With the arrival of spring just around the corner and its official commencement next week, anticipation fills the air as everyone eagerly awaits for the season’s hottest trends. With searches for #springtrends skyrocketing by over 220% in the past month alone, the quest for the latest in beauty innovations has reached fever pitch.
To help predict the top beauty trends for the season, we joined forces with Cult Beauty, the venerable destination for beauty aficionados seeking cutting-edge products that truly deliver. Drawing inspiration from their comprehensive trend report the experts at Cult Beauty have identified key themes that will dominate the beauty scene in the coming months.
The Top Spring Beauty Trends For 2024
1. Defiant Romance
This spring season is all about defiant romance in make-up. There is going to be a surge in dreamy, soft focus romanticism, think Kate Winslet in Titanic, Claire Danes in Romeo + Juliet or Kirsten Dunst in The Virgin Suicides.
The trend is all about sweet and sorbet hued palettes, the focus is on a paredback, nearly bare skin with a natural, outdoors-y flush. Lips look windburned, cheeks are blushed, and freckles are faked.
2. Gloss is Boss
In an increasingly polarised climate, it makes sense that trends will inhabit the margins; with a grunge/punk/fetish aesthetic at one end, expect an uber-glossy, groomed and glamorous aesthetic at the other.
Expect a lot of gloss with brands like Tower 28, Rhode, REFY, Summer Fridays and Fenty Beauty all creating iterations of the jelly-lip essential. There’s a subtle but beckoning shift towards sheer-tones, uber glassy lip tints that marry a syrupy texture with skin-healing benefits, sugary scents and confectionary shades. It’s all about looking ‘high maintenance’ without the necessary maintenance.
The gloss obsession doesn’t end with lip lacquer. Hair gloss is having a moment as was clamour to achieve the trending ‘Liquid Hair’ effect. Davines’ Liquid Luster, Monday Muse’s The Gloss, JVN Hair’s Complete Nourishing Shine Drops and OUAI Haircare’s Hair Gloss are only a handful of brands on a mission to amplify the shine.
3. Spiritual Beauty
Beauty has evolved beyond a means of ‘looking better’ into something more encompassing, with products that straddle the lines between physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and this trend is not going anywhere.
We’re all wanting products that work overtime for their coveted space in our rituals, and with ‘ritual’ being the critical term, we’re increasingly seeing a nod to the spiritual.
There’s a pull towards the sun and earth, with products that emulate the benefits of vitamin D or that conjure the feel of the sun’s rays on our skin, from warming rubs, to glistening golden drops that evocative sunshine inspired fragrances. We’re keen to connect with the world in a nurturing way.
Practices like forest and nature bathing are becoming more mainstream as people ‘unplug’ and connect with their surroundings. We’re communing with nature, following our instincts and ‘trusting the process’ while practising ancient traditions and looking for ways to engage and connect with the planet, ourselves and each other.
The Macro Spring Trends
In addition to the standout trends, there’s also macro spring trends that promise to dominate and redefine the beauty landscape. These encompass a spectrum of styles that cater to diverse tastes and preferences, ensuring there’s something for everyone to embrace this season.
1. Soft Glam
Immerse yourself in the allure of soft glam, where the emphasis is on effortless and understated glamour that enhances and celebrates natural beauty. This trend invites you to embrace a look that is both sophisticated and subtly alluring.
2. Blue Tones
Take a dive into the cool and calming world of blue tones. Experiment with a palette that exudes tranquillity, incorporating shades that range from serene blues to deep oceanic hues. This trend encourages you to play with a spectrum of tones that reflect the refreshing essence of spring.
3. Glazed Blush
Achieve a radiant and dewy complexion with the Glazed Blush trend. Use formulations that offer a luminous finish, elevating your glow to new heights. This trend is all about capturing the coveted dewiness that embodies the vitality of spring.
4. 90s Make-up Continued
The timeless appeal of 90s-inspired make-up continues to hold its ground as a prominent trend. Revel in nostalgia with a nod to iconic beauty trends from this era, infusing a touch of vintage chic into your modern make-up routine.
5. Mob Wife Make-up
Channel the bold and glamorous aesthetic of iconic mob wives with this maximalist trend. Embrace a look that exudes confidence and sophistication, capturing the drama and allure associated with this distinctive style. Think intensely smokey eyes, bronzer, a nude overdrawn lip and – most importantly – a wing liner, paired with your best fur coat.
6. Colour Play
Infuse joy and vibrancy into your make-up routine with colour play. Have fun experimenting with playful and bold colour combinations, allowing your creativity to shine through in every stroke. This trend invites you to step outside the conventional and embrace the exuberance of spring hues.
7. Kitty Liner
Elevate your eyeliner game with the intricate and feline-inspired designs of kitty liner. Whether it’s a subtle cat-eye or a more elaborate feline flourish, this trend encourages you to unleash your creativity and add a touch of whimsy to your eye make-up routine.
