The Hottest Summer 2023 Makeup Trends: Expert-Approved Looks
Your ultimate guide to Summer 2023’s must-try makeup looks—expert tips, product recs, and pro techniques for a radiant season.
Summer 2023 Makeup Trends: Beauty Experts Reveal the Looks to Try
Each season introduces fresh beauty energy, and Summer 2023 is all about expressive color, radiant skin, and artful techniques. If you’re ready to update your makeup routine, this is your definitive guide to the season’s most inspiring looks as revealed by professional makeup artists and runway trends. Discover viral TikTok techniques, strategic uses of color, and a return to glossy, healthy skin—all ready to help you create your most dazzling summer yet.
Table of Contents
- Ultra-Glossy Cheekbones
- Black Smokey Eyes
- Underpainting
- Two-Tone Lips
- Fresh, Skin-First Makeup
- Strong and Sculpted Blush
- ‘90s Makeup Revival
- Pastel and Colorwash Eyes
- Siren Eyes
- Minimal and Barely-There Makeup
- FAQs
Ultra-Glossy Cheekbones for Summer 2023
This summer, nothing says healthy skin like ultra-glossy, reflective cheekbones. Ditch heavy powder highlights for balms and gels that mimic the natural sheen of sunlit skin. The effect? Dewy, radiant, and so fresh—ideal for humid nights and golden-hour selfies.
- Apply a transparent or champagne-toned gloss to the tops of cheekbones after foundation.
- Use your fingers to tap product for seamless blending—this helps maintain skin’s texture while maximizing shine.
- Pair with soft blushes or skin tints to keep the overall complexion luminous and lively.
Tips from experts: Stick to balms for normal-to-dry skin; lightweight liquid highlighters work better on oilier complexions.
The Black Smokey Eye Trend
Summer doesn’t usually conjure images of black, sooty smokey eyes, but that’s exactly why they stand out this season. The classic smokey look is back, dripping with grunge inspiration and perfect for after-dark events or adding edge to daytime glam.
- Layer a creamy black shadow stick along the upper and lower lash lines. Blend with a pencil or smudge brush.
- For a diffused effect, soften the outer edges with a cool-toned matte shadow.
- Balance the drama with neutral lips and minimal blush.
- Use a primer to prevent creasing and keep color locked in place throughout summer heat.
Pro’s Pick: A waterproof eyeliner pencil creates lasting intensity, while a micellar water ensures effortless removal at the end of the day.
Underpainting: The Viral Technique
Popularized by celebrity artist Mary Phillips and amplified by TikTok, underpainting is rewriting the rules of contouring and blush. Instead of layering products on top of foundation, reverse the steps: apply contour and blush first, then add a sheer foundation on top.
- Map out your contours and blend blush where you naturally flush—typically over cheekbones and the bridge of the nose.
- Lightly layer a dewy, skin-mimicking foundation or tint over the top, blending until all edges disappear.
- The finished effect is a seamless, lit-from-within glow that looks as if you’re naturally sculpted.
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Benefits: Underpainting gives skin a soft-focus effect and ensures contour and blush read as part of your complexion, not just product sitting on top.
Two-Tone Lips Make a Statement
Get creative with two-tone lip looks, a playful trend that layers different shades for dimension or surprise. This season, lip artistry meets casual cool: blend a deeper shade on the outer corners and a lighter or high-shine gloss in the center for fullness and color play.
- Start by applying a deep lip liner to define the outer edges.
- Fill in the inner part with a lighter, contrasting lipstick or gloss.
- Opt for combinations like rosy nudes paired with brick reds, or hot pinks faded into peachy corals.
- Lightly feather colors together using a brush or fingertips for a blurred, effortless finish.
Expert’s advice: Hydrate lips well in advance to keep colors looking even and prevent feathering.
Fresh, Skin-First Makeup
Skin-focused makeup routines define Summer 2023. Think sheerer foundations, creamy textures, and dewy finishes that celebrate real, cared-for skin. Perfect for hot weather, this approach is a move away from cakey formulas toward breathable, lightweight bases.
- Choose radiant skin tints or lightweight serums for a hint of coverage.
- Spot-conceal only where needed—focus on undereye circles or redness.
- Use cream blushes and bronzers for soft color that melts into the skin.
- Finish with a mist for a hydrated, airbrushed effect.
Result: A healthy, natural finish that works for day or night and lets freckles and real skin texture show through.
Strong and Sculpted Blush
This season, blush isn’t an afterthought—it’s the star. Designers and artists are embracing high-impact color, with bolder placement stretching from apples of the cheeks to temples, across noses, and even on eyelids. The effect is youthful, playful, and sculpting all at once.
- Opt for saturated cream or powder blush in pink, coral, or berry hues.
- Layer multiple shades for dimension—start with a darker shade underneath and top with a lighter, brighter pop.
- Blend along cheekbones and toward the temples for a subtle lifting effect.
- Try “mid-tone blushing” by diffusing a lighter blush over the edges of your undereye setting powder for a blurred, editorial look.
Expert Pick: Stick to lightweight, blendable formulas that work on top of both foundation and bare skin.
