Ulta Beauty’s Top 10 Summer Makeup Must-Haves for 2025
Discover the season's hottest exclusive beauty picks perfect for summer
As the temperature rises and summer vibes take over, it’s time to refresh your makeup collection with products that can handle the heat while keeping you looking flawlessly radiant. Whether your current beauty stash is looking tired or you’re ready to embrace the season’s hottest trends, Ulta Beauty has curated an exclusive selection of summer makeup essentials that you won’t find anywhere else.
From innovative mascara formulas that eliminate the need for false lashes to vitamin-packed lip oils that hydrate while adding the perfect pop of color, these ten products represent the pinnacle of summer beauty innovation. Each item has been carefully selected for its ability to perform under summer conditions while delivering the kind of impact that makes heads turn.
Revolutionary Lash Extensions in a Tube
The MAC Magic Extension 5mm Fibre Mascara represents a breakthrough in mascara technology that’s perfect for summer when you want dramatic lashes without the fuss of falsies. This innovative formula contains actual five-millimeter fibers that attach to your natural lashes, creating an extension effect that rivals professional lash applications.
What sets this mascara apart is its specially designed sculpted brush that ensures even distribution of the fiber-infused formula. The brush works in harmony with MAC’s Crystal Elixir Powder to deliver an intensely black finish that won’t fade or smudge during those long summer days. The result is voluminous, fluttery lashes that look naturally dramatic without the weight or maintenance of false eyelashes.
The waterproof properties make it ideal for beach days, pool parties, and sweaty summer activities, while the buildable formula allows you to customize your look from subtle enhancement to full-on glamour. This mascara has become a favorite among makeup artists and beauty enthusiasts who need reliable, long-lasting results in challenging conditions.
Nourishing Lip Oils That Deliver Color and Care
The Ulta Beauty Collection Juice Infused Lip Oil collection brings together the best of skincare and color cosmetics in one innovative product. These vitamin E-enriched oils provide the kind of deep hydration your lips crave during summer months when sun exposure and air conditioning can leave them feeling dry and compromised.
Available in a range of punchy, vibrant colors inspired by fresh fruit juices, each shade delivers a glossy finish that’s never sticky or heavy. The antioxidant-rich formulation works continuously to smooth lip texture while providing a natural-looking tint that enhances your natural lip color. Unlike traditional lip glosses that can feel uncomfortable in heat, these oils absorb partially into the lips, leaving behind a comfortable, breathable layer of color and shine.
The lightweight texture makes these oils perfect for layering under other lip products or wearing alone for a fresh, natural look. They’re particularly effective when applied over lip balm for maximum hydration or under lipstick to extend wear time and add dimension.
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High-Impact Eyeshadow Palettes for Bold Summer Looks
The Juvia’s Place The Zulu Eyeshadow Palette embodies the spirit of summer with its collection of vivid mattes and Day-Glo metallic shades that deliver unprecedented color saturation. This palette is designed for those who want to make a statement with their eye makeup, offering shades that are bold enough to stand out even in bright summer sunlight.
Each shade in the palette is formulated for maximum pigment payoff, meaning you can achieve intense color with just a single sweep of your brush. The combination of matte and metallic finishes allows for endless creative possibilities, from subtle daytime looks with a pop of metallic accent to bold, festival-ready designs that incorporate multiple colors.
The powder formula is designed to blend seamlessly while maintaining its intensity, making it easy to create gradient effects and complex color combinations. The palette’s versatility extends beyond eyeshadow, with many of the shades working beautifully as highlighter or even mixed with mixing medium to create custom eyeliner colors.
Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick Technology
NYX Professional Makeup’s Shine Loud Vegan High Shine Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick addresses one of summer’s biggest makeup challenges: maintaining perfect lip color despite heat, humidity, and constant hydration needs. This innovative two-step system combines intense pigmentation with advanced staying power through its unique dual-component design.
The first component delivers rich, saturated color that forms the base of your lip look. The formula is enriched with nourishing ingredients including vitamin E, macadamia seed oil, and jojoba seed oil, ensuring that your lips remain comfortable and hydrated throughout wear. These ingredients work together to prevent the drying effect often associated with long-wearing liquid lipsticks.
The second component, a clear topcoat, locks the color in place, creating a barrier that prevents smudging, bleeding, or transferring. This technology is particularly valuable during summer activities when you’re eating, drinking, or engaging in activities that might normally compromise your lip color. The result is a high-shine finish that maintains its integrity for hours while keeping lips feeling moisturized rather than tight or dry.
Professional-Grade Concealer for Flawless Coverage
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer has achieved cult status in the beauty community for its exceptional full-coverage formula that performs consistently across different skin types and conditions. This concealer has become particularly popular for summer wear due to its ability to withstand heat and humidity while providing seamless coverage that doesn’t look heavy or cakey.
