These 20 Summer Makeup Looks Will Have You Feeling Hot All Season Long

profile-image
By Ashley Locke
Published on May 6, 202511 min read
A close-up image of a woman with curly hair applying a vibrant orange blush to her cheeks
A close-up image of a woman with curly hair applying a vibrant orange blush to her cheeks
A post shared by Trulee Rodney/@trulee

The days are getting longer and the temperatures are rising, which can only mean one thing—summer is finally coming. Along with all the happenings of the season (who’s excited for beach days, pool parties, and family BBQs?), new makeup trends (and even new hairstyles) are waiting to be embraced with open arms. Sunset orange blush, soft smoky eyes, and glossy pink lips are a few of the many looks the experts expect to be hot. Below, they share some of the best summer makeup styles along with their makeup tips and tricks for achieving them. Which will you try?

Meet the Expert

Natalie Ventola is a distinguished makeup artist renowned for her work with high-profile clients, such as Kesha, Paris Hilton, Selena Gomez, and Noah Cyrus.

Kelly Zhang is the founder of KELLY ZHANG MAKEUP and has been featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity, Fair, and more.

Isabella Lo Coco is a pro makeup artist based in San Diego, CA, who specializes in soft, romantic, natural makeup looks.

1. Light & Bright Summer Makeup Look

Celebrity makeup artist Natalie Ventola is all about keeping things light and bright when it comes to summer makeup. For days when it’s uncomfortably hot but you still want to put on a little makeup, she suggests layering on the skincare (starting with an SPF like the SUPERGOOP! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40) and then blending “a wash of bright gorgeous cream blush” on your cheekbones. We love how lightweight the MISCHO BEAUTY Blush Stick is; it feels like butter on our skin and delivers a natural flush perfect for the summertime.

2. Cool Girl Glam Summer Makeup Look

Not only do cool girls like Charli XCX, Gabbriette, and Lily-Rose Depp set the makeup trends, but Ventola tells us that cool tones are about to be everywhere. Say goodbye to being bronzed to the gods and hello to being matte for the Brat pack. “Lip liners like MAC COSMETICS Lip Pencil in Stone and MAKEUP FOREVER Anywhere Color Pencil in Endless Cacao are highly favored,” says Ventola on how to get the look.

3. Early 2000s Summer Makeup Look

Speaking of cool-toned makeup, early 2000s makeup is still trending. “The era of dark eyes and light, even metallic pink lips are back and it’s the new ideal for editorial looks and the rebellious party girl,” Ventola shares. Think looks that are frosty, shimmery, and even pastel, but don’t also be afraid to throw a little darkness into it. We love a dark brown lip liner paired with a matte pink lip. Or even a jet-black eyeliner with a frosty white eyeshadow look.

4. Sun-Flushed Summer Makeup Look

Sunburn blush is taking over TikTok and Ventola is also a fan. “Applied across the cheeks and the bridge of the nose, it’s adorable and perfect for summer,” she says. Even Hailey Bieber has given this makeup trend a try, proving a little sunburn never killed nobody—well, at least a fake one hasn’t. To achieve this look, pro makeup artist Isabella Lo Coco suggests using blushes in “hues like berries, corals, peaches, plums—anything that seems to give a healthy flush that looks like the cheeks are blushing from within.” We recommend the MISS FAME Crème and Powder Blush Duo because you can start with the cream and then use the powder blush as a setting powder of sorts to keep the look in place all day long.

5. White Matte Eyeshadow Summer Makeup Look

Matte is back, especially according to Ventola who loves a white matte eyeshadow look more than anything. “I love using a white matte eyeshadow on the brow bone and inner corner of the eyes. It’s trending and also extremely flattering,” she says. Think of it like a highlighter sans the shimmer. The LASH STEP Matte About You Eyeshadow Palette has the perfect white matte eyeshadow to make any eye color pop.

