The world of beauty is due for a major shakeup, and this summer’s top makeup trends are where it’s going to happen. Thanks to Kevyn Aucoin’s director of artistry and makeup, Drita Paljevic, you’ll be ready to go bold, expressive and (of course) glowy with the hottest trends of the season.
The Expert
Drita Paljevic has had her finger on the pulse of beauty for over 20 years, from behind the beauty counter to behind the scenes at major runway shows. Since 2008, she’s been a member of Kevyn Aucoin’s iconic team of master makeup artists, and now serves as the head makeup artist for the brand.
Top Beauty Trends of the Summer
These days, there’s no shortage of beauty trends to fall in love with, but there are a few that are leading the pack this season.
Full Glam Makes a Much-Needed Comeback
After years of “clean girl” and “no-makeup makeup” trends, the tides are finally turning back towards more vibrant and glamorous looks. But that doesn’t mean we’re going back to carving out our brows and contouring to the gods.
“Full glam is officially back, but not in the heavy-handed, 2017 YouTube tutorials way,” Paljevic explains. “The updated 2025 full glam is all about creating a seamless look, without piling on products.”
And as the summer heat makes itself officially known, you’ll want to adjust your application to maintain a full beat that lasts all day.
“The pro MUA secret? Working in thin layers and gradually building coverage for a more refined finish,” Paljevic says. “Especially during the hot summer months, long-wear, high-performance makeup is essential when you want your makeup to last. Enter expressive, creative looks that can actually last from day to night.”
Satin Skin Is In
“The viral K-Beauty ‘glass skin’ is beautiful in theory, but not always the most practical for long wear,” Paljevic explains. “When the skin is too dewy, it looks stunning at first, but tends to break down, especially on a warm summer night.”
So, what’s the solution?
“Satin skin takes the glow of glass skin, but gives it staying power, thanks to strategic use of setting powders and sprays,” she says. “The result? A new wave of hydrated skin that doesn’t look wet or shiny, just even, smooth and luminous.”
Blur the (Lip) Line
The days of an ultra-sharp lip line have shifted in favor of a more subtle look. And the good news is, you don’t need to buy a new product to make this trend work for you.
“While some brands are launching new ‘lip blurring’ products, all you really need is the lip liner you already own,” Palkevic says. “Inspired by French makeup trends, use a lip liner and a small brush to gently blur the edges. Our Unforgettable Lip Definer ($25) is dual-ended, making it perfect for this technique.”
While precision used to be the name of the game for lip liners, the effect we’re going for here is more like a soft ombré.
“Softening the edges creates a more relaxed, natural look,” she explains. “If you like to overline, concentrate it in the center of the top and bottom lips. Using a brown or taupe shade is even better to create a subtle, natural contour.”
