Summer is heating up, but beauty trends are cooling way down. And if your makeup bag still screams "sun-kissed bronze goddess," it's officially time for a seasonal refresh. According to a rising surge in searches, cool-toned beauty is the summer aesthetic taking over your feed, group chats, and next Sephora or Ulta haul.
So, what exactly is "cool-toned beauty," and why is everyone suddenly obsessed? Think frosted finishes, icy pigments, moody neutrals, and editorial edge. This aesthetic swaps out the warmth and golden glow of summers past in favor of fresh, frosty, and futuristic vibes. It's giving 90s supermodel meets the "Euphoria" dream sequence, and we're 100% here for it.
Julia Fox attends the "The Trainer" red carpet during the 19th Rome Film Festival at Auditorium Parco Della Musica on October 20, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/WireImage)
Let's break down the hottest (well, coldest) trends making headlines right now, according to The 2025 Pinterest Summer Report.
Summer Cool Tone Makeup Is Trending
Gone are the days of terracotta blushes and bronzy highlighters dominating your summer stack. It's all about hues that make your skin look lit from within. Icy pinks, muted lilacs, silvery highlighters, and dusty mauves are taking center stage. The goal is an ethereal, not earthy look. Cool-toned makeup feels modern, effortless, and just the right amount of edgy, especially when you're sweating through another rooftop party.
Jade Thirlwall attends The BRIT Awards 2025 at Intercontinental Hotel London - The O2 on March 01, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Searches for "summer cool tone makeup" are skyrocketing, and creators are responding with tutorials that look more like mini indie films than your standard GRWM.
Yes, blue eyeshadow. But this isn't your mom's frosty powder blue. Today's blues are highly pigmented, multi-dimensional, and absolutely editorial. From cobalt to cornflower, deep navy to soft periwinkle, there's a shade of blue for every vibe and every eye shape.
The girlies are especially into watercolor blends and graphic shapes, giving the humble blue palette a major glow-up. Whether you're creating a bold wash across the lid or just a flick of pigment in the corners, the message is clear: blue is bold, and bold is cool.
This year's "it" manicure includes baby blue cat eye nails. The trend combines the soft, dreamy tones of a clear summer sky with the mesmerizing shimmer of a magnetic polish effect. The result is a mani that looks like it belongs in both a fairy tale and a sci-fi movie.
These nails catch the light in the most flattering way and pair perfectly with an iced matcha and some chunky silver jewelry. Think of them as the Gen Z answer to the French tip.
Blondes are still having fun, but now they're doing it with a cooler tone. "Cool-toned dark blonde hair" is up in searches, with more people asking stylists for mushroom blonde, ash balayage, and even icy lowlights to contrast that summer glow.
This color is super flattering across skin tones and feels like the love child of Scandi minimalism and California ease. Bonus: it grows out like a dream, making it both trendy and low maintenance.
You wouldn't expect red eyeshadow to fall into a cool-toned category, but hear us out. We're talking oxblood, brick, and rusted cranberry, not hot chili pepper or coral. These shades bring intensity and contrast without warmth, especially when paired with cool-toned foundation and lips.
The report reveals a spike in searches for "red eyeshadow palette," and creators are using them to create everything from smoky siren eyes to sharp, editorial looks. When used sparingly and sculpted just right, red shadow reads bold, mysterious, and cool.
So, Why the Cool-Tone Craze?
Blame it on the backlash to hyper-warm, hyper-tanned beauty. Or maybe it's the aesthetic fatigue from years of "clean girl" minimalism. Whatever the reason, people are ready for something that feels futuristic, daring, and visually fresh. Cool tones bring contrast, creativity, and a certain chill to summer's traditionally steamy look.
