LifeStyle World

9 Pretty Summer Makeup Looks We Can’t Wait to Try Ourselves

Out of all of the things we’ve had to forgo recently, the one beauty ritual I’ve missed the most is without a doubt applying makeup every morning. On any normal day, I’d say that I take no great joy out of applying my makeup. In fact, I’d say I used to regard it as more of a chore. Fast-forward to now, and I have never been more desperate to get creative with my face. Without actually having to leave the house for the last couple of months, I have had little reason to hook out my makeup bag. 

My Instagram saved folders, on the other hand, are full to the brim with beautiful makeup looks that I am itching to re-create. From pretty pastel eye looks to glowing glass skin, I have never been more inspired to dig out my makeup bag and get playing. So now that the sun is starting to shine (and with the potential for outdoor excursions maybe on the distant horizon), I think I’m ready to embrace all of the makeup. And it would seem I’m not alone, as people far and wide (including fellow Who What Wear editors) are slowly starting to reach for their makeup bags once again.

Sound like something you can relate to? Keep scrolling for all of the pretty summer makeup looks we can’t wait to try.

Colourful eyeshadow has been a big makeup trend already this year and it looks set to continue as we head into spring with rainbow brights maturing into a softer, pastel-washed palette. Look out for lilac in particular which will be everywhere from eyes to nails.

I highly doubt that there will ever be a summer when sun-kissed, glowing skin isn’t trending and I’m really not mad about it. This year, more than ever, it’s about stepping out into the light and embracing everything from juicy lips to radiant cheekbones.

Previously the domain of winter months, matte lips are going to be everywhere this summer—the bolder, the better. Try tomato reds and hot pinks for a classic statement look or foray into the world of purples and tangerines if you’re feeling bold.

Shimmering taupes, golden glosses and terracotta sheens are where it’s at right now. Think J-Lo in the early ’00s and you’re halfway there. The best thing about this look is that dewy skin always looks good—opt for shimmering formulations for eyes, cheeks and lips and you’ll be positively glowing all summer long.

When people ask me where to start with adding colour to their makeup bags, peach is a shade that I always recommend as it’s so versatile. Paler skin tones look beautiful in a petal-soft wash of it while a deeper, orange-tinged peach looks incredible on deeper skin tones. Plus, it works on eyes, cheeks and lips.

It’s not often that editorial beauty looks truly work in everyday life but I’d argue that glossy eyelids is a style that looks just as good at the pub as it does in a magazine. In fact, as long as you can cope with the fact that there’s no way of getting such a sheeny eye look to stay in place all day, it’s a pretty low-maintenance approach to eye colour. Pat on your chosen colour with your eyelids and head out to play.

From our wardrobes to our makeup bags, pink is officially the colour of summer and it’s bringing me joy. From shimmering roses to vibrant peonies, there’s a pink to suit every mood and occasion.

Makeup artist agree that healthy skin with a glass-like glow is going to be one of the biggest beauty moods of 2021. Whether you’ve been embracing a 10-step skincare routine during lockdown or not, it’s easy to achieve a reflective complexion with the help of just a few key products—a cream highlighter and a dewy setting spray.

On the flipside, matte skin is also having a moment—mainly down to all that time we’re still spending in masks. However, unlike the heavy ’90s-style full foundations, this new wave of shine-free skin is created using lightweight foundations and new generation powder formulations so that your natural complexion still shows through.

This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated. Next up: Zara just launched beauty and we’ve tried it all—here are our honest thoughts.