‘90s Makeup Revival
The ‘90s are back with a twist—think grunge-inspired liner and lips, not just supermodel browns. This era’s warm neutrals and sooty textures are everywhere, reworked for today’s tastes. Look for smudged black eyeliner, subtly overdrawn lips, and velvet-matte finishes.
- Use a chocolate or mid-tone brown liner to frame lips, then layer with a sheer, juicy gloss.
- Experiment with smudgy, lived-in black eyeliner along upper and lower lash lines.
- Embrace warm blushes and bronze undertones for soft definition.
- Pair with taupe or mocha eyeshadows for a complete retro vibe.
Throwback tip: The ‘90s look is all about effortless imperfection—don’t worry about stark lines or keeping everything perfectly crisp.
Pastel and Colorwash Eyes
Fresh off the spring runways and flowing into summer, pastel eyes make a statement with airy washes of lilac, mint, baby blue, or pearlized pink. Don’t limit yourself to neutrals—this trend softens and brightens any face without feeling youthful or too daring.
- Use a white cream base on lids to ensure pastels show up vividly and evenly, regardless of skin tone.
- Blend a single shade from lash line to crease using a flat or shader brush.
- For added interest, layer two colors—like a wash of mint over the lid, paired with pastel lavender in the inner corners.
- Finish with black or brown mascara to give subtle definition without overpowering the color.
Palette picks: Choose highly pigmented palettes or single shade pencils specifically designed for high-impact color to avoid ashy or faded finishes.
Siren Eyes: The Next-Level Cat Eye
Siren eyes are the evolution of classic winged liner, popular on TikTok and embraced by celebrities. The style features elongated, smudged-out lines both at the outer and inner corners, making eyes appear sultry and lifted.
- Take an angled brush and pick up a waterproof eyeliner or matte eyeshadow.
- Carefully stamp color at both the outer and inner corners, dragging slightly toward the temple and nose bridge.
- Blend with a smudge brush for a smoky, feline effect.
- Keep lids softly diffused with neutral or cool shadow washes.
Pro tip: Skip liquid liner for this look; creamy pencils and gels create more forgiving, blendable lines.
Minimal and Barely-There Makeup
Gone are the days of heavy coverage. Minimal makeup and “no-makeup makeup” remain strong favorites in Summer 2023. This fresh-faced approach uses fewer products and focuses on glowing skin, fluttery lashes, clear brows, and subtle color on lips and cheeks.
- Swap full-coverage foundations for sheer, buildable bases.
- Emphasize skincare—start with SPF, moisturizer, and illuminating primer.
- Comb brows up and set with a clear or lightly tinted brow gel.
- Choose soft brown or burgundy mascara for a whisper-light lash effect.
Minimalist tip: Strategic spot concealing lets your real skin shine, keeping your look effortless and summer-proof.
Table: At-a-Glance Guide to Summer 2023 Makeup Trends
| Trend | Main Feature | Best For | Suggested Product Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glossy Cheekbones | Dewy, light-catching skin | All skin types (preferably hydrated) | Balm highlighters, gel sticks |
| Black Smokey Eyes | Grunge-inspired, bold | Evening wear, edgy looks | Cream shadow, kohl pencil |
| Underpainting | Foundation over contour/blush | Anyone wanting seamless sculpting | Cream contour, liquid blush, sheer base |
| Two-Tone Lips | Dimensional, multi-hued lips | Statement lips, creative play | Lip liners, gloss, bullet lipsticks |
| Pastel Eyes | Colorful, airy washes | Day looks, festival makeup | Pigmented palettes, cream pencils |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Which Summer 2023 trend works best for oily skin?
A: Underpainting and skin tints are great for oily skin because they offer coverage and sculpting without heavy layering. Stick to gel and powder blushes for longer wear, and use mattifying primers under glossy cheek products.
Q: How can I make pastel eyeshadow pop on deeper skin tones?
A: Applying a white cream eyeshadow base to lids first ensures even, vibrant pastel color regardless of skin tone. Opt for palettes specifically formulated for higher pigment payoff.
Q: Are bold blush looks office-appropriate?
A: Absolutely! Just blend color well, and opt for soft corals or pinks instead of the brightest hues. For a trendy touch, try a diffused blush that gently washes out at the edges.
Q: Can the black smokey eye be worn during the day?
A: Yes. To adapt, use less color and keep it close to the lash lines. Pair with fresh, minimal skin and nude lips for balance.
Q: What’s the easiest Summer 2023 trend for beginners?
A: Glossy skin and underpainting are very forgiving and beginner-friendly. Start with light layers—you can always build intensity as you grow more confident.
Q: Which trend is best for a quick, low-maintenance look?
A: Minimal makeup. Even a touch of cream blush, tinted balm, and brushed-up brows are enough to look polished, fresh, and totally on trend for Summer 2023.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitanme.com/beauty/9-best-makeup-trends-of-2023-according-to-makeup-artists
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a43421337/summer-2023-makeup-trends/
- https://gb.readly.com/magazines/cosmopolitan-uk/2023-05-30/646ffb3a2a0ea3f90906747b
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a44892639/tiktok-beauty-trends-2023/
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