A flurry of recent runway shows and red carpets have given us plenty of inspiration for our spring beauty looks. From vinyl skin finishes to the prettiest shades of pink and fizzy pop hair, here’s a flavour of the beauty trends we’re bookmarking ahead of the new season.
Coquettish charm
There has been a distinct Valley of the Dolls moment happening with hair lately, and it hasn’t completely passed make-up by, either. Along with the aforementioned lacquered skin that has an almost make-believe feel, doll-like beauty cues are big news for spring. It’s not just the polished skin you’ll need to master: look into wispy lashes and pretty faded pastel shades washed over lids, too. An evolution of the OTT saccharine pink that Barbiecore brought us last summer, the key thing to get right is the perfectly rounded pops of blush that sit right on the apples of the cheeks (try Merit’s dome-shape Flush Blush Balm in Stockholm for easy execution and colour). Off the runway, singer Sabrina Carpenter and actor Sydney Sweeney are two stars who wear this look well.
Pastel perfection
Blueberry milk, butter and cafe latte: just a selection of the tasty nail trends that have blown up in recent months – and our collective appetite for milky pastels and confectionary shades sees no sign of abating for spring. If you are in the mood for a fresh take, why not try macaron shades of pistachio, muted tangerine and lavender? Colour aside, we predict iridescent pearlised finishes will be big. Subtler than chrome, it’s just as pretty layered over colours to soften slightly, or worn on its own over clean, nude nails for an elegant sheen. For at-home manis, try Essie’s Pearly White Shimmer, while Biosculpture’s EvoGel in Icy Elsa is a great shimmering shade to ask your nail tech for.
Cherry cola hair
Blame Cardi B and Dua Lipa: for spring, a rich and flaming hot red is the colour to covet. A deeper and more dramatic version of the soft, gingery tones we’ve seen on celebrities like Emma Stone, it’s a colour that will suit every skin tone. It’s already amassed something of a cult following on TikTok too, with searches for the term at almost 200 million on the platform. To get the look, ask your colourist for a deep red with chocolate undertones, but bear in mind that you will need to maintain the colour regularly to prevent it fading. To keep it looking fresh between salon visits, try a colour-enhancing shampoo, like John Frieda’s Radiant Red Colour Boosting Shampoo.
Chloé girl beauty
If you’re a fan of the classic Chloé girl beauty look, you likely adored Chemena Kamali’s debut show as creative director for autumn/winter 2024. In keeping with the house’s core “no make-up make-up” aesthetic, the show provided a pivotal reference point for what’s set to be a major trend heading into a new season. While there is some make-up in this skin-first directive, it’s used sparingly and almost undetectably; a little concealer to hide redness around the nose, a touch of powder to take down any unwanted shine, and just a flick of a brow pomade to keep things groomed. Other than that, it’s a look that relies on good skincare more than make-up, so glow-giving masks, hydrating serums and under-eye globes that cool and de-puff are the preparatory tools you’ll need on hand to make it work.
Strobe skin
Trust Pat McGrath to be behind one of the biggest (and most beautiful) trends to emerge for spring. While plenty of other designers showcased their take on it, no one did it quite like Pat for John Galliano’s Maison Margiela Artisanal show. While the hyper-reflective gel-like finish that the models sported may not be totally wearable for every day, a version of it is. If you need inspiration, Terry Barber’s high-shine skin illumination at Richard Quinn is a good place to start, while the Oscars red carpet also served up acres of shimmering skin, courtesy of Emma Stone, Issa Rae and Lupita Nyong’o. To help you on your way, a good primer like Vieve’s Skin Nova is an essential base layer, while MAC’s Mineralize Skinfinish Powder in Lightscapade is a great final step.
Dolce Vita drama
If pretty pastels and pinks aren’t your thing, rest assured that the other big make-up trend set to dominate the new season is altogether darker and more dramatic. Whether it’s singer Raye, Italian icon Sophia Loren (who inspired Gucci’s autumn/winter 2024 collection), or opera singer Maria Callas, who Erdem Moralıoğlu referenced in his own autumn/winter 2024 show, inspiration is everywhere. For absolute precision and the inkiest of black lines, try Gucci Beauty’s Eyeliner Pen.
Bouffant bobs
If recent celebrity cuts are anything to go by, the bouffant bob is back. Also known as the baroque bob, the voluminous, sophisticated style reflects the ubiquitous quiet luxury mood. While modern fans include Zendaya, older and no less iconic iterations can be seen on everyone from ’90s supermodels to Marilyn Monroe. The key to getting the right amount of bounce lies in the right volume-boosting styling products and a little expertise with a heated round brush. You could also nail two trends in one and show off your bob in the sought after “luxury brunette” colour. Consisting of a rich brunette base with lots of velvety, chocolate tones woven together to add depth and dimension, a high-shine, glossy finish is essential.
