Summer’s Biggest Makeup Trends Include an Early-Aughts Throwback I Never Thought Would Return
Also, what the heck is butter skin?
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On my summer to-do list? Drink lots of margs by the pool (and in tandem, try to avoid margarita burn). Eat fries on patios and people-watch. Attend as many outdoor concerts, baseball games, and barbecues as humanly possible. And definitely, 1,000 percent, try out all of the super-cool summer makeup trends I saw on runways last fall. Duh.
Here’s the thing about the current crop of makeup trends: It all feels quintessentially summer. Bright colors, glossy finishes, and simple techniques that take less time. It looks like makeup you’d wanna wear when it’s hot as hell outside, whether that’s to a sweaty club or your best friend’s beach wedding. Since these looks first debuted at the spring/summer runway shows, I’ve been scouring the internet and asking makeup artists which will truly stand the test of time and become the core trends of summer 2025. These seven picks are set to be the coolest of them all:
Aquamarine Eyes
“Honey, dive into meee....” Sorry, I can’t not sing Addison Rae, especially in summer 2025 when we’re all anticipating her debut album. The through line hue of the record—plus the shade we saw on runways for spring and summer—is overwhelmingly this turquoise shade. All you have to do is swipe it all over your lids (on top of an eyeshadow primer to prevent creasing). Opt for a cream formula for more lasting power, but if you want more blending control, go with a powder.
Butter Skin
In a new iteration of K-beauty’s “glass skin” trend, we now have “butter skin.” What the heck is butter skin, exactly? Well, it’s skin that looks so smooth and soft that you wanna dip your toast in it (kinda?). It’s a new wave of hydrated skin that doesn’t necessarily look wet or dewy but rather so even in tone and texture. Of course, you don’t have to have perfect skin to partake in the trend (because who does?). Instead, focus on your base.
Choose a satin-finish complexion product—tinted moisturizer, skin tint, concealer, foundation, whatever—that’ll make your face look moisturized but not overly shiny, makeup artist Tayaba Jafri previously told Cosmo of the similar “cloud skin” makeup trend. The important part here, though, is how you apply your setting powder to get that blurred, buttery finish.“Press it in with a velour puff for that velvety, cloud-like effect, allowing the natural glow to peek through,” she told us.
Neon Lashes
Although the Dries Van Noten runway (pictured at left) did it first, it was Dua Lipa’s latest photo dump heard round the world that finally made colorful, coated lashes feel cool again. Whichever color you choose—neon pink, like a Dries model, or teal, like the queen of vacation—don’t skimp. This look is actually better if it’s a bit clumpy and messy. Plus, you’ll definitely need multiple layers to get the color to full opacity, unless you naturally have very light lashes.
Blurred Lines
Imperfection feels cool, edgy, and chic in the summer 0f 2025, especially when it comes to lips. The biggest lip products of the moment say so: Rhode Peptide Lip Shape, Refy Lip Blur, Merit Lip Sheer Lip Liner—all of which are less focused on creating the most precise line and more about diffusing, blending, and blurring. If you don’t have one of the above, fake it by taking your finger and smudging out your lipstick or lip liner around the borders of your lips. Or even apply your lip color with your fingers to create a softer effect.
Sun-Kissed Flush
At Di Petsa, models were actively hiding the sun from their eyes, but they already were properly flushed, from their cheeks, nose, and lips, down to their chests. Now, obviously, as a beauty editor, I am adamant about wearing sunscreen every single day. Anytime you get a sunburn, you’re increasing your risk for skin cancer. But! I sure as hell will fake it that I just spent a day baking in the sun with a whole lotta blush. The key here is choosing a red or terracotta shade that is buildable. I prefer creams because they’re a bit easier to manipulate than a powder and will offer up a more natural sweaty glow that lends itself well to the sun-kissed vibe.
All Liner, No Mascara
I never thought I’d see the day: Not only is my most embarrassing look from high school back, but I’m into it again. But mascara doesn’t have to be an everyday occurrence anymore, according to many a TikTok that swear it’s actually “dead.” In this case, it actually makes your makeup even more grunge and cool, especially when paired with a deep-black waterline (seen here at Christopher Esber but also a prominent feature of the gothcore looks at Christian Dior too). To avoid smudging or fading, choose a waterproof eyeliner formula for more lasting power in your waterline.
TRY: Yves Saint Laurent Lines Liberated 24H Waterproof Eyeliner
Cherry Glazed Lips
The lip oil era isn’t over just yet. This time, it’s coming in cherry red shades that make your lips look like you’ve just eaten a dripping Popsicle. If you want more color payoff, grab a tinted lip balm with lots of shine. Or if you’re down to put in a lil more effort, combine a cherry lip liner with a clear gloss.
Meet the expert:
- Tayaba Jafri is a makeup artist based in Toronto, Canada. She’s the global beauty director of Laura Mercier, where she is involved in education and artistry. She was previously interviewed about spring/summer beauty trends.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan and has seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing makeup stories that range from Chanel makeup reviews to cherry makeup. She’s in the know on all the biggest and newest beauty trends, thanks to countless hours spent scrolling Instagram, bugging makeup artists, and huddling up with other editors backstage at every fashion show she can get into.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
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