32 Summer Makeup Looks to Wear All Season Long

yara shahidi wearing natural dewy makeup

@yarashahidi / Instagram

Summer is a beautiful season for makeup. Whether you prefer to pare down your routine with tinted SPFs and a touch of mascara or maximize your look with graphic eyes, there's truly something for everyone. Regardless of your personal preference, the key to gorgeous summer makeup is this: Wear any look you love, just be sure to complete your routine with a solid setting spray to beat the heat (and try these sweat-proofing makeup tips for all-day wear). But if you're not quite sure where to begin, there's plenty of summer makeup inspiration out there to get you started. Ahead, discover 32 summer makeup ideas to try this season, from pastel eyeshadow, to bronzed skin, and beyond.

01 of 32

Highlighted Collarbone

woman with bronzed skin and blonde hair smiling at camera

@patrickta / Instagram

For the ultimate summer glow, bring your highlight beyond your face and cheekbones. Body makeup like Patrick Ta's Major Glow Highlighting Mist can be used on the collarbone, arms, and legs for an all-over glow that gives effervescent, angelic vibes.

02 of 32

Nude Attitude

Salem Mitchell wears a nude summery makeup look

@salemmitchell

Summer is the perfect season to let your freckles shine, and this sun-kissed nude makeup look is pinned at the top of our natural makeup inspiration board. Desperate for freckles but don't have any? You can recreate the most natural-looking faux freckles with this Freck Noir Original Freckle Pen and it can be your little secret.

03 of 32

Clean and Radiant

Model with a clean, radiant summer makeup look

@vivismakeup

Let your dewy skin do all the talking this summer. Soft eyes, radiant cheeks, and lightly stained lips are always a great idea when wanting to wear natural makeup and enhance your features at the same time. For a natural eyeshadow palette, try the Kjaer Weis Eyeshadow Quadrant in Wanderer.

04 of 32

Neon Pop

Model with neon eyeshadow, winged eyeliner, and lip gloss

@shahmatova.ya

Allow yourself room to play with color, and lots of it. This pop of neon purple-pink shadow on the lids not only brightens things up, but it's also truly fun to look at. But to keep your makeup from melting off, start with a sweat-proof foundation.

05 of 32

Pastel Shadow

Model wears summer makeup look with pastel eyeshadow

@shahmatova.ya

What's better than one shade of pastel shadow? At least four shades of pastel eyeshadow. This whole look is a summer vibe we can't get enough of, not to mention the creativity showcased is quite impressive.

Byrdie Tip

For a more dramatic color payoff, try spritzing your eyeshadow brush with setting spray until it's damp (but not drenched!) before you dip it into your pigment of choice.

06 of 32

Doll Lashes

zendaya wearing jeweled necklace and long eyelashes

@zendaya / Instagram

"Doll lashes" like the ones made popular in the '60s by model Twiggy are having a resurgence this summer, as demonstrated by Zendaya at the SAG Awards.

07 of 32

Classic Glow

Model wears a summer makeup look with highlighter, gloss, and shadow

@davidrazzano

Gorgeous, glowing skin with slight hints of peach on the eyes and lips creates an ideal pairing for summery makeup. We can't stop staring at how radiant this look is—regardless if worn during the day or at night. It makes us want to experiment with monochromatic makeup looks more often.

08 of 32

Sunset Lids

Model wears a glistening orange-toned summer makeup look

@shahmatova.ya

Bright orange lids with a shimmering helping of glitter give a whole new meaning to golden hour. The way these colors and textures shine in the light showcases how it's always a great idea to mix and match bold hues and sparkle for something chic and radiant.

09 of 32

Smoky Siren

em rata wearing smoky eye look with hair down

@patrickta / Instagram

Emily Ratajkowski is forever our siren makeup muse, and this summery look by Patrick Ta is no exception. Here, sun-kissed cheeks are balanced with sharp eyes brought together by smoky shadow, an extended wing, and smudgy lower waterline liner.

