In the summer, it’s the ideal season to have some fun with makeup ideas that’s just as bold and colorful on the skin as you are in the soul as you shed the neutral palettes of the colder seasons and truly embrace color, confidence, and creativity. Whether you’re going to a music festival, a beach party or simply exploring somewhere unfamiliar, playing with bold colors and risky prints can completely change the mood. From bright lids to glossy, color-drenched lips, the following aren’t-for-everyone summer makeup ideas are meant to wake the inner artist in you, so you can express yourself this season complete with some wild abandon. Ahead, 12 striking summer makeup ideas that will instantly elevate your beauty game.
1. Electric Blue Cat Eyes
There’s nothing more hypnotic than a pair of electric blue eyes slashing through the summer haze. Amanda Montel This dramatic liner style puts a punk twist on the timeless cat eye with bright color and razor-sharp tails. Opt for a waterproof, smudge-proof formula that withstands heat and humidity, and paint vibrant cobalt or sapphire along the upper lash line, winging it out into a dramatic flick. To amp it up even more, smudge under the lower lash line as well, or do a double wing. Keep your base fresh with dewy skin and a hint of blush, to let that electric blue shine. Wear with nude or peahcy lips, you want the eye to be the focus. Whether you’re going to a rooftop bash or just feeling extra on a sunny day somewhere, this look serves unapologetic drama and high-fashion cool with as little effort as possible. If you want to kick things up a notch, press a shimmering blue pigment on top of the lid for some dimension. This cult-favorite pop of color not only compliments all eye shades, but it also comes in a beachy, oceanic hue that feels destined for this season.
2. Neon Inner Corners
Bring your whole face to life with a splash of neon in the inner corners of your eyes. This little accent is as subtly glamorous as it gets to refresh and rejuvenate your summer look. Opt for neon hues such as lime green, hot pink, electric yellow or tangerine orange and pat the pigment directly into the tear duct with a minuscule precision brush. That electrifying pop breaks up against the whites of your eyes to make ’em look wider and more awake—not to mention: It’s ideal for when you want your energy and fun levels to be in a Look at Me! sorta place (say, summer days, anyone?). To keep it cohesive, coordinate the color in your inner corner with another element of your makeup — your nails, eyeliner or jewelry, for example. Neutralize the rest of the eye makeup, perhaps with soft matte browns or even bare lids, and let the neon speak. Top off with fluttery lashes for an otherworldly finish and your lips glossy with a sheer tint. It’s a cheeky, editorial touch that’s fashion-forward but still completely wearable. It’s great for festivals, brunch or simply any daytime occasion when you want to show your creative flair without committing to a full neon eye.
3. Watercolor Pastel Eyes
Gentle and bold, watercolor pastel eyes add a playful, fairytale touch to your summer makeup. This look has you applying several pastel tones — lavender, baby blue, mint green, peach, and soft yellow come to mind — onto your lids in a blended, cohesive wash. It’s not meant to play color so boldly against color, but for pigments to blend and flow, melting together as seamlessly as a painter’s palette. Begin by applying a white or pastel eyeshadow base to intensify the colors, and then, use fluffy brushes to carefully press and blend colors. You can stick to the natural curve of the eye or blend the shades higher towards the brow for an avant-garde twist. This makeup looks great with wine-colored flushed cheeks, soft highlighter on the top of your cheek bones, and a glossy, barely-there lip. It’s dreamy, romantic, and perfect for golden hour selfies or summer nights under the stars. If you would like to take it further, use a white liner to draw on daisies or clouds for a fab festival finish. This cut is for those with a bit of an artiste inside of you, allowing you to experiment with color in a different (and much looser) way, that still feels fresh and light for warm weather.
4. Sunset Gradient Eyes
Imitate an August sunset on your eyes with a glaringly warm gradient. This bright mix of warm oranges, reds, pinks and purples echoes the hues of the sky at golden hours and will inject a warm, feel-good glow into your makeup. Begin by sweeping a matte orange or tangerine through them crease and blending outward. Add a bright red or coral to the outer corner of the lid, and fade into a hot pink or magenta on the middle of the lid. Finish with a touch of violet or lavender on the inner third. Smoke out the edges so the colours transition smoothly, forming a flame like gradient. To add even more punch, apply a shimmery gold, or rose gold in the middle of the lid to imitate the sun. Wear with bronzed skin, golden highlighter, and a slick of bright lipstick in a complementary warm shade, such as coral or ruby. This sexy sun-and-surf eye is perfect for poolside parties, beach BBQs, and swanky summer soirees. It’s bold, extravagant and never not in style when the heat is on and the sun is shining.
