The Best Makeup Trends of 2024 Inspire Us to Color Outside the Lines

There is a common misconception that makeup is used solely to conceal our impurities. Really, makeup can be a fun hobby used to express your creativity and become a very powerful part of your overall style and aesthetic. Makeup gives you an outlet to show up as whoever you want to be on any given day. If the fall/winter 2024 runways were any indication, this is the year to tap into your experimental side. While the natural no-makeup makeup look will always stand the test of time, 2024’s beauty trends are anything but simple.

From bold colors to whimsical designs, playful beauty is back in! Classic red shades take on a whole new life; glitters and iridescent colors take your makeup to ethereal new heights. The possibilities are endless. To ensure you don’t miss out, we called upon the experts to help us put together a list of the five hottest makeup trends to indulge in and products to help you achieve the look at home.

Bold Blush

For anyone who tends to be a bit heavy-handed when applying makeup, this trend is for you. “We’ll be seeing a return of statement-making blush, whether it’s applied ethereally, like watercolors, using a creamy formula like our Divine Blush: Legendary Glow Colour Balm, or draped dramatically along the temples with a powder formula like our Skin Fetish: Divine Blush,” says celebrity makeup artist Pat McGrath. Many of last year’s trends—from clean girl to strawberry girl to the more seasonally specific “I’m cold” winter makeup—put a major emphasis on heavy blush to punctuate the look. There’s no such thing as too much blush, but the proper placement can elevate beyond a simple flushed cheek. The beauty of blush is its versatility; you can apply it on the apples of your cheeks and on the tip of your nose to get a sweet, doll-like finish or, bring it upwards, blending it with your eyeshadow for a more striking, Pat McGrath-esque look. You can even play around with different shades for a bit more variety. Try orange tones for a warmer finish or purple shades for a cooler, moodier vibe.

Blue Blitz

Pantone declared peach fuzz as the color of 2024, but according to “Mother,” blue is taking the spotlight. “I anticipate we’ll be seeing quite a lot of blue makeup in the new year,” says McGrath. As mermaidcore made a huge splash last year, remnants of the trend linger to this day. Eyeshadow is an easy way to try out the shade, but at Vivienne Westwood and Robert Wun’s respective runway shows, there were variations of blue lipsticks to consider, including bright cobalt tones and subtle grayish hues. Though it may seem like this color is only fit for the runway, you can easily incorporate it into your makeup routine for a more wearable look, including mascara. Recently, I took the trend for a spin using YSL’s Lash Clash Mascara in Electric Blue, which intensifies with each coat. If you’re hesitant to try the trend, opt for deep blue shades for a moody vibe.

Witchy Lips

Spring/summer 2024 runway shows like Dior and Comme De Garcons made a great case for the witchy black lip. For the Dior show, makeup artist and image director Peter Philips created a sultry lip look by smudging the Diorshow On Stage Eyeliner Crayon in the center of the lips for a subtle gradient finish. If subtlety isn’t your jam, channel your inner goth and swipe on black lipstick all over your lips. However, to make this trend more wearable for every day, you can opt for a deep brown or purple lip liner to outline your lips and top it with a natural lipstick or gloss reminiscent of popular ’90s styles.

High Gloss

Glossy lips are one thing. Glazed skin is another. But this year, the radiant look that we know and love is unlike anything you’ve seen before. The idea of glass skin has captured widespread attention on TikTok, and it’s here to stay. “One of my favorite looks is the glazed look. So, it’s super luminous: radiant skin, groomed eyebrows, and a spidery mascara,” says Armani Beauty global makeup artist, Hiromi Ueda. The high gloss look doesn’t stop at a dewy skin base, it also incorporates glossy lips and eyelids, beaming highlight, and iridescent tones to illuminate your look. Gucci Westman, celebrity makeup artist and founder of cosmetics line Westman Atelier, agrees, stating, “Extra glowy skin resonates with me. I like it when your forehead is a bit shiny.” Pat McGrath even showed us how far the high gloss trend can go with her viral porcelain skin beauty moment at the Maison Margiela spring/summer 2024 couture show.

Classic Reds

They say that sometimes, to go forward you have to take a look back at the classics. That’s the case with the resurgence of red lips this season. So, if you haven’t pulled out your red lipstick in a while, it might be time to reach back into your stash. Even Taylor Swift can agree that a classic red lip is here to stay—all it needs is a timely update. At the 2024 Grammys, Swift donned her signature red lip with a touch of gloss; elsewhere on the Grammys carpet, there were glossy and matte red lips galore, thanks to celebrities like Olivia Rodrigo, Laverne Cox, and Jameela Jamil. And who could forget that M.A.C.’s iconic Ruby Woo lipstick was practically every young beauty lover’s best friend? This year, designers such as Alexander McQueen, Mugler, and Dion Lee made it clear that a red lip is a lasting symbol of sophistication. Go for a matte shade to make a statement, a gloss for a glamorous finish, or a lip stain for something more subtle.

Meet The Experts

Pat McGrath is a celebrity makeup artist.

Gucci Westman is a celebrity makeup artist and founder of cosmetics line Westman Atelier.

Hiromi Ueda is Armani Beauty’s global makeup artist.