10 of 32

Electric Pink Shadow

Woman with bright neon pink eyeshadow and radiant skin

@beasweetbeauty

We're not mad about this touch of electric pink shadow, at all. A brightly colored shadow on the lids is sometimes all you need to make the right makeup statement. Accompanied by natural skin, pink does all the talking and is a coveted color choice.

11 of 32

Dramatic Lashes

chloe bailey with red locs and neutral makeup

@chloebailey . Instagram

Pro tip: Adding a pair of fluffy, voluminous lashes is a great way to play up any beauty look. Here, Chloe Bailey is pairing her lashes with cloud skin, nude glossy lips, and a touch of highlight on the inner corners of her eyes.

12 of 32

Graphic Liner

Model with orange graphic eyeliner and warm-toned blush

@dmv.makeupartistry / Instagram

While neon orange might be a color you haven't worn in the past, by all means, give it a whirl this summer season (and beyond) by applying it however you like to your lids. You can opt for a clean, thin line for just a tiny pop of color, or do something more creative if bold is what you're after.

13 of 32

Effortless Glam

Model with shimmering neutral eyeshadow and radiant skin

@dmv.makeupartistry / Instagram

If feeling and looking glam is what you're after, this look surely checks off all the boxes for sophisticated, glowing makeup. Highlighted bronze skin along with dramatic eyes and pinky-nude lips makes a powerful combo for sultry, summery makeup.

14 of 32

Teal Appeal

Model in a glowing summer makeup look with teal graphic eyeliner

@vivis_makeup

Spice up your life and liner with a bold color like teal for the summer in a funky, graphic design. Bold brows and nude lips complement the liner, and you can play it up or as down as you like depending on your comfort level.

15 of 32

Dewy Bronze

Model in a dewy bronze makeup look

@vivis_makeup

It wouldn't be summer without bronzed, glowing skin. The contour and highlight here are everything we want our makeup to be all year round. Add a subtle liquid eyeliner for definition if you're in the mood for something extra.

16 of 32

Ombre Lip

Model wears a '90s-inspired summer makeup look with lined lips

@davidrazzano

Add a touch of '90s inspiration to your summery makeup look with outlined matte lips. The burnt orange hue paired with clean, glowing skin is a makeup look we'll most definitely have on repeat during the warm summer months.

17 of 32

Bubblegum Blush

salma hayek wearing hot pink blush and blazer

@patrickta / Instagram

Baby pink makeup is a huge trend this summer, with celebs wearing soft pink hues everywhere from the red carpet to street style selfies. Here, Salma Hayek's makeup artist Patrick Ta has created bubblegum pink cheeks paired with overlined eyes for a balance of edgy and soft.

18 of 32

Just Peachy

Model in a peachy, glowing summer makeup look

@glossier

Monochromatic makeup using peach tones is ideal for summer and other seasons, as it gives a healthy, flushed look to the skin and gets along well with any skin tone. The result? Skin that glows all day, no matter what comes your way. If you have a more fair complexion and want to add a tiny bit of color without going in the sun, try a face tanner to accelerate that golden glow.

19 of 32

Pop of Lip Color

Model with glossy eye makeup and orange lipstick

@kaleteter / Instagram

Welcome the summer season in with tangerine lipstick and glossy eyelids—this look is incredibly easy to replicate, should you choose to do so. You can opt for whatever bold lipstick color you prefer (although this color is pretty great) and add a glossy textured product to the lids for maximum shine effect.

20 of 32

Monochromatic Moment

gigi hadid wearing soft lipstick and blush

@patrickta / Instagram

Using a monochromatic shade of peachy-pink across your lids, lips, and cheeks is a simple way to pull a summery look together without a ton of effort.

21 of 32

All Things Rosy

Madelaine Petsch wears a rose-toned summer makeup look

@madelame

A touch of rose can go a long way when planning out summery makeup looks. This subtle look adds a freshness to skin that can be worn any time of the year, not to mention, pink lipstick will never go out of style—or out of season.

