8 Lip Colors Charlize Theron, Gal Gadot, and Gina Rodriguez Will Be Wearing Soon
It can be a bit hard to think about summer days at this moment, but we can still dream, right? The season is prime for carefree, bold, bright looks both makeup- and style-wise. Personally, I find myself more emboldened to experiment with my makeup in the summer than any other time of year. I'm not adventurous enough to try a neon lip or shadow in the fall or even spring, but there's something about summer that makes me want to wear that every Friday night (and maybe even on a Monday morning—I'm sure my Who What Wear colleagues wouldn't mind).
While we're daydreaming of summer days, I asked three celebrity makeup artists for their takes on the summer lip colors that will be standouts this season. Take a look at the eight shades and finishes they predicted. (Hint: They all said to go "bold and bright.")
Coral
"I think this summer, we're going to see a lot of bright colors," says Sabrina Bedrani, a brand ambassador for Dior whose clients include Charlize Theron and Gal Gadot. "The runways were full of bold and neon colors. And I think an easy way for this trend to translate into makeup is to have a bright bold lip because it's easier to wear than a neon eye shadow or liner (even though I love both). And let's face it: We're gonna need some brightness and happy color once this pandemic is over."
Bedrani says coral, particularly Dior Addict Stellar Halo Shine in Super Star, will be a popular shade. "I love the texture. The ultra shine is perfect to brighten your smile and makes it easy to wear especially if you're not used to wearing bright color. This color looks good on everyone, but it's particularly stunning on olive, dark, or tan skin tones. This is why I think it's a perfect summer color."
Our Pick:
Watermelon
"I'm predicting bright, happy colors that pair well with sunshine (and hopefully a tan) for summer 2020," says Carissa Ferreri, whose clients include Suki Waterhouse and Gina Rodriguez. "Nothing says summer quite like shiny watermelon lips, and that's why Burberry Kisses Sheer in Bright Pink is a standout. The gel texture feels more like a moisturizing balm, but you get the added value of a translucent cheerful glow that looks good on any skin tone. It's the perfect daytime look for the beach or pool!"
Our Pick:
Red
All of the makeup artists we spoke to mentioned classic red. "Since isolation has taken a big toll on spring beauty, I envision bright colors for summer," Ferreri says. "Most of us have gone makeup-free for some time due to quarantine, and I think a big bold lip using Burberry Full Kiss in Military Red is the perfect fit. The unique shape of the lipstick defines and carves, making it easy to create an enhanced look. This red is great on so many skin tones because it's a perfect balance of warm and cool tones. Also perfect for that special Zoom date!"
Our Pick:
Bedrani suggested Rouge Dior Ultra Care in Iconic Red "because this color never goes out of style and, as its name indicates, it's an iconic red and my favorite one of all time. I've used this color on every skin tone, and I have yet to find someone it doesn't look good on."
And on celebrity makeup artist Andreea Ali's (clients include Natalia Vodianova and Izabel Goulart) top lipsticks for the summer is Lisa Eldridge's Velvet Ribbon, which she says is "a classic true tone red that is atemporal."
Our Pick:
Bright Orange
"There has never been a better time to try bright, colorful lipsticks and/or lip glosses, but the modern touch is to make them look casual," says Ali. Another top hue for her is orange, particularly Lisa Eldridge's Velvet Morning, which "has a matte comfortable finish without sucking the life out of your lips."
Our Pick:
Fuchsia
A bold pink like fuchsia is my personal go-to bold color for summer, and both Bedrani and Ali agree. Bedrani suggests Dior Addict Stellar Halo Shine in Be-Dior Star: "I love that one because it's a fun, happy color." Ali loves Lisa Eldridge's Skyscraper Rose.
Our Pick:
Cinnamon
A darker hue like brownish cinnamon might seem a bit odd for summer, but it's a good complement to a bold eye shadow. "Colorful, glittery, embellished eyes have been a big trend, and I think it will still continue into summer," Ferreri says. "To pair your multicolored eye shadow with just the right amount of hue and texture, try Burberry's Lip Velvet Crush in Cinnamon. Use the cushion applicator to dab on for a subtle stain, or use it to glide on for more coverage. I especially love to blend a bit of this powdery matte finish onto the cheeks on medium to tan skin tones."
Our Pick:
Bold Colors in Matte
Take any bold color and opt for a matte finish. "This summer, bright colors will be especially popular and the finish could be a soft matte or super-high shine," Ali says.
To apply, Ali says a precise contour will always be a classic, but you can always opt for an effortlessly chic look. "Apply any bright lipstick in the center of the lips. Then work your way towards the edges, creating a gradient, blurry effect using your fingers," she suggests. "Then use a cotton tip to smudge the edges even more. This is the perfect way to transform a classic, red/orange/fuchsia lip into a casual everyday wear."
Our Pick:
High Gloss
And on the flip side, Ali says high gloss is another standout option. Her first pick is Fenty's Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow. "I can guarantee [it] looks good on every single human being!" she says. "The most comfortable lip gloss I've ever tried with the most flattering color. Has a high-shine finish and enough color to wear it on its own but can also be worn on top of a lipstick. It is a product I apply on Amina Muaddi a LOT!"
When it comes to gloss, Ali has some pointers because they can be sticky, uncomfortable, and "bleed" outside the lips. "We all know that they could eventually migrate pass the lip contour, and that's when it starts to look weird," she says. "I like to use the Lip Line Perfector from Make Up For Ever around the lips for flawless wear. It's a clear lip liner that acts like a barrier and won't let the lip gloss migrate. Another good tip would be to use just any waterproof lip liner that is as close as possible to your natural lip color. Lip liners have a waxier consistency, and they also act as a barrier."
Ali's second pick for a high-shine look is Lilah B's Tinted Lip Balm in the color B. Cheeky. "It's a bright orange lip balm. You will have the comfort of a balm with a lip gloss finish. It is a clean product, in a beautiful, unique packaging that I'm currently obsessed with," she says.
And Ali's last pick is Nude Envie Lip Gloss in Affection. "I love everything about this product, not just the color!" she says. "It is packed with peptides that transform this product into a treatment for your lips. For example, if you have fine wrinkles on your lips, this will completely fill them and give you the most beautiful pout. The color is such a beautiful soft pink that I often apply in the center of the lips to create dimension."
Our Pick:
Sarah is lifestyle writer and editor with over 10 years of experience covering health and wellness, interior design, food, beauty, and tech. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she attended New York University and lived in New York for 12 years before returning to L.A. in 2019. In addition to her work on THE/THIRTY and Who What Wear, she held editor roles at Apartment Therapy, Real Simple, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, and The Bump (sister site of The Knot). She has a passion for health and wellness, but she especially loves writing about mental health. Her self-care routine consists of five things: a good workout, “me” time on the regular, an intriguing book/podcast/playlist to unwind after a long day, naps, and decorating her home.
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