Trust Us: These Chic Makeup Trends Will Be Everywhere This Season

The start of a new season can only mean one thing: lots of new makeup trends for us to unpack. Spring saw the arrival of fresh base products and "glowtouring" galore, but what's in store for us now that summer is on the horizon? As a beauty editor, it's my job to separate the wheat from the chaff, so I spend a lot of my time picking apart trending makeup looks to decide which ones are really worth talking about. I don't know about you, but I feel like there's a buzz in the air this season as more and more of us get comfortable experimenting with new colours, textures and finishes. From frosted eyeshadow at this year's Met Gala to Pat McGrath's now-iconic glass skin look for Maison Margiela's 2024 Paris Haute Couture show, my fingertips are practically tingling with excitement at the thought of trying these looks out for myself.

However, as these fresh makeup trends begin to take off, I find myself stuck on where to begin when it comes to re-creating them at home. Luckily for me, I had the pleasure of speaking to Chanel makeup artist Anna Payne about the summer makeup trends that we're truly backing this season, and I was quick to scribble down all of her tips and tricks straight from the makeup chair.

Ahead, you'll find everything you need to know about this season's biggest looks.

Ask any beauty editor what their favourite era of makeup is and I guarantee they will say the '90s. There's something so iconic about this time, so it's no surprise that a lot of the trends are making their way back into our summer makeup looks. When I think of the '90s, I think of tonal makeup with a statement lip liner and subtle contouring.

"Kevyn Aucoin really nailed it in the '90s," says Payne. "The way he did makeup was beautiful." However, to keep this look modern, Payne recommends focusing on the eyes and lips and keeping the skin natural and fresh, instead of going for that classic matte finish. "['90s makeup] is very heavy, but you can take elements of it. I think this is the way to do it," she says.

For the lips, you want to start by lining them with a taupe lip pencil. "Find something with enough grey in it," says Payne. "You don't want it too orangey." Then add a lighter lipstick or lipgloss to the centre. The trick here is to blend everything together to keep the line from looking too harsh.

For the eyes, Payne recommends going for a glossy look for a more modern take on the trend. You can use a clear liquid eyeshadow for this. To add a slight definition, go in with a taupe eyeshadow such as Chanel Stylo Ombre Et Contour Eyeshadow Liner (£34).

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Blush is having a moment this summer. Once an underrated beauty product that was often overlooked, it has quickly become the trendiest makeup topic of the season. We're seeing it everywhere, from TikTok trends such as "boyfriend blush" and new product launches like Milk Makeup's "jelly" blushers going viral, it's clear that we're all desperate to re-create that naturally flushed finish. As described by Payne, this trend is all about that dewy, juicy texture that gives the impression that you've been outside enjoying the sun all day.

Although the look is currently trending, Payne informs me that rosy cheeks will never go out of style, especially in the summer. She recommends using a cream blush. "Work with the skin first—use lots of moisturiser—then go in with a cream blush so it sits amongst the skincare. If you go for dewy skin and then use a powder, the products can work against each other," she explains. Another tip is to use two different shades of cream blush. Payne likes using a lighter shade first to build up the look before going in with a slightly darker shade in the centre of the cheeks to really make the look pop.

Finally, make sure to blend the blush over the bridge of your nose to give a more natural, lit-from-within finish. "I also like to add a little bit of whatever blush I'm using on the lips to add cohesiveness to the face," says Payne.

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If rosy blusher isn't enough to convince you to experiment with colours and textures this season, then perhaps this shimmering makeup look just might do the trick. Payne says that this trend is all over social media at the moment thanks to Hailey Bieber's love for all things "glazed". In fact, according to Cult Beauty, searches for "shimmer eyeshadows" are up 15% year on year, whilst searches for "shimmer bronzer" have increased by an impressive 86% over the past 12 months.

"I think you can put a bit of shimmer anywhere," says Payne. "Because it's iridescent, you can really go for it. You can also have lots of fun because you don't need that much skill; you can just swipe it on and go." This trend is an easy way to inject some fun into your look this summer, and we've got all the tips and tricks you need.

To get a shimmery eyelid, Payne recommends using a highlighter to add a wash of shimmer over the eye (her go-to is Chanel Lumière De L'Océan Illuminating Powder, £58), before going in with an eye shadow or pigment for a statement finish. For that wet-look effect, you can also try mixing a clear gloss with a shimmery pigment on the back of your hand before applying to your lids.

To keep things more wearable, Payne likes to go for a natural base. She also recommends keeping your base on the matte side so that the shimmery textures have a chance to shine. To tie everything together, opt for a shimmery lip gloss in a similar shade.

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For the first time in a long time, more and more people are moving away from "no-makeup makeup" and embracing bright, bold finishes. To me, nothing says bold like colour-blocking. "Colour-blocking has always been around," says Payne. "It's about playing and having fun. I love a neon colour [for summer]. Neons are having quite a moment." There are so many ways to incorporate the colour-blocking trend into your makeup routine, but according to Payne, the eyes are the easiest place to start as you have more space to play with. "I really like it done in a graphic way where you have lots of straight lines and everything is really crisp," she says.

Get this look by choosing two colours to stack on top of one another. Payne recommends going in with an eye pencil first to work out the shape before applying your eye shadow with a thin brush. Make sure to have a cotton bud to hand to help clean up the shape and get that sharp finish. Her top tip? Keep the rest of your makeup minimal and let your eyes do the talking. Don't worry about mascara either, as Payne says that this trend will look a lot more modern without it.

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If there's one thing I've learnt during my time as a beauty editor, it's that trends always have a way of coming back around. Case in point—blue eye shadow. This trend was huge in the '90s and early '00s, but this summer it's back and better than ever. "I love blue eye shadow," says Payne. "Used with a contrasting red lip, it feels classic but modern." She recommends using both cream and powder formulas. "I put a cream underneath, then I apply powder on top, which is a way of making [the eye shadow] last a bit longer," she explains. "With a cream, it can crease and a shadow can wear off, so combining the two gives you a bit more longevity." This can also help amp up the colour for that statement finish.

Another way to take the trend to the next level is with blue mascara. "[This look] is all about textures," explains Payne. "I use a flat, matte blue then add a blue mascara in a darker shade to keep it fresh." Finally, to bring some light to the eyes, Payne recommends adding a little white eye shadow to the inner corners. This can help open up the eyes and keep everything looking more contemporary.

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Credits:
Photographer: Nadia Ryder
Model: Penny Capp at The Squad Management
Stylist: Remy Farrell
Makeup Artist: Anna Payne at C/O Management
Hair Stylist: Lewis Stanford at Eighteen Management
Manicurist: Maddy Ayers
Art Director: Natalia Szytk
Editor-in-Chief: Hannah Almassi
Producer: Town Productions
Writer: Grace Lindsay
Video: Remi Afolabi
Video Editor: Jonathan Middleton
Styling Assistant: Brittany Davy