Summertime is the perfect opportunity to play with fun, new looks. With the warm weather and sunnier days, it’s time to break out the bright colors, glossy lips, and up our glow factor, ladies! 🙂
Of course, it is also a time when we should consider a few makeup formula switch-ups. Those scorching hot days are a recipe for makeup meltdowns (as in sliding right off your face).
Therefore, today, I’ll be sharing a few must-have summer makeup products and over 45 makeup looks (natural, glowy, colorful, soft, & more), all to assist you with looking your best this season! Whether you’re at a BBQ, bonfire, the beach, poolside, or out on the town, rest assured these ideas will give you plenty of fabulous options to experiment with!
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Which type of makeup is best for summer?
Well, Beauties, as the season changes, so should one’s makeup. As for summer makeup, less is definitely more. With the heat and humidity, it’s best to stick to lightweight, sheerer products that won’t feel heavy on your skin.
And with a blazing sun beating down or outdoor fun, generally, you’ll want to look into sweat-proof or water-proof products formulated for long-wear.
PRO Tip: If you happen to have oily skin and struggle with it appearing a tad greasy when summer rolls around, I recommend looking into oil-free makeup products and skincare.
A Few Seasonal Makeup & Product Tips:
Before we highlight the best makeup products worth adding to your collection this summer, let’s go over a few vital tips!
TIP 1: First things first, don’t forget the sunscreen!
Safeguard your skin from UV rays by generously applying some sunscreen to your face, neck, and chest before applying makeup.
TIP 2: If you want your makeup to have more staying power, you should consider using a primer.
- During the summer months, makeup has a tendency to wear off quickly. A primer will help keep it in place and prevent melting or running.
- Generally, you’ll want to pick a primer based on your particular skin type. However, if you hate the look of shine or have oily skin, you’ll want something oil-free and mattifying during the summer.
Must-Have Summer Makeup Products & Essentials
Ok, Beauties, moving on… here are a few summer makeup must-haves that will help you create any look you want!
Summer Base & Complexion Makeup
Summer makeup looks call for a lighter, sheerer approach when it comes to your base. This way, you can avoid caking, creasing, and all that slipping & sliding that occurs in the heat.
Focus on a fresh, light, and radiant complexion! You could opt for a lighter coverage foundation than you usually use, a tinted moisturizer with a concealer for spot treating, a BB cream, or a CC cream.
However, I know that some gals simply can’t part with a full coverage foundation regardless of the season. If that’s you, consider trying one that’s water-proof or oil-free and, most importantly, long-wearing, so it holds up.
Top Foundation Recommendations: (options for those who can’t part with full coverage)
- Fenty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation – medium to full coverage, long-wearing, oil-free, sweat-proof, & humidity-proof.
- Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick – foundation & concealer in one, long-wearing, full coverage, & water-proof!
- Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Longwear Foundation – sweat-proof, transfer-resistant, humidity-proof, water-proof, and long-lasting.
Top Lighter Coverage Foundations, Tinted Moisturizers, & Concealer Recommendations:
- NARS Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 – oil-free with a radiant finish
- Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free Natural Skin Perfector Broad Spectrum SPF 20 – oil-free with a demi-matte finish.
- ILIA Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation – oil-free with a radiant finish.
- Dior Backstage Face & Body Makeup – water-proof, sweat-proof, and has a natural finish.
- NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer – long-wearing with a radiant finish.
Eyeliner, Mascara, & Eye Makeup Primer
Water-proof mascara and eyeliner are definite summer essentials, especially if you’re going to be spending time in the pool or at the beach. Let’s face it: nobody has time for raccoon eyes…am I right??
Using water-proof mascara will also prevent smudging in the heat and humidity. A water-proof eyeliner will help you achieve a more defined look that lasts.
An eyeshadow primer will help with all your new bright and colorful eyeshadow looks! You won’t have to worry about creasing on hot, sweaty days. At the same time, a primer will make those fun shades even more vibrant!
PRO Tip: Add a touch of brightness with colored mascara, electric eyeliner, or colorful eyeshadow.
Top Liner, Mascara, & Primer Recommendations:
- Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
- Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner – several colors & long-wearing.
- Aqua Resist Color Pencil Eyeliner from MAKEUP FOREVER (water-proof & long-wearing) 10 colors in matte or shimmer finish.
- L’Oreal Paris Makeup Voluminous Waterproof Mascara– available in several colors.
Summer Cheeky
Summer’s an ideal time for adding a pop of color to your cheeks, whether coral, peach, berry, or pink. Try a cream, gel, liquid, or blush stain!
