Get Ready to Screenshot All of These 2023 Summer Makeup Trends
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I’ll never pass up an opportunity to try a new makeup trend. Graphic eyeliner? I wore it to my college class. Siren eyes? I debuted it at the bar (and got hella compliments). Watercolor rainbow eyes? I’ve got about a dozen eyeshadow palettes to nail the look. All of this to say, I’ve been meticulously planning my upcoming looks based on summer 2023 makeup trends, and I’m happy to report this year’s batch is extra good. We’re talking dewy cheekbones, bright lips, glitter brows, and more.
I’m getting extremely excited (for the makeup, but also sunshine and dress season), so I rounded up the top summer 2023 makeup trends, according to makeup artist Sean Harris, along with summer 2023 runways, and everything on my Instagram feed. And don’t worry, makeup novices—I also asked makeup artist Lori Taylor Davis and Harris for their tips to create these looks at home.
1. Ultra-glossy cheekbones for summer 2023
“Glowing summer skin is always in,” says Harris, “but for summer 2023 makeup, expect to see a more strategic glow.” So instead of an all-over “dolphin skin” vibe, try mattifying your T-zones and dusting blinding highlighters across your cheekbones. Not sure if you should use a liquid or powder highlighter? Try a liquid highlighter if you want a natural, dewy-looking finish; grab a powder highlighter if you prefer a pigmented metallic look.
2. Black smokey-eyes trend
Black, sooty eyes may feel slightly off for summer, but that’s also why they look so cool, whether you do a similar smudgy eye to model Bella Ferrada above, or go for a structured graphic look, as seen at Alice and Olivia’s spring/summer presentation. “Smudge a black eyeshadow stick along your top and bottom lash line, then blend the edges with a pencil brush for the perfect summer-smudged smokey look,” says Harris.
3. Underpainting trend for summer 2023
Underpainting, made popular by celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips, is a technique where you draw on your contour and blush underneath your foundation, and it’s been going viral on TikTok for months as the reason celebs like Kendall Jenner, above, and Hailey Bieber’s makeup looks so blended. But expect this makeup trend to last through the summer, says Harris. “It’s the best technique to achieve a seamless and sculpted summer glow without looking like you’re wearing a ton of makeup.”
4. Two-tone lips for 2023
A basic bright lip? ~So 2022.~ Instead, try a two-tone lip like the models at D-Squared2 for the summer 2023 runway. You can opt for contrasting shades on the top and bottom lip, or get a little creative with some lip art by drawing an outline around your lips in one color, then filling it all in with a different color. The trick here, tho, is to choose a liquid lipstick (in two shades) that dries down quickly. Swipe on one color, wait for it to dry, then swipe on the second color and wait for it to dry before letting your lips touch. Tedious, but trust: You’ll get full, bright pigment that doesn’t bleed or feather.
5. Fresh skin makeup trend
When it’s absolutely sweltering outside, I refuse to put on a full face of full-coverage foundation, which is why I was elated to see fresh, dewy, barely coverered skin on 2023 summer runways. My go-to look this summer will def be a sheer skin tint blended with a beauty sponge and a light cream blush to add some color to my cheeks—easy peazy.
6. Styled brows for summer
If you’ve been a staunch hater of the skinny-brow movement, how about you try a totally decked-out brow instead? Statement brow ~lewks~ were legit all over the summer 2023 runways, with glitter block-brows at Peter Do and intentional slits at Poster Girl. Opt for a cream glitter or cream eyeshadow, which won’t require as much building up as a loose product to get an opaque finish.
7. Disco makeup for summer 2023
Embellishments and shimmer were a massive summer fashion trend on runways, but they’ll also be adorned to our faces too, à la a night at Studio 54. More is more here, babes, so don’t be afraid to try an all-over monochrome look like the above, then still stick on some face gems and a little glitter on your lips and cheekbones.
8. Pastel eyes for summer 2023
One major spring makeup trend that’ll continue into the summertime is bright washes of color across your eyes, like makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes created here. If you feel like your pastel eyeshadow looks chalky and ashy on your skin, dab a white eyeshadow base across your lids before patting on your eyeshadow with a shader brush.
9. Strong blush for summer 2023
I haven’t stopped thinking about the major blush looks at Christian Cowan’s spring/summer 2023 show, and I’m especially obsessed with Dove Cameron’s embellished take on the trend above. So obvi, I’m trying out the look myself, so I asked Smashbox pro lead makeup artist Lori Taylor Davis how she did it backstage. She recommends opting for a lightweight blush (whether cream or powder depends on your preference) and a small, rounded brush to help place the pigment exactly where you want it, then blend out the edges with a fluffy brush.
Meet the experts:
Sean Harris is a makeup artist based in Los Angeles, CA. He’s worked with celebrities (like Carlacia Grant and Natalia Byrant) and created makeup looks for editorials, runways, and advertisements.
Lori Taylor Davis is a celebrity makeup artist in Los Angeles, CA and the global pro lead makeup artist at Smashbox Cosmetics, where she’s involved in creating makeup looks for runway shows and product education.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with nearly five years of experience researching, writing, and editing makeup stories that range from the best setting powders to Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter dupes. She’s an authority in all makeup categories, but is an expert when it comes to summer makeup trends, thanks to hours of researching runway makeup looks, heading backstage at New York Fashion Week, and incessantly DMing makeup artists for tips on how to achieve the look.
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