5. Bold Monochrome Pink
Make a statement with a showstopping monochrome pink look that’s as bold as it is beautiful. “Layering pink shades from lids to lips right down to the cheeks really unifies and makes a strong statement on the feel and trend of ultra-summery, fun makeup.” Opt for a hot pink or fuchsia shadow and pile it on thick across your lids, extending the color just beyond into your crease and giving it a gentle wing. Add a softer pink of rose or bubblegum to the brow bone for an ombre effect. Pair with a blush in rose (swept high on the cheekbone), and a matte or glossy high-impact lip in the same color. The key to keeping this color fresh is finding pinks that your undertone agrees with and staying away from clashing shades. To create dimension, add a pop of highlight in the inner corner or on the brow bone, and balance everything with full brows and fluffy lashes. Between the boldness and the style, this look is confidence in sexy simplicity. It looks equally good with a casual summer look or something a bit more dressy, particularly when teamed with gold accessories or wet-look hair. If you’re never afraid to be the center of attention, then this glowing, rose-doused look will be your go-to.
6. Tropical Green Lids
Get jungle and tropical green with popping green eyeshadow in the greenest greens to set off your summer tan. Lime neon to deep emerald, green is a bold move that takes your summer makeup into something exotic and editorial. Begin with a bold matte green all over the lid and into the crease. Punch up the drama with a little shimmy of shimmer or duochrome green at the center of the lid if you’re feeling adventurous. Feeling bold? Pair with a contrasting eyeliner on the lower lash line ( we like purple or electric blue) for a high-contrast look. When it comes to your cheeks, let them bronze, and as for your lips, go for neutral or glossy nude to keep the focus on your eyes. Tropical greens, particularly becoming on medium to deep skin, can be customized with undertones to perfect anyone. Finish it off with a wet-look wave or high ponytail and gold hoops for the ultimate island goddess fantasy. This shade is fresh, creative, and boasts a playful element of attitude. Whether you’re at a poolside hangout or just vibing through a hot city day, this look has you feeling cool and commanding.
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7. Juicy Gloss Bomb Lips
When is it ever more appropriate to be glossy, glossy lip, than summer? Take juicy lips in hot shades of cherry red, coral, bubblegum or, hell, even orange (surely a color that we all associate with eating outdoors?!) which scream warmth and sensuality. Opt for a gloss formula that’s loaded with pigment but still feel slick and glassy on the lips. Outline lips first with a shade-matched pencil for definition and then fill in with a pout-popping, thick gloss that shines. You can even wear it on top of a satin lipstick for added opacity. And for a little extra drama, add a dab of glitter gloss in the center to give that plump, 3D effect. Wear with a nude eye or up the ante by adding a gentle shimmer onto eyelids. The gloss bomb lip. It’s fun, retro, sexy without looking like you’re trying too hard. Wheter you’re having a chilled lemonade or striking golden hour poses, this show-stopping lip gives you that effortlessly glam look that you just won’t get bored of. The best part? It’s low-effort and easy to swipe on throughout the day.
8. Colorblock Liner
Forget shadow: Make an impact with a colorblock liner look that’s all modern, all edge — and endlessly customizable. Combine with two or more opposing or complementary hues — say, aqua blue and orange, pink and lime, yellow and purple — and score a sharp, clean line that arcs along the upper or lower lash line. This look is about geometry and color — precision is everything. Grab a fine, thin brush or a colored liquid liner, and layer your design on purpose, from stacked wings and graphic shapes to floating creases. Keep your skin blemish-free and your lips neutral to allow the liner to pop. This avant-garde spin on eyeliner is ideal for parties, music festivals or for those IG-worthy moments when you want your makeup to double as wearable art. The colorblock approach allows you to reveal your personality with a brush, with countless ways to customize — either subtly or dramatically. It’s bold without being heavy, and, best of all, flattering for every eye shape. Sometimes, all it takes is a little courage and a lot of color to make a big impact.
