It’s officially “The Summer I Turned Pretty” season. The fan-favorite teen romance trilogy turned TV show, created by author Jenny Han, returned to Amazon Prime on July 16 to see the sought-after love triangle between Belly Conklin, played by Lola Tung, and the Fisher brothers, played by Gavin Casalegno and Christopher Briney, come to a head in what promises to be a dramatic series finale.
Belly was, for the most part, makeup-free in the first two seasons. In season three, Belly, conversely, favors a prominent cat-eye and a handful of viral products, from Glossier’s Ultralip High Shine Lipstick to Stila’s Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner.
Belly Conklin, played by Lola Tung, in “The Summer I Turned Pretty.”
The first two episodes of the new season saw Belly whip out Supergoop’s Play Everyday Sunscreen, using it on her face and Jeremiah’s. In the most recent episode of the show, Belly reveals the go-to products she reaches for while getting ready to leave for the garden dedication to Susannah Fisher, her mom’s best friend from college and the mom of Jeremiah and Conrad Fisher, who died at the beginning of season two. Here, she’s seen using the Glossier lipstick, Stila eyeliner and Evian’s Glow Facial Mist.
Lola Tung and Belly Conklin and Gavin Casalegno as Jeremiah Fisher in season two, episode three of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” on Amazon Prime.
©Amazon/Courtesy Everett Collection
While 20-year-old Belly’s relationship with makeup may have matured, she’s still careful not to pile too much on her face. In fact, eyebrow gel, black eyeliner, a single layer of mascara, a touch of blush and a deep pink shade on her lips is all she needs.
“She’s wearing makeup that enhances her natural features, rather than transforming her look,” makeup artist and Black Radiance ambassador Tamara Boyd told WWD, describing her aesthetic as subtle, elevated and natural.
Underneath it all, Boyd pointed out, is hydrated and nourished skin. A July 21 post on Jenny Han’s Instagram featured a close-up shot of Belly’s crowded vanity, which was cluttered with products, jewelry and hair brushes.
Fresh’s Rose Deep Hydration Toner and Deep Hydration Oil-Infused Serum and Moisturizer were among the products mixed in the mess, alongside Byoma’s Clarifying Serum and The Ordinary’s Balancing Clarifying Serum.
Belly in season three, episode three of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” after she tells her family she’s engaged to Jeremiah.
On how to achieve Belly’s no-makeup, makeup look, Boyd suggested focusing on the complexion first. “Start with complexion products that are lightweight and skin-enhancing — avoid doing a full face of foundation. Instead, opt for something like a hydrating concealer just to touch up where needed,” she said. “To recreate Belly’s perfectly flushed cheeks, I would recommend using a creamy blush on the apples of the cheeks.”
The lips should be painted in an organic hue, one that enhances the natural pigment without drawing too much attention to it. “Remember, the goal is to enhance your natural features, not transform them,” Boyd reiterated, noting how this technique reflects a wider shift within the beauty lexicon, specifically among the younger generations, toward minimalist makeup.
“Belly’s approach to beauty definitely mirrors Gen Z’s interpretation of beauty. Their routines prioritize minimalist glam with multitasking and skincare-first products,” she said. “Younger generations are fighting against beauty standards while still using beauty to express themselves, meaning they are all about doing what makes them feel their best. For some, that could be bold and colorful eye and lip looks, but for others, it’s something between natural and put-together.”
New episodes of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” are out every Wednesday on Amazon Prime.