6. Pops of Color Summer Makeup Look

Summer makeup is all about having fun, so don’t take it too seriously. Ventola loves a pop of color, saying, “Keep it clean and fresh, but add a pop of color on the eyes, cheeks, or lips.” This purple smoky eye she did on supermodel Halima is a great way to add a touch of color to your everyday look. To recreate this look, try using the HUDA BEAUTY Haze Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette in Purple—it has a perfect shade for every skin tone.

7. Blush Blindness Summer Makeup Look

Blush blindness gets a bad rap on TikTok, but again, it’s summer—have fun, and don’t be afraid to go bold with your blush. “Go ahead, go overboard,” says Ventola. “Last summer Sabrina Carpenter made us all fall in love with a heavy blush look, and that trend is still going strong.” So even when you think your makeup routine is complete, pack a little more blush on. For a blush that is packed with pigment, try the YC COLLECTION Liquid Blush. A little goes a long way, which is why you’ll dab on extra for those seriously rosy cheeks.

8. Lip Liner Love Summer Makeup Look

How could we not be inspired by Lily-Rose Depp’s look at the 2025 Academy Awards? This look proves “lip liner is in its glory days,” says Ventola. She suggests you recreate this look by going heavy on the lip liner, “making it appear an obvious shade or two deeper than your lipstick.” Start with the MISCHO BEAUTY Lip Liner Set in Madam + Ijama, overlining your lips just a touch to exaggerate the look. Then go in with a nude lipstick that suits your skin tone to make the contrast pop. You can even forgo the lipstick and opt for a lip gloss instead.

9. Lover Girl Lips Summer Makeup Look

“A sweetheart pink with an irresistible glossy finish” is what Ventola has named “lover girl lips”. We feel like it’s the perfect look for summer because who doesn’t love a little gloss? And pink is the perfect lip tint for the season, too. “This particular shade is meant to mimic the color of a natural flush, bitten lips. The gloss on top adds a sexy, seductive finish,” Ventola adds. You can’t argue with the expert. Give this look a try by pairing the best pink lipstick for your skin tone with a clear gloss, like the ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Crystal Lip Gloss in Glass (a classic that can’t be beat).

10. All Natural Summer Makeup Look

“The days of the 2016 heavy beat are far behind us, and we are embracing the polar opposite,” says Ventola. You don’t need much more than SPF, tinted moisturizer (like COVER FX Radiant Start Tinted Moisturizer), and a lip balm. You can even swipe on a tinted one, like the TARTE™ SEA H2O Balm Lip Tint, if your heart desires. But if you prefer to keep it natural, just go with the sunscreen and be on your merry way to seize the waves.

11. No-Makeup Makeup Summer Makeup Look

Clean girl and quiet beauty are big aesthetics right now, makeup artist and beauty brand founder Kelly Zhang tells IPSY. Because of this, she knows the no-makeup makeup look is poised to be big this summer. What better makeup style than a look that requires minimal beauty products in the blistering hot heat? Again, SPF is key so start there. Next, work on your skincare so you have glowy skin as your base. Groom your brows with a bit of the DOMINIQUE COSMETICS Brow Blowout Shaping Gel in Clear. Finish with some color on your cheeks and lips by way of the FLOSS Concierge Cheek & Lip Tint and don’t forget a brown mascara to complete the look (it’ll keep everything more subtle).

12. Editorial Cool Summer Makeup Look

On the opposite end of the spectrum and in line with Ventola’s note to have fun, she sees the editorial cool style taking off. “Artists like Doechii, Chappell Roan, and Doja Cat take makeup to the extreme, choosing artistic, colorful, graphic, and fun looks that are usually reserved for runways and photo shoots,” she shares. “We are now seeing more and more creatives flexing their taste and choosing to use their face as a canvas for whatever artist vision calls them, and I could not support this more!” We second this. Go big or go home this summer.

