Even though I am a fall/winter gal through and through, I love the summer makeup aesthetic. Glowy, radiant, sheer – that’s basically how I wear my makeup all year round but I really like to lean into it in the summer. I also love having an overall makeup look that I gravitate towards each season because it helps me get ready much quicker in the mornings. I have a handful of products that I rotate between and looks I recreate over and over. Even if you have a relatively simple or subtle makeup routine, switching things up to welcome the season is a great way to not get bored with your daily look.
Eyeshadow is one of the easiest ways to change up your makeup look. It can have a significant impact on your overall look and the right eyeshadow look can brighten up the face and complement your summer outfits. I definitely have a certain eyeshadow shade and preference for the summer so I am going to share a round up of summer eyeshadow looks that you will love! (And an added bonus is that all of them are one single shadow looks – so easy!)
Summer Eyeshadow Looks
Summer eyeshadow looks are always focused more on glowy bronze or champagne shades – a bit more warm than what is typically on trend for fall/winter. I am someone who is very fair and stays quite fair even during the summer but I still embrace the warm golden look that is so popular during summer. I find my own way to make it work for my skin tone and have a handful of eyeshadow shades that I reach for to achieve this look. I’ll share a few summer eyeshadow tones and shades that are quite universal for whatever look you want to achieve.
What Are the Best Eyeshadow Colors for Summer?
Bronze eyeshadow
This is probably the first kind of eyeshadow shade that people think of for summer. A shimmery bronze eyeshadow is a great option to wear all summer long. I particularly like this kind of shade on medium to deep dark skin tones who want a simple everyday eye look. You can go for a more warm bronze or a slightly cooler toned deep bronze which will look great with nearly any cheek or lip combo you pair with it.
If you don’t want to invest in a new bronze eyeshadow for summer, I love wearing my face bronzer on the eyes to create a simple soft eye look. This works much better on my skin tone than a dedicated bronze eyeshadow and creates a slight monochromatic look which never steers me wrong. If you still want to add a bit of shimmer on top, you could always do a swipe of a eyeshadow stick like the Laura Mercier Caviar Shadow Sticks or the Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick. A few of my favorite bronzers to wear on my eyes: Patrick Ta Bronzing Duo in She’s Statuesque, RMS Beauty ReDimension Hydra Bronzer in Beachwalk Betty (discount code: Maree-15)
Golden champagne eyeshadow
A golden champagne shimmer shadow is my #1 go-to eyeshadow look all summer long. Sometimes that could be a slightly more golden peach shade or a true champagne but either way it’s subtle yet incredibly chic and radiant. It’s easy to throw on for daytime or wear for evening – it’s super versatile and you can always find an option with almost every makeup brand. I almost exclusively opt for cream or liquid shades now that my skin is more mature but a powder shadow could give the same effect. A sheer wash over the lids with mascara is simple yet so on trend for summer. A few of my favorite golden champagne eyeshadows to wear: MOB Beauty Cream Clay Shimmer eyeshadow in M145 champagne shimmer (discount code: 10MAREE), Jones Road Beauty Just a Sec Shadow in Golden Peach
Rose gold eyeshadow
I fell in love with a rose gold eyeshadow a few years ago and have been wearing rose gold tones every since. Especially in the summer, I love how glowy and golden rose gold tones look on the eyes. If you find that wearing a champagne shimmer shade is too subtle and you want another option that gives you the same effect but with a bit more color and dimension, try a rose gold shadow either in a cream or powder form. Surprisingly rose gold goes with nearly any blush color and is easy to pair with whatever makeup you may already be using. It’s still a neutral but one that isn’t as subtle as a simple wash of beige shimmer. A few of my favorite rose gold eyeshadows to wear: Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadow in Reflect, Armani Eye Tint in 44S
Summer Eyeshadow Ideas – How To Wear These Summer Eyeshadow Colors
Using Your Bronzer As Your Eyeshadow
I’ve been doing this for years and always wondered why brands don’t actually make eyeshadows that are either identical or very similar to their bronzer formulations. I love using a bronzer on my eyes during the summer because it gives my lids the same slightly golden look that it gives my cheeks. And typically bronzers are less shimmery and if they do have shimmer, it is subtle so if you are someone who wants a more satin finish on the eyes for summer, this is a great option. I also love wearing bronzers on the eyes because they give subtle definition and dimension without being too bold just like they do when used on the face. If you want a palette that has a great selection of bronzer type shades in a matte formulation, this Makeup by Mario Eyeshadow Palette is a great option.
Opt for a Champagne Shimmer Shade All Over
A soft champagne shimmer eyeshadow is something I will always have in my makeup collection. I especially like wearing it in the summer with a few coats of a volumizing mascara. With my fair skin, a champagne shimmer is the best shade for me to create this glowy eyelid for summer without looking like I’m wearing a ton of eyeshadow. If you want to recreate that look of glowy eyelids, choose a shimmer shade closest to your skin tone to give the same effect. You only need a small amount on the lid to create the effect and it’s perfect to wear with a bronzy cheek and sheer red or coral gloss.
Rose Gold Shimmer for a Modern Summer Makeup Look
If you are bored with the traditional bronzy or champagne eyeshadow shades that are a summer staple, try a rose gold shimmer shadow. It’s a bit more color but still gives that soft golden glow that you want for summer but with a rosy tint. And many people may think that rosy eyeshadows which do have some pink to them will make the eyes look worse or can be unflattering but the addition of the golden shimmer really transforms it into the most gorgeous summer eyeshadow color. With most summer makeup looks, I would skip the eyeliner and just wear one shadow, tons of mascara and slightly define the brows. Don’t be afraid to pair a rose gold shadow with a peachy or pinky cheek color because both will look great and throw on a nourishing lip gloss to finish off the look.
Summer makeup is all about emphasizing skin and recreating that gorgeous glow that the sun can give you without actually needing to lay out in the sun. LOL I am way too fair to get a golden glow from the sun and will instead end up with sun damage and a really bad sunburn so I will forever be thankful to makeup for allowing me to participate in the summer aesthetic from under my sun hat and SPF 50++++. 🙂
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