It’s Official: These 5 Summer 2023 Makeup Trends Will Be Everywhere

If you ask me, summer is *the* time to try out new makeup trends. With a new season on the horizon, sunnier weather (fingers crossed) and summer holidays to be had, it’s perhaps unsurprising that we’re all a bit more carefree when it comes to our beauty routines. I’m more willing to experiment with summer hair trends, I swap out my autumn/winter perfumes for summer fragrances and I’m all for the bright hues when it comes to visiting the salon (anyone else obsessed with the colourful French manicures right now?)

During this time of the year, I also like to reach for dewy, lightweight bases and tinted SPFs that give all of the glow without any of the heaviness you sometimes get with foundations. I practically live in cream bronzer, and you’ll find me reaching for those brighter blusher shades to fake a summer glow. Heck, I might even be bold enough to reach for some coloured eyeliner or mascara, because Y2K beauty is calling my name.

But which summer 2023 makeup trends will take off over the coming months? To find out which trends will have us rushing to our makeup bags, I spoke to celebrity makeup artist Brooke Simons (who has worked with Laura Whitmore, Lady Mary Charteris and Pixie Geldof to name but a few) for all the summer 2023 makeup trends you’ll want to try immediately.

Healthy flushed cheeks are definitely a summer must have. “Cream-based products are having a moment, especially for the spring/summer months,” says Simons. “Sofia Richie Grainge’s wedding makeup is all that anyone can talk about right now, and iconic make up artist Pati Dubroff gave the internet a full run down of what she used, which included lots of cream stick bronzers and blushers to achieve the ultimate fresh, clean glowy skin.”

I’m obsessed with this pretty lit-from-within gleam.

Blend your cream blusher up towards your temples for a sunkissed and sculpted effect.

“Underpainting is having a moment right now, made popular by make up artist Mary Phillips, who uses this technique on her celebrity clients such as Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner.” says Simons. Underpainting is where you apply your contour, bronzer and blusher first, before applying a dash of foundation on top. “We’ve certainly moved on from harsh contours and heavy highlights, and this gives a natural approach to contouring which everyone is loving right now,” says Simons. “The technique is about contouring and highlighting first, underneath your foundation for a more subtle, ‘no makeup, makeup’ look. I’ve tried it myself and on my clients, who loved the overall results.”

To achieve this look, Simons says you will need to use cream products, which will blend together the best. “I love using the Charlotte Tilbury Cream Bronzer, Tarte Cosmetics Shape Tape Concealer, and, I usually go one step further by applying my blush underneath—I love Rare Beauty’s Liquid Blush in Joy,” she says.

The underpainting technique allows you to achieve a perfectly seamless result.

I love how seamless Jourdan Dunn’s makeup is here.

“Fresh, well-nourished skin is a big one for the summer,” says Simons. “Minimal makeup with lighter foundation application is also great for the skin in warmer summer months. Of course, make sure you are using a great SPF to keep the skin protected from the sun,” she says. “Highlighting using balms is also a firm favourite of mine, especially for summer, as using balm instead of a liquid of powder highlight can create a real glossy glow.”

Simons shared the products in her kitbag that she likes to use to create this healthy glow. “I love using the Makeup By Mario Master Secret Glow Balm, and the Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF 50+ is a gorgeous lightweight sun scream that protects the skin, but also gives a nourished look and works perfectly under a tinted moisturiser,” she says. “If you want a more glowy complexion, I also love the Supergoop Glowscreen SPF 30 for an illuminating primer.” In a nutshell, prep your skin and you’ll need less base makeup.

All good makeup starts with a a good base—shop the best products to achieve the look below.

Another trend makeup trend for summer 2023? It’s all about the bold and bright makeup colours. :Make a statement by adding a pop of colour to your everyday makeup,” says Simons. “This can be achieved by a gorgeous red lip or creating a bold coloured eyeshadow. Team it with a more natural base to make it feel more wearable but feel a little more exciting. I’m a huge fan of coloured mascara at the moment—being sure to add a few coats for a real impact. It’s a really cute and chic way of adding colour to your look with minimal effort,” she says.

If you’r ready to dip a toe into bright eye makeup, Simons has some pointers. “I would recommend Natasha Denona’s Pastel Palette for gorgeous springtime shades,” she says. “I also love the Glisten Cosmetics Spectra Lash Mascara which comes in a variety of colourful shades.”

If you’d prefer a classic take on brights, then a red lipstick is the way to go. “For the perfect long lasting red lip, Fenty Beauty’s Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Colour is a favourite of mine and if you want to update your look by making it glossy, just add a pop of clear lip gloss on top,” says Simons.

I’ll admit, I didn’t have this summer 2023 makeup trend on my bingo card, but these colours are set to be big news. “Two hugely popular colours you need to add to your makeup routine this spring/summer are pink (with the release of Barbie, everyone wants to be involved!) and yellow—what screams summer more than a beautiful yellow eyeliner?. Both are set to be huge influential colours and surprisingly, both can be really wearable,” says Simons.