How to Master Watercolor Makeup, According to Experts

Summer makeup routines often follow a pared-down approach. With heat waves and humidity looming daily, a less-is-more look isn’t just more comfortable—it’s essential.  While we look to minimal looks as a way to beat the heat, the trends are showcasing a different point of view. Enter watercolor makeup. Focused on providing a flush of color to the face and lightly staining certain areas, the method has quickly become favored for summer. It’s not hard to see why. As the days continue to heat up, a melted and diffused flush of color feels fitting. It has just enough punchy shades to make a statement, yet leans into the minimalist makeup the industry adores. Ahead, we tapped three makeup artists for everything to know about watercolor makeup, including the products you need to get the look.

Featured experts

• Emily Gray is a celebrity makeup artist
• Bina Khan is a makeup artist and the co-founder of Just B Cosmetics
• Rupert Kingston is a makeup artist and the co-founder of delilah

What is watercolor makeup?

As the name suggests, watercolor makeup is all about a light hand and delicate, colorful details. The concept stems from paintings following the same ethos. “Think of it as a soft, romantic take on color that mimics the effect of watercolor paint,” says makeup artist and co-founder of delilah, Rupert Kingston. Instead of bold pigments and sharp lines, it relies on gentle blending techniques and formulas that can deliver the lightest wash of color. Kingston explains that while many makeup trends focus on precision, watercolor makeup is more about expression and creating a look that enhances your facial features rather than masks them. “Sheer washes of pigment with a painterly finish that read as ethereal and luminous is the goal,” he says.

How to wear watercolor makeup

The beauty of this trend is that it can be used to enhance several features. While lightly stained cheeks are the obvious choice, the experts say that watercolor makeup has no limits. “The cheeks are the hero, but you can use the trend to accent other areas of the face,” says Bina Khan, makeup artist and co-founder of Just B Cosmetics. The key is to have everything tied together so the look is cohesive. For example, a single swipe of color on your eyelids and a cheek or lip stain in a complementary hue would work best. The shades should be light and easy to blend to create the diffused look.

“If you’re using blush for this trend, choose a sheer blush that allows you to see the skin still underneath,” says celebrity makeup artist Emily Gray. While the look can be created with any color, she notes that rich hues like red, orange and plum are some of the most popular. The application method is just as important as the shades you choose. “You want to have soft edges and a diffused application, so larger, softer brushes for powder products are key,” says Khan. She adds that liquid formulas can be sheared out to soften the deposit of pigment. 

To build your watercolor makeup look, begin prepping with hydrating products that will yield radiant skin. “Skip the matte formulas and opt for a light base that lets the colors lay on top like a veil, rather than competing with your foundation,” says Kingston. For an even lighter approach, Khan suggests adding a few drops of foundation to your moisturizer and following the same steps for cream blushes. Applying the products with your fingers or a soft brush is also ideal to ensure there are no sharp lines or harsh contours.  Instead, the transitions should be subtle and seamless.v“Watercolor makeup is more about diffusion than definition and should be finished with a hydrating setting mist to keep everything looking dewy and fresh,” says Kingston.

Products for trying watercolor makeup

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This liquid blush delivers a light tint of color and gives cheeks a youthful glow and a watercolor flush. Plus, it melts into the cheeks for a second-skin-like finish. Pro tip: Use your fingers to dab the product onto the apples of your cheeks, then gently pat it in for a natural look.

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These lip stains are pigmented enough to drench your lips with color. However, they’re still great for this trend because the intensity is buildable. One swipe is all that’s needed to nail the stained-glass effect.

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A traditional highlighter would be too bold for the watercolor makeup trend, but Westman Atelier’s cream highlighter is perfect. It has just a hint of shimmer and wispy color that effortlessly melts into the skin.

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Multisticks are the essence of natural makeup, providing a flush of color that can be sheer or built up. This stick glides on easily and leaves behind a punchy pink hue wherever you use it. Swipe it on your lips and cheeks, then use your fingers to dab a bit onto your eyelids.