use any self-tanners. I do get an occasional spray tan.

Body lotion: Rodan & Fields Essential Lotion

Face moisturizer: Rodan & fields skincare. If I am outside, I use Colorscience tinted moisturizer.

Best way to beat the heat: Take a dip in the pool or leave town.