Unconventional lips to show off this summer Let's say goodbye to reassuring lip combos

This summer, lips don’t want to be pretty. They want to be a little wrong, a little excessive, the right amount of drama to make any beauty look more interesting. After months of seeing the same lip combo everywhere, from us ordinary mortals to the celebrities on the red carpet, we’ve clearly reached that collective moment where we’re getting bored and maybe a bit of chaos is necessary. So let’s play around a bit more with color, textures and patterns, and basically give these lips more energy. Because let’s be honest: summer is the perfect time to make slightly questionable beauty decisions.

Unconventional lips to show off in summer 2026

Glitter isn’t giving up

Glitter, of course, has no intention of disappearing. In fact, we’ve already talked about how it’s taking over more and more space in editorial makeup with zero subtlety: lips completely covered in reflections, created with ultra-shimmer lip glosses that catch the light like there’s no tomorrow, or with glitter pigments patted directly onto the lips for a more raw effect. The result is intentionally excessive, a bit chaotic, exactly the kind of energy summer deserves.

Pattern lips

Then there are the pattern lips, where lips become tiny canvases to draw everything on: animal prints, polka dots, tweed, basically any graphic or texture that inspires you. For those who aren’t exactly skilled at drawing, no worries, because they’re back too: temporary lip tattoos.

Minty lips

And then there’s the true chromatic star of the season: “minty.” Let’s call it sea green, mint, Tiffany blue, whatever you want, the meaning stays the same. It’s that fresh shade that comes straight from the hipster aesthetic millennials loved in 2014 and is now slowly taking over everything: nails, accessories, makeup details, and of course, lips too.

1980s orange-red

For months now, there’s been a strong return to the 1980s, visible everywhere: fashion, hairstyles, makeup. But one key thing is still quietly emerging: red lipstick. Not the classic, overdone one, but its warm, slightly orange-leaning, glossy version. The kind worn by action movie heroines of the ’80s, between teased hair and oversized blazers. Could this be the summer to wear it?

Bubblegum pink

Sticking with the ’80s wave, bubblegum pink is also carving out its space in editorial makeup, where anything goes and nothing has to be wearable. This summer’s challenge is exactly that: putting aside laziness and stepping out of the usual makeup routine, the safe but slightly repetitive one, to try something with more character.