2024’s Biggest Spring Makeup Trends: Bright Blush, Doll Skin, and Chrome Eyes

Experts give us all the details.

by 

KARA NESVIG

PUBLISHED ON 03/09/24 07:45AM

Ahh, spring. It’s the ultimate breath of fresh air. After hibernating during the winter, we’re all ready to emerge from our cozy cocoons looking like beautiful, colorful butterflies—and that transformation starts with your makeup. Spring is a blank slate, the perfect time to hit the refresh button on your entire beauty routine. (If you want to, that is.) 

“Spring beauty is fun because we’re coming out of a cold, dark winter. We want looks that are uplifting and fresh, and products that feel light in texture and easy to use,” says celebrity makeup artist Samantha Lau, who works with stars like Dua Lipa. Celebrity makeup artist Melissa Murdick agrees. “Spring makeup is fun because it allows us to break out of ‘makeup hibernation,’” she says. “Spring makes us feel more energized and creative, and the makeup reflects that.”

It’s time to experiment with color, texture and maybe even time travel back to 2016 YouTube-era beauty for some inspo. Craving a new blush? Permission = granted. Below, get all the details on the hottest makeup trends for spring 2024, straight from the pros.

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Dolly Beauty

ICYMI, Mother Pat McGrath made complete makeup magic at the Maison Margiela show during Paris Haute Couture Week, turning models into living dolls with otherworldly glassy skin—a look that basically set the entire internet on fire trying to figure out what the combo was. Expect to see echoes of that doll-like look throughout spring with shiny-finish skin and light, almost faded-looking hues on the eyes. “I think we’re going to see wearable versions of that look pop up this spring with pastel shadows and glass skin really popping back in,” says celebrity makeup artist Kasey Spickard.

Tobi Henney, a celebrity makeup artist, agrees. “Think see-through sheen that looks expensive,” she says. You don’t have to airbrush your skin with a combo of peel-off masks like McGrath and her team, but a dewy finish feels fresh and vibrant come warmer temps. Henney recommends MAC Cosmetics Strobe Cream ($36) under makeup, mixed into foundation or tapped onto skin. 

On the eyes, try cool-toned washes of color on the lids, like blue, taupe, green and pink; try Spickard’s pick, Natasha Denona’s Retro Glam Palette ($69) for similar shades.

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Chrome Eyes

Spring is the perfect time to get playful with color and texture. “Sometimes winter gives us a more ’serious’ tone to our makeup looks,” says Murdick. “Shimmers bring us back to life.” A simple way to add a touch of frost to your eye makeup is with a chrome eyeliner; Murdick likes Colourpop Multi-Chrome Cream Gel Liners ($9). “The color-shifting pigments bring so much dimension and pop to your eye look—especially if you typically stick to natural eyeshadows.” So simple, so pretty.

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’90s Brows

It may just be time to call your esthetician and book that dramatic brow wax. “I’ve been saying this for the last year but sleek, groomed, thinner brows are definitely coming back in,” says Spickard, citing ‘90s-inspired trends as a major key to the comeback. “There’s just something so chic about a slim brow that I can’t get enough of.” Spickard likes West Barn Brow Pencils’ ($19) microfine tip to define and create subtle, hair-like strokes. (Not ready to pluck? Check out our guide to faking skinny brows, no tweezers required.)

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Laminated Brows

If skinny brows aren’t your thing, go full and fluffy for the season. “I always start by brushing up the brows,” says Lau, who is a fan of the laminated look. Once your brows are brushed up and shaped to your liking, try a 2-in-1 product like Makeup Revolution Beauty Fluffy Brow Filter Duo ($9) to fill them in and get that laminated, lifted finish. “The sharp cut of the pencil allows me to mimic brow hairs. I finish off the brows with the brow gel on the other side of the pen,” says Lau.

