These Are the Only Summer Makeup Trends That Matter, According to Gen Z (2024)

These Are the Only Summer Makeup Trends That Matter, According to Gen Z (1)

There's no denying that Gen Z has a unique influence on thebeautyindustry, thanks to their unique position as the only generation raised alongside mainstream social media platforms. For Gen Z, this experience comes with the ability to detect and drive trends before the rest of the world catches even the slightest whiff. It also gives them the power to challenge the validity of standardsprevious generationsclaimedwere timeless.

Before you head to your nearest beauty retailer to stock up for the season, we recommend looking to the so-called 'internet generation' for guidance on this summer's hottest makeup trends. As always, we've made it easy for you by combing through countless youth-driven trends to identify the seven trends you'll seeeverywhereover the next few months.

Keep scrolling to discover some of our favorite makeup artist-approved trends and the hero products that will dominate the digital space this summer. Spoiler alert: the moreblushed andbronzed you are this season, the better.

Juicy Wine-Colored Lips

These Are the Only Summer Makeup Trends That Matter, According to Gen Z (2)

For the past year, juicy over-glossed lips have been a staple in among social media-driven beauty trends. Whether thisiscontributed to the rise of lip oils or berry-toned looks, this is one makeup trend we'llsee nonstop oncesummer hits. Take inspiration from this shot of content creatorMary L. Jeanand gentlypat on a pigmented lip balm or swipe two of your favorite lip oils on for more glossy realness.

Merit

Shade Slick Classics Tinted Lip Oil in Sangria

This tinted lip oil offers high shine and major color payoff with a formula infused with plant-derived squalene and quinoa seed oil for hydrated, glossy lips all day. Its formula is also non-sticky and incredibly lightweight, leaving your lips feeling and looking their best.

YSL

Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick in Burgundy Temptation

I can't imagine a day when I won't be raving about YSL's Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick. It packs the shine of lip gloss with the nourishment and hydration of a lip balmandlasts up to eight hours. Fusing hyaluronic acid with vitamin E and mango oils, its formula melts onto the lips for long-lasting shine.

Electric Eyeliner

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You heard it here first: The beauty and fashion crowd will be all about graphic eye looks with pops of color this summer. New York-based modelAnaa Saber shows us how it's done with an electric eyelinerswipedacross the eyelid and a matte taupe lip to balance out the look. If you're feeling bold, try matching your eye makeup with your outfit for a fashion-forward take on the summer trend.

Haus Labs by Lady Gaga

Optic Intensity Eco Gel Eyeliner Pencil in Chartreuse Matte

If you're considering trying out this trend, you should grab this gel eyeliner pencil by Haus Labs before it flies off the shelf of your neighborhood beauty supplier once everyone else catches on.It comes in either a matte or shimmer finish, with 18 ultra-pigmented shades to choose from. Plus, it conditions and protects the skin with every stroke.

Nars

Golden Hour Glow

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One makeup trend we can always count on seeingin the summer is bronzed skin. Golden hour-inspired makeup takes this look a stepfurther, with a glowy base and gold highlighter applied to the high points of the face for an ethereal golden-hour effect. In other words, you don't need to wait until the early evening for a golden glow.

Makeup by Mario

SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Perfector

The secret is out: Makeup by Marios' three-in-one tinted complexion balm is the key to achieving the look of smooth, even, and glowing skinwith a dewy finish. Packed with superhero ingredients like vitamins A, D, and E, it's a solid balm, a skin tint, and a creamy bronzer in one.

Refy

Gloss Highlighter

No sun in sight? No problem. We'll be catching rays all summer with Refy's Gloss Highlighter. Its nonstick universal formula has natural oils and mineralsfora perfect glass-like glow. Apply it to the cheekbones, eyelids, cupid's bow, or even the collar bones for a long-lasting smooth and silky finish.