Top Blush Recommendations:
- Nudestix Nudies Bloom All Over Dewy Color – over 20 colors, cream, long-wearing, & water-resistant!
- Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blush – several colors in both mini and regular sizes, long-wearing & available in dewy or matte finishes.
- Fenty Beauty’s Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush – 14 colors, sweat-resistant, water-resistant, and, though it’s a cream, it’s not greasy at all.
- MILK Makeup Bionic Liquid Blush – 4 colors and a liquid formula.
- Nars The Multiple Cream Blush, Lip and Eye Stick – about four colors and comes as a stick formula.
Related:
PRO Tip: Apply cream blush to the apples of your cheeks for a fresh, sun-kissed glow.
Summertime Gloss Up!
Whether you’re rocking a nude or bright color, adding some shine to your lips will give you that summertime feel. I love pairing glossy lips with minimal eye makeup for a fresh and easy look!
PRO Tip: Summer is all about having fun and being bold, so don’t be afraid to go for a brighter lip shade than you normally would!
Top Glosses Recommendations:
- Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer
- NYX MAKEUP Butter Gloss
- Buxom Cosmetics Power Plump Lip Balm
- Buxom Full-On Plumping Lip Polish Gloss
Summer Luminosity & Glow Makeup
We all know summer is all about that natural sun-kissed glow, and there are plenty of ways to achieve it. Think luminous liquids to mix with your foundation or place on top, sprays, or a highlighter powder. Add a touch of bronzer for good measure!
- Fenty Sun Stalk’r Instant Warmth Bronzer – 9 colors, powder, long-wearing & transfer-resistant
- Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer – 7 colors, sweat-resistant, water-resistant, & a non-greasy cream.
- Benefit Cosmetics Cookie Highlighter – powder but also available in shade Tickle.
- Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter – 9 options, cream-powder hybrid & long-wearing
- Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight– about 8 shades, liquid, long-wearing, light coverage (standard size and mini size).
- Iconic London Prep Set Glow Hydrating Spray– available in two options (original, which is champagne, or glow, which is more bronzed) and is sprayed on your face for a GORGEOUS light-reflecting glow.
- Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist – use with foundation for a dewy glow or spray over makeup.
- NYX Cosmetics Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator – use as a base or over makeup
- Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter – a liquid formula you can mix with foundation, use under foundation, or use on top.
- Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops – highlighting serum you can use as a primer, on top of makeup, or mix with foundation.
- Danessa Myricks Beauty Dew Wet Hydrating and Highlighting Balm – a balm that gives a beautiful glass-like skin effect and is used on top of makeup.
PRO Tip: Add highlighter to the high points of your face (cheekbones, brow bone, cupid’s bow) for a radiant summer glow.
Set & Don’t Budge Products
A setting powder or spray will help keep your makeup in place, even in the sweltering summer heat. Opt for a translucent powder, as it will keep things light, making it less likely for your makeup to turn cakey on you.
- Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Setting Spray – long-lasting for 16 hours, oil-free, and transfer-resistant.
- Laura Mercier Translucent Powder -matte finish, oil-free, long-wearing, & lightweight
Now that you know which products are essential for summer makeup, let’s move on to some of the hottest looks!
45+ Summer Makeup Looks For All Occasions
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Soft Summer Makeup Looks
Glowy, Dewy, & Natural Summer Makeup Looks
LOOK 1: The Glowing Goddess
Product: Tilbury Beauty Highlighter Wand (Goldgasm)
LOOK 2: Beautifully Bronzed & Glimmery
LOOK 3: Natural Freckled Glow
LOOK 4: Blushing With Pink
LOOK 5: Summer Glow Up & Red Lips
LOOK 6: Dewy Skin + Natural Flush
LOOK 7: The New Nude
LOOK 8: Luminous Summer Glam
LOOK 9: Effortless Glow With Colored Liner
LOOK 10: Makin’ Me Blush With Natural Brows
LOOK 11: Sun-kissed Summer Glow
LOOK 12: Glistening Radiance
LOOK 13: Beachy Summer Perfection
Soft Summer Makeup Looks
LOOK 14: Rosy Blush Flush
LOOK 15: Soft & Summer Chic
LOOK 16: Beach Beauty
LOOK 17: Rimmed & Graphic W/ Blurred Lips
NEW TREND ALERT FOR 2025 (Blurred lips): Opt for a soft, diffused lip look using a lip tint or a slightly smudged lipstick application.
