The world of makeup is constantly evolving, and 2024 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting years yet for beauty enthusiasts. With innovative textures, bold colors, and a focus on individuality, this year’s trends push boundaries while still embracing classic beauty elements. The emphasis is on experimentation, self-expression, and sustainability—allowing makeup lovers to play with new techniques and looks, all while being mindful of the environment.
Let’s dive into the top makeup trends of 2024 that are making waves in the beauty industry, and discover how you can incorporate these trends into your routine to stay ahead of the game.
1. Bold Chromatic Eyes
2024 is all about bold eyes, and nothing captures this better than the return of chromatic and metallic eyeshadows. Shimmery, high-pigment shades in neon, pastel, and jewel tones are taking over runways and social media alike. This year, makeup artists and beauty influencers are showcasing dynamic eye looks that play with contrasting colors, layered shimmers, and glossy lids.
How to Try It:
For a dramatic look, opt for metallic or iridescent eyeshadows like vibrant purples, deep blues, or soft pinks. Layer these colors with a high-shine topcoat or clear gloss to achieve the on-trend wet look. The key to nailing this trend is blending different colors seamlessly, creating a smooth transition from one hue to the next. Don’t be afraid to experiment with unexpected combinations such as metallic teal and bronze, or rose gold and forest green.
Product Recommendations:
- Huda Beauty’s Matte & Metal Melted Shadows: Offers a blend of matte and metallic finishes in one, making it easier to experiment with both textures.
- Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeshadow: Known for its long-lasting wear and rich color payoff.
2. Statement Blush: Draping is Back
Blush is no longer just a subtle hint of color—2024 is bringing blush into the spotlight with the resurgence of “draping.” This retro-inspired technique, popularized in the ’70s and ’80s, involves using blush to contour the face, replacing traditional bronzing techniques. Statement blush gives the face a fresh, youthful glow and can even be used to create dimension and depth.
How to Try It:
To achieve this look, apply blush higher up on the cheekbones, sweeping it towards the temples and into the hairline. Use a blush that complements your skin tone—soft pinks for lighter skin, corals and peaches for medium tones, and rich plums or terracotta for deeper complexions. You can even use blush across the bridge of the nose for an extra pop of color and cohesiveness. Pair this with minimal eye makeup and a bold lip for a high-fashion editorial feel.
Product Recommendations:
- Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush: Offers blendable, buildable coverage that makes draping easy for beginners.
- NARS Orgasm Blush: A cult classic with a universally flattering pink-peach shade that gives off a radiant glow.
3. Goth Glam Revival
Dark, dramatic makeup is making a fierce comeback in 2024 with a gothic twist. Think dark lips, smudged eyeliner, and vampy vibes, but with a modern, glamorous edge. This trend embraces deep, bold colors such as black, wine, burgundy, and plum, combined with glowing skin to create a stark contrast.
How to Try It:
Start with a matte foundation to create a flawless base, then focus on dark, defined lips using shades like deep reds, purples, or even black. For the eyes, smudged eyeliner is key—opt for a soft kohl pencil to create a slightly messy, lived-in look. You can intensify this with a hint of shimmer on the lids or a strong winged liner to balance the drama. For the finishing touch, add a subtle highlight to the cheekbones and brow bones for a modern, luminous effect.
Product Recommendations:
- Pat McGrath Labs Lip Fetish Lipstick in “Deep Void”: An ultra-pigmented, long-wearing lipstick that delivers the perfect dark lip.
- KVD Beauty Tattoo Liner: A precision liquid liner that’s perfect for creating sharp, defined lines, or a smudged look depending on how you blend it.
4. Underpainting: The New Contour
Underpainting is the latest contouring technique to hit the mainstream in 2024. Unlike traditional contouring, where you apply contour and highlight after foundation, underpainting involves applying contour, blush, and highlighter underneath your base. This creates a more natural, soft-focus finish that appears as though the skin is glowing from within.
How to Try It:
Begin by applying your contour, highlighter, and blush directly onto your bare skin. Once these products are blended out, apply a sheer foundation or tinted moisturizer over the top. This technique creates a softer, more diffused effect compared to traditional contouring. The result? A naturally sculpted face that looks effortlessly radiant.
Product Recommendations:
- Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand: Its creamy texture is ideal for underpainting, blending seamlessly into the skin.
- Glossier Skin Tint: Provides lightweight coverage, perfect for layering over underpainting without masking the natural contour and blush underneath.
5. Graphic Liner and Floating Eyeliner
While eyeliner has always been a staple in makeup routines, 2024 is elevating this product into an art form. Graphic liner looks, featuring geometric shapes, negative space, and floating lines, have taken the beauty world by storm. This bold trend allows for limitless creativity, whether it’s a sharp wing with unexpected angles or lines drawn above the crease for a “floating” effect.
How to Try It:
The key to mastering graphic eyeliner is precision. Use a liquid or gel liner to draw sharp, clean lines in unique shapes or placements. Experiment with color too—electric blue, metallic gold, or even white eyeliner can make a dramatic statement. Floating eyeliner, placed above the natural crease, adds an abstract, futuristic twist to classic eye makeup.
Product Recommendations:
- Fenty Beauty Flyliner: Offers intense pigmentation and a precise tip for sharp, graphic designs.
- NYX Epic Wear Liner Stick: A long-lasting liner in vibrant shades perfect for adding pops of color to your look.
6. Glossy Skin and “Dolphin Skin” Finish
The matte look is stepping aside in 2024 to make way for glossy, hydrated skin, often referred to as “dolphin skin.” This trend is all about achieving a radiant, dewy complexion that looks as if you’ve just emerged from the water. Unlike the matte, powder-heavy looks of previous years, this skin trend focuses on light-reflecting, luminous products that keep the skin looking fresh and hydrated.
How to Try It:
Begin with a hydrating primer or serum to create a dewy base. Apply a lightweight foundation or skin tint that lets your natural glow shine through. Next, use cream-based highlighters and blushes to add shine and color to the high points of the face, such as the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and cupid’s bow. Avoid powders as much as possible to maintain the glossy finish. A setting spray with a dewy finish can help lock in the look.
Product Recommendations:
- Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector: Known for its ultra-dewy glow, this product helps achieve that glassy, “dolphin” skin effect.
- Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer: Creates a smooth, hydrated base for makeup that lasts all day.
7. Sustainability and Minimalism: Clean Beauty’s Continued Rise
As consumers become more conscious of the impact their beauty products have on the environment, 2024 sees a continued rise in clean beauty and minimalistic approaches. Sustainable packaging, vegan formulas, and ethically sourced ingredients are increasingly becoming the standard. Many brands are responding by producing multi-purpose products that reduce waste and simplify beauty routines.
How to Try It:
Look for brands that prioritize sustainability, whether through eco-friendly packaging or transparent ingredient sourcing. Opt for products that serve multiple functions, such as a lip and cheek tint or a moisturizer with built-in SPF. The trend is all about simplifying your routine while making more environmentally conscious choices.
Product Recommendations:
- RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek: A versatile product that can be used on both lips and cheeks, reducing the need for multiple items.
- ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40: A clean, multitasking product that hydrates, provides sun protection, and evens out the skin tone.
Makeup trends in 2024 are all about self-expression, creativity, and sustainability. Whether you’re a fan of bold, chromatic eyes or prefer the natural glow of underpainting, this year offers a wide range of exciting possibilities. From graphic liners that turn your face into a canvas to clean beauty that aligns with a more eco-conscious lifestyle, the makeup world is embracing innovation and individuality more than ever before.