Byrdie Tip

When shopping for eyeliner during summer, consider a water-proof formula that will outlast the heat and dips in the pool.

22 of 32

Softly Sculpted

Joan Smalls wears a sculpted summer makeup look with soft contouring

@joansmalls

Softly sculpted, bronzed skin is everything we need for summer makeup. Natural lips and brushed-up eyebrows complement the star of the show: highlighted cheekbones. To help sculpt the skin, try the Nudestix Nudies Bronze Sticks for added contour.

23 of 32

Mad for Mauve

Model in a subtle mauve-toned summer makeup look

@danessa_myricks

Mauve on the lids, cheeks, and lips here continues to prove why monochromatic makeup is always an excellent idea, no matter the season. Dewy skin with touches of gorgeous mauve tones creates a summer makeup story worth repeating over and over again.

24 of 32

Soft Smoke

Model in a subtle smoky summer makeup look

@danessa_myricks

Elevate your everyday summer makeup look with a soft, smoky eye and radiant skin. The amazing thing about this makeup is it's suitable for everyday wear yet gives that extra dose of chic when wanting to dress things up a bit.

25 of 32

Blush Over Everything

Model wearing a statement blush-centric summer makeup look

@danessa_myricks

Do not be afraid of blush, we repeat, do not be afraid of wearing colorful blush. Here we see how bright hues on the eyes and cheeks are an incredible way to showcase color. The touch of purple combined with hot pink really gets us excited for all the color combinations we could try.

26 of 32

Gilded Eyes

Model wears a subtle glowing makeup look with eyeliner

@aniamilczarczyk

What do you get when you pair absolutely radiant skin with a chic cat-eye? Summer makeup goals. Nude and natural lips along with a pop of color on the cheeks bring it all together, and we plan to have this makeup on repeat. Add a touch of gloss to the lips with Essence Cosmetics' Juicy Bomb Lipgloss for a touch of extra shine.

27 of 32

Purple Reign

Cut Crease Eyeshadow Purple Rihanna

Getty Images

Give us all the purple hues for summer, and give them to us now. These electric lids showcase the very best part about wearing color—it's statement-making. Swipe your favorite shade on your eyes and finish with a few coats of volumizing mascara, such as Charlotte Tilbury's Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara.

28 of 32

Golden Accents

Yara Shahidi with lip gloss, full brows, and winged liner with gold details

Granted, Yara Shahidi is a natural beauty and will look good no matter what makeup she wears (or doesn't wear). But this subtle, eye-centric look with winged liner, defined lashes, and ultra-fine gold details hits it out of the park.

29 of 32

'60s Mod

Karen Gillian with white eyeliner

@jennakristina / Instagram

Take inspiration from the '60s for your summer makeup and reach for white eyeliner in lieu of your classic black. Karen Gillan's white liner not only looks mod and stylish but it comes with the added bonus of transforming tired eyes.

30 of 32

Shine and Sparkle

Haley Lu Richardson with sparkly eye makeup and lip gloss

@jennakristina / Instagram

Strategic shine and sparkle on the lips, cheeks, and eyes give Haley Lu Richardson an instant glow (Jones Road Beauty Miracle Bomb, anyone?). This summery style is mostly minimalist, save for the sparkly eye makeup. Find a glitter eyeshadow palette and go wild.

31 of 32

Green Lids

Diya Patel with green eyeshadow and lip gloss

@jennakristina / Instagram

Take your lids from ordinary to extraordinary with a swipe of color. Green eyeshadow will guarantee that brown eyes pop but will also work well with other eye colors. The trick is finding the most flattering hue for you.

32 of 32

Overlined Lips

Hoyeon Jung faux freckles and overdrawn lips

@lilly_keys / Instagram

The perfect summer makeup look will enhance your natural beauty and read as visually effortless—and this dreamy number, courtesy of celerity MUA Lilly Keys Westbrook, does just that. With her faux freckles, subtle soap brows, and overlined lips, Hoyeon Jung earns the title of summer goddess.

Related Stories