I will be honest: Summer doesn’t normally scream beauty trend season to me. Once it’s warm out, I’m too busy planning beach weekends and enjoying outdoor happy hour to be bogged down by time-intensive makeup looks and overly complicated hairstyles—no matter how popular they may be. But that’s why I’m so obsessed with summer 2025’s beauty trends. They’re fun and experimental (exactly what a beauty trend should be, IMO) but simple and easy to adopt and recreate without overhauling your existing routine or needing expert-level beauty skills. Right now, the best makeup, hair, skin, fragrance, and nail trends are all about refreshing your look with minimal effort (think: a swipe of aqua-tinted cream eyeshadow across your lids or a quick coat of butter yellow on your nails) so you can get on to Very Important Summer Things, like sipping poolside margs and enjoying your PTO.
Keep scrolling for a rundown of all the best summer beauty looks (plus the top products to shop) starting with…
The Makeup Trends
After a spring filled with moody and edgy makeup trends (like cool gray shadow and lived-in eyeliner), I’m welcoming summer’s cheery makeup vibes with open arms. On the list of looks you’re going to see everywhere? Aquamarine eyes, cherry-glazed lips, ultra-flushed cheeks, and neon lashes. The big theme here is playing with color in easy, low-lift ways.
The Hair Trends
Blonde for summer may be the not-so-groundbreaking beauty equivalent of florals for spring, but that isn’t stopping the experts from dubbing it the official hair color of summer 2025. Suede blonde, baby-girl blonde, and ice-blonde bobs will all be front and center in the months ahead. And while the season’s big hair color trends may be a bit high-maintenance, the trending hairstyles—including glossy curls, long-layered bangs, and romantic accessories—are super laid-back.
The Skincare Trends
Summer’s biggest skincare trends are all about new takes on old classics. I’m talking revamped tinted sunscreens that function as the white t-shirt of your skincare routine, reimagined lipscreens that are genuinely delightful to apply and reapply (trust me, the new versions have ZERO yucky SPF taste), and the resurgence of face mists. Oh! And how could I forget about the “poolside skin” trend, which is basically glass skin 2.0 for your body.
The Fragrance Trends
Scent experts say there will be a clear shift away from overly engineered fragrance compositions and more of a focus on poetic and personal perfumes. Sure, you could opt for your go-to vanilla perfume or whatever classic summer fragrance you always wear, but why would you when you have options like these soft, subtle, and sensual picks below?
The Nail Trends
Put away your sheer neutrals. This season’s nail trends are all about playful designs and fun textures that scream summer. Striped manicures that resemble beach towels, swirly 3D nail art that looks just like waves, and fruit-adorned tips that give tropical cocktail vibes are all having a moment. As for the shades you’re going to see everywhere? Juicy brights and candy-esque pastels, like the polishes below.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
