2024 Spring Makeup Trends You Need to Try

As the world awakens from winter's slumber, spring 2024 brings a refreshing palette of makeup trends that celebrate both natural beauty and bold expression. This season, we're seeing a beautiful convergence of minimalist techniques and statement colors that can be adapted for everyday wear or special occasions.

At Open Contour, we've been eagerly anticipating these trends since they first appeared on the runways last fall, and now we're excited to share how you can incorporate them into your personal makeup routine. Let's explore the top spring makeup trends that will define beauty in 2024.

1. Glowing, Dewy Skin Takes Center Stage

The foundation of spring 2024 makeup is luminous, hydrated skin that appears lit from within. This season, heavy matte foundations are taking a backseat to sheer, radiant formulas that enhance your natural complexion rather than mask it.

How to achieve it: Start with a hydrating primer that contains hyaluronic acid or glycerin. Follow with a tinted moisturizer or sheer foundation, applying it with a damp makeup sponge for the most natural finish. Strategic highlighting is key—focus on the high points of your face (cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid's bow) using liquid or cream highlighters with a pearlescent (not glittery) finish.

Pro tip: For extra dewiness that lasts all day, apply a facial mist after completing your makeup. Look for formulas containing rose water or glycerin, which will refresh your skin without disturbing your makeup.

2. Pastel Eyeshadows with a Modern Twist

Spring traditionally brings pastel colors, but 2024 is reimagining these soft shades with unexpected applications and finishes. Think washes of lavender, mint, and baby blue applied in graphic shapes or with glossy finishes.

How to achieve it: For a subtle take on this trend, apply a sheer wash of your chosen pastel shade across the entire lid. For something more dramatic, try a graphic pastel liner or an editorial-inspired block of color extending from the lash line to just above the crease.

Pro tip: To prevent pastel shadows from appearing chalky, first apply a white or cream-colored eyeshadow base. This will help the true color of the pastel pigment show up beautifully on all skin tones.

3. Blush Draping for Sculpted Radiance

Blush is having a major moment in 2024, moving beyond the apples of the cheeks to become a contouring and highlighting technique in its own right. "Blush draping"—applying blush along the cheekbones and temples in a C-shape—creates a naturally flushed, lifted appearance.

How to achieve it: Choose a cream or liquid blush for the most natural-looking application. Begin at the apples of your cheeks and blend upward toward your temples, following the natural contours of your face. For an extra-modern take, bring a touch of the same blush across the bridge of your nose to mimic a natural sun-kissed flush.

Pro tip: Layer different blush formulations for lasting power—start with a cream or liquid blush and set it with a touch of powder blush in a complementary shade.

4. Bold, Glossy Lips in Unexpected Colors

After years of matte lip dominance, glossy lips are making a triumphant return in spring 2024. But these aren't the sticky glosses of decades past—modern formulations offer comfortable wear with high shine and vibrant color.

How to achieve it: Prep lips with a gentle exfoliation and hydrating balm. Line your lips with a pencil close to your natural lip color or matching your chosen gloss shade. Apply your glossy lip color with a brush for precision, focusing on the center of the lips for the most flattering effect.

Pro tip: To prevent bleeding and feathering, apply a tiny amount of translucent setting powder around the perimeter of your lips after lining them.

5. Floating Eyeliner for Graphic Impact

Spring 2024 is taking eyeliner beyond the lash line with "floating" liner looks that create negative space between the lash line and the liner itself. This graphic technique adds drama while still feeling fresh and modern.

How to achieve it: Using a fine-tipped liquid or gel liner, draw your line in the crease of your eyelid, following its natural curve. For a more dramatic look, extend the line slightly beyond the outer corner of your eye. Keep the rest of your eye makeup minimal to let the graphic liner be the focal point.

Pro tip: If you're new to this technique, try mapping out your liner first with a light eyeshadow applied with a thin brush. Once you're happy with the placement, trace over it with your liner.

Incorporating These Trends Into Your Routine

The beauty of spring 2024's makeup trends lies in their versatility. You can embrace them fully for a fashion-forward look or incorporate subtle elements into your everyday makeup routine. Here are some suggestions for different occasions:

• For everyday: Focus on the dewy skin trend with a luminous foundation and cream blush draped along your cheekbones. Add a touch of sheer pastel shadow on the lids for a spring-appropriate pop of color.
• For the office: A subtle floating liner in a neutral brown or gray adds interest to your look while remaining professional. Pair with glowing skin and a sheer glossy lip in a natural shade.
• For evenings out: Embrace bold, glossy lips in an unexpected color like orchid or coral. Balance the look with minimal eye makeup that incorporates a touch of pastel in the inner corners.

Remember, makeup should be fun and expressive—there are no hard rules. Feel free to adapt these trends to suit your personal style, face shape, and comfort level.

Products We Recommend

To help you achieve these spring trends, here are some of our favorite products currently in rotation at Open Contour:

• For dewy skin: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter provides the perfect radiant base that can be worn alone or under foundation.
• For pastel eyes: The Natasha Denona Pastel Palette offers a beautiful range of modern pastel shades with excellent pigmentation.
• For blush draping: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush blends seamlessly and offers long-lasting color that's perfect for the draping technique.
• For glossy lips: Pat McGrath Labs Lust: Gloss provides high shine with comfortable wear and comes in a range of stunning colors.
• For floating liner: Fenty Beauty Flyliner has a precision tip that makes creating graphic liner looks much easier.

As we embrace the fresh energy of spring, these makeup trends offer the perfect opportunity to refresh your look and experiment with new techniques. Whether you incorporate one trend or all five, the key is to have fun and let your personal style shine through.

For personalized advice on how to adapt these trends to your unique features, consider booking a one-on-one makeup lesson with one of our professional visagistes. We'd love to help you discover your perfect spring look!