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Home • Beauty

Celeb Looks: The Best Summer Makeup

Cool pastels, brilliant brights and glowing skin. For the prettiest summer makeup, take a page out these celeb beauty playbooks.
By Essence · Updated October 27, 2020
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01
Keke Palmer’s Orchid Lipstick

Summer is a fab time to try out a bright new shade. Keke’s orchid semi-matte lipstick is a bold color that’s flattering on most skin tones.

The Best Summer Makeup
David Livingston/Getty Images
02
Lupita Nyong’o’s Golden Eye

Subtle gold shadow shines as a summer daytime look.

The Best Summer Makeup
Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Maui Film Festival At Wailea
03
Kerry Washington’s Orange Lipstick

Kerry’s bright shade is pretty for a summer outing.

The Best Summer Makeup
Steve Granitz/WireImage and Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
04
Jourdan Dunn’s Glowing Skin

Use a subtle cream highlighter with golden tones to get a glow like Jourdan’s.

The Best Summer Makeup
Darren Gerrish/WireImage
05
Nia Long’s Lashes

Nia Long rocked gorgeous fluttering lashes while guest co-hosting The Chew in New York City.

The Best Summer Makeup
Heidi Gutman/ABC via Getty Images
06
Gabrielle Union’s Navy Shadow

On a visit to  Bravo’s Watch what Happens Live, Gabrielle modeled night-on-the-town perfect navy shadow.

The Best Summer Makeup
Michael Rowe
07
Zendaya’s Rosy Blush

For a natural rosy flush, pop a bit of cream blush onto the apples of your cheeks like Zendaya.

The Best Summer Makeup
Michael Rowe
08
First Lady Michelle Obama’s Bronzer

If a tan isn’t in the cards, fake it til you make it with a great bronzer. Like the first lady, your best bet is a matte or satin finish with a peach undertone.

The Best Summer Makeup
Leigh Vogel/WireImage
09
Sarah-Jane Crawford’s Glam Red Lips

Most of us want makeup to be minimal during the warm months. Take a page from presenter Sarah-Jane’s and focus on a bright red lip. Even your complexion with concealer.

The Best Summer Makeup
Fred Duval/FilmMagic
10
Taraji P. Henson’s Pastel Mashup

At an event in Hollywood, Henson rocked a dazzling combo of shimmering soft white and pink glossy lips.

The Best Summer Makeup
Amanda Edwards/WireImage
11
Tina Campbell’s Nude Look

During a performance in Detroit, the Mary Mary singer showed us how it’s done for summer.  Her bare, glowing skin, a cool casual updo, and nude lips are perfect.

The Best Summer Makeup
12
Condola Rashad’s Cat Eye

Actress Condola Rashad attends ‘Holler If Ya Hear Me’ opening night in New York City rocking a fab cat eye. The sexy liner is a great way to glam up an otherwise simple look, after all less is more in summer.

The Best Summer Makeup
Jim Spellman/WireImage
13
Venus Williams’ Tropical Pout

Venus Williams attends the WTA Pre-Wimbledon Party with a gorgeous shade of pink-ish lipstick. We love how she paired this color with retro cat eyes and prim natural hair.

The Best Summer Makeup
Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images
14
Jordin Sparks’s Fuschia Lips

Singer/actress Jordin Sparks attends the 2014 Los Angeles Film Festival closing night film premiere of ‘Jersey Boys’ at Premiere House in Los Angeles, California.

The Best Summer Makeup
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
15
Regina Hall’s Bright Pink Lipstick

On a visit to 106 & Park, Hall wears summer’s girliest shade of flamingo pink lipstick. She tempers the brightness with a semi-matte finish.

The Best Summer Makeup
Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images