Every summer has its beauty muse—and this year Zara Larsson is it. She’s fairy meets festival with a big splash of whimsical Y2K: pretty palettes, dopamine ’dos and lined, glossy lips. Get out the glitter, we’re going dancing under the midnight sun…
Pretty in Paradise
Throw your makeup back to 2002. This super-chromatic, early-aughts shadow sets the stage for Zara’s signature look. Placement is everything, says makeup artist Tiesha Williams. Start with two shades: Apply one across your lid and brow bone, and the other through your crease and along the inner lash line. Blend where they meet at the inner corner of the eye for a seamless finish. Want extra festival flair? Use rhinestone adhesive to add glitter and gemstones across your lids, along your brow bones and at the inner corners of your eyes, extending slightly toward the bridge of your nose.
Try: Lemonhead Spacejam Ultra Luxe Glitter Balm in White Rabbit, $26, getlemonhead.com. ColourPop Fade Into Hue Rainbow Powder Palette, $35, colourpop.com. XO Fetti Petit Fetti Butterfly Gem Set, $9, xofetti.com.
Bright and Blushed
Saying it out loud for the girls in the back: More is more with this look. Find your brightest hot pink blush (cream formulas are great for a blurred, satin finish), then blend it high on your cheekbones and up toward your brow bone. Use your fingers to tap it in, helping the color melt seamlessly into your foundation. For an even more cohesive look, sweep a touch across your eyelids before applying shadow.
Try: Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush in Nearly Rose, $24, sephora.com.
Glow-getter Gloss
Cherry cola lips, but make them summer: Zara’s juicy, holographic finish “makes a look feel more fun,” shares Williams. Start by lining your lips in a similar shade to your eyeshadow, softly smudging the color toward the center. Then blend it out with a matching gloss or lip oil to create a subtle ombré effect, concentrating the shine at the center of the lips.
Try: ColourPop Lippie Pencil in TBH, $7, colourpop.com. Fenty Gloss Bomb Luminizing Lip Oil ’N Gloss in Miss Jellyfish, $26, sephora.com.
Catching Waves
Use a waver to create Lollapalooza-worthy soft body and volume. Start by sectioning your hair into two-inch pieces, then place the waver near the roots at the top of each section. Hold for about three seconds, release and continue down the length. Day-old strands hold this style more easily, so if your hair is freshly washed, prep it with a dollop of mousse and blow-dry before styling to boost both volume and hold.
Try: CHI Vibes “Hollywood Waves” 3.60 Inch Hairstyling Waver, $131, chi.com. Amika Plus Size Perfect Body Mousse, $31, ulta.com.
Flower Power
No, really, it’s as easy as part, pin and go. Use a fine-tail comb to create a Y2K side part, then section off a small piece near your ear and pin it back. Finish by clipping in a bold floral accessory. Bonus points if you “apply a shine product to the ends so everything stays smooth and touchable,” advises hairstylist Hannah M. Le.
Try: Amika Superfruit Star Lightweight Hair Styling + Heat Defense Oil, $32, loveamika.com. Urban Outfitters Hibiscus Flower Hair Clip & Brooch, $12, urbanoutfitters.com.
(Temporarily) Tatted Up
Meet body glitter’s free-spirited cousin: the early-2000s temporary tat. To re-create Zara’s intricate designs, snag a stencil. Place it on clean skin (no lotions or oils, please), then use an old eyeshadow brush to apply a glitter body glue base. Let it sit for a few moments until tacky, then gently tap loose cosmetic glitter over the area. Play with color and placement, then carefully peel the stencil away once the glue is fully dry.
Try: Art Factory Cheetah Print Splash Glitter Tattoo Stencil, $3, artfactoryus.com. Nyx Face & Body Glitter in Red, $7, nyxcosmetics.com. Lit Cosmetics Water Resistant Glitter Base, $25, beautylish.com.
Hey, girl! Just to let you know, this originally ran in our June/July 2026 issue. Read our print mag for *free* today when you click HERE!
Read on for more makeup inspo here:
🌺 Summer beauty products that are actually worth the hype
🌺 5 ways to switch up your hair this summer (no big chop necessary)
🌺 Everything you need to know about LED light therapy
Images: @sophiasinot, @zaralarsson
