Carly Cardellino’s Top Summer Beauty Tips: Silky Skin, Chip-Free Nails & More

Get Carly Cardellino’s expert summer beauty hacks for flawless skin, hair, and nails—all season long.

By Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach
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Summer brings sunshine, vacations, and a whole new set of beauty challenges—from heat-induced breakouts to stubborn stubble and fading nail polish. Few know how to weather the season with style quite like Carly Cardellino, Cosmopolitan’s Beauty Director. In this comprehensive guide, Carly shares her favorite summer beauty tips, must-have products, and can’t-miss rituals that keep her looking and feeling gorgeous—even on the hottest days.

Extra-Silky Legs: The Secret to a Fresh Shave

Carly’s first tip for summer is all about smooth, silky legs that last. “The key is not just the razor, but how you prep and finish,” she says. Here are her top steps for a flawless shave:

  • Choose a high-quality, well-designed razor—Carly recommends the Venus Platinum Razor for a close, irritation-free shave.
  • Always exfoliate first. Slough away dead skin cells for a smoother canvas.
  • Shave at the end of your shower when pores are open and hair is softened by steam.
  • Rinse your razor frequently in hot water to avoid clogging.
  • Finish with a hydrating body lotion—smooth skin, all day, every day.

Carly emphasizes that taking a few extra minutes in the shower can mean the difference between stubble and satin-smooth legs for days.

Chip-Free, Summer-Ready Nails

For Carly, a perfect summer look isn’t complete without chip-free nails. “Even when you don’t feel put together, you can look polished with pristine nails,” she says. Her tips for extending the life of your manicure:

  • Always carry your favorite nude or bright nail polish for quick touch-ups. A little polish in your bag can fix chips in seconds and keep your hands looking on-trend.
  • Apply a base coat to prevent stains and strengthen nails.
  • Seal the deal with a top coat every couple of days—this prolongs shine and color.
  • Avoid hot water and gloves during chores to minimize wear.

Gorgeous, SPF-Protected Skin

Protecting your skin from the sun is a non-negotiable for Carly. “I need to wear SPF to shield my skin, but I hate layering heavy products,” she explains. Her trick? A multi-tasking moisturizer with built-in sun protection.

  • Carly’s go-to is the Olay Luminous Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25—a 3-in-1 formula that hydrates, primes, and defends against UV rays.
  • Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, especially if you’re swimming or sweating.
  • For acne-prone skin, she advises avoiding heavy layers and opting for non-comedogenic, lightweight textures.

For Carly, this streamlined routine means dewy, protected skin without the hassle—perfect for beach days or city escapes.

Streak-Free, Sunless Summer Glow

While Carly loves a sun-kissed look, she’s adamant about avoiding UV damage. “I prefer my glow out of the bottle,” she laughs. Her favorite method for a natural tan without the mess:

ProductHow to UseWhy Carly Loves It
St. Tropez In-Shower Gradual TanApply in the shower, rinse after 3 minutesNo weird smell, no stains, quick development, natural color

Carly recommends exfoliating before application, using a mitt for even coverage, and moisturizing daily to extend your faux tan.

Effortless, Sexy Hair: The Wet Look

A signature for Carly is the “wet look” hairstyle—a chic, heat-proof way to keep hair off your face without resorting to a bun. Here’s how she achieves it:

  • Start with wet hair, then apply a foam conditioner from roots to ends. Carly swears by Pantene Sheer Volume Foam Conditioner for lightweight moisture and hold.
  • Push hair behind the ears, let it dry naturally, and finish with a touch of oil on the ends for shine.
  • This style works day or night—effortless, sexy, and practical for summer humidity.

The foam conditioner trick is especially great for those with fine or easily weighed-down hair, as it offers hold and hydration without heaviness.

Carly’s Must-Have Products for Summer

Carly reveals the products she can’t live without during the summer months:

  • Olay Luminous Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25 – A 3-in-1 moisturizer, primer, and sunscreen for a streamlined routine.
  • Venus Platinum Razor – For a silky-smooth, irritation-free shave.
  • Pantene Sheer Volume Foam Conditioner – For the ultimate wet-look hairstyle and easy summer conditioning.
  • St. Tropez In-Shower Gradual Tan – A mess-free, odorless, quick-developing tanning solution.

Bonus: Carly’s Quick Makeup Routine

When time is tight, Carly relies on a five-product “five-minute face” for a polished, natural look:

Sneha Tete
Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

Read full bio of Sneha Tete