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Beautiful Blush

There’s something about spring weather that makes you want to channel your inner coquette in pretty pink, ribbons and bows. “Making a sheer wash of blush a bigger focus in your makeup is ultra feminine, doll-like and brings your skin to life,” explains Murdick. “There’s a lightness and youthfulness to it!”

Murdick recommends starting with a vibrant cream blush, but applying the color as a sheer wash instead of a full-on pigment. “Apply it over the entire cheek area, from apples back to cheekbones,” she says. While you can use your fingers, a large, fluffy brush may help sheer the finish out even more. Murdick’s pick is the Adore You Lip and Cheek Balms ($12) from Colourpop, which she likes for their super dewy finish.

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Nude Lips

Matte burgundy lipstick can just feel wrong come April, so swap it out for a nude color combo instead, says Sabena Y. Collier, a Bobbi Brown Cosmetics pro makeup artist. “When I hear spring makeup, I think of color on the eyes and blushed cheeks,” she explains. “The best way to balance these colorful makeup looks is to wear a nude lip.” 

To get the look, reach for a brown liner two to three shades darker than your natural lip color. Then, apply a lipstick one to two shades lighter than your natural lip (Bobbi Brown’s Crushed Lip Color,$33, is a great, effortlessly pretty pick) and finish with a tinted gloss applied only to the center of the lips. Press the lips together to combine the colors. “This technique never fails me!” enthuses Collier.

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Fresh, Dewy Skin

Give your matte finish powders and foundations a break after Daylight Savings Time. “Barely-there skin always feels like a breath of fresh air,” says Murdick. Lau cosigns the feeling, as does Nudestix global makeup artist Kevin Kodra. “Spring makeup is all about soft, pretty and minimalist beauty. A monochromatic blush look, dewy skin and glossy lip perfectly captures the essence of spring makeup,” Kodra says.

Skin prep is essential for this look. “You want the skin to look and feel hydrated. Make sure you use the essences, serums and moisturizers that really bring your skin to life,” says Murdick. Swap foundation for a skin tint or tinted moisturizer with sheer coverage and use concealer where needed. Lau likes mixing Makeup Revolution Bright Light Face Glow ($12) with Skin Silk Serum Foundation ($14), which is formulated with serum for added skincare benefits. “The combination allows you to even out your skin while giving you much needed hydration, especially after being stuck inside from the cold,” she says. 

Kodra’s secret weapon for that fresh-faced look is the Nudestix Dewy Barrier Hydrating Stick ($34), which gives “all-day hydration as well as the most beautiful dewy, but not greasy base for your makeup.”

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Playful Minimalism

It’s simple, but never, ever boring. Think “pops of color in the inner corner, floating creases and sparkly highlights,” says celebrity makeup artist Charlie Riddle. “Playful minimalism is about truly having fun and expressing yourself with makeup—coloring outside the lines with makeup that is uniquely applied.”

Swap out your black and brown liner for springy shades of blue or lavender to brighten up a monochromatic face. “Try a colorful liquid liner and instead of applying it on the lash line, create a floating line in the crease,” advises Riddle. “This works great for all eye shapes, particularly hooded eyes because the liner isn’t getting lost.”

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Instagram Makeup

And now for something completely different! For makeup lovers who prefer something more intricate than dewy skin and subtle eyeshadow, Spickard suggests traveling back to 2016 for inspo. “I’ve been seeing this start to pop up a bit on my TikTok and I’m hoping it gains more traction as we head into the year,” he says. The 2016 makeup aesthetic, with its carved brows, ultra-blended eyeshadows, contour and baking and all the rest, was inspired at the time by famous YouTubers and had us all going to work or class in a full face of makeup at 8 AM. The 2024 version is a bit more subdued, but still impactful. “Not that we need to go back to a hardcore blocked brow, but I do love people getting back into more dramatic, full-face makeup looks, playing with lots of eyeshadow, color, and liner and getting creative!” says Spickard. Is that “Closer” by the Chainsmokers and Halsey I hear playing in the distance?