Dive Into “Pool Lips,” Summer’s Most Refreshing Trend

Beauty trends can feel a bit like a game of Mad Libs. You know the formula—seemingly wildcard noun plus makeup term equals micro-trend du jour. Think: mob wife glam, glazed donut skin, watercolor cheeks, and cold girl makeup. Despite the “who came up with this?” of it all, these trends are undeniably fun, offering playful opportunities to experiment. And the latest to join the ranks? Pool lips.

This summery trend takes shape in blue lip glosses and lip oils, evoking the cool, glimmering surface of a sunstruck swimming pool. If a blue gloss sounds a bit unusual, we ask that you keep an open mind. Because blue gloss, a nostalgic nod to the ’80s, ’90s, and aughts, cleverly leverages color theory. The gloss cools down too-warm lipsticks or liners, or on naked lips, offers a barely-there blue sheen.

Intrigued? Read on to dive deeper into this heat-beating trend, complete with pro tips from makeup artists on perfecting your pool lips.

What Are Pool Lips?

Despite the double-take reaction that a tube of blue gloss might inspire, New York City-based makeup artist Kasey Spickard isn’t surprised pool lips are having their moment. “Blue lip glosses impart an icy, cool tone either on their own or layered atop other lipsticks,” Spickard explains. “I honestly view this as an extension of the cool-toned lip liner and lipstick boom we’ve seen in recent years.” Blue gloss echoes that trend—but with a more off-script flair.

Some blue glosses, balms, and oils promise pH-reactive benefits, shifting into just-for-you pinky hues upon contact with the warmth of your lips. Despite sharing an aquatic aesthetic, pool lips don’t employ the magic tricks of their color-changing cousins.

Why Pool Lips Are Trending

As for the appeal? Spickard has thoughts. “Blue gloss is a low-stakes way to tap into the trend. Many makeup enthusiasts use it to neutralize and ‘cool down’ warmer lipsticks,” he shares. Additionally, this frosted, edgy vibe has its roots in the Y2K beauty revival, which has proven to have remarkable staying power.

The simplest explanation, though? Pool lips are playful and exciting. When your makeup bag is overflowing with reds, pinks, and peaches, a splash of aquatic blue is a welcome change of pace.

How to Wear Pool Lips

Ultimately, how you style your cerulean gloss is entirely your call, but Spickard suggests two main approaches for embracing pool lips: edgy or ethereal. “The first, which I touched on before, is this kind of arctic glam—very edgy, cool-toned, editorial looks,” he explains. “Think grey contours and cool-toned grey lip liners paired with nude lipsticks, finished off with icy blue glosses.”

The second option offers a softer, more romantic take. “The alternative is a dreamy, fairy-like, Douyin-inspired makeup vibe, still within the cool-toned family, but paired with very soft pinks, lavenders, and icy blues. High-shine, super feminine, and ethereal,” Spickard adds.

The Best Blue Lip Glosses

Plenty of big-name brands are diving into the pool lip trend. If you’re budget-conscious, try the subtly shimmery NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip Gloss in Polar Peppermint. Feeling like splurging a little? Go for Pat McGrath Labs’ Lust Lip Gloss in Astral Moon Flower—a pretty periwinkle. You can also explore the trend through offerings from Glossier, Fenty, Dior, Too Faced, Rare Beauty, and more. Really, you can’t go wrong.