Campcore Is The Summer Beauty Aesthetic You Can Take Into Fall
A makeup artist spills everything you need to get a fresh-off-the-lake glow.
Remember coming home from a few weeks at summer camp looking effortlessly, annoyingly good? The sun-kissed glow, the perfect smattering of freckles, the rosy cheeks: all proof of a season well spent outside. Most of us can’t disappear into the woods for a summer of lake days and first kisses. But we can absolutely fake the look, even as grown-ups.
“With minimalist makeup fading, people want to have fun with makeup again, in ways that feel more expressive, joyful, and bold,” says Steve Kassajikian, Director of Global Artistry at Urban Decay. “People are taking a more maximalist approach.”
That’s exactly why campcore is all over your feed right now. Even better, it carries straight into fall. “Swap out high-shine bronze shades for rich berry or terra-cotta blush shades and lean into earthy, rustic tones,” Kassajikian says. “Using warm tones, create a soft smoky eye or smudge out a brown liner along the lash line for an effortless look that keeps the eyes the focus.”
These nine steps are all it takes to nail that fresh-off-the-lake glow, just in time for the last stretch of summer.
1. Start with a camp-fresh complexion.
A tinted SPF gives you that your-skin-but-better effect. “This gives a more natural finish, keeping the skin looking like skin while providing protection,” Kassajikian says. “They can be applied with your fingers or a brush for the perfect radiant glow.”
2. Fake those freckles.
Another reason tinted SPF is perfect for campcore: It lets your real freckles peek through. If you don’t have them, fake them. A freckle pen does all the work for you, though a gel liner or brow pen pulls it off too, with a little more effort. “The key to making them look natural is applying the product in small dots and then using your finger to tap onto it, pick up the pigment, and press on different sections of the face to transfer it without having to add more product,” Kassajikian says. “This makes it look lived-in and gives the faux freckles a more realistic look.”
3. Soak up the sun.
The whole point of campcore is that bronzed glow you get from days spent outside. The only safe tan is a faux one, and luckily today’s tanners and bronzers fake it beautifully. Kassajikian suggests mixing two or three drops of bronzing or glow drops into your foundation — or blending into bare skin. “I love the Urban Decay Face Bond Luminizers in shades High Profile and Half Baked for a bronze, sun-kissed glow,” he says. “It can also be used on the eyes and body.”
4. Add rosy cheeks.
Relay races and field day meant naturally flushed cheeks. Get the look without the actual sweat via a cream blush in a fresh pop of color that leaves skin dewy. A stick makes it foolproof to swipe on, and a lip-and-cheek twofer gets you a monochromatic moment in one step.
5. Keep eyes natural.
A heavy liner and full smoky eye would look a little out of place in a cabin, so keep it simple, the way you would at the lake. Waterproof mascara keeps lashes lifted through humidity and whatever else the great outdoors throws at them, no smudging or budging.
6. Brush up those brows.
“Keep them fluffy and in place,” Kassajikian says. A brow gel or wax amps up fullness and locks every hair right where you want it.
7. Plump up your pucker.
You know how your lips went pink and juicy after a slice of watermelon as a kid? You can get that look now, minus the stickiness. Reach for a hydrating lip balm with a wash of color and serious shine.
8. Nail natural tips.
Campcore nails should be like your skin: subtle and glowing. This is where the jelly nail trend comes in. Paint on a sheer-ish polish with just a touch of color that adds high-wattage shine.
9. Lock it all in.
Whether you’re stuck at your desk or posted up among the pine trees, late summer gets steamy, so locking in your campcore makeup is key. If you go the finishing-powder route, use a light hand so that radiance still shines through. Setting mists come in every finish, so reach for a dewy one to match that just-off-the-lake complexion. Or grab something that pulls double duty, like the new Urban Decay All Nighter Ghosting Setting Powder Spray.
