10 Dreamy Makeup Looks for Cancers to Try This Zodiac Season
An astrologer and a makeup artist weigh in.
- As water signs, Cancers are drawn to soft, dewy makeup.
- These tips apply to anyone with prominent Cancer placements in their birth chart.
Dreamy, intuitive, and sometimes even psychic—these are just a few of the words that come to mind for celebrity astrologist Ally Lewber when she thinks of Cancers. If the placement is prominent in your birth chart—sun, moon, Venus, or rising—Lewber explains that you’re likely drawn to “comfort over everything,” and your best makeup looks reflect that.
“It could be using products or brands passed down through family, e.g., that Maybelline mascara your mom gave you in high school that you still buy today,” says Lewber. As a water sign, you’re also likely to opt for soft, dewy makeup, like breathable skin tints and rosy cream blush; “something to throw on to go to the beach,” she adds.
With insight from Lewber and celebrity makeup artist Kelly Zhang, we’ve rounded up 10 glowing looks to welcome the start of Cancer season. Keep scrolling for inspiration of rosy cheeks, luminous skin, and soft, shimmering eye makeup fit for your moon-ruled zodiac sign.
Meet the expert
- Ally Lewber is a celebrity astrologer and host of the StarStruck podcast.
- Kelly Zhang is a celebrity makeup artist and founder of the cosmetics and skincare line Kelly Zhang.
01 of 10
Rose-Washed Cheeks
“For a romantic, soft-focus look, I recommend using cream or liquid blushes in shades like soft rose, dusty pink, or mauve,” says Zhang. “These textures melt into the skin and give that natural, radiant flush that feels like it’s coming from within.” She recommends applying your base in the following order: foundation or skin tint first, blush second, then concealer. “The concealer acts almost like a blending filter, giving the blush a diffused finish,” she says.
02 of 10
Doe-Eyed Gaze
Cluster lashes open up your eyes and add a fluttery new level of volume and length—yet somehow, they still look so natural. Here, they’re paired with a wash of champagne shimmer across the lids and a sculpted flush along the cheekbones.
03 of 10
Soft Smoke
By swapping traditional black and gray shadows for a soft, moody color palette of taupes, coppers, and medium browns, celebrity makeup artist Chloe Grace masters the diffused smoky eye. She polishes off her look by tightlining with a black liner and layering on a volumizing black mascara.
04 of 10
Written in the Stars
This editorial eyeshadow look mirrors the surface of a lake, glittering under an open night sky. Misty lilac mascara and a pool-blue lower lash line further embody water sign energy.
05 of 10
In Bloom
Zhang created this doll-like look with rosy cheeks, full lashes, and a glossy pink lip. For lip gloss that lasts, she lightly exfoliates the lips, applies a balm, then blots off excess product. Next, she outlines the lips with a pencil to prevent feathering and to maintain a hint of color even after gloss fades. She finishes with what she calls the “two-layer gloss technique.” “I apply a thin layer of gloss, blot lightly with a tissue, and then go in with a second layer,” she says. “This helps reduce product buildup and increases staying power without sacrificing shine.” To make the lip even more long-lasting, she dusts a light layer of translucent powder over the tissue.
06 of 10
Fluffed-Up Brows
For full brows, Zhang recommends first brushing up the hairs using a clear or tinted brow gel. Once the gel is dry, fill in sparse areas with a pencil or powder, focusing mostly on the arch and tail of the brow. To finish, draw on individual, hair-like strokes with a fine-tip brow pen, concentrating on the front of the brow and top of the arch. “This adds dimension and mimics real brow hairs for that fluffy, realistic finish,” she says.
07 of 10
Sun-Glazed Glow
Proper skin prep is key for glowy skin. Zhang suggests starting with a gentle cleanser and mild exfoliant, then adding in moisture with a hydrating toner. Next, apply a serum and a lightweight moisturizer. “Press extra into areas prone to dryness (like cheeks) to avoid foundation flaking or patchiness,” she says.
08 of 10
Skinimalism
Makeup artist Margherita Fabbro keeps skin fresh and dewy by skipping foundation. Instead, she spot-concealed where necessary and layered a cocktail of cream blush, bronzer, and highlighter to allow her model’s natural freckles to shine through.
09 of 10
Pow(d)er Pink
This look demonstrates just how impactful a single eyeshadow can be, provided your application is on point. For a similar look, Zhang says to start by prepping the eye with primer or concealer. Next, dust on your eyeshadow of choice in thin layers, using a fluffy eyeshadow brush. Finish by buffing around the edges with a clean brush and keeping the rest of the eye simple. “Let the color speak for itself,” says Zhang. “A touch of mascara, tightlining, and groomed brows is usually all you need to complete the look without competing with the lid color.”
10 of 10
Pouting in Pomegranate
A matte red lip is a classic, but this softer iteration is more in line with the sentimental sign of the crab. Makeup artist Emme George created a crisp outline using a reddish-pink pencil, then feathered the color inwards. She left the center of the lips mostly bare and finished with a high-shine gloss flecked with sparkles. The result? A full, juicy lip that offers just the right amount of contrast to an otherwise mostly bare face.
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