15 Must-Try Makeup Trends Taking Over Summer 2025

Summer 2025 is bringing a whole new vibe to makeup, and I’m honestly living for these fresh trends!

After spending the last few months testing products and techniques, I’ve put together my absolute favorites that’ll have you glowing all season.

From unexpected color pairings to reimagined classics, these looks are turning heads at beach parties and rooftop gatherings everywhere.

1. Butter Skin Finish

Remember matte makeup? Yeah, that’s ancient history now. Butter skin has taken over, giving your complexion that soft-focus glow without looking greasy. I’ve been mixing liquid illuminator with my foundation for that perfect balance.

Application is surprisingly simple – start with hydrated skin, then use your fingers to warm the product before gently pressing it into your face. No harsh lines or caked-on feeling here.

The magic happens when you step into natural light – your skin looks like it’s lit from within rather than covered in product. My friends kept asking what I’d changed about my skincare routine when I was actually just rocking this butter-smooth finish!

2. Blurred Berry Lips

Gone are the days of razor-sharp lip lines. This summer, everyone’s rocking the softest, most kissable berry-stained lips with intentionally diffused edges. The effect mimics how your lips look after eating berries or popsicles.

I create this look by dabbing berry-toned lipstick onto the center of my lips and then using my ring finger to gently press and blur the color outward. The key is building up intensity in the middle while keeping the edges soft.

What I love most is how this style evolves throughout the day. As it wears, it only looks better – more lived-in and natural. Plus, touch-ups are a breeze since precision isn’t the goal here!

3. Coral Cheek Draping

Coral cheeks aren’t just for apples anymore! Cheek draping with warm coral tones has become my go-to technique for adding dimension and warmth. The color sweeps from cheekbones up toward temples, creating a natural sun-kissed effect.

After trying countless blush shades, I’ve found that coral works on practically every skin tone. It adds life to pale complexions and enhances deeper skin with a gorgeous glow. I apply it with a fluffy brush using light, upward strokes.

The placement makes all the difference – starting just above the hollows of your cheeks rather than directly on the apples gives your face that subtle lift. On days when I’m in a rush, this technique alone makes me look put together even without other makeup!

4. Sunset Eyeshadow Gradients

Summer evenings inspired this trend, and I’m completely obsessed. Sunset eyeshadow gradients blend warm oranges, soft pinks, and golden yellows across the lid for a look that’s both dramatic and wearable.

Creating this effect is easier than it looks. I start with a warm orange in the crease, then pat golden yellow on the inner lid and a rich pink on the outer corner. The trick is taking time to blend where the colors meet – no harsh lines allowed!

What makes this trend special is its versatility. You can amp it up for nights out or tone it down for daytime by adjusting the intensity. I’ve worn a subtle version to work and received compliments from people who normally don’t notice makeup changes!

5. Aquamarine Floating Liner

Floating liner has evolved from basic black to bold aquamarine for Summer 2025. This eye-catching trend sits slightly above your crease rather than along the lash line, creating negative space that makes eyes appear larger.

My first attempt was a disaster, but I discovered using a fine-tipped brush with gel liner works better than liquid for beginners. I now draw the line following my eye’s natural curve, slightly lifted at the outer edge for a subtle cat-eye effect.

The blue-green shade is surprisingly flattering on all eye colors. It makes brown eyes pop, brings out flecks in hazel eyes, and complements blue and green eyes beautifully. I pair mine with minimal mascara and clean skin for maximum impact without looking overdone.

6. Neon Lash Tips

Regular mascara? Boring! The coolest eyes this summer feature black lashes with neon tips. I was skeptical until trying it myself – now I’m hooked on this subtle-yet-statement-making look.

Creating this effect requires applying regular black mascara first, then using a clean spoolie dipped in neon mascara (or a colored mascara primer) just on the tips. Pink, lime green, and electric blue are the standout shades of the season.

What’s great about this trend is how it adds personality without overwhelming your face. From a distance, your eyes just look more defined, but up close, people notice the fun pop of color. I wore neon pink tips to a wedding recently and had multiple guests ask about my unique mascara technique!

7. Glossy Lip Oils

Heavy lipsticks are taking a backseat to lightweight lip oils this summer. These hybrid products deliver sheer color, serious shine, and actual skincare benefits for your lips – a game-changer in the heat.

After years of matte formulas leaving my lips parched, I’ve embraced these nourishing alternatives. They contain ingredients like jojoba oil, vitamin E, and even hyaluronic acid that keep lips soft while providing that glass-like finish everyone wants.

Application couldn’t be simpler – just swipe and go, no mirror needed. The sheer tints are forgiving and buildable, perfect for beach days or outdoor brunches. My favorite part? The comfortable wear – no stickiness, no drying, just smooth, healthy-looking lips that catch the light beautifully.

8. Faux Freckle Constellations

Freckles aren’t just random dots anymore – they’re carefully placed constellations across cheekbones and noses. This playful trend adds character while maintaining a natural, sun-kissed appearance.

