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Although summer is usually the time I look forward to coating my face in tinted sunscreen and going on with my life—sans my usual blush, eyeshadow, and eyeliner—summer 2026 is inspiring me to take things up a notch. Just because it’s 90 degrees and sticky outside doesn’t mean I have to forgo a look entirely. In fact, the biggest summer makeup trends this year actually embrace it. Shiny skin, bold blush, and juicy lips: The coolest makeup looks right now look like you just left a hot pilates class (or, you know, suffered through a stifling subway commute) and somehow came out looking perfectly flushed instead and dewy.
Keep scrolling for the full lineup of the five makeup trends we’re predicting for summer—plus key application tips and product recs for achieving each look.
A flushed cheek look immediately makes you look like you were just on vacation. And who doesn’t want to walk into the office on Monday pretending they spent the weekend beachside? This faux sunburn is glowy and fresh and not at all subdued (more is more here application-wise).
But hey, sun exposure is not worth it. That’s why the only flush I’ll be getting this summer is from a tube or pot (all on top of a slathering of sunscreen). Cosmo beauty director Lauren Balsamo is all-in on the new Prada Touch Cream-to-Powder Blush. I’ve been reaching for SheGlam’s Air Plush Lip and Cheek Cream. Both give a blurred finish to your skin but impart a watercolor-like diffused sheen across cheeks and nose (make sure you pop this on your nose for that faux glow).
Sorry to the anti-mascara brigade, but a lash looks really cool this summer, specifically if it’s spiky and elongated. This can easily be done with your favorite mascara: Apply one coat as normal, then turn the wand vertically to push your lashes together in sections.
If you are gonna wear a bold lip color, it better be in a waterproof formula. Don’t worry: Matte lipsticks aren’t the drying, crusty look you might remember from 2016. Now, you can find liquid and cream colors that actually hydrate lips while keeping them locked down for hours. A few recs we love: Haus Labs just rereleased their bestselling Atomic Shake Lip Lacquer, a long-lasting, transfer-proof, glossy lip; Make Up For Ever’s Artist Liquid Color Waterproof Blush for lip and cheek; and MAED Signature Lip Pigment, a classic liquid lipstick in a universally loved red shade.
Is it sweat, or is it just your skin? No one will ever know. This summer, we’ll be avoiding powder at all costs. Think of the dewy glow you have after a hot yoga class. That’s the vibe, just slightly perfected. While you could skip foundation, the right one will actually help you achieve the look without actually needing to sweat. M.ph Beauty’s Le Skin Weightless Foundation has a fresh, glowy look with medium coverage (and was loved by the entire Cosmo team). A dewy setting spray like Dior’s Backstage Airflash Mist will also help achieve this look.
Lips that look like they’ve been drenched in the juice of a cherry look so fresh for summer. And it’s precisely why we’ve seen an onslaught of glossy lip tints launch for spring (see: Gucci Oil-in-Water Hydrating Lip Stain, and Laneige JuicePop Box Oil Lip Tint). These combine the long-wear of a stain but start off glossy. As the day goes on and the shine starts to fade, just top your lips with your favorite clear gloss to keep the color going.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with more than seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing makeup stories.
Photography: Oh Arang; Model: Park Seohui; Hair: Lee Youngjae; Makeup: Kim Minji; Styling: Kim Minji (minjiena); Art Design: Kim Jiwon; Digital Design: Jang Seokyeong
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
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