Whether you’re mingling at the neighborhood barbeque or enjoying fireworks with family, take the opportunity to sparkle and shine with an on-point patriotic makeup look. But if over-the-top red, white and blue makeup isn’t your thing, don’t worry! From a shimmery golden eye to petal pink blush to a daring red lip, we’re sharing six easy steps to achieve a classic Fourth of July makeup look that is effortlessly natural and sure to steal the spotlight.

Step 1: Subtly Sculpted Features

We checked in with board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlessinger to get his take on how to begin your summer makeup routine:

“As a dermatologist, I recommend to always start your makeup routine with a sunscreen or sunscreen moisturizer combination. Try Revision Skincare Intellishade TruPhysical SPF 45 – it protects the skin with all-physical sunscreen ingredients (no hidden chemicals - making it coral-reef safe for the beach), corrects signs of aging with over 20 anti-aging ingredients and evens and preps the skin for makeup.”

After you prep and protect your skin, start your stunning summer makeup look with softly sculpted features and a subtle glow. Choose a bronzer like theBalm Bahama Mama Bronzer to add some warmth. This one will give your skin a “fresh off the beach” look with a matte finish. Using a fluffy brush, lightly dust the top of your forehead near the hairline, your cheekbones and your jawline.

Expert Tip: A little bronzer goes a long way! After you swirl your brush onto the bronzer, lightly tap the side of the brush to get rid of excess powder. This ensures you achieve a delicate glow instead of orangey streaks!

Step 2: Barely-There Blush

To achieve added dimension and a natural-looking “flush” to the skin, apply blush next. Choose a faint pink color like jane iredale PurePressed Blush in Clearly Pink and dust the color lightly onto the apples of your cheeks. This one contains mineral pigments for a high color payoff and is formulated with only natural ingredients so it won’t irritate sensitive skin. Plus, it doubles as an eye shadow in a pinch!

Expert Tip: If you’ve applied too much product to your cheeks or if the bronzer and blush are not blending correctly, grab your fluffy Kabuki brush and swirl it gently over your cheeks. This will blend your bronzer and blush nicely for a natural, all-over glow.

Step 3: Shimmery Shadow

Now, it’s time to shine! Give your eyes a glistening gold fireworks-inspired shimmer with a bold eye shadow like stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in Bronzed Bell. This liquid eye shadow is the perfect mix of pearl and glitter hues to give your patriotic look some luster. Formulated with a water-infused texture, this shadow will glide on effortlessly and dry smoothly with minimal glitter fallout. Using the flat side of the applicator, sweep the liquid liner over your entire lid and blend and build the shadow to get the look you want.

Expert Tip: If you’re a minimal glitter kind of gal, use the thin side of the applicator and sweep just a bit above your lash line for a shimmery eyeliner look.

Step 4: No-Smudge Eyeliner

No all-American makeup look is complete without a hint of blue! Keep your look natural and ditch the bright liner for a subtler, deeper blue hue like stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Midnight. This liquid liner is sweat proof so it won’t run or smudge, even during the warmer summer months. It also has an easy-to-use applicator so you can create a precise cat eye if you’re feeling bold or just a hint of color for a more natural look. Start by stretching your eye to eliminate skips in color and apply this liquid liner as close to your upper lashes as possible.

Step 5: Luscious Lashes

Now it’s time to create the flutter of your dreams by using mascara that will add dimension and length to your lashes. We love LASHFUSION Xtension Dramatic Lengthening Fiber Mascara Waterpoof because it’s formulated with nylon fibers to lengthen and separate lashes for added drama, as well as lash conditioning vitamins, peptides and extracts to prevent drying and lash breakage. To achieve a dramatic eye look, thoroughly coat your top and bottom lashes.

Expert tip: Resist the temptation to wiggle the mascara wand along your lashes during application. To create an even more dramatic illusion of fullness and lash separation, wiggle just at the root of your lashes and then pull the wand straight through for ultimate length.

Step 6: A Radiantly Red Lip

Time for the grand finale! There is something about a bold, red lip that just screams classic beauty, so we’re finishing up this all-American look with just that! We’re still loving the matte lip trend so we chose Glo Skin Beauty Suede Matte Crayon in Bombshell because it provides the high-payoff color you want with a velvety smooth finish that won’t dry out or crease. Plus, it contains vitamins C and E for antioxidant protection and moringa oil and shea butter to further condition and nourish lips. For this radiantly red look, simply apply the shade to your lips and voila! It’s really that simple!

Expert Tip: For a smoother finish and even lip color application, be sure to gently exfoliate dry skin from your lips first. Try the Lather Vanilla & Argan Lip Scrub – it contains organic sugar crystals to slough away dull lip skin and hydrates and nourishes with honey, coconut and rosehip seed oil.

Want to venture away from the red lip look this year? Check out more of our Fourth of July makeup ideas that feature fireworks-inspired eyes.