Try the Trend: Sun-Kissed Makeup

Searching for the perfect summer look? Meet sun-kissed makeup. It’s versatile, easy and perfect for adding a little sunshine to your everyday look (no actual sun required).

Discover everything you need to know about the trend below—including our step-by-step guide to getting the look.

What is sun-kissed makeup?

It’s all about mimicking that golden hour glow your skin gets after a day at the beach. If you want to look like you just spent a day lounging in the sun (sans any UV damage), this fresh, glowy and effortless makeup look is for you. Think dewy skin, a healthy flush across your cheeks and nose, warm bronzy tones and just a hint of shimmer where the light naturally hits your face.

How to get a sun-kissed makeup look?

Step 1: Create the Perfect Canvas
Give your skin a smooth, hydrated base with a moisturizing, radiance-boosting primer like Futurist Watery Glow Primer. This formula gives skin instant 3X moisture and a dewy, plumped glow that lasts all day. 

Step 2: Keep It Light & Dewy
Skip the full-coverage foundation—sun-kissed makeup is all about looking fresh and natural. Go for a lightweight skin tint like Futurist SkinTint Serum. This sheer, skincaring serum foundation/tint creates an ultra-natural radiant finish with light coverage that lasts 8 hours.

Step 3: Add a Flush of Color
Choose a peach, coral or rose-toned shade of The Sculpting Blush. This powder formula creates a flush of color for a lit-from-within glow.

Apply it to the apples of your cheeks, and blend upwards towards the temples. Pro tip: You can also sweep a small amount of blush across your nose to mimic that natural sun-kissed effect.

Step 4: Bring the Bronze
When it comes to sun-kissed makeup, bronzer is one of the most essential steps. Think about where the sun would naturally hit your face—that’s where your bronzer should go.

Apply Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer to your forehead, cheekbones, temples and jawline using a large fluffy brush for natural-looking warmth.

Step 5: Get Your Glow
A subtle hint of shimmer completes your complexion routine. Use a golden-toned highlighter like Bronze Goddess Highlighting Powder Gelée in Heatwave to create that luminous, fresh-from-the-sun glow. Apply to the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, browbone and cupid’s bow.

Step 6: Opt for Soft Eye Makeup
When it comes to your eyes, stick to warm, earthy tones like soft browns and golds. Using Pure Color Envy Luxe Eyeshadow Quad in Wild Earth, blend the warm caramel brown shade into your crease using a fluffy blush. Then, apply the shimmery gold shade to your lids and inner corners of your eyes for a pop of brightness. 

Apply a coat or two of Sumptuous Extreme Mascara to define your eyes. If you want a little more definition and drama, smudge a brown eyeliner like Smoke + Brighten Kajal Eyeliner duo in shade Bordeaux along your upper lashline.

Step 7: Finish With a Glossy Pout
Glossy lips tie everything together. Opt for a nude, peachy, or rose-toned gloss that enhances your natural lip color. Pure Color Melt-On Glosstick provides a high-shine look with a lip-plumping effect. 

Step 8: Set With a Spritz
Use a setting spray like Set + Refresh Perfecting Makeup Mist to help set your sun-kissed glow.

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