Rosy Hues

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When it comes to TikTok beauty aesthetics,ballet and coquette-inspired makeup looks are still on the rise. Lean into these sweet trends by using a pink blush to add a natural-looking flush of color to the skin (draping it from the cheeks across the tip of your nose) and adding a gorgeous glossy lip as worn here by content creator, dancer, and model Camri Hewie.

Makeup by Mario

Soft Pop Blush Stick in Earthy Pink

Makeup by Marios' Soft Pop Blush Stick offers sheer and buildable coverage with a dewy finish using a moisturizing formula ideal for all skin types. Use it to add a healthy flush of color to leave the skin radiant without the sticky and oily sensations created by other cream-based blush.

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez

Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil in Hope

Who What Wear beauty editors loved this tinted lip oil by Rare Beauty so much that they wrotea love letter to it. To me, its formula feels more like liquid lipstick than lip oil, but it adds all the shine and color payoff you could want without drying out the lips. The shade Hope adds a rosy hue that complimentsall skin tones.

Full Brows

These Are the Only Summer Makeup Trends That Matter, According to Gen Z (14)

Barely-there brows have beena topic of conversation ever since they reappeared on and off the runway. If you're not ready to shave, pluck, or bleachyour brows away, opt for full ones, as they're also having a comeback. Get the look by filling in and shaping the eyebrows with a pencil or brow pomade.

Nyx Professional Makeup

Vegan Micro Eyebrow Pencil

As someone who has always rocked big and bold brows, this Nyx pencil has been one of my go-to products to keep them in check. Its super skinny tip helps youcreateextra fine lines to fill and shape the brows, coating the existing hairs with color for an unbeatable natural-looking finish.

Anastasia Beverly Hills

Dipbrow Waterproof, Smudge Proof Brow Pomade

Everyone needs a trustworthy brow pomade in their makeup collection. Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Waterproof, Smudge Proof Brow Pomade is one of the bestoptions money can buy. It creates clean, defined brows with a standout formula that provides expert-level pigment, shaping, and shading.

Overly Blushed Cheeks

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One of my favorite trends is the emergenceof makeup looksthat feature overly blushed cheeks á la Allison Ho. Give it a try by applying the blush wherever you need a splash of color: above the temples, across the nose bridge, and of course, on the apples of the cheek for that just-pinched look Gen Z is such a big fan of.

Ilia

Multi-Stick Cream Blush + Highlighter + Lip Tint in Whisper

Dedicated Who What Wear readers know how much our beauty editors love this multitasking Ilia product. You can use it as a cream blush, highlighter, and lip tint for a buildable wash of color with a luminous finish. Its unique formula uses skin-nourishing shea butter, orange peel wax, and avocado oil.

Milk Makeup

Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick in Quirk

Milk Makeup's Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick is also a great choice to bring this makeup trend to life. Like the last blush, it's a cream-based multitasking product that can be used on the lips or cheek to bring on a natural-looking flush. I may be biased, but the shade Quirkhas to be the best shimmery dusty rose color.

Bronzed Finish

These Are the Only Summer Makeup Trends That Matter, According to Gen Z (20)

I love a bronzed and sculpted look like the one above on modelChanel McKinsie. This summer will be all about sun-kissed makeup that allows your natural features to shine. To pull it off, use a lightweight, cream-based bronzer and blend it with a buffing brush onto the areas where the sun naturally hits the face.

Saie

Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer

Saie's Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer is an absolute must for achieving the bronzed makeup look of your dreams. Its cream-based, buildable formula provides warmth with skin-loving ingredients such as elderberry extract, grapeseed oil, and colloidal oatmeal to visibly brighten and protect the skin.

Nyx

Butter Gloss in Sugar Glass

More and more Gen Z content creators are pairing their bronzed makeup looks with ultra-glossy lips. Nyx's Butter Gloss in 'Sugar Glass' delivers sheer coverage while melting into the lips with a creamy formula (never sticky)that promises a buttery smooth application.