Frosty Silver, Baby Blue, and Cherry Red—Cool-Toned Makeup Emerges as the (Surprising) Highlight of the Summer

Frosty Silver, Baby Blue, and Cherry Red—Cool-Toned Makeup Emerges as the (Surprising) Highlight of the Summer

      Every season features a typical color palette, which is why we associate pastels with spring, earthy hues with fall, and darker, somber shades with winter. Traditionally, summer has focused on warm, sun-soaked colors like vibrant peach, bright coral, and shimmering gold. This is reflected in the beauty scene, where many gravitate towards gold-infused body shimmers, peachy lip products, and coral nail polishes as the temperatures rise. However, this year, the trend is shifting; people are opting for cool-toned makeup instead of the usual warm shades. Numerous makeup artists, influencers, and even celebrities—like Dua Lipa showcasing her turquoise mascara—are embracing these cool-toned looks on social media. According to Pinterest's Summer 2025 Trend Report, searches for cool-toned makeup are at a record high, with "summer cool-toned makeup" increasing by 376% and searches for blue and red eye shadow seeing an increase of about 1000%.

      So, what is driving this trend? I reached out to a couple of prominent makeup artists to find out and gather some cool-toned makeup inspiration.

      Dua Lipa shared a photo on Instagram where she's applying turquoise mascara.

      What Defines Cool vs. Warm Colors?Whether a color is categorized as warm or cool is largely based on our perception and the associations we have with them. For instance, silver, plum, and sky blue are generally seen as cool, while most browns, golds, and yellows fall into the warm category. It’s important to note that the same color can be perceived as warm or cool depending on its shade. For example, brick red is warm, while cherry red leans cool.

      Many of us unknowingly use cool-toned products daily, including gray-toned contour sticks, stony eye shadows, or baby-pink blushes. David Razzano, a makeup artist and Sephora beauty director, explains, "I've always had a fondness for cool taupe shades and gray eye shadows. There’s something timeless and elegant about a softly contoured eye with cool tones—it evokes a classic vintage beauty. I also adore a cool-toned baby-pink blush, which often doesn't get the recognition it deserves. A romantic wash of baby pink on the cheeks is simply delightful."

      This striking cool-toned makeup look was crafted by Razzano, showing a beautiful blend of powder blue and baby-pink.

      Why Are Cool-Toned Colors Gaining Popularity?Razzano believes that the resurgence of cool-toned makeup is largely due to the oversaturation of warm-toned products that have dominated trends for over a decade. "Naturally, trends tend to cycle back towards the opposite end of the spectrum," he notes. The revival of '90s and Y2K makeup has further spotlighted cool tones, as those eras were characterized by shades ranging from '90s matte grays and cold browns to 2000s frosted silvers and sparkly baby pinks.

      Kelli Anne Sewell, a celebrity makeup artist and creator of the Makeup by Kelli Anne tutorial app, agrees that cool-toned makeup has an edgy vibe and pays tribute to '90s supermodel glam. Additionally, she mentions that since natural facial shadows are often cool-toned, using these shades can make features like the eyes and cheekbones appear more sculpted.

      Sewell showcased this beautiful makeup on her client Alix Earle, proving that "cool-toned" can also mean "neutral."

      Do Cool-Toned Colors Suit All Skin Tones?Sewell asserts that "everyone can wear cool-tone looks." You don't have to go for bold colors; neutral shades such as taupe, brown, and black can also be cool-toned. Using a cool-toned contour stick or eye shadow can help achieve an edgy, sculpted appearance. "It’s all about creating shadows on the face," she elaborates. "It's exciting to experiment and try new things."

      Razzano agrees, emphasizing a key point for applying eye shadow. "Just as we contour our faces, we should aim for neutral-to-cool products to mimic natural shadows, as all shadows are inherently neutral or cool," he explains. "Anyone aiming for naturally sculpted eyes will achieve better results with neutral, cool tones."

      Generally, Razzano believes that cool-toned makeup often gets a negative reputation. "The era of warm-toned makeup led to a misconception that those with deeper skin tones or warm undertones should shy away from cool tones, but that is far from the truth. Deep skin tones look stunning with silvery shades on the eyes and cool tones on the lips, enhancing their complexion beautifully. I also enjoy applying blue eye shadow on individuals with warm skin tones, as the contrast adds a striking element to the overall look."

      Ultimately, makeup is meant to be expressive, artistic, and experimental,

Frosty Silver, Baby Blue, and Cherry Red—Cool-Toned Makeup Emerges as the (Surprising) Highlight of the Summer Frosty Silver, Baby Blue, and Cherry Red—Cool-Toned Makeup Emerges as the (Surprising) Highlight of the Summer Frosty Silver, Baby Blue, and Cherry Red—Cool-Toned Makeup Emerges as the (Surprising) Highlight of the Summer Frosty Silver, Baby Blue, and Cherry Red—Cool-Toned Makeup Emerges as the (Surprising) Highlight of the Summer Frosty Silver, Baby Blue, and Cherry Red—Cool-Toned Makeup Emerges as the (Surprising) Highlight of the Summer Frosty Silver, Baby Blue, and Cherry Red—Cool-Toned Makeup Emerges as the (Surprising) Highlight of the Summer Frosty Silver, Baby Blue, and Cherry Red—Cool-Toned Makeup Emerges as the (Surprising) Highlight of the Summer Frosty Silver, Baby Blue, and Cherry Red—Cool-Toned Makeup Emerges as the (Surprising) Highlight of the Summer Frosty Silver, Baby Blue, and Cherry Red—Cool-Toned Makeup Emerges as the (Surprising) Highlight of the Summer Frosty Silver, Baby Blue, and Cherry Red—Cool-Toned Makeup Emerges as the (Surprising) Highlight of the Summer Frosty Silver, Baby Blue, and Cherry Red—Cool-Toned Makeup Emerges as the (Surprising) Highlight of the Summer Frosty Silver, Baby Blue, and Cherry Red—Cool-Toned Makeup Emerges as the (Surprising) Highlight of the Summer Frosty Silver, Baby Blue, and Cherry Red—Cool-Toned Makeup Emerges as the (Surprising) Highlight of the Summer Frosty Silver, Baby Blue, and Cherry Red—Cool-Toned Makeup Emerges as the (Surprising) Highlight of the Summer Frosty Silver, Baby Blue, and Cherry Red—Cool-Toned Makeup Emerges as the (Surprising) Highlight of the Summer Frosty Silver, Baby Blue, and Cherry Red—Cool-Toned Makeup Emerges as the (Surprising) Highlight of the Summer Frosty Silver, Baby Blue, and Cherry Red—Cool-Toned Makeup Emerges as the (Surprising) Highlight of the Summer

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Frosty Silver, Baby Blue, and Cherry Red—Cool-Toned Makeup Emerges as the (Surprising) Highlight of the Summer

Typically, warm, golden-toned makeup is popular in the summer, but this year is different. No, 2025 is focusing on stylish, sculpted, cool-toned appearances. Here's the evidence.