Spring/Summer Makeup Trends that are Too Cute

BY ELLE TURNER

Idon’t know about you, but there’s something about the sun hitting just right, that makes me want to rethink my whole makeup look. And, the spring summer makeup trends we’ve spotted emerging from social media

100% understand the assignment when it comes to reflecting that warmer weather with some truly dreamy makeup moments. Take the ‘90s frosted shimmer that’s been quietly making a comeback. Going forward, there’s about to be a whole explosion of shimmering eyeshadows and lipglosses right on cue to sparkle in the sunshine. Glazed is still on the agenda, but lips are getting all the attention with some of our favourite brands following in the footsteps of Dior’s cult Lip Glow Oil and releasing yummy renditions of their own. (See: Merit, NYX and Rare). Want something a little grittier? Grunge kept things moody through winter, but the look is going nowhere for spring and summer, the only difference? We’ll see a more lightweight take on the trend with delicate textures and sheerer smoked-out eyes. As for the rest? Keep reading for our round-up of the best spring summer makeup trends of 2023…

Sheer-bold blush

Sheer and bold aren’t exactly two words that should work together, but the sheer-bold blush trend is proof that the two can work in harmony. Heading into the next couple of seasons blush is going big. There’ll be more of it (swept liberally across cheeks, temples and the bridge of the nose), but to keep it feeling fresh, we’re seeing sheerer formulas.

Colour Pop Eyes

One easy switch to instantly add a cool re- fresh is to swap out your regular black liner for a colourful alternative. Expect to see more pastels and neons sketched across lash lines, or full-out bright colour pop eyeshadows. It’s a statement, but paired with more minimal, everyday makeup look, it can feel low-key and infinitely wearable.

Lightweight grunge

One makeup trend that’s not going anywhere? Grunge – but make it spring-summer appropriate. Rather than full matte foundations, thick liquid lipsticks and heavy smoky eyes, we’re seeing the glam grunge aesthetic get a lightweight update with semi-matte complexions or even tinted moisturisers. We’re seeing lip stains sub in for lipsticks (for all of the impact without the weight) and we’ve seen pantyhose smoky eyes offer up a sheer, gauzy take on the classic smoky eye.

Glazed lips

The ‘lip oil’ hashtag on TikTok has 1.2 billion views and “Dior lip oil” has over 650 million views all on its own, so it’s probably no surprise that glazed lips are one of spring-summer’s most popular trend – because no season works with a glossy wash of colour more perfectly than the sunshine seasons to really set off that glassy shine.

‘90s frosted shimmer

We’ve brought back ‘90s lip liner, ’90s grunge and we even keep seeing skinny eyebrows everywhere (wahh, not brave enough). So it was only a matter of time before we mined the archive further and resurrected the frosted lips and eyeshadows that Pamela Anderson and Brandy made famous way back when. The pretty trend leans into the silky balletcore beauty moment that TikTok is currently loving and it’s just plain stunning for spring and summer.

Barbiecore

Heading into summer Barbiecore beauty is the one to watch, and it’s bringing with it hot pink nail polish, fluffed-up lashes, glitter accents and pink statement lips. With Margot Robbie’s live action Barbie movie out this July, searches for the “Barbie ponytail” up by 30% and Viva Magenta named the pantone of the year, it’s clear Barbie fever is about to peak in 2023.

Coquettecore

With over 8.4 billion views on TikTok, the coquette makeup trend leans into oldschool femininity (think pink, pearls, lace and bows). It’s a look that’s been refer- enced throughout the years, blending sultriness with innocence, but at its core, this new generation of coquette makeup simply leans into an unashamedly “girly” aesthetic because it’s cute, and we can. This means fluttery lashes, elongated siren liner and fresh, flushed cheeks.

Underpainting

Hailey Bieber’s makeup artist, Mary Phillips, shook the beauty internet when fans found out the easy trick she uses to create the most natural-looking contour (literally painting it on before applying foundation so it peeks through more subtly). And we’ve seen the softer contoured look trend ever since, so expect to see a lot more underpainting heading into spring and summer.