The Five Spring Makeup Trends to Have on Your Radar (Before Everyone Else)
I love experimenting with winter beauty trends, but it's spring that sparks my interest every year without fail. As the weather gets warmer and the daylight we're met with every day is extended, there's no better way to kick off a new season of creativity and exploration than playing with the makeup trends that become apparent before we even hit March. Before you start scrolling through TikTok and Pinterest in attempt to sniff out trends before they hit, scroll down for an insider look via celebrity makeup artist Brandy Allen and founder of LYS Beauty Tisha Thompson and the products they'll be using to bring the five biggest spring makeup trends to life.
A Skincare-Driven Base
Last year was all about using a skin-first approach to makeup to help create a glowing, even-toned complexion to build upon, and we'll certainly be seeing the same mindset continuing through this spring. "Glowing skin is expected to carry on from 2023 to 2024. The focus on radiance and healthy-appearing skin has been a well-loved trend, and I believe it's not done," predicts Allen. "I'm a huge fan of clinically proven skincare, and before makeup, skin should be radiant." We'll exclusively be using a lineup of skincare and makeup products that bring on the glow.
Designed for all skin types, the Everyday Facial Fluid offers optimal sun protection by playing defense against spectrum UVA/UVB rays and delivers long-lasting moisture. In addition to being lightweight and fast-absorbing, it's free of all oils and fragrances.
"For a novice new to glowing skin, I recommend Neova Radiant Wash for the mornings and evenings, followed by the Everyday Facial Fluid that offers sun protection SPF 44." — Allen
"At night, use the Night Therapy DNA Repair + Copper Peptide to repair, hydrate, and rejuvenate the skin from the previous day and prepare for the next day." — Allen
"It is packed with skincare that helps the skin appear smooth and radiant. Its key ingredients are hyaluronic acid (boosts skin hydration), niacinamide (smooths and brightens), and vitamin E (rejuvenates and restores). Lastly, it has arnica, which soothes and calms inflammation and puffiness." — Allen
Thin and Full Eyebrows
"I'm also seeing more of the thin-brow trend from the '90s and 2000s. I remember in high school and college getting my brows waxed and threaded to have a snatched, clean, sleek brow," Allen says. "I've always regretted it thanks to fuller brows taking over. The current beauty trends lean more toward the fuller, natural-looking brow. But now I'm so proud to see people embracing their thinner brows." But don't reach for your tweezer just yet—Thompson predicts fashion people are still embracing full, fluffy brows, which can be achieved with a good brow pencil or pomade.
"I find that pencils are more suitable for everyday, and the LYS Beauty Secure Brow Eyebrow Pencil is my latest staple. I also think services like brow lamination and microblading are here for the long run as well." — Thompson
To achieve an instant laminated brow look without the heavy price tag, use this clear, buildable gel by Morphe for lasting hold to help keep the brows in place. Formulated with hydrating meadowfoam seed oil, it will help you achieve gorgeous brows every time.
Use RevitaLash's conditioning treatment to enhance and protect the lashes using a high-performing formula of biopeptin complex, peptides, and botanicals. It works to prevent breakage and brittleness while promoting improved flexibility, moisture, and shine.
Effortless Eyes
According to Thompson, barely there eye makeup looks à la the clean girl aesthetic will be dominating the beauty space once again this spring. "I think we're going to see an influx of people ditching false lashes and sticking to brown and black mascara on their natural lash hair. It gives a refreshing, youthful look to the face for those wanting to lean into that effortless makeup look. Plus, it's a little easier on the pockets for the mindful spenders out there," Thompson explains. It's time to retire your eyelash glue and invest in a multi-peptide lash serum to boost lash length and volume for a natural, easy-to-achieve look.
Wet n Wild's easy-to-use eyelash curler gently and precisely grabs and lifts the lashes without any snagging or tugging. Designed with versatility in mind, it's crafted with a bouncy silicone pad for a comfortable cushion and a design that works across all eye shapes for a lasting curl.
"I love all-in-one mascaras, and my go-to is the LYS Beauty Lash Confidence Mascara for its lengthening and curling abilities without overdrying my lashes." — Thompson
"The Tower28 MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara from Sephora is a multi-benefit option, and I love the shade Drift. It's a great, everyday brown color." — Thompson
Throwback Lip Looks
Both Allen and Thompson agree we'll be seeing modernized takes on throwback-inspired lip looks. "I think we'll see the return of dark lipstick. Think Monet McMichael's classic dark shade or deep browns, chestnuts, burgundy, and mauve tones," Thompson tells us. Allen raises another trend to keep an eye out for: the return of the ombré lips, a popular makeup technique that creates a gradient effect using two or more shades of lip products for a full and defined finish.
"If you're new to this technique, here's a quick how-to: To achieve the ombré lip look, you typically start by applying a darker shade of lipstick to the outer corners of the lips, gradually fading it toward the center. Then, a lighter shade or a lip gloss is applied to the center of the lips, creating a seamless transition from the darker color to the lighter color." — Allen
It doesn't get more posh than this. The Posh Lipstick features a balm-like texture with rich pigment payoff and nourishing oils, locking in hydration for all-day comfort and luscious-looking lips. Fringe is the ideal toasted brown shade that's versatile and trendy.
Hourglass's innovative, primer-infused lipstick delivers deeply pigmented color to the lips for a soft matte or satin finish that lasts all day. Its unique formula blends nourishing vegan waxes, high-impact pigments, and hydrating ingredients for a lip color that's full coverage, easy to use, and versatile.
Ultra-Radiant Cheeks
Recently, the beauty industry has witnessed a spike in the demand for cream-based complexions, but Thompson also foresees the much-awaited reintroduction of cream highlighter and highlighter/blush hybrids to our makeup bags this season. "These will become the next complexion enhancer marrying the color we all love from blush with a light sheen and glow that we love from highlighter," she tells us. "It's like a modern take on the traditional powder highlighters without the chunky glitter or shimmer, and we'll see these products popping up for the face and body."
"The Danessa Myricks Yummy Glow Serum is incredible for giving skin a natural radiance, and I wear it both under and over my complexion makeup, depending on desired intensity." — Thompson
"The LYS Beauty Higher Standard Satin Matte Cream Blushes have been a staple in my routine. I find myself reaching for them whether I'm wearing full glam or not, just to liven up my complexion." — Thompson
Glossier's sheer, easy-to-use cream blush delivers a wash of color to the skin with the help of blurring powder pigments for a soft, diffused look that's seamless and streak-free. Its formula also has soluble collagen to leave your cheeks looking fresh and dewy and a lightweight, gel texture for fast-absorbing, buildable application.
Merit's foolproof, flexible balm deposits a transparent veil of color to the lips or cheeks for a visible long-lasting glow that's never cakey and won't clog pores. Using micro-fine pigment powders and vitamin E, the lightweight formula offers color without altering the natural texture of your skin. The shade Cheeky, in particular, delivers a stunning lit-from-within glow for all skin tones.
Maya Thomas is Who What Wear's assistant beauty editor based in New York City. Her strong love for all things beauty and fashion stems from a strong childhood interest in the fine arts. During a gap year spent in Paris studying the history of French fashion, she shifted her focus to English literature and journalism as a student at Loyola Marymount University with the goal of one day pursuing a career in fashion. After graduating in May 2021, Maya began freelancing for Parade.com as a contributing commerce writer while also building a following on her lifestyle blog, Itsmayalala.com. When she's not writing, Maya spends her free time catching up on reading, perusing art galleries, and enjoying a night out at the ballet every now and then.
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