13. Sparkling Eyeshadow Summer Makeup Look

If any season calls for glitter, it’s summer. “Shimmer and soft sparkle add fun without being too bold,” notes Zhang. She also shares that “glowing eyes feel dreamy but wearable” and give “fairycore vibes”, which we’re so here for. Need another reason to try this look? The beauty founder reminds us that it photographs well, ensuring you’ll get the perfect pic for all your photo dumps. Give it a try with the CONTEXT SKIN Shimmer Eye Stick. It glides onto your slides seamlessly and you can blend it with your fingers or an eyeshadow brush.

14. Sunset Orange Blush Summer Makeup Look

Blush colors have extended past the common pink shades. We’ve ventured into red and even purple territory. Now, it’s time to give orange blush a try. “Warm, sun-kissed tones give that summer vacation look. Orange and coral blushes mimic a natural flush from the sun,” says Zhang, whose KELLY ZHANG Lip + Cheek Duo in Zoe comes in a warm peachy pink shade. We also are fans of the FENTY BEAUTY Cheeks Out Cream Blush in Peach Face because of how pigmented it is. Plus, it’s waterproof, which we love for summertime.

15. Soft Smoky Eyes Summer Makeup Look

“This version of the smoky eye is soft, blurred, and easy to wear,” says Zhang of this eye makeup worn by model Alex Consani. “It adds depth without being too harsh, perfect for both daytime and evening looks. It’s the new way to do ‘sexy’ in a more effortless way.” The RODIAL Smokey Eye Pen has always made it easy for us to achieve the look, especially now when a little extra smudge is required.

16. Lashes in Focus Summer Makeup Look

Lashes are a year-round staple. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. (If they try to persuade you to put your extensions on pause, let them know that an expert says they’re a trending summer makeup look.) “Dramatic lashes are trending again, especially with TikTok doll eyes and flutter lash looks. Plus, adding lashes is one of the quickest ways to elevate a simple makeup look,” Zhang notes. For those who are new to eyelash extensions, you can learn all about them here. If you’ve tried extensions before and want to partake in a little DIY, here’s how to create your own lash extensions at home.

17. Sheer Matte Lips Summer Makeup Look

Want to achieve a natural-looking pout? This is the trend for you. Lo Coco swears this is the next big thing in makeup and we can see it. “I like to achieve this look by lining my lips with a lip pencil, softly smudging the lip liner, then mixing a matte tinted chapstick and patting that into my lips with my finger to achieve a sheer wash of color that is a bit more muted than a gloss,” she says of getting the look. The ideal lip pencil for this would be the MAC COSMETICS Lip Pencil in any nude shade you prefer. Pair it with a matte lipstick of your choosing and you’re good to go.

18. Easy on the Eye Makeup Summer Makeup Look

While we’re on the topic of less is more, Lo Coco predicts light eye makeup will be big this summer. “I believe we are going to be seeing a lot of eye looks that are more liner-focused with less mascara and eyeshadow,” she shares. It’ll be all about playing with liner and less about mascara and eyeshadow. Even the liner will be simple. If you plan on upping your eyeliner game, grab the LAURA GELLER Gel Eyeliner 5 PC Collection.

19. Berry Delight Summer Makeup Look

Zhang notes that berry tones are big this year, which is no surprise given the rise in purple products we’ve seen over the past year. We’ll give you a full berry beauty product breakdown. For blush, we like the ACE BEAUTÉ Blushed Up Blush. The sheer berry tint left behind by the KEYS SOULCARE Comforting Tinted Lip Balm looks gorgeous on any skin tone. And the NATASHA DENONA Sunrise Eyeshadow Palette has some of our fave berry eyeshadow shades to ever grace our lids.

20. Cherry Red Summer Makeup Look

It’s a cherry red summer—at least according to Zhang it is. “This vibrant shade is making waves across various beauty applications.” She notes that the hue is specifically a standout when it comes to lips, saying, “The ‘cherry red’ lip color is gaining popularity, offering a bold and juicy look that enhances natural beauty.” There’s no shortage of red lipsticks on the market so be sure to find the right one for your skin tone. A tried and true that we’ve found works for almost everyone is the ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Satin Lipstick in Cherry (appropriate, we know). The shade speaks for itself.

Liked this post? Share!

Related Stories