I’ve experimented with various application methods and found that a fine-tipped brush dipped in waterproof brow pomade creates the most realistic results. The key is varying the size and opacity of each freckle, then gently patting with your finger to blend.

For an extra personalized touch, I sometimes create actual star patterns like my zodiac constellation across my cheeks. Friends have started requesting specific patterns when I do their makeup for summer events! Just remember to place most freckles where the sun naturally hits – across the nose bridge and high points of cheeks.

9. Two-Toned Blush Technique

Single-shade blush is so last year. The two-toned technique uses complementary colors to create dimension and a natural flush that looks different from every angle.

My approach involves applying a deeper shade in the hollows of my cheeks and a brighter pop of color on the apples. Peach paired with coral or cool pink with mauve are my favorite combinations. The magic happens in the blending – where the two colors meet creates a custom shade that looks incredibly natural.

This technique has completely changed my makeup game. It adds subtle contour and highlight effects without additional products, making my face look more sculpted with minimal effort. Even on my laziest days, I’ll skip foundation but never this blush technique – it brings my whole face to life!

10. Velvet Skin Texture

Matte is too flat and dewy can be too shiny – enter velvet skin, the perfect middle ground taking Summer 2025 by storm. This finish mimics natural, healthy skin with a subtle light-reflecting quality.

Creating this texture requires strategic product layering. I start with a hydrating primer, then apply a satin-finish foundation and set only my T-zone with the lightest dusting of translucent powder. The result looks like skin, not makeup – with a soft-focus effect that blurs imperfections.

Camera flashes love this finish – no weird flashback or shiny spots in photos. I’ve converted several friends to this technique after they complained about looking either too oily or too powdery in summer party pictures. It’s especially flattering in harsh daylight when other finishes can look obvious.

11. Chocolate Brown Mascara Revival

Black mascara has met its match! Chocolate brown mascara is having a major comeback moment this summer, offering a softer alternative that still defines lashes beautifully.

Brown mascara creates a more natural-looking lash enhancement that’s perfect for no-makeup makeup days. I’ve noticed it especially complements blue and green eyes, making them appear more vibrant without the harsh contrast of black.

The latest formulas have improved dramatically from the brown mascaras of the past. They’re now just as volumizing and lengthening as their black counterparts. My favorite trick is using brown on top lashes and black on the bottom for a subtly defined look that doesn’t scream “I’m wearing mascara!” while still opening up my eyes.

12. Barely-There Brow Lamination

Forget the Instagram brows of yesteryear – Summer 2025 is all about barely-there brow lamination that enhances your natural shape without looking overdone. This technique gives brows a lifted, feathered appearance without heavy filling.

The process involves brushing a clear brow gel upward through the front and middle sections of your brows, then slightly outward at the tails. I’ve found that warming the gel between my fingers first helps it distribute more evenly and creates a more natural hold.

My brows look fuller and more youthful with this approach, yet nobody can tell I’ve done anything to them. The subtle lift opens up my entire eye area, creating the illusion of a mini-facelift without any obvious makeup. It’s become my everyday essential – quick, foolproof, and genuinely flattering.

13. Glass Skin 2.0

Glass skin has evolved! The updated version for Summer 2025 features strategic placement of dewiness rather than all-over shine. Think luminous high points with a balanced finish everywhere else.

My technique focuses on layering lightweight, hydrating products on the high points of my face – cheekbones, bridge of nose, and cupid’s bow. The rest gets a natural, balanced finish that won’t turn greasy in summer heat.

The secret weapon in this trend is liquid illuminator mixed with face mist, applied as a final step only to the high points. This creates dimension without that artificial “highlighter stripe” effect. The result is skin that catches light naturally, as if you’re lit from within after a refreshing swim. It photographs beautifully and looks even better in person.

14. Cherry Cola Lips

Red lips will never go out of style, but this summer’s specific shade is cherry cola – a deep red with subtle brown undertones that flatters everyone. It’s rich without being too vampy for warm weather.

Application technique has evolved too. Instead of precise, fully-opaque coverage, cherry cola looks best when pressed into lips with fingertips for a stained effect. I concentrate color in the center and diffuse outward, similar to how lips naturally flush after eating cherries.

The modern approach pairs this bold lip with minimal eye makeup – just curled lashes and groomed brows. This balance keeps the look fresh rather than overdone. I’ve worn this combo to everything from beach bonfires to outdoor weddings, and it transitions beautifully from day to night with just a touch-up after meals.

15. Watercolor Eye Washes

Precise cut creases are taking a backseat to soft watercolor washes of color across the lids this summer. These diffused, transparent layers of eyeshadow create dimension without harsh lines or obvious technique.

I’ve been creating this look using cream shadows applied with fingers, starting with the lightest shade all over and gradually building deeper tones at the outer corners. The effect mimics how watercolor paints blend together – soft, dreamy, and slightly unpredictable.

Unexpected color combinations make this trend especially exciting. Lavender blended with peach or mint green fading into soft blue creates ethereal effects that look different in every light. The best part? It’s nearly impossible to mess up – any “mistakes” just add to the artistic, painterly quality that makes this trend so refreshing.