Top 15 Makeup Trends for Summer 2021

With the weather heating up, it’s about time we all switch our makeup routines as well. Stay on top of the trend by trying out these 15 makeup looks.

Dewy, Glossy Skin

Yes, we’re talking radically reflective skin that bounces light off your face. Remember, every summer brings back this hyper-glossy skin trend, but this year it’s bigger, better and bolder. Don’t be afraid to pile on that cream highlighter and call it a day. I wrote “cream” because powders can sometimes look chunky and glittery; even the most finely milled ones.

To achieve the look, try mixing 1-2 drops of liquid/cream highlighter in your foundation before slathering it on the face. For that over-the-top luminosity, dab the same highlighter on the tops of your cheekbones, on the bridge of your nose, over your brow-bones, and a little bit on the forehead. Make sure to blend everything really well to eliminate any harsh lines. If you don’t have a cream or liquid highlighter formula at hand, make your own! Scrape some powder highlight and mix it with a little petroleum jelly or coconut oil on the back of your hand. Voila! Your DIY highlighter for summer is ready.

Graphic Eyeliner

It’s edgy, super modern and unleashes your creative side like nothing else. If you were the kind of kid who was really good at making straight lines at school, you’re going to hack this in no time. Your call, to draw patterns, designs, wings, curves, etc. The sky is the limit here. Plus, there are step-by-step tutorials on YouTube to help you out. I’m dropping links to some of my favourite ones down below.

Fresh No-Makeup Makeup Look

This is the ultimate model-off-duty makeup look. With Kendall Jenner and Hailey Baldwin making this such a hit trend, there is no way in the world it can look bad on anyone. Undetectable makeup not only gives you a youthful glow but also helps your skin breathe. “Less is more” is the rule of thumb here. It’s classy, timeless and would make you look like YOU in pictures and in real life.

The trick is to use products that have a satin finish. No mattes or ultra-dewy finishes here. They don’t look like your natural skin. Tinted moisturizers, creamy concealers, fine translucent loose powders, cream blushes and highlighters are key players to help you achieve the look. Don’t forget to set your brows and layer on some lengthening mascara to give you that wide-eyed appearance.

I’d suggest Nabila’s Zero Perfecting Palette you can read all about here.

Well-Groomed Eyebrows

The past two years were all about super bushy, brushed-up, soap brows. This year, we’re seeing major shifts in trend. While fluffy brows are still very much in vogue, the unruly super-brushed up look is kind of passé. It’s about time we say goodbye to those almost-electrocuted, straight, erect, brushed up brows and settle with pretty, well-groomed ones.

All you need to do is fill in between the gaps and set your eyebrows in shape with a fibrous setting gel. Not only will this make your eyebrows sweat-proof throughout the day, but it’ll also give them that voluptuous 3D appearance.

Periwinkle & Yellow Eyeshadow

Lilac, muted purples and periwinkles have made quite a roar in the makeup scene this summer. With celebrities like Dua Lipa donning this trend on the red carpet, you sure wouldn’t want to stay back. Pop-out your favourite purple eyeshadow from your stash and smother it over your lids. Apply a shimmery one on the mobile lid for that cool 3D effect. Skip the eyeliner here and finish the look with a swipe of mascara. You never know, this might become your next go-to makeup look.

(PS. Purple looks amazing on brown eyes and skin. It’s the Contrasting Color-Wheel Theory. More about it here.)

Similarly, yellow is the colour of the year (Read about Pantone Colour of the Year here) We’re seeing major yellow moments on the runways everywhere. Whether it is yellow eyeshadow all over the lid or just the inner corner for that minimalistic pop of colour, it looks fun and fabulous!

Blotted/Smeared/Lived-In Lips

Summer is all about effortless looks. No stark edges, no perfect contours. Just hazy blotted, blurry borders. That is exactly what this trend thrives on.  Move over perfect lip lines and sharp outlines. This summer’s all about well-blended lip colour, almost like you’ve been devouring a bowl of berries. To achieve the look, a lip tint works really well. It stays on all day and doesn’t budge even under a mask. However, any lipstick of choice, if blotted on the lips also gives a similar effect. Very effortless!