LOOK 18: Soft Summer Sheen
LOOK 19: Glossy Pout And Flutter
LOOK 20: Fresh Faced With Playful Color Pop
LOOK 21: Subtle Peachy Radiance
LOOK 22: Warm Summer Beauty
Colorful & Cute Summer Makeup Looks
LOOK 23: Rainbow Eyes
LOOK 24: Bright Teal & Yellow
LOOK 25: Vivacious & Vivid
LOOK 26: Lime Green Feen
LOOK 27: Pink Paradise
LOOK 28: Pink Citrus
LOOK 29: Raspberry Smoke + Clear Glossy Lips
LOOK 30: Daring Blue Wings
LOOK 31: Sizzling Summer Stare
WAIT BEFORE YOU KEEP SCROLLING…
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- Learn 14 Step-By-Step Eyeshadow Techniques From A Professional Makeup Artist
- How To Select Your Best Eyeshadow Colors & Use All Your Eye Makeup Brushes
- Find Out The Best Ways To Pair Your Eyeshadow Shades
- How To Apply False Lashes
- Eye Makeup Cheat Sheets, Charts, & Bonus Tutorials!
- Get INSTANT Access From Your Phone, Computer, Or Tablet!
YES, TELL ME MORE!
LOOK 32: Rasberry Shimmer
LOOK 33: Red-Orange & Gold Pop
Even More Summertime Looks & Ideas
LOOK 34: Sunbeams & Summer Gleam
LOOK 35: Jeweled Glam
LOOK 36: Pop Of Red
LOOK 37: Subtle Smokey Eyes & Glowing Skin
LOOK 38: Tropical Bronze & Shimmer Waves
LOOK 39: Summer Soiree Ready
LOOK 40: Negative Space Liner
LOOK 41: Summertime Smoky Eye
LOOK 42: Metallics & Gloss
LOOK 43: Shimmer Pink & Graphic Eyes
LOOK 44: Hot Summer Nights
LOOK 45: Simply Silver
LOOK 46: Dramatic Cat-Eye & Glossy Lips
Makeup FAQS
How do you keep makeup looking fresh all day?
In summer, the last thing you want is for your makeup to start melting off your face. Here are a few tips to keep everything fresh all day long:
- Start with a clean, moisturized face. This will help your makeup last longer and look smoother.
- Then, use a primer, especially if you’re wearing foundation or concealer. This will help by creating a barrier between your skin and makeup, as well as prevent your makeup from melting or sliding off.
- Finally, after you complete your makeup application, set it with a setting powder or spray.
- Lastly, touch up throughout the day, if necessary. If you start to see your makeup wearing away, don’t be afraid to touch it up with a little powder or concealer.
What are summer makeup colors?
- Summer is all about color for the eyes: Try out a bright, bold-colored liner or shadow (pink, lime green, yellow, blue, etc.) for a fun and festive look.
- Specific trending colors for 2025 are said to be butter yellow, cherry red, purple, and green.
- Pastels are not just for Spring: Pastel eyeshadows in pink, lilac, lavender, or blue add a lovely touch of color.
- Metallics: Gold or bronze swept on your lid is always a hot summer idea! In fact, this is expected to be a popular trend for 2025.
How do you do natural summer makeup?
Well, there are a few variations for this style of makeup look. But to achieve a very basic natural summer makeup look, here are a few tips:
- Start with a clean and moisturized face.
- Use a primer (if you’re wearing foundation or concealer).
- Apply your lightweight foundation or a tinted moisturizer evenly all over your face. If you require more coverage, use a concealer that matches your skin tone.
- Add a touch of cream or liquid bronzer for a sun-kissed look.
- You can also add a soft pop of color with a cream blush to create a natural flushed cheek look.
- Don’t forget to set your look with a setting powder or spray. If you’re using powder bronzer or powder blush, you’ll want to set your face after you apply your base makeup (foundation & concealer).
- For the eyes, you can apply a light neutral eyeshadow all over your lids. Then, use a (neutral) slightly darker shade for your crease to create depth and dimension. Add a touch of brown eyeliner just at your lash line and a coat or two of mascara.
- For your lips, use a sheer lip color, balm, or nude lipstick.
Related:
The Wrap-Up!
In conclusion, with the weather heating up, it’s time to start thinking about your next new look. This season is all about fun and experimentation, so don’t be afraid to try out some new colors or makeup styles. Moreover, while you’re at it, consider making a few product switches to ensure your makeup can handle the hot, sweaty days.
I hope you enjoyed today’s article, ladies! Which of these summer makeup looks is your favorite? Leave a comment below and let us know!
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