Festival makeup looks: what are the celebs showing off? From glam rock and babydoll makeup, to frosty finishes and neon colors
Summer has arrived and, along with the heat, all those events that are practically impossible to say no to are back: concerts, festivals and, why not, local fairs too. The problem, however, is always the same: who really feels like putting on makeup when it’s 35 degrees out? Or worse, who has the mental energy to come up with a make-up look that won’t melt away in a matter of seconds? Luckily, in situations like these, there’s always someone who comes to the rescue: the celebs. Because let’s be honest, if there’s anyone who knows how to survive under blinding lights, intense choreography, sweat and forty-degree heat indexes, it’s the artists who spend their summers singing and dancing on stage. Of course, the foundation of everything remains a good setting spray, now just as essential as an ice-cold bottle of water, but here are the festival beauty looks defining summer 2026.
Festival makeup looks for summer 2026: what are celebrities wearing?
Glam rock looks
One of the strongest trends of summer 2026 is undoubtedly the return of a gritty and intense glam rock aesthetic. This makeup style has won over artists such as Doja Cat, Charli XCX and Oklou, who embraced it in a more ethereal, almost gothic way. Helping to make this aesthetic even more ubiquitous were the latest Gucci runway shows, where makeup artist Sam Visser brought aggressive smoky eyes back into the spotlight. At its core, the glam rock look feels lived-in, slightly slept-in and subtly decadent. The focus is entirely on the eyes: deep, layered black tones. Lips, on the other hand, remain nude or are coated in a glossy vinyl-red finish.
Frosty, but not icy anymore
Alongside dark and smoky looks, the frosty aesthetic continues to gain momentum, frequently seen on Tyla. But forget the classic Y2K interpretation made exclusively of silver tones and cool metallic eyeshadows. This summer, frost becomes much more colorful and experimental. Lilac, baby blue, mint green, pink and yellow are replacing traditional silver shades. The result is luminous, aquatic and futuristic.
Babydoll makeup
The babydoll makeup trend continues to dominate. Leading the charge is, as always, Sabrina Carpenter, now the undisputed queen of this girlish, ultra-feminine and seemingly innocent aesthetic. Raye is also a loyal fan, although she interprets it in a more sophisticated and elegant way. Both embrace a look that blends '60s-inspired sensuality with contemporary details: elongated eyes created with eyeliner, extra-long doll-like lashes, pink blush placed high on the cheekbones and glossy nude lips with a slightly overlined effect.
No-makeup makeup
The perfect reference for no-makeup makeup is PinkPantheress: well-cared-for skin, subtly sculpted features and no extravagant details whatsoever. This look isn’t about dramatic eyes or statement lips, but about facial structure. Strategic shadows, targeted highlights and ultra-light, barely-there textures. It’s the perfect kind of makeup for anyone who doesn’t want to feel heavily made up, while still not wanting to go completely bare-faced. A little concealer, soft contouring on the nose, cheekbones and eyelid crease, plus a touch of mascara, are all you need. If you want to go a step further, add a swipe of clear lip gloss and you're done.
Neon, neon and more neon
We may sound repetitive, but neon colors are summer 2026. Zara Larsson set the tone, and now everyone is simply following her lead. This trend is all about impact: fluorescent eyeliner, neon eyeshadows and plenty of glitter to capture every bit of light possible.
