10 Easy Summer Eye Makeup Looks That Won't Melt in the Heat

For the vast majority of us, mastering a flawless cat eye every day is already a challenge on par with running a half-marathon before work—a whole marathon if you count both eyes. So consider us the bearers of good news when we tell you that makeup artists agree: Liquid eyeliner has no place in your summer eye makeup routine.

“We like to go ‘less is more’ with the skin—that makes it cool to give the eyes a little wash of color,” explains celebrity makeup artist Brittany Spyksma (who, we can personally attest, is an expert in summer eye makeup). Instead of inky eyeliner pens, Spyksma recommends filling your summer eye makeup collection with waterproof cream shadows you can easily buff on with your finger. “A little metallic on the lids is also super fun!” she adds. All in all, summer eye makeup should be about light, sweatproof formulas and fun, breezy looks.

Keep scrolling for 10 easy summer eye makeup looks to master—no liquid liner needed!

With a soft, diffused application, this look offers the perfect amount of smoke for summer. To achieve the look, layer a thick, smudgy line of Tarte’s SmolderEyes Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eye Liner in Silver Black ($22) over Fiona Stiles’s Radiant Aqua Eye Veil in Baltic ($22).

Who needs liquid liner when your eye shadow is this dimensional? We recommend using powder shadows for this look, like those in Urban Decay’s Naked3 Palette ($54). To re-create it, blend a shimmery gold shade from the inner corner to the middle of the upper lid and a matte pink at the outer corner. Sweep a line of copper above the crease, and finish off with a thickening mascara, like BareMinerals’ Revamped Lash Domination Volumizing Mascara ($19). Pro tip: Tweezerman’s Eye Defining Set ($20) contains three perfect brushes for executing this look.

A copper lid with peach glitter underneath? Yes, please. Revlon’s PhotoReady Eye Art in Peach Prism ($9) is a two-in-one product that offers everything you need to nail this look. Use the cream shadow all over the upper lid; then sweep a line of glitter from inner corner to about halfway into the bottom lid.

How gorgeous is this ultra-sheer wash of lilac pigment? Paired with a gold lip, it creates a stunning yet unexpected night-out look. For a similar eye look, try RMS Beauty’s Eye Polish in Imagine ($28).

Glossy lids are the summer eye makeup look to try this year. To achieve the look, simply mix a dab of Vaseline with MAC’s Lip Glass in Dreamy ($15) and pat it all over your lid.

This citron-green eye look packs some serious sparkle. Try applying Kat Von D’s Metal Crush Eyeshadow in Electric Warrior ($21) on the upper lid as a base. Then pat MAC’s Loose Glitter in 3D Brass Gold ($22) into the lid, crease, and brow bone, making sure to lighten up as you go to create a gradient effect.

Eye shadow and liner become a distraction when you’ve got lashes this bright. Re-create the look with Benefit’s They’re Real Lengthening Mascara in Blue ($24).

Go for something unexpected with a white statement eye. A silvery-white shadow like Sephora Collection’s Colorful Eyeshadow in Early Frost ($10) contrasts beautifully with darker skin tones.

This bright aqua-green lid screams summertime. Just swipe Nyx’s Full Throttle Shadow Stick in Cold Fear ($7) across the entire lid to radiate cool-girl vibes.

Here’s another glossy highlighted eye we love. Try dabbing Glossier’s Haloscope ($22) in the center of your lids to achieve this dewy look.
Next up, learn how to apply eye makeup for your eye shape!

This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated.