This Summer's Top Eco-Friendly Beauty Trends and Where To Find Them
In the world of makeup and skincare, the 2020s have been defined by little to no visible product on the face. “Clean girl” minimalism and the “no make-up make-up look” have long lapped the 2010s passion for big, blocky eyebrows, cut creases with thick eyeliner, blinding highlighter and overdrawn lips. As someone who began her makeup journey during that heavy, colorful era, I yearn for the days when people wanted to go outside wearing more than the latest in an endless parade of lip oils.
In my early teen years, falling in line with these creative, expressive makeup trends helped me to not only learn how to do my makeup on a technical level because the internet was flooded with lengthy tutorials for very thorough looks, but also to figure out what I liked and didn’t like in my products and express myself artistically when I was still figuring out who I was. Those skills have stuck with me to this day and doing my complete, full-face makeup routine has become a soothing, familiar part of my daily routine, so I have been happy to see that wearing a little bit more makeup is starting to come back around in trend for 2026.
Here are some beauty trends that have caught my eye in my research for what people are doing to their faces this summer. All products and companies listed are also, of course, very eco-friendly, so no need to worry about the planet when adding these products to your cart!
Lived in Smoky Eye
Thankfully, eyeshadow is returning to the beauty world slowly but surely. We are still not fully back to using multiple bright colors and sitting for hours in front of the mirror, but people are definitely back to wanting something on their lids. The lived in smoky is trending for its easy application, long wear and effortlessly cool aesthetic. Ilia Beauty uses natural, organic ingredients and safe synthetics in their makeup and recyclable materials in their packaging, making them perfect for the needs of right now. Here are some of their eye products that will help you create the perfect lived-in smoky eye.
Metallic, Reflective Lids
In the same vein as the lived in smoky eye, the metallic lid requires just one swipe before leaving the house. It is a bold, creative look that, again, can be done without much specific talent or vision but still adds a little glitter to your favorite summery, glowy outfit. Metallic eyeshadows can often be found in just one pot, too, limiting the waste that tends to come from large eyeshadow palettes. RMS Beauty utilizes natural, food-grade, organic ingredients and eco-conscious packaging that uses materials like recycled plastics, glass and aluminum. Here are some of their best eye products to create that metallic, reflective look.
High Shine, Shellac Lips
In terms of lip trends, gloss as opposed to matte is still very much what’s in right now. People want to look healthy, hydrated and natural in their lip routines, and especially during the summer where everything feels so shiny and reflective already, turning to a high-shine, shellac lip look to go with your reflective eyeshadow works perfectly. Glosses and lip oils continue to line the shelves everywhere from Sephora to Marshalls, but make sure you are relying on a clean and sustainable brand like Kosas Cosmetics. This brand is cruelty-free, has banned over 2,700 harmful and common skin and makeup ingredients from their creation process. Here are some of their best lip products best for staying glossy this summer.
Blurred Lips
While, again, bold, colorful matte lips remain in the past, gloss isn’t the only option on trend right now. Many makeup companies are pushing products called “lip and cheek” creams, balms and duos because of both the uniform appearance those products provide and, again, the ease of application. Products like this create an effect that is very trendy called a blurred lip where the tint of color is there, but without the glossy texture, in case that is not your thing. Blurred lip products that can also be used as blushes also save money and waste by combining two products into one. Merit Beauty offers many blurred lip products to create that natural, less shiny effect and prides itself on being vegan, cruelty free and utilizes biodegradable and recyclable packaging products. Here are some of their best blurred lip products, one of which being a cheek duo.
Warm, Beachy Blushes
Back in the 2010s, there was a little bit of fear surrounding blush and people went running for their bronzers instead for fear of accidentally looking like a circus clown. Bronzey, golden, complexions were all the rage, but now, all shades of pink are adorning people’s faces as blush makes a comeback in the 2020s. Particularly, this summer, corals, peaches and oranges are very in for your blush to match the warm beachy aesthetics of the summer. Saie Beauty is very dedicated to sustainability by prioritizing being cruelty free, using clean ingredients, carbon neutrality, plastic regeneration and circular packaging. Here are some of their best, beach-ready blushes for this summer.
Statement Lashes
I was very surprised and happy to see that people are becoming interesting in playing around with their mascaras again. Colorful, or even just slightly not black, mascara has always fascinated me and using a different shade of mascara or even false lash has always seemed like such a good idea to highlight your eye color in a unique and creative way. Brown mascara for hazel/green eyes or blue mascara for blue eyes is the perfect way to highlight your natural features while still using outside the box makeup. 100% Pure is a makeup company that is highly sustainable and most famous for using fruit, vegetable and tea pigments to color and tint their products as opposed to synthetic dyes. Here are some of their differently colored mascaras to play around with this summer.
So many of these trends are really interesting and exciting for the future of makeup and people taking more creative risks with their look. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your makeup this summer and happy shopping!
In the world of makeup and skincare, the 2020s have been defined by little to no visible product on the face. “Clean girl” minimalism and the “no make-up make-up look” have long lapped the 2010s passion for big, blocky eyebrows, cut creases with thick eyeliner, blinding highlighter and overdrawn lips. As someone who began her makeup journey during that heavy, colorful era, I yearn for the days when people wanted to go outside wearing more than the latest in an endless parade of lip oils.