Just because we’re all not going out as much these days doesn’t mean we can’t still have fun with makeup – and this season’s new beauty trends offer the perfect opportunity to try something new.
We’ve rounded up five of the hottest makeup trends to get experimental with this summer – so what are you waiting for?
Floating eyeliner
Forget your typical feline flick – eyeliner just got a whole lot more fun. This playful trend is all about creating negative space with where you draw your liner but otherwise, practically anything goes.
Liquid or gel eyeliners are usually a better bet for creating thin, precise shapes; try an extended wing that curves round over your eyes or floating lines hovering above your lids – and if you’re feeling extra daring, do it all in glorious technicolour to boot.
Neon eyes
Remember those Stabilo highlighters that we all had in our stationery boxes as kids? Well, this is the makeup version of that. It’s essentially a glowsticks-aloft rave for your eyes – think acid brights, vibrant neons and flashing fluorescents, all amped up to sunglasses-required levels of saturation.
Pick whichever scintillating shade takes your fancy and coat your entire eyelid in it, sweeping it outwards towards your brow bone for the ultimate colour-pop. If that seems a little too intense for that work-from-home Zoom call, a simple strong slash of neon eyeliner looks just as good, with minimal effort required.
Watercolour lids
If neon eyes are a touch too electrifying for you, how about this slightly more muted look instead? This season’s watercolour lids still go big on colour, but instead use soft cotton candy shades to create a rainbow of dreamy pastels.
This is another trend that can be easily adapted depending on your mood. For an entry-level option, try an ethereal all-over wash of your favourite pastel hue; lavender, lemon, mint, peach, baby pink and powder blue are all proving popular. For something even more wow-worthy, blend together several complimentary cupcake colours over your lids and up towards your browbones – and choose shimmering, glittery finishes for an extra eye-catching effect.
Pretty-in-pink blush
Give the contouring brush a rest – this summer, an au naturel flush is where it’s at. The look you’re aiming for is basically your cheeks but better… and without needing to take a run round the block to achieve it.
Blushes in soft romantic shades of peachy-pink or just-bitten berry should create just the effect you’re after; whether you prefer a cream, gel or powder blush, simply apply to the apples of your cheek and blend out towards your temples to create the perfect flush.
Brushed-up brows
If simply managing to change out of your pyjamas over the last few months has felt like enough of an achievement, you’ll be pleased to hear that high-maintenance, super-sculpted eyebrows are old news too. Instead, it’s time to rock those natural brows in style.
Let your brows grow out (if they haven’t already during all those beauty salon shutdowns) and brush them upwards and outwards to give a soft, fluffy, feathered look that emphasises their natural shape and volume. Less really is more here – give the heavy pencils and powders a miss, and settle for an easy breezy swipe of brow gel instead.
See also: Colour your world: Summer makeup palettes that pop
