From the shades of the season to must-have buys, here are the buzzwords to have on your radar as we – and experts – round up the 10 best beauty trends for summer 2025
We’re now well into summer, and if you want to know what beauty products, treatments and trends are worth trying this summer, you’re in luck.
We’ve rounded up our pick of the best viral beauty trends that you’ll actually want to wear, from the products our team can’t live without to inspiration for you next appointment at the hair or nail salon. Here’s what’s hot right now…
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10 biggest beauty trends for summer 2025
Mocha bronde
Mocha Mousse is Pantone’s Colour of the Year, and it’s made its way to become a top hair colour trend for summer, says hair stylist and trends forecaster Tom Smith. Described by Tom as “monochromatic and muted”, at the salon ask for neutral mushroom and cool coffee tones running throughout (steer clear of caramels), and you could benefit from using a blue or purple shampoo or conditioner like John Frieda Blue Crush Blue Conditioner, currently £6.89, every couple of weeks, too.
Tubing mascara
If you find that your mascara typically doesn’t last long on your lashes in hot weather, or when sweating or swimming, it’s time to try a tubing mascara. Unlike traditional formulas (think of them like paint), tubing mascaras contain polymers that form ‘tubes’ around each eyelash, lengthening them then setting in place without smudging or flaking. They also remove differently, too, sliding off each hair with warm water and a gentle rub – making them ideal for eyes prone to stinging.
K-beauty
Korean beauty certainly isn’t a new trend, but with the recent launch of cult favourite K-beauty brands in the UK, such as Beauty of Joseon at Boots and Belif on Beauty Bay and Amazon, it’s now easier than ever to give them a try. Korean formulas are known for being especially hydrating with a dewy finish, yet incredibly lightweight, making them ideal for summer, when applying heavy cream in hot weather might not be that appealing.
SPF superstars
Sunscreen is often seen as more of a chore than a treat, but facial SPF formulations have come on in leaps and bounds – so there’s really no excuse not to wear it every day. Merit’s The Uniform Tinted Mineral SPF 50, £34, launched with a waitlist of over 20,000, while beauty editors have been singing the praises of Ultra Violette Future Fluid SPF 50+ Superlight Mineral Skinscreen, £38. Created to be make-up-friendly, Olay Brighten & Glow Vitamin C Moisturising Fluid SPF 50+, £26, looks set to be the high street’s big hitter – and you can often find it on offer, too.
Fruity fragrances
Perfumes take their inspiration from fruits, with juicy concoctions creating dreamy scents. Try PHLUR Peach Skin Body Mist, from £25, Ariana Grande R.E.M. Cherry Eclipse Eau de Parfum, currently £36 (usual price £45), or Jo Loves With Love From Como, £135, with zesty notes of grapefruit and clementine. And look out for a lip-smacking new launch from Jo Malone London next month.
Sunscreen oils
They’re back – but with a big difference. Unlike the sometimes dangerously low (or even no) protection tanning oils of the past, Bali Body’s new Watermelon Sunscreen Oil SPF 50, £22.95, comes with super-high broad spectrum sun protection for that gleaming-limb look without risking your skin. It smells incredible, too – like summer in a bottle.
Neck care
In summer there’s little chance to hide under high-neck jumpers, so if you’re not already paying attention to the skin under your chin, you really should be, say the experts and – judging by all the new neck creams being launched and the interest we get from readers whenever we write about them – it’s clearly an area worth paying attention to. Boost Lab’s Edelweiss Neck Firming Serum, £24.99, is good value with impressive shopper results, while Prai Ageless Throat & Decolletage Creme, £31.99, continues to be the best-selling neck cream at M&S.
Butter yellow
Striking the perfect balance between cute and cool, butter yellow continues to be fashion’s colour of the season, with celebrities including Cynthia Erivo, Victoria Beckham and The Princess of Wales all spotted wearing outfits in the surprisingly flattering shade recently. For a low cost, low commitment way to try the trend, pick up a nail polish such as Essie’s Summer Soulstice, £8.99, or OPI’s Nature Strong in Make My Daisy, £18.50. In the nail salon, ask for Bio Sculpture’s Alinta or The GelBottle’s Sorbet shades of polish.
Berry girl make-up
Every season there seems to be a new food-themed make-up style, and this summer it’s ‘berry girl’, made popular by Hailey Bieber (who else?) recently. Although tones of cherry, plum and raspberry worn on lips, cheeks and nails may seem more suited to winter, it’s a surprisingly fresh and youthful summer look. Try Charlotte Tilbury’s Unreal Blush Stick in Berry Glow, £30, and for lips, e.l.f. Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm in Yummy Gummy, £9.
Riviera bob
Bobs have been trending for years, but this summer the way to wear them is bouncy and voluminous, yet slightly ruffled and undone – think Aubrey Plaza’s character, Harper, in season two of The White Lotus, embracing just a touch of holiday hair humidity. To get the riviera bob look, “ask your stylist for a straight bob cut just longer than your chin,” says Tom Smith. “Some soft, very long layering should be cut with a shattered finish – avoid steps or blunt lines, and keep any fringe area longer and blended into the rest of the shape.”