Pastel makeup is having a major moment in Summer 2025. And before you start shaking your head, YES, even we mature ladies can wear this colorful makeup palette! In fact, I’d say there has been a shift on the rise where women, especially us over 40+, are becoming less afraid to use makeup that is a tad out of the box, as a means of self-expression.
Makeup has always been a mix of adventure and fantasy for me. I use it as a little escape from the real world (that seems a bit chaotic right now, honestly)! After creating this pastel makeup look, I was reminded how invigorated and alive I feel when I choose to wear colorful eyeshadow over browns, taupes, and other neutral shadows.
I understand this type of look might not be for everyone, but even if it’s not, I encourage you to continue reading and hopefully become inspired to play with some new shades or makeup techniques for summer. You might just unlock a new makeup personality!
When it comes to pastels, there are many offerings such as soft hues of lilac, mint, peach, and sky blue, which can actually elevate your look, adding a fresh, luminous aura without overpowering your natural features.
I found some older makeup ads showcasing the pastel vibes, just because I love makeup history and seeing how trends and looks have evolved. But we don’t have to wear our pastels ALL over our eyes, I have some tricks for how to wear pastel makeup with sophistication, elegance, and a modern edge…
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1. Start With a Radiant, Skin-Focused Base
Healthy-looking skin is the foundation of any great makeup look, especially when working with delicate pastel tones.
How to achieve this: Start with a great moisturizer to give skin a hydrated, bouncy base, like the highly rated L’Oreal Revitalift line plumping water cream, $35. Then use a lightweight, hydrating foundation with a satin finish. Avoid ultra-matte or overly dewy products. Use concealer strategically to brighten under the eyes and neutralize any redness or dark spots.
2. Embrace Pastel Eyes—Strategically
Pastel eyeshadow can brighten your eyes and lift your whole face—if done thoughtfully.
Best Pastel Makeup for Mature Eyes:
Soft lilac or powder blue (makes brown or hazel eyes pop)
Sage or mint green (brightens the whites of your eyes)
Pale rose or peach (adds warmth without harshness)
How to Wear Pastel Makeup:
- Use a matte or satin-finish powder for easier blending and fewer fine-line concerns. Avoid shimmer-heavy pastels that could easily settle and highlight eye wrinkles. I’m using the Makeup Revolution palette in “Sugar Pie,” $8. It’s got a beautiful assortment of pastel shades, for a super low price, so if you’re just dipping your toe into this look, it’s a great buy! Or, try a single fluid eye paint from About Face, $16, – they have so many pretty pastel choices!
- Keep the pastel shade close to the lash line or a good wash across the lower half of the upper eyelid. This keeps you from looking like those retro pastel shadow ads where they took the color all the way to the brow bone!! I chose to go with the light blue and aqua shades for this look.
- Add a soft brown or taupe shadow onto the outer corners to define the eyes without harshness and to “ground” whatever pastel shade you used. I created a sideways V shape to do this around the pastel blues I used. You’ll be amazed how pretty pairing a warm brown with the pastel looks!
- For a retro touch, I created a short baby winged eye with my go-to drugstore liquid liner, the Maybelline Hyper Easy liquid liner pen, $8. Then I used a bright nude eyeliner from Revolution Makeup, $6, along the inner waterline to further whiten the whites of my eyes. This is a wonderful cheaper dupe for my usual Tarte Fake Awake pencils that run $24 each.
- If you need new makeup brushes in order to pull off creating this kind of look, check out last week’s post here on my top 8 makeup brushes I can’t do my makeup without.
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3. Add a Youthful Pop With Pastel Blush
Don’t skip blush—pastel pinks and peaches are incredibly flattering and give the face that healthy, youthful lift.
Pastel Makeup Tips:
- A blush with a hint of shimmer can be your best friend since we aren’t doing shimmer on the pastel eyes! I’m wearing “Sublime Flush” by Hourglass, $48 which is one of THE most beautiful blush formulas on the planet. It’s described as a soft pink with a hint of lilac.
- For extra cohesion, tap a little on the bridge of the nose for a subtle sun-kissed effect.
4. Go Light on Lips—but Keep Them Glossy
Pastel lips can wash you out if you’re not careful, but the right shade with a glossy finish can brighten your whole face.
Pastel Makeup Tips:
- Use a lip liner that is very close to your natural lip shade, to define the edges for a fuller, polished look but without changing the shade of your actual lip product you choose. One of my personal very neutral faves is the NYX retractable lip liner, $5, in shade “nude,” – go figure!! Ha ha!
- Choose a balmy, hydrating formula of gloss that reflects light! I’m wearing a new shade for me, the tarte maracuja Juicy Lip Vinyl, $27, in “Sheer Lotus” and I have a feeling this is going to be my SUMMER lip color! It’s a sheer pop of pink that looks so fun and vibrant while not being overwhelmingly pastel. And if you just can’t bear to pay the $27, a nice 2nd place would be the NYX Fat Oil lip drip, $9, in shade “Supermodel.”
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5. Balance Is Everything
Pastel makeup works best when the rest of your look is fresh and clean. Think modern, not costume.
The Rest of My Look Details
Similar pastel flower prints tops like mine from JCrew Factory here, $25, Tuckernuck lilac floral here, $98, or J. McLaughlin, $178 // Warm brown palette used to ground the pastels was from Natasha Denona My Dream Shadow palette, $69. // Similar gold + pearl stacking bead bracelets, $28. // Wearing Maybelline Lumi Matte foundation in shade 125, $11. // Waves in the hair created with this Conair wand, $38.// White shorts (not seen!) for the win to pair with pastel tops, by Quince, $34.
The pastel trend is ultimately about soft power. It’s a way to show that beauty is not about hiding age—but embracing color, freshness, and self-expression at every stage of life. So go ahead—dust on that lavender shadow or peach blush, and let your radiance shine through.
What pastel shade will you be brave enough to try this summer??
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