5 Summer Party Make-Up Looks You Can’t Go Wrong With

The sun’s out – and if you’re like us, any seasonal change is a good reminder to give our make-up bags a bit of a shuffle. Our mood boards for the season feature fresh, dewy skin, splashes of colour on the eyes and cheeks and, of course, a fair bit of bronzer.

We love a sunny day, but not sun damage. So, don’t forget to slather on a layer of SPF before applying any make-up. 

Here are our favourite summery make-up looks that are low effort but high impact. 

Beauty Daily picks: 5 summery make-up looks to try

1. Glazed doughnut skin 

One of the biggest trends for this year involves replicating the sheen on a glazed doughnut but on your skin. The key? Keep your skin well-hydrated at all times. Layer ultra-thin coats of illuminating products on top of each other – starting with gels and lightly sealing with powders.  

Begin with a juicy serum and moisturiser, followed by a layer of SPF, an illuminating primer, a water-light foundation and then a strategic highlighter application. To avoid drifting into sweaty territory, sweep a light dusting of loose powder along the T-zone, leaving the glazed effect untouched on the rest of the face. 

Try: The SOS Primer in 00 Universal Light is a great pick for this look. The weightless texture adds a layer of luminosity all over the face. Plus, it’s powered with Clarins’ anti-pollution complex, so it will also protect your skin from environmental damage. 

This look from the David Koma SS22 show pairs fresh, dewy skin with a stroke of eyeliner, loads of mascara and clear gloss on the lips. 

2. Pretty pastels

It’s always a good time to play with some colour on your eyelids, but a summer party is especially ideal. So we love to pair two complementary candy colours: choose a lighter tone for the inner corners of the eyes and a deeper one for the outer corners. 

Tip: Be sure to prime your lids with concealer or eyeshadow primer, especially if you’re using matte shades. If you’re new to wearing bright hues around your eyes, opt for sheer, shimmery eyeshadows instead. 

To play it safe and ensure the make-up looks modern, keep the rest of the look minimal. All you need is a coat of mascara, a hint of blush on the cheeks and a swipe of tinted balm on the lips. 

3. A sun-kissed complexion

While your SPF protects your skin from the sun’s rays, let your bronzer do the job of imparting a sun-kissed glow. This Altuzarra look from the SS22 runway also inspires us to complement a bronzed complexion with a generous helping of blusher, applied on the high points of the cheeks and lightly across the bridge of the nose.  

If you are blessed with natural freckles, let them shine through instead of covering them with a heavy base. If not, you can create a smattering of faux freckles using an eyebrow pencil. Just dot along the bridge of the nose and the top of the cheeks. No need to stress about uniformity. The freckles will appear more natural if the dots vary in size and shape.  

4. Hyper glossy red lips

For anyone whose go-to party make-up look is a red lip, elevate it this season with a generous dose of gloss.  

We know, we know – gloss can get messy. To ensure it lasts long without smudging, prep your lips with a hydrating balm and fill in with a long-wearing lip pencil. Next, use a brush to paint on some scarlet lipstick. And finish with a coat of tinted gloss. 

The trick is to apply a thin layer of gloss all over the lip and add a second, thicker layer just on the centre of the lip. It also helps to choose a non-sticky formula, which is why we love reaching for the Lip Oils for this look. 

5. A pop of colour

Who says you can’t wear a dark, sooty smokey eye in the middle of summer? Our suggestion: add a pop of colour in the inner corners as a nod to the season, just like this sunshine yellow accent spotted at the Jason Wu AW22 show. 

All you need for the rest of the smokey eye is a black or charcoal eyeliner pencil and matte black eyeshadow. Use the former to scribble around the lash line, and smudge the colour with a brush in a winged shape. Then, use the powder eyeshadow to set the cream. 

Try: The Crayon Khôl in Carbon Black offers saturated colour that lasts the day (or night). The brush on the other end means you can create your smudgy eye on-the-go; no extra tools are needed. For a softer look, choose the shade Smoky Plum instead.

Tips for wearing make-up in hot weather

1. Go easy on the foundation. A heavy base is sure to slip and slide throughout the day. If you feel confident, skip foundation altogether or use something lightweight that melds into the skin. If you need coverage, use concealer in specific areas instead. 
2. Apply a primer on your skin if you’re wearing foundation. Similarly, an eye primer will keep your eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara from smudging. 
3. Use a finely milled powder to lightly set the make-up on any areas that get greasy over time. 
4. Even if you wear a full face of make-up, take your time to apply it in thin layers sandwiched on top of each other.  
5. Switch to a waterproof formula for your eyeliner and mascara. 

For more tips on how to sweat-proof your make-up, read: Sweat-Proof, Long-Lasting Make-up For The Hot Days Ahead