Gilded Gold Eyes

Yes, it’s all about sunset on your eyes this summer! Stick out the most shimmery, metallic gold from your makeup collection and slap it on your lids. The more reflective, the better. Liquid eyeshadows work perfectly here. Most people with oily lids don’t quite enjoy them for how creasy they get throughout the day. However, if that’s not an issue in your books, go ahead and paint your lids gold. It gives an effect of sunshine on your eyes. Don’t we adore that?!

Sun-Kissed Glow

A gorgeous bronzy glow is all we’re talking about here. It makes you look healthy, happy and like you’ve been spending your time in the sun. To achieve the look, apply a warm-toned bronzer on the perimeters of your face. Finish it off with a light dusting of gold highlighter. You’ll look like an ethereal glowing goddess, I swear.

Bright Matte Eyeshadow

Probabilities are that half of your face will be covered by a mask for your own safety while in public. Makeup artists say, let your eyes do the talking! Bright, unconventional colours on your eyes like fuchsia, aqua, mint greens and neon oranges look incredible when the rest of your makeup is minimal and understated.

A hack to make bright, colourful eyeshadows pop is to layer them on top of a very pale, sticky base. A light-coloured concealer may come very handy here. The tacky base will also ensure that the pigments adhere to your skin better with less fall-out. Finish with a light coat of mascara and you’re done!

Bright, Cheerful Lips

Keeping up with the bright tradition here, your lips shouldn’t be left behind. Colours like bright coral, cherry red, electric pink, ultraviolet; all scream summer. Just make sure you don’t make sharp contours on your lips. In fact, cleaning the edges and making them blurry is the new Burberry here. A modern take on a statement lip.

Foxy Eyes with Subtle Feline Flicks

Ah, the good old foxy eye trend. This was all the rage in 2020. It made your eyes appear lifted, gave an appearance of Bella Hadid’s infamous elevated features without any surgical procedures. While there are tonnes of tutorials on YouTube teaching you the tricks of the trade, here’s my personal tip. Instead of choosing black as your liner colour, know that brown looks subtler and more natural. Also, it’s more forgiving in terms of intensity.

Say Goodbye to Black Eyeliner

And hello to vivid colourful ones. C’mon, it’s summer. It’s high time you experiment with colours and finishes and make a statement by going all out. Colourful eyeliners are a personal favourite for how versatile they can be. Thin lines for a minimalistic look. Thick, bold wings for a va-va-voom “I have arrived!” kind of a look. Whether you choose to stay in your comfort zone or step out of it, a coloured eyeliner will speak volumes even with your mouth shut.

Flushed Cheeks

Name something more feminine and cute than healthy-looking, rosy, flushed cheeks. This summer, it’s all about looking like you’ve had a good run, drank tonnes of water and have had your vitamins. Rosy cheeks exude beauty and good health.

To achieve the look, opt for cream blushes. They melt into your skin better and give your cheeks a glossier feel. To make that long-wearing, dust some powder on top to seal the deal

The Monochrome

Want to know why monochrome looks always come back in fashion? The answer is their versatility. Staying in the same colour family and playing with different textures, tones and finishes all over your face create a very multi-dimensional look. All these dimensions when mingled together, makes your face appear interesting. Try burgundy, nude, orange, pink and brown monotones this summer. You sure would make heads turn!

Metallic for the Run

Jewel and metallic tones translate beautifully on brown skin. Take your bronze, gold, copper, silver, rose-gold, gunmetal; you name it. They all look stunning as a simple wash of colour on the eyes or when packed on gives a major metallic moment. Even metallic lips look super pretty on some people, but quite sickly on the rest of them. Be careful with the lip option here.

And always remember that the beauty of makeup is that it can come right off! Have fun with it. Don’t take it too seriously and know that stepping out of your comfort zone feels weird at first but then becomes YOUR favourite zone. Keep experimenting on the most beautiful canvas that God blessed you with. YOUR FACE!

Love to stay on top of all the latest trends and to know all the tricks in the book? Don’t forget to read the articles listed below.
Top Nail Trends for Summer 2021

Top Hair Trends for Summer 2021