After what feels like an eternity of quarantine skincare, and minimal zoom-meeting makeup, this summer promises a much-needed return to bold, fun makeup.
There’s nothing like warmer weather to make you want to go out and look your best, and these 8 makeup trends are on standby to give you the ultimate summer glam. We spoke to top makeup experts including L’Oréal Paris US Makeup Artist & Creative Director Sir John, Garnier Beauty Consultant Millie Morales and Urban Decay Global Makeup Artist Steve Kassajikian who shared their predictions for this summer’s top makeup trends.
“I’m trying to be optimistic and hopeful that by the summer, mask mandates may be lifted and we may not be required to wear one at all times. If this is the case, it’s going to be a serious summer of statement lips,” Sir John tells ELLE.
Along with statement lips, pastel eyes and bold brows are poised to be some of the most popular makeup trends this summer.
In the spirit of optimism and looking forward to warmer, brighter days, below is your expert guide to this summer’s hottest trends.
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The no-makeup-makeup look isn’t going anywhere, if anything it’s getting an update. Be prepared to see lots of minimal makeup that highlights natural skin this summer. “It’s all about lightweight base makeup and next to nothing skin, which is always great for warm weather and mask-wearing,” says Sir John.
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Since the normalization of face masks last spring, it’s been all about the eyes. As the temperature rises, eyeshadow looks will only get brighter and more elaborate. For Makeup Forever Pro Artist & Educator, Eddie Duyos, this means adding texture to your eye looks by adding pop art washes of color across the lid with two multi-texture liners.
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All hail the bright and playful lip! Soft nudes and browns are taking a backseat this summer as vibrant coral and pastel hues come out to play. “Colors like bright pinks, bold reds, popping corals are a sure win for the season, says Duyos. “Matte or very high pigmented formulas that are longwear is what to look for when it comes to color and texture”
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If there’s ever been a time to let your brows grow it’s now. Big brows are not new but this summer you can look to the trend to play up fun eyeshadow looks. “Defined eyebrows make your face stand out and give you a youthful look,” says Morales.
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Staying on trend with the natural look, falsies are the perfect way to enhance your natural beauty. For a super undetectable look, long wispy lash extensions lift the eyes for a defined face, while dramatic lash strips make your eyes a focal point while wearing light coverage makeup.
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Tie-dye and pasteles make an appearance every summer, usually in fashion trends but incorporating the trend into your makeup just makes sense. This look can seem very complex and overwhelming but Urban Decay Global Makeup Artist, Steve Kassajikian shares the easiest way to go about it. “Apply the shadow stick directly on the eyes then buff it out to blend; You can use them as a base or transition shade,” he says. “Then apply powder shadows on top to create depth (you can apply with fingers on the lid for high color payoff). Then finish off with duo-chrome or shimmer shades on the inner corner to brighten the eyes.
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It’s time to give that Mac Blacktrack a well-deserved break and jump headfirst into colored liners. “I think we’ll be seeing a lot of colorful liners too in Aqua and blue shades”, says Sir John.”I love this look and recommend colorful eyeliner for a subtle pop of color, especially if you’re not ready to fully commit to a bright, bold shadow.”
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No summer is complete without a classic, bronzy beach glow face. To achieve the perfect beachy glow, Glow-bal Makeup Artist Nam Vo recommends applying a tinted Cream highlighter. “This isn’t the season for smokey eyes and all this heavy contour. This is the season for effortless beauty,” he says. The key to the beach glow is a good bronzer which Vo suggests wearing on your cheekbones, neck, and collarbone. For the base of a glowy look, Vo recommends going for a light coverage formula to get that sheer, almost wet shine.
“It’s the time to let our skin breathe and be light and natural. We will probably still be in our facemasks, so this light and sheer makeup is the way to go,” says Vo.