Summer is the season of adventure. Whether it’s an “I’m going cliff-jumping” style adrenaline rush chase, an “I can definitely down three more champagnes before the taxi arrives” type scene, or a “we’re wearing bright makeup all month long” take, we all channel our daredevil tendencies in different ways.

But while we’re in favour of all three and appreciate a good bubbly as much as anyone, we’re particularly partial to putting that audacious energy into painting our faces.

And considering we’ve embraced low-key looks (à la bare skin and sweatpants) for the last however many months, our blending brushes and neon palettes are practically chomping at the bit.

So if you’re down to embrace a ‘nude lips, we don’t know them’ mentality alongside us, here are the vivid, flashy and downright daring makeup movements we’re stuck on for summer…

Intergalactic Iridescence

Image credits (from L-R): @tatianaroseart, @coolgirlswearmugler, @namvo, @nikki_makeup, @missjobaker, @the_power_of_colors, @nikki_makeup, @nikki_makeup

Like a glimmer of phosphorescence captured on translucent flower petals, iridescent lilac has made its way onto the dewy cheekbones and gloss-dripped lips of runway and Instagram models alike. Think lit-from-within shimmer, textural maelstroms of liquid metal, and dancing hues of turquoise, fuchsia and gold that intersperse into the lavender haze thanks to formulas that refuse to stay stagnant. Enchant your eyes with hypnotising hues of amethyst, adorn your cheekbones with icy licks of lavender, or layer lilac onto lips to create an opalescent glaze. You basically want your features to look like gleaming crystals – this is summer with an intergalactic twist.

1. Fenty Beauty Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick in Unicorn, $39 at sephora.com.au
2. Sephora Collection Colourful Eyeshadow Mono in Magnolia Garden, $13 at sephora.com.au
3. Pat McGrath Labs OpuLUST: Lip Gloss in Lavendaring, $54 at sephora.com.au

Popsicle Pouts

Image credits (from L-R): @terrybarberonbeauty, @emilychengmakeup, @missjobaker, @jennierubyjane, @terrybarberonbeauty, @missjobaker, @nikki_makeup, @missjobaker, @ponysmakeup, @missjobaker, @allanface

Summer is synonymous with brights, and yet the perspiration problems and ice block devouring that come with the season don’t always lend themselves to keeping lip colours intact. So, we say lean into the latter and embrace popsicle pouts with full force. Originating from the inspiration-laden universe of K-beauty, the feather-proof lip finish (which relies on blush and eyeshadow shades as heavily as it does actual lip colours, FYI) has since made its way into many a makeup artist’s repertoire. It’s all about embracing blurred, hazy, lived-in lip washes that come with zero crisp lines and even fewer fears of smudging. If your colour fades or smears during the day – great. That’s the goal.

1. Mecca Max Single Shadow in That’s Hot, $8 at mecca.com.au
2. M.A.C Powder Kiss Lipstick in Velvet Punch, $33 at maccosmetics.com.au
3. Natasha Denona Love Glow Cheek Palette, $93 at sephora.com.au

Confetti Eye Candy

Image credits (from L-R): @erikalfaro06, @lizakoshy, @make_malvina_up, @katiejanehughes, @hairandmakeupbymaisie, @kaleteter, @lovedanniix, @kaleteter

The season of celebration extends into 2021, right? Whatever, we’re running with it – in our book, confetti is fair game until at least March. Driven by digital beauty creators, the inspo pics surrounding this look are sprinkled over Pinterest and Instagram like literal confetti, each one of them more creative than the next. Some people commit to coloured takes on the trend with an array of dots in different shades, while others go all out with 3D moments made up of everything from sequins (metallic and multicoloured) to actual gemstones. Keep it along the lash line for something subtle (well, subtle in the confetti category), or use the confetti pieces to build out a bold, bright wing.

1. By Beauty Bay The Pastels Palette, $17 at beautybay.com
2. Barry M Pick ‘n’ Glitz Glitter Pot in Pink, $12.95 at bigw.com.au
3. Tarte Clay Pot Waterproof Shadow Liner in Blue Moon, $28 at tartecosmetics.com

Look-At-Me Lids + Lips

Image credits (from L-R): Getty Images, @itsheymorgan, @maddieziegler, Getty Images, Getty Images, @brittsully, @katiejanehughes, @nikki_makeup, Getty Images

If you need to get glam in approximately five seconds, ‘glossy lids and bright lips’ is the high-impact, low-effort pairing to keep in your back pocket – it’s Instagram’s absolute favourite right now. The magic of the combo lies in the contrast; pairing opposite finishes together takes two classics and makes them both fresh once more. So, swap intense smokey eyes for something soft, fresh and dewy, and gear up for the magic that is glossy lids gleaming in the summer sun. Then, flip the script for lips and trade traditionally summer-centric nude glossy lip looks for bold, bright colours that will complement barely-there eyes beautifully. Your face won’t have ever looked fresher.

1. Shiseido ModernMatte Powder Lipstick in Night Orchid, $42 at mecca.com.au
2. Morphe Gloss Pop Face & Eye Gloss, $18 at mecca.com.au
3. Huda Beauty Power Bullet Matte Lipstick in Spring Break, $35 at sephora.com.au

Geometric Liner

Image credits (from L-R): @nikki_makeup, @patrickta, @missjobaker, @missjobaker, @missjobaker, @chloeandcosmetics, @missjobaker, @missjobaker, @sophiedalymakeup

Geometric liner looks in general may not be anything revolutionary, but the ones gracing the ‘gram lately have taken the game up about 10 thousand notches. Spearheaded by celebrity makeup artist Jo Baker (if you’ve ever seen Lucy Boynton’s eye makeup, you’ll know why she's a standout), the latest abstract era is all about viewing your eye area as an actual canvas. Stamp stripes onto outer corners, scribble to build shapes, layer lines that define the eye without even touching it; whatever works. You can embrace every shade from classic black to candy apple red, electric blue and neon fuchsia, too. There are no limits as to what counts as ‘liner’ this season – if you can draw it, you can rock it.

1. Dior Diorshow Onstage Liner in Matte Pink, $56 at sephora.com.au
2. Napoleon Perdis Neo Noir Liquid Liner in Black, $32 at napoleonperdis.com
3. L.A. Girl Line Art Matte Eyeliner in Cobalt, $13.25 at beautybay.com

Molten Gold

Image credits (from L-R): @make.cl.up, Getty Images, Getty Images, @_agaas, @priscillaono, @allanface, @jamesmolloymakeupartist, @jamesmolloymakeupartist

Gold is synonymous with ‘status’, and the molten metallic trend sweeping global catwalks and luxury labels lately certainly does little to dispel said sense of opulence. From lids melded in liquid gold to high-shine highlight finishes and gilded soft metallic moments on lips, the drip is definitely evident with this movement. Amp up your face’s shine factor (in a good way) with flashes of glimmer in key placements or lean into gilded greediness and adorn your face with see-it-from-space style shine. Wherever you’re putting it, remember the goal is for the gold to look like melted down molten; think glossy not glittery. There’s no such thing as OTT this season, okay?

1. Marc Jacobs See-quins Glam Glitter Liquid Eyeshadow in Shimmy Dip, $40 at sephora.com.au
2. Zoeva Visionary Light Highlighter in Unbelievable, $46 at sephora.com.au
3. NARS Lip Gloss in Sexy Time, $38 at mecca.com.au

Can't get enough summer makeup inspo? Here are the warm weather lipstick shades we're loving...