'Sun Bask' Makeup: The Glowy-Glam Beauty Trend, Explained

It doesn't have to be the middle of summer to indulge in a sun-kissed makeup look. In fact, embracing makeup that makes it appear as if you've spent your days (safely) soaking up plenty of rays is ideal for any time of year. The same goes for sun bask makeup, which aims to capture the slightly flushed, wonderfully glowy effect that you might end up with naturally if the golden hour sun hits your skin at just the right angle to light it up in a subtle but stunning way.

If you're already convinced that you need to give this look a try, then you'll need to know exactly how to nail it. In that case, you'll want to make sure you have a few things first. Along with blush to give you a rosy hint, a highlighter that boasts an impressive shine, and bronzer to add a tanned touch, you'll want to stick with cosmetics that leave you with a relatively natural-looking complexion. You'll also want a cream to make sure your skin is perfectly hydrated and gloss to give your lips a wet look.

Once you have everything that you need, then it's time to get to work. Frankly, it just takes a few simple steps to end up with a sun bask effect. When you have that perfected, you might also want to try out a version that takes this look one step further.

Sun bask makeup, in a nutshell, is a toned-down version of the trending latte makeup trend, which aims to bring a dewy and bronzed look to the face. Taking inspiration from other trends like "glass skin" and "glazed donut skincare," sun bask makeup is all about looking as if you're in the middle of, well, basking in the sun. The key difference between this trend and others like it, however, is that the sun-kissed look isn't in full force just yet. Sticking to lighter, muted bronzer shades is key.

Achieving the look isn't difficult, but you do need to know what to use and how to use it. First, since the key to this trend is giving that lit-from-within glow, you'll want to hydrate your skin with a nourishing product. Next, use a moisturizing concealer and light-weight creamy contouring product. Be sure not to layer them on too thick. If you also like to use foundation, then again, stick with something lightweight.

Now that you have an ideal base, you can start with the additional details. Grab a pink cream blush that has warm orange tones. If that doesn't quite suit you, then you might be able to get away with a shade of red. Dab this onto your cheekbones while blending the color upward. All you need for your brows is a little gel, which you can use to brush them neatly. Pop on a bit of mascara to help your eyes stand out. As for your lips, stick with a glossy and plumping formula.

If you've fallen in love with sun bask makeup and want to take it further, you might want to incorporate it into the latte makeup trend. While the two are similar, the latter aesthetic takes the intensity up a notch. Although that may seem strange, considering sun bask makeup features a look that leans toward the light side, latte makeup is slightly darker and aims to make it look like you've spent a little longer basking in the sun.

In this case, start with the same steps as you would when opting for sun bask makeup. That includes using a hydrating moisturizer. You'll also want to finish things off with shiny lip gloss. However, in between, apply the blush with a somewhat heavy hand. That means layering it on and blending it in until you have a rosy glow that can't be missed. You'll also want to use bronzer and grab a shade that's a little darker than your natural skin tone.

Apply it to your jawline and cheekbones as well as around your hairline. Again, both a cream blush and cream bronzer are the best options, thanks to the fact that they allow you to build it up while also blending it in. The result will be much more natural than if you used other products. Afterward, you can add bronze or copper eyeshadow to stick with the sun-kissed latte look. Of course, don't forget a neutral shade of lip gloss for a finished juicy look.