Then there’s all the sparkle. With glitter freckles and sparkling lip glosses that twinkle like disco balls, makeup lovers are ready to embrace some glitz and glamour in their summer looks. Rinehart explains that Ulta Beauty’s focus for the summer is about “enhancing individuality and embracing self-expression.”
Makeup artist Alex Levy thinks it might go deeper than that. “I think people are looking for ways to make small beauty rebellions during this sense of rigidity that’s going on in the world,” he says. “Playfulness in everyday makeup is a nod to that idea of drawing attention to the individual; it’s a little middle finger to the structures we’re forced to operate within.” Keep reading to discover all the ways to do that this summer.
Butter Skin
Launchmetrics
Launchmetrics
This summer, when someone says, “I can’t believe it’s not butter!” they might be referring to your skin. Butter skin is the latest in a long line of trending, food-inspired skin finishes driven by TikTok, but in this case, it’s also fueled by what we’re about to see on beauty shelves. With loads of hydrating skin tints rolling out in time for warmer weather, the team at Ulta Beauty expects to see their customers make a shift from extremely dewy looks to more natural, luminous ones, says Rinehart.
Unlike the questionable trend of smothering one’s face with beef tallow, butter skin doesn’t require you to dip into actual animal fat. Originating from Korea, butter skin is about making your complexion look as smooth and satiny as the kitchen staple by using a combination of hydrating skin-care and creamy-makeup products. “It differs from ‘glass skin’ in that it’s not about looking shiny or wet, or filtered and flawless,” says Reader. Rather, it’s a more controlled sort of glow, one that strikes the balance between hydration and smoothness without being overly shiny or flat.
Skin that’s hydrated and well-cared for is integral for the look. Reader recommends prepping with a deeply hydrating cream that doesn’t leave you looking oily or shiny, like La Mer Crème De La Mer or Augustinus Bader The Cream. (For a more budget-friendly option, we suggest Rhode Barrier Butter.) Many makeup artists like to start with a glowy primer, such as Vieve’s Skin Nova or Saie’s Glowy Super Gel, while others prefer to go right in with an ultra-hydrating skin tint, such as Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Skin Tint or Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint. Whichever method you choose is down to skin type and personal preference.
Any concealing should be done minimally and strategically with a creamy, lightweight formula, says Reader, who’s a fan of the Glossier Stretch Concealer. “Use [concealer] to minimize any redness or blemishes, but that’s it,” she explains. “We want to see the skin, not cover it!” Cream bronzer is also key to the butter-skin routine.
“Any formula you use needs to add moisture and dewiness, and cream bronzer gives the skin that plump, hydrated feel,” she continues. “It’s also more subtle than powder, making the skin look like warmth is coming from within rather than sitting or clinging on top of the face.” Our favorite formulas for achieving that healthy, glowing effect include the classic Nars Laguna Bronzing Cream and the balm-y Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer.
Lightened Brows
Getty Images
Getty Images
Getty Images
Getty Images
There’s been a lack of brows on the red carpet recently—from Miley Cyrus at the Oscars to Jenna Ortega at the premiere of her film Hurry Up Tomorrow—and it’s inspiring people to experiment with their brows beyond just brushing them up or filling in their arches. “Thinner brows have already made their comeback [on social], but now we’re seeing brows being bleached or lightened,” says Dempsey.