Ah, sweet summertime! When the sun is shining and your plans include plenty of selfies on the beach and at the park, you’ll want to make sure that your makeup look is on point. And we know just the right way to do so. It’s time to level up with trendy summer eyeshadow looks! All you need is the perfect combination of beauty trends and eyeshadow picks to create an eye makeup masterpiece. Interested? Keep reading for 11 summer eyeshadow looks to rock all season long.
HOW TO PREP FOR EASY SUMMER EYE MAKEUP
Before we can get to covering the best summer eyeshadow looks, there’s a bit of prep work to be done! That’s right, you can’t jump straight to applying shadow, no matter which look you end up choosing. Start things off with the following four steps.
STEP #1: PREP YOUR SKIN WITH FACIAL CLEANSER AND MOISTURIZER
Before creating your summer eye makeup look, work your way through your skin care routine to create a flawless base. During the summer months, reach for a clay cleanser, like the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Cleanser to keep dirt, excess oil, and debris at bay. Follow up with a mattifying moisturizer, like the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Oily Skin. Finally, finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Editor’s note: You can also swap your moisturizer and sunscreen for an all-in-one formula like the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Day Lotion SPF 30. After all, who has time for an extended routine during the summer?
STEP #2: PERFECT YOUR COMPLEXION WITH PRIMER, FOUNDATION, AND CONCEALER
Next, apply a mattifying primer, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Lock Makeup Primer, all over your face to help create a smooth base for the rest of your makeup. Then, use a lightweight foundation, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation, Lightweight, and seamlessly blend it onto your face using the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender. Finally, dot (and blend out) a small amount of the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer Waterproof, Full Coverage underneath your eyes.
STEP #3: PRIME YOUR EYELIDS
Primer isn’t just for your foundation if you want a summer eyeshadow look that lasts, be sure to prime your eyelids before creating your masterpiece. To help ensure the shadow applies smoothly and wears evenly throughout the day, start by dabbing a small amount of eye shadow primer on your upper lids. If you don’t have an eye makeup primer, you can use a teeny amount of foundation or concealer in a pinch.
STEP #4: FILL IN YOUR EYEBROWS
No eye makeup look is complete without eyebrows that appear full. Your final prep step before you can move onto your eye makeup look is to bolden your brows with an eyebrow gel, such as the L’Oréal Paris Unbelievabrow Longwear Waterproof Brow Gel.
11 SUMMER EYESHADOW LOOKS
Now, with all of the initial pieces of your summer makeup look in place, it’s time to choose the right summer eyeshadow to go with. Have your pick from our favorite options below!
LOOK #1: JUST PEACHY
Not only are peaches in season during the summer, but peach hair and makeup are totally on-trend, too! So, how about giving this trendy hue a shot with your eye makeup? Lucky for you, the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Enchanted Scented Eyeshadow Palette includes a few peachy shades that will be perfect for this look. First, use a fluffy eyeshadow brush to apply a light dusting of the palette’s true peach shade over your entire upper lid. Then, use a smaller eye shadow brush to place one of the palette’s peachy neutrals in your crease.
Next, using the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Bronze, trace a thin line along your upper lash line before adding a few coats of black mascara. For an extra-peachy look, brush the L’Oréal Paris True Match Naturale Blush in Bare Honey onto your cheekbones. Pretty in peach!
LOOK #2: GOOD AS ROSE GOLD
We love rose gold everything, and eye makeup is no exception. To start, apply a nude shadow on your entire upper eyelid to help the rose gold eyeliner you’re getting ready to apply really stand out. Next, use a smaller eye shadow brush to apply a slightly darker neutral shade in your crease. Moving on to the rose gold part of this look, grab the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Liquid Eyeliner in Rose Gold and line your upper and lower lash lines.
Using a very thin eyeshadow brush, layer a rose gold shadow on top of the eyeliner to help make it pop. Finish with a few coats of the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara, and you’re as good as (rose) gold.
LOOK #3: BROWN SMOKY EYE
A smoky eye makeup look doesn’t have to be black—in fact, it looks just as stunning with brown shades, which are even more appropriate for the summertime. Start by applying a mid-toned matte brown on your upper eyelid, then brush a dark brown shadow onto the outer half of your upper eyelid and up into your crease to create a two-toned look. Next, paint a thin line of black liquid eyeliner along your upper lash line before adding a few coats of the L’Oréal Paris Unlimited Lash Lifting and Lengthening Washable Mascara in Black Brown.
