We’ve officially arrived at the dog days of summer, a notoriously hot time that often correlates with a touch of beauty burnout. The excitement of playing with trends as the seasons transition has all but worn off by now. So, if you find yourself in desperate need of a quick, easy refresh, dig into one of our favorite kinds of shopping round-ups: the best Target summer beauty buys.
To whittle it down to just 20 picks in the retailer’s vast selection, we focused on best sellers. The products below have hundreds—sometimes thousands—of glowing five-star reviews, backing up the idea that less expensive doesn’t always mean bad quality (just like expensive doesn’t always guarantee good quality). We’ve even thrown in a few of our own tried-and-true affordable favorites, as well as recommendations we’ve culled from beauty experts through the years.
Ahead, shop the best Target summer beauty items—all priced below $30. Organized by hair products, makeup, and skincare, these highly-rated faves have everything you need for an instant summer glow-up.
Every product is curated with care by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
Feature image by Michelle Nash.
The Best Target Summer Beauty Items: Hair Products
Sun Bum SPF 30 Scalp and Hair Mist
Protect yourself from head to toe with this vegan mist that smells like summer in a bottle.
A well-loved kit that travels beautifully—and lets you test a few products to find your favorite.
A luxe product to tackle tangles throughout the summer season.
Kristin Ess Style Assist Large Detangling Hair Brush
Let your hair down all summer long with a brush that prompted one reviewer to say, “I don’t understand how this is the best brush I have ever used, but yet here we are.”
Keep your hair in prime condition during your travels—or just give roots a refreshing lift on a hot summer afternoon.
The Best Target Summer Beauty Items: Makeup
Honest Beauty Extreme Length 2-in-1 Mascara and Lash Primer
Make this the summer you finally remember to prime your lashes pre-mascara swipe.
Honest Beauty Extreme Length 2-in-1 Mascara and Lash Primer with Jojoba Esters, $16.99
Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer
A contouring powder (and Allure Best of Beauty winner) that smells just like a piña colada.
Real Techniques Sponge+ Miracle Complexion Sponge
A new season calls for a fresh beauty sponge. This beloved blender just so happens to come in the sunniest shade.
Urban Decay 24:7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
Honestly, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen an eyeliner (or any makeup product) with this many emphatically positive reviews. The consensus: luscious colors and easy to swipe on.
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Aging Perfector
A BB cream with SPF is a summer girl’s effortless beauty best friend.
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Aging Perfector with Retinol and Broad Spectrum SPF 20, $13
L’Oreal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Eyebrow Mechanical Pencil
I once paid a pretty penny for a brow pencil at Neiman Marcus and trust me, this works just as well. Put your best brows forward this summer (and every season going forward).
L’Oreal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Eyebrow Mechanical Pencil, $8.49
For summer days that call for a bit more than BB cream, “putty primer” might sound a little… gunky. But the reviews for this bestseller don’t lie: The pore-blurring primer stacks up to its pricier competition.
L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer
Some summer days, all you need is a swipe of tinted, glowy goodness.
L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer, $12.99
The Best Target Summer Beauty Items: Skincare
Holler and Glow Purrfect Pedi Foot Mask
Get your feet in tip-top shape for sandal season with this hard-working enzyme foot peel.
“Forget paying $25 for the competition, this one works just as well,” aesthetician Reanne Kelly (AKA @The.Master.Aesthetician) shared with us last year.
Dove Beauty White Moisturizing Beauty Bar Soap
Beauty bars are having a moment, so why not invest in the skincare hero that started it all.
PanOxyl Maximum Strength Antimicrobial Acne Foaming Wash
Another Kelly recommendation, this benzoyl peroxide-packed formula is perfect for anyone suffering from acne—whether you’re dealing with a slick t-zone or dreaded backne this summer.
“The trick is you must leave it on for a couple of minutes to reap the benefits,” Kelly shared. “Start off low and slow, see how skin reacts, and add on more time if needed/tolerated.”
PanOxyl Maximum Strength Antimicrobial Acne Foaming Wash for Face, $9.49
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Original Acne Pimple Patches
The next best thing to popping a pimple is slapping one of Hero’s fast-working patches on it. Wear them overnight and wake up to clearer skin, or sport them during the day (they’ll blend right in).
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Original Acne Pimple Patches, $8.99
Bio-Oil Skincare Oil for Scars and Stretchmarks
Summer is a time when you want to put your best skin forward. This natural body oil locks in moisture, reduces the appearance of scars or stretch marks, and has hundreds of glowing reviews—we’ll take it.
Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin
Another recommendation from Kelly, this pretty spray deploys rosewater to soothe skin and glycerin to lock in moisture. “It’s a great toner that doesn’t dry you out and an amazing mist throughout the day,” Kelly added.
The derm-loved drugstore staple features a powerful blend of ceramides and hyaluronic acid to protect your skin’s natural barrier and keep things hydrated all summer long.
