Summer Makeup Trends You Need To Try This Season
Celebrity makeup artist Christina Flach breaks down the top summer makeup trends to try this season.
Exploring makeup trends is a fun and creative process, and San Francisco Bay Area celebrity makeup artist Christina Flach says every season brings a fresh wave of inspiration. Makeup lovers enjoy dabbling in the latest looks and adding their own artistic touch — trends simply provide the starting point, and the personal style comes from there.
With summer approaching, Christina Flach notes that makeup enthusiasts are excited for trends that embrace experimentation with color and texture. New seasonal collections and products make it easier than ever to explore looks that capture summer’s carefree spirit. Summer makeup tends to be laid-back, allowing natural beauty to shine through with minimalistic techniques that let an inner glow take center stage.
For anyone looking to unleash their creativity this season, Christina Flach highlights these must-try summer trends:
Glazed Blush
Christina calls this the juiciest trend of the year — a dewy sheen added to the cheeks that looks stunning on every skin tone and can be adjusted up or down to taste. Blush palettes are leaning balmy and glossy for an easy luminous finish. Without the right blush on hand, a powder or cream blush paired with a glow balm or liquid highlighter achieves the same glowy effect. For long-wear in warm weather, Christina recommends layering a cream blush with a powder highlighter. This look, often called “doll blush” or “Barbie blush” for its focus on the apples of the cheeks, has surged in popularity alongside the broader cultural moment around the Barbie aesthetic.
Low-Key Luxury
This trend celebrates natural beauty with subtle enhancement, making it ideal for everyday wear. Christina explains that quiet luxury makeup is about a polished, understated appearance built on simplicity. A lightweight foundation or tinted moisturizer creates a smooth base, while groomed brows, subtle contouring, and neutral tones across the eyes, cheeks, and lips complete the refined look.
Pops of Color
For those wanting a bolder summer statement, Christina points to colorful mascara and eyeliner as the season’s standout trend. A few coats of colored mascara create an unexpected pop, while playful eyeliner styles — including a 1960s-inspired cut crease — help highlight the eyes. Liquid eyeliner delivers the boldest, sharpest lines, while gel or pencil formulas work well for both soft and defined looks. Christina also suggests a DIY approach: a flat-head brush, favorite eyeshadow, and a touch of Vaseline for a custom glossy, colorful liner. Swapping classic black eyeliner for cerulean, emerald, purple, pink, or yellow adds vibrancy and personality to any summer look.
Holographic Makeup
For a true summer glow-up, Christina recommends layering holographic shades over blush and lipstick for an iridescent, multidimensional effect in the sunlight. A few drops of glow liquid mixed into foundation or moisturizer also creates a luminous finish. For a bolder statement, a multichromatic holographic eyeliner or metallic lip gloss paired with facial jewelry, like hologram septum jewelry, makes for an unforgettable summer look.
Christina Flach reminds beauty lovers that summer is about celebrating individuality through makeup, whether the goal is subtly enhancing natural beauty or making a bold seasonal statement. These trends offer plenty of inspiration to explore and personalize.
Ready to master this season’s hottest makeup trends? Book a private makeup lesson or photo shoot session with Christina Flach, celebrity hair and makeup artist serving the San Francisco Bay Area, Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Carmel, and Cabo San Lucas. Visit christinaflach.com to check availability and book your session.
For more beauty tips and trend breakdowns, subscribe to Christina Flach’s YouTube channel