The Top 5 Makeup Trends To Try This Summer

Summer is finally upon us, and along with vacations, endless sunny days, and adventurous late nights, we can also expect a few new beauty trends. When the heat of summer rolls in, our usual makeup routines go through a bit of a transformation; full coverage foundation becomes a glowy skin tint, matte lipsticks are swapped for lip oils and satin glossy finishes, and our multi-step beauty routines become more about ease and skin-loving looks. Best of all, summer invites you to play around with colors, glitters, and anything that catches the light under the sun.

This season, more so than any other, sparks a feeling of levity and fun. “There’s a noticeable gravitation towards trends that evoke a particular emotion or experience,” says makeup artist Chloe Baltimore. “This shift suggests a desire for more meaningful and evocative beauty trends that resonate on a deeper level with individuals.” We see how color and textures spark memories or positive feelings, and this summer’s trends are all about using these elements to capture the essence of the season. We talked to beauty experts to give a bit more insight into some of the makeup trends to look forward to this summer.

Orange-y Blush

orange blush imagery

The shining sun and warm weather of summertime bring a new appreciation for bright colors. Vibrant orange hues spark memories of summer sunsets and sipping Aperol spritz poolside, and the spring/summer 2024 runway shows prove that orange blush is going to be everywhere this season. Opting for peachy or orange shades looks great on all skin tones and brings a touch of radiance and warmth to your makeup look that’ll make you feel like you’re vacationing on a tropical beach no matter where you are.

Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush

Credit: Courtesy fo Fenty Beauty

e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo Liquid Blush

Credit: Courtesy of e.l.f.

Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed

Credit: Courtesy of Danessa Myricks

Pearlescent Skin

Pearl Skin imagery

We all know that summer is the season of glowing skin, but this year, instead of indulging in the golden hues that have claimed previous seasons, it’s time that we lean into cooler tones. Pearly, iridescent shades add an ethereal, angelic veil to your makeup look, whether it be through your highlighter or eyeshadows. “Holographic shades are all the rage, offering versatility and a luminous glow that provides a radiant look without causing excess oil production,” says Baltimore. “Varying shades can attract and reflect light at the perfect angles, providing a strategically placed glow and dimension.” Go for a glittery opal eyeshadow to give your look a subtle flare or try a pearly liquid highlighter for a “glow from within” shine.

Makeup By Mario Soft Glow Highlighter

Credit: Courtesy of Makeup by Mario

Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick

Credit: Courtesy of Westman Atelier

Danessa Myricks Beauty Hyper Radiant Liquid Highlighter

Credit: Courtesy of Danessa Myricks

Sun Kissed Blush

If you want a quick way to change up your makeup look, there’s a good chance all you need to do is experiment with blush. From shades to intensity to placement, blush is a versatile product that can completely transform your makeup. This summer, sunkissed—or doll blush, as TikTok has coined it—is the season’s hottest trend. “Flushes of pink and red on the cheeks, lips, and eyes seem to be quite universally popular for the summer, inspired by captivating trends like ‘strawberry’ and ‘cherry girl makeup,’” says Baltimore. “These dynamic color choices not only evoke the spirited essence of summer, but also mirror the natural radiance we embody during the warmer months—effortlessly glistening and flushed with vitality.”

The look comes to life by forming a gradient from the undereye area that intensifies as it reaches your cheeks. To achieve this look, add a bit of liquid blush to the under-eye area, similar to how you would concealer, and blend it in completely. Then, add more blush to the highest point of your cheeks and continue blending to complete the gradient look. This gives you a pinkish tint across the center of your face for the perfect sunkissed finish.

Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo

Credit: Courtesy of Patrick Ta

Saie Dew Blush

Credit: Courtesy of Saie Beauty

Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Cheek Tint

Credit: Courtesy of Giorgio Armani

Glitter Bomb

Glitter Bomb Imagery

Glistening lips are a must for continuing the glowy summer vibe we know and love this season. A glitter gloss will give your summer makeup a little something extra and is the perfect finishing touch for any look. If you want to take it a step further, tap a glittery highlighter onto your cupid’s bow and the center of your lips and top it with a gloss!

Pat McGrath Labs Lip Gloss

Credit: Courtesy of Pat McGrath

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer

Credit: Courtesy of Fenty Beauty

Isamaya Beauty Maximizing Lip Serum

Credit: Courtesy of Isamaya Beauty

Seeing Green

seeing green imagery

As we predicted earlier this year, 2024 beauty is bringing along with it a resurgence of maximalism. Green shadows have been all over TikTok feeds as a bold and fun addition to makeup looks. Known to be the color of renewal and growth, it makes sense that everyone is seeing green this summer. Bold colors reignite a playfulness and excitement that the new season will only amplify.