Add the L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Eyes Shimmer Liquid Eyeshadow Makeup in String of Pearls onto the very inner corner of your eyes and along your brow bone as a finishing touch that will open up your eyes a bit and round out the look.
LOOK #4: PRETTY IN PINK
Minimal eye makeup has always been a must-try trend, and this pretty in pink summer eyeshadow look is just the ticket. Simply swipe the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Always Pearly Pink all over your lid, building up to your desired pigment. Follow up with a dab of the L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Eyes Shimmer Liquid Eyeshadow Makeup in Blush Jewel on the center of your lid for a gorgeous pop of shimmer! Voila!
LOOK #5: HALO EYE
For an effortlessly chic way to give your summer eyeshadow look a glorious burst of color, look to the halo eye. Featuring a bold eyeshadow shade in the center with a contrasting color surrounding it to create a halo effect, this eye makeup look is a true beauty staple. Head on over to our article, What Is Halo Eye Makeup? Here’s How to Rock This Buzzy Makeup Trend, for inspiration and instructions.
LOOK #6: SUNSET EYE
There is no better way to enjoy a summer sunset than by bringing this makeup look to life on your eyes! Sunset eyeshadow offers a gorgeous blend of purple, coral, gold, and red hues that warm up your beauty look with ease. Sound like a summer eyeshadow look you can get behind? Check out our article, How to Create a Sunset Eye.
LOOK #7: CUT CREASE
Want to make a lasting impression with your summer eye makeup looks? Well, we think that the trendy cut crease will take you there! This head-turning makeup staple features a clean-cut contrast in color with various shades for a seriously stunning finish. Check out our article, How to Create a Cut Crease, to perfect the look.
LOOK #8: METALLIC EYES
There is something truly special about metallic eye makeup. Perfect for those who love to flaunt single eyeshadow looks, this trend is definitely worth a try. Give it a go with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Metallics Eyeshadow in Violet Luster, swiping it onto your lids and along your bottom lash line to turn heads.
LOOK #9: FELINE EYES
Take your beloved cat eye to the next level with feline eyes. A chic spin on your normal wings, feline eyes are all about using a vibrant blue hue to get a cat-like appearance. Equal parts sultry and seductive, this look can easily complement date night attire. Give the trend a try with the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Grand Bleu, using it to color your lids and lower lash line. Make sure to extend the color just a bit to create a winged effect.
LOOK #10: OMBRÈ EYES
Who says that ombré is reserved for your hair? This multi-tonal eye trend makes for a gorgeous look that tips the style scales. Offering an eye-catching fade of color between two to three shades, this look allows you to explore your creativity and polish your blending skills.
Try the trend with the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Pocket Palette Eye Shadow in Violet Amour. Start by applying the light, pastel purple shade on the inner corner of your eye, and follow up with a medium violet color in the center of your lid. Top it off with a deep, eggplant purple on the outer section of your eyes, and you’re all set.
LOOK #11: FLUORESCENT CREASE
Incorporate runway trends into your summer eyeshadow picks, starting with the fluorescent crease. This look combines the floating eyeliner trend and the buzzy neon color trend for a look that can’t be beat. Best of all, it’s really simple to create. Start by applying the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Endless Sea to your crease. Finish up with a few coats of the L’Oréal Paris Bambi Eye Waterproof Mascara, Lasting Volume, and your look is complete.
HOW TO COMPLETE YOUR SUMMER MAKEUP LOOK
It doesn’t matter which look you choose, if you want to let your eye makeup be the star of the show, keep your lips relatively neutral. Try the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Shine Lipstick in Glossy Fawn or the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Ultra Matte Highly Pigmented Nude Lipstick in Full-Blown Fawn.
HOW TO REMOVE YOUR SUMMER EYESHADOW LOOK
We get it, you love your look, but that doesn’t mean you should sleep in it. Before hopping into bed, take all of your makeup off. Sleeping in your makeup can lead to clogged pores, which can lead to breakouts. No thanks! Use a micellar water formulated to gently remove waterproof makeup, like the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types. Pour some of the micellar water onto a cotton pad and wipe the pad across your face.
For eye makeup removal, hold the pad over closed eyes for a few seconds, then wipe away. You can follow up by using a wash-off facial cleanser if you feel like you could go for another round of cleansing or go straight to applying moisturizer.
Next up: Want to rock trendy lip colors this summer, too? Check out The Best Lipstick Colors for Summer 2020.