From cherry popsicle-tinted lips to icy cool brows, shine brighter than the sun this season in these sizzling summer beauty trends

by Luda Conti Owner, Avanti Day Resort

let there be highlight

Though its modern iteration was first popularized by Mac in the early 2010s, the use of a highlighter to emphasize angles and contour the cheekbones isn’t a new phenomenon; early film stars and performers have been employing the light-reflecting makeup trick for nearly a century. But as we move into the season of natural, sun-grazed skin, trendsetters are skipping over the cheekbones and blanketing their eyes, lips, and nails in the ultra-shimmering, high-shine skin staple. Swipe your favorite cream highlighter above and under the eyelids for a pinch of playful glamour (tip: choose a highlighter with a glossy finish to achieve a “wet” look), or dab it on the lips for Coachella-inspired shimmer. For a look that leans a little more subtle, opt for a powder highlighter to lightly dress the lids and pair with a neutral lip.

pass the popsicle

Effortless and unrefined, the popsicle-tinted lip effect is once again lighting up the runway and TikTok this season. It’s a perennial summer favorite for several reasons: whether you’re sporting a neutral face and air-dried locks, or rocking a breezy little black dress with a slicked back ‘do, popsicle lips add an instant kiss of color to liven up your warm-weather uniform. To achieve the look: choose a light, rosy shade – be it cherry, coral, or sunset orange – and concentrate the most color in the center of the lips, then slowly lighten to reveal more of your natural lip at the edges. Top with a moisturizing lip plumper to blend. It’s a great way to play with dramatic colors that might otherwise feel too loud or bold.

BARE HUG

Like chunky platform sandals and bad-girl grunge, barely-there brows circa 1995 are officially back in vogue at the moment. Celebrities and supermodels have embraced the Y2K staple, from Bella Hadid to Lady Gaga. But the trend has come a long way since the days of heavy tweezer hands. Bleached brows – recently adopted by Kim Kardashian –pair perfectly with sun-kissed skin and lend an edgy, punk-rock aesthetic. The good news is you don’t have to go all-in on semi-permanent dye to try the look; a lightly tinted brow gel will do the trick. For a more dramatic nighttime effect, use a white eyeliner to “erase” the color of your brows, allowing the eyes to become the focal point of the face.