The formula’s versatility is one of its greatest strengths, allowing users to customize their coverage level and finish based on their specific needs. Whether you’re looking for light coverage to even out skin tone, medium coverage to conceal minor imperfections, or full coverage to address more significant concerns, this concealer can be built up or blended down to achieve your desired result.
The long-wearing formula is particularly effective for under-eye use, where it brightens and smooths without settling into fine lines or creasing throughout the day. For summer wear, it’s excellent for spot-concealing blemishes or areas of hyperpigmentation without interfering with your skin’s natural ability to breathe and regulate temperature.
Multi-Dimensional Bronzing and Blushing Solutions
The Jaclyn Cosmetics Bronze & Blushing Duo represents a sophisticated approach to summer color that goes beyond traditional bronzer and blush application. This carefully curated pairing features complementary shades that work together to create a natural, sun-kissed appearance that looks effortless yet polished.
The creamy, blendable powder formulation ensures smooth application and seamless blending, even over sunscreen or other base products that can sometimes interfere with powder adhesion. Each shade is specifically designed to complement a range of undertones, making it easier to achieve a flattering result regardless of your natural coloring.
The bronzer component provides warmth and dimension without looking muddy or orange, while the coordinating blush adds a healthy flush that mimics the natural color your cheeks develop after sun exposure. Used together, they create a cohesive look that appears naturally radiant rather than obviously applied.
The Science Behind Summer-Proof Formulations
Modern summer makeup formulations incorporate advanced technologies designed to withstand the unique challenges of warm weather wear. These products feature improved adherence properties that help them maintain their integrity despite increased oil production, perspiration, and environmental factors that can compromise traditional makeup formulas.
Heat-resistant polymers and film-forming agents create invisible barriers that protect color integrity while allowing skin to breathe naturally. Humidity-resistant ingredients prevent products from breaking down or shifting when exposed to moisture, whether from environmental humidity or natural perspiration.
Additionally, many summer formulations now incorporate skincare benefits, recognizing that the best makeup enhances rather than compromises skin health. Ingredients like antioxidants, moisturizing agents, and even SPF protection ensure that wearing makeup during summer months supports overall skin wellness.
Application Tips for Summer Makeup Success
Successful summer makeup application begins with proper skin preparation. Using a lightweight, fast-absorbing primer creates a smooth base while providing additional staying power for your makeup products. Look for primers with mattifying properties if you have oily skin, or hydrating formulas if your skin tends toward dryness.
When applying summer makeup, work in thin layers and allow each product to set before adding the next. This prevents products from mixing together and compromising their individual performance. Setting spray applied between layers and as a final step can significantly extend wear time and prevent makeup from shifting throughout the day.
Consider the order of application carefully during summer months. Applying cream products before powder products ensures better blending and prevents powder from becoming patchy or uneven. For areas prone to oiliness or sweating, setting powder applied with a damp beauty sponge can provide additional security without adding bulk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I prevent my summer makeup from melting off?
A: Start with a good primer, use waterproof formulas for mascara and eyeliner, set your makeup with powder and setting spray, and consider carrying blotting papers for touch-ups throughout the day.
Q: What’s the best way to apply makeup over sunscreen?
A: Allow sunscreen to fully absorb for 10-15 minutes before applying makeup. Use a primer to create a smooth base, and apply makeup in thin layers to prevent slipping or pilling.
Q: Are these Ulta Beauty exclusive products worth the investment?
A: Yes, these exclusive formulations are specifically chosen for their innovative technologies and superior performance, often featuring ingredients and formulations not available in mass-market alternatives.
Q: How can I make my summer makeup look natural but polished?
A: Focus on enhancing your natural features with lightweight, buildable products. Use cream formulas that blend seamlessly with skin, and opt for colors that complement your natural coloring rather than contrasting with it.
Q: What should I do if my makeup starts to fade during the day?
A: Carry a few key products for touch-ups: blotting papers, a compact powder, and your lip product. Blot excess oil first, then reapply products as needed, focusing on areas that receive the most wear.
These ten Ulta Beauty exclusive summer makeup products represent the cutting edge of cosmetic innovation, combining performance, wearability, and aesthetic appeal in formulations designed specifically for the challenges and opportunities of summer beauty. By incorporating these products into your routine, you’ll be equipped to maintain a flawless, radiant appearance no matter what summer adventures await.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g36532797/ulta-beauty-best-summer-makeup/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjJpEyy3vbA
- https://www.accio.com/business/trendinginmakeup
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a36395677/ulta-beauty-summer-makeup-haircare-skincare/
- https://www.ulta.com/discover/lifestyle/summer-fun-shopping-guide
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