9. Full-On Glitter Eyes
When in doubt, add glitter. Summer is the season for full-out glam, with sparkle lids that shine as bright as the sun beams. Opt for a chunky glitter or fine shimmer pigment in a vibrant hue—think fuchsia, turquoise, gold or silver—and press it onto a tacky base or glitter glue for major impact. You can wear it on the lid alone or boldly wing it out onto the sides of the eyes, in a fancy glittery wing style. For a more daring glitter look, apply glitter only on the lower lash line or do a floating glitter cut crease. Keep the rest of your makeup clean and glowing so that your overall look isn’t overpowering—think a glowy base, clear gloss and fluttery lashes. Glitter is the champagne of all beauty products—there’s nothing quite like it that instantly signals a time to celebrate, whether it’s rockin’ out at a festival, out on the town, or just a glam little moment by the pool. It just photographs beautifully, and makes you feel like a walking disco ball, in the best way possible. That sparkle also feels like pure childlike joy and serves as a reminder to all that makeup is meant to be fun, fearless, and fabulous.
10. Orange Sorbet Eyes and Lips
Orange is — criminally, I say! — an underappreciated color in makeup, but summer is when it gets to come out and play. A bright orange sorbet effect, with the identical hue on eyes and lips, radiates a light, fruity feel that feels bold but still very, very wearable. Begin with a matte tangerine shadow all over the lid, and blend it slightly up and out. Add a corresponding liner or a deeper orange in the crease for definition. Compliment this with an orange-based blush and a shiny orange lip to complete the entire makeup look. The monochrome effect is so unified and modern and the orange brightness adds a youthful, radiance effect. It’s a gorgeous look on tan or golden complexions but can be warmed up for cooler skin with a coral variation. Orange is also much more versatile than you might expect it to be—it compliments turquoise accessories, gold details, and white in the height of summer. This look is perfect for when you’re dancing at an outdoor event, enjoying iced lattes with friends, it will stop traffic and spread happiness.
11. Bold Brows and Bare Skin
Let your brows do the talking this summer by opting to wear them bold, bushy, and beautifully groomed with minimal makeup everywhere else. This is a look defined by structure and contrast: fluffy, laminated brows set against glowy, near-bare skin. Hand-draw hair-like strokes with a brow pen or pencil, then seal with a strong-hold gel combed straight up for that editorial boost. Pass up on the heavy foundation for skin tints or lighter weight BB creams and if absolutely necessary, a little bit of concealer. Simply elevate the angles of your face that you want to bring attention to, and apply a light veil of cream blush to add a little life back into your skin. Finish it off with a clear or tinted lip balm for a laid-back, cool-girl vibe. This look is great for the days where you don’t want to do full glam because it’s just too hot outside, but you also don’t want to forgo a strong or defined feature. It’s modern, clean, and fashion-forward, with your real beauty shining through while still not letting you fade to the background. Sometimes less is more — especially when your brows are on fleek.
12. Vibrant Lower Lash Line Pop
Let your lower lashes have their moment with bold, blasting lashes on the bottom with an intense burst of color for instant edge and attitude. I’d go for surprising colors — try turquoise, canary yellow, violet, neon pink — and apply them widely across the lower lashes. This look focuses the attention on your eyes without the need for a whole lot of makeup on your upper lid! Keep the upper lid faint or shimmery to balance the focus downward. The application of mascara on the bottom lashes helps frame the color making it pop even more. Just a little inner corner highlight to brighten everything up. This is a great option for those who’d like to dip a toe into bright makeup instead of dunking their whole face in. It’s also stunning over colored contacts, clashing eye colours or bronzy base. You can also wear it with a nude lip or mix it up with a pop of dark lipstick. It’s edgy, it’s fun, and it’s totally summer-appropriate—perfect for creative types who like to express their spirit in unexpected fashion.
Summer makeup is not about color — color. Summer makeup isn’t about color, it’s about creativity, confidence, and your personality shining through. These 12 colorful ensembles are proof that playing it safe is not a requirement when the sun is out and the vibes are good. Whether electric shades, hazy pastels or pumped-up textures are your thing, there’s a subversive, unapologetic beauty idea here to suit your summer state of mind. So step out of convention, grab your favorite brush or liner and use your face as your canvas this season.
