The top 5 beauty trends to try this spring and summer, no matter what your age

As a longtime beauty editor, a big part of my job is to track makeup, hair and skin care trends. To that end, I scour thousands of runway and red carpet shots each season to see how makeup artists and designers are mixing things up. I like to know what's fresh and new, but, truth be told, at 52, I rarely follow these trends myself. I've been in this game long enough to know that what we collectively think of as beautiful is ever-shifting; the mark of real comfort in one's skin is to develop a personal style that works for you and not look to the outside world to dictate what you should do.

That said, no matter how old you are, it can still be fun to mix things up with a bright new lip tint or a fun nail color — or even change up your hairstyle. So, while I will not be following all of the 2025's beauty trends (looking at you, skinny eyebrows!), I do intend on trying the following five stellar looks, all of which work for any age and skin tone and are easy to incorporate into your routine without a ton of technical skill or a big hit to your wallet.

Trend #1: Lip tints

The "bitten" lip look — basically, a sheer-ish color wash that makes your lips appear as if they were just bitten (I know, a weird and even kind of gross description!) — was among the biggest beauty trends on the Spring 2025 runways. This look is most commonly created with deep wine and brighter berry shades (though corals work too) and the effect is best achieved with lip tints, which are lighter than standard lipstick, less precise than lip liner and less showy than gloss. The throw-it-on approach here is ideal for summer when makeup tends to be more minimal and laid back.

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Trend #2: Mocha brown eye makeup

This spring and summer, brown is truly the new black. Specifically, matte-brown eyeshadows, eyeliners and mascaras are taking a big beauty swing, dominating red carpets and ad campaigns alike. It makes sense: Warm-brown smoky eyes are as flattering as their inkier counterparts without looking too severe or goth. The earthy, neutral hue complements any eye color and, with a variety of shades to choose from, is a suitable choice for most skin tones.

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Trend #3: Pastel nails

In summer 2025, the hottest nail colors will actually be cool: Think milky-periwinkle, pale yellow and punchy-bright lavender. And while, for some of us, pastels have historically evoked a too-girly, Disney-princess vibe or a childhood Easter outfit gone wrong (thanks, Mom!), these poppy hues are decidedly more sophisticated, grownup and cool.

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Trend #4: Sleek bobs

Classic bobs are always in vogue (I mean, can Cate Blanchett and Anna Wintour be wrong? I think not!), but this year's iteration is more sleek and polished than the wavy and choppier styles we've seen in the past. Try it with bangs or without, in longer versions (the "lob") or at chin length for an easy-upkeep summer 'do. Full disclosure: I went for the big chop last month, got a bob and haven't looked back — this cut is much easier to style than my former, chest-length shag.

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Trend #5: 'Baked' blush

Say goodbye to the dewy, glazed donut makeup that's dominated the beauty world since 2023. This spring is all about blurred, velvety, demi-matte skin, a look that's best achieved through powders, not creams. This is especially true for blush, which is making a big comeback in 2025 with an array of soft, diffuse products. Baked blush is literally a cosmetic that's been baked, often in the sun. This process both gives the powder a more intense pigment and can increase its wear time. These blushes usually contain several subtle shade gradients in one, creating a more natural effect on your skin.

Get the look:

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