It’s only natural that makeup color trends echo the seasons they accompany. Autumn is all about caramel, rust and fallen leaves, while winter is more about depth and white. However, as spring turns to summer, we tend to choose brighter, more vibrant colors to be used in more creative ways around the eyes, lips and cheeks for a more playful makeup experience, although the way we use these colors changes every year.
“We are seeing a shift towards deliberately created colors – tones that are both expressive and easy to control,” Chanel makeup artist Tyron Machhausen tells Vogue, and 2025 is leaning towards a more delicate, soft, nostalgic feel compared to 2024. “Where last year was about bold, striking hues and a minimalist vibe, 2025 feels more understated, with a focus on muted tones and textures that are easier to wear everyday.”
His idea about texture is interesting because we’ve noticed this too—from reinterpreted mattes to glosses to innovative styles emerging from Korea, people are increasingly interested in the feel and feel of our products. Playing with texture is dynamic without being over the top. Professional makeup artist Christin Cook Zito likens it to a modern take on Y2K nail polish.
Don’t go too crazy when incorporating these shades into your daily look. “It’s all about letting the color pop without looking too heavy or overdone,” Machhausen continues, starting with a fresh, natural skin tone as the perfect base. Then, start small with a shade you love and experiment with it in a more minimalist way.
“You can just apply a soft or berry hue to the inner corner of your eye for a fun highlight, or use a berry lip balm instead of a bold lipstick. Creamy textures and frosted shades are super easy to work with. And they’re easy to apply too – no need to apply it perfectly.”
Buttery Yellow
Buttery yellow is the undisputed color of spring 2025, and we don’t think the trend will fade into the height of summer. Celebrity makeup artist Timothy MacKay predicts that soft butter and bright yellow will dominate, even leaning into the green family for a beautiful chartreuse hue for September. Until then, add a pop of color to your nails with nail polish from Essie and JinSoon, or add a sunny touch to your lids with eyeshadow powders from Victoria Beckham Beauty and Mob Beauty.
Blurry Berry
“Berry tones are also going strong this season,” reveals Machhausen, a clever way to add depth and vibrancy to more neutral tones. “I’m particularly fond of a monochromatic look, with deep matte berry tones around the eyes, lips and cheeks – it creates a subtle Y2K vibe without looking too over the top.”
Zito is also on the berry bandwagon, but prefers a hazy finish on her lips. “You get the rich texture of berry shades like raspberry and bordeaux, but with a soft, smudged effect,” she says. “It’s manageable and looks effortless.”
Pistachio Green
Pistachio or matcha green: Pastel greens are making their way into the makeup look. “Pastel shades (like these) give off a lighter, airier vibe, as opposed to the bolder, more intense colors we’re seeing in 2024,” says Machhausen. Think: creamy, ice cream-inspired hues.
“They have a fresh, understated, cool-girl vibe, especially when paired with a minimal, clean look.” Dab a little pigment on your lids, or add a pop of color with eyeliner. “It’s unexpected yet effortless,” he adds.
Wet Gloss
“Texture is just as important this season as color; we’ve curated a selection of satin mattes, glossy sheens, and sophisticated metallics,” says Machhausen. “The whole thing is sophisticated yet playful, designed to be versatile and expressive without looking over the top.”
That said, many are using wet gloss to enhance their favorite colors. Take a high-shine lipstick like Rouge Coco Baume, for example, which he says “gives a dewy finish that only takes a few swipes, making it perfect for everyday use.”
Or, pair your favorite lip liner with a highlighter in the shade Fenty Beauty Glass Slipper for a long-lasting, glossy finish. Nails are getting in on the gloss action, too, like our favorite OPI Nail Polish in Glossy Shine.
Lilac in a Lilac
Zito is especially excited about lilac. “It’s fresh, cool, and totally in line with the spring and summer trends,” she says. “Using lilac setting powder on the cheeks, around the eyes, or even on the cheeks, creates a dreamy, modern color. Plus, it’s versatile and can be worn by anyone.”
To try out the trend, Machhausen suggests lightly applying Chanel’s Ombre Essentielle Lilas Poudre shadow on the lids. For a more intense look, try RMS’s nourishing matte formula, or use Glossier’s eyeliner to create a simple look. Finish with Gucci’s matte highlighter.