Summer’s biggest skincare trends - from cloud skin to juicy popsicle lips

Summer in New York is a season of extremes: hot, sticky days and steamy nights, sun dresses and getting caught in sudden, intense downpours. Anything can happen.

So - surprise! - the beauty trends are no different. And summer 2023 is taking no prisoners. You’re either embracing the au naturale vibe, or you’re all-out bold colors - there are NO in-betweens.

Popsicle lips

Nothing screams summer like popsicle lips. Remember Juicy Tubes? That look is back, baby! Lean in with glossy, fruity shades of pink, and coral to instantly brighten your face and give you a playful, flirty look. Opt for long-lasting formulas that hydrate your lips while leaving behind a gorgeous, just-kissed effect. Don't forget to exfoliate your lips beforehand for a smooth canvas to apply your lip color.

Lip liner is also having a major moment. Choose one that’s a shade or two darker than your lipstick, or use it instead of lipstick altogether.

Long lashes

Part Wednesday Addams, part grunge revival, the lashes are in serious focus this season. Make them long, make them black. Build up the layers for maximum drama. And make your mascara waterproof - no one needs the humidity to mess with their make-up.

Cloud skin

Every TikTok girl’s summer wish this year is that perfectly matte, soft focus skin that is magically humidity proof. A mattifying foundation is going to be your summer best friend - closely followed by a powder to keep your skin looking yummy all day.

1980s blusher

Nobody puts blusher in a corner! The much-maligned, oft-ignored beauty staple is coming out from the shadows and is going BIG (not going home)! Cheeks are seeing vibrant shades of pink, coral, or peach in an almost 80s throwback. Don’t be afraid to be bold with that brush.

Bright colors 

Summer is the perfect time to experiment with vibrant and playful colors. Embrace the season by incorporating bright hues into your eyeshadow, nail polish, and accessories. Think electric blues, sunflower yellows, and tropical greens. These bold colors will add a fun and energetic vibe to your overall look. Mix and match different shades to create eye-catching combinations that reflect your summer spirit.

Clean sunscreen

Everyone’s talking about smart, clean suncare. That means sunscreen that does more than simply protect our skin from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. The new generation of SPFs are free from chemical nasties like para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), which is harmful to sensitive skin and the marine environment - and is now thought to have carcinogenic potential. Look out for ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide instead, which are FDA approved as safe and effective.

The most advanced suncare also feeds the skin with love - delivering vitamins to protect from air pollutants and free radicals, and ingredients like shea butter, mango, and chamomile to soothe, nourish, and protect against premature aging.

FYI - sunscreen also expires after around three years, so don’t just slap on your old bottle of SPF30 without checking that expiry label. Your skin will thank you BIG TIME. 

Don’t let summer go to your head!

Smart suncare is also going beyond the body. Around 13% of skin cancers appear on the scalp, so don’t forget to protect your scalp. 

Have a wonderful week, Queens. And please tag @beautyquenyc in your beauty posts - we’d love to see how you’re living your best summer lives.