11 Makeup Trends Taking Over 2024

Makeup shifts just as fast as fashion tends to, making it all the harder to keep up with the latest trends and fads. Lucky for you, we’ve tapped into the future to bring you all the best makeup trends forecasted to be a hit in 2024 (as told by the runway, and our team of makeup experts).

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The Biggest Makeup Trends For 2024

Make-up or make-down, makeup is having a moment in the new year. Shifting between the colourful brights and natural minimalism, there’s enough variation in the future of makeup for anyone to have some fun with their routine. Want to know more? These are the biggest makeup trends for 2024:

Top Trends At A Glance

1. Pops Of Red
2. Skinny Brows
3. Heavy Blush
4. Micro Makeup Routines
5. Dewy Skin
6. Bold Eyeshadow
7. Graphic Eyeliner
8. Freckles
9. Gemstones
10. 3D Makeup
11. Black Lip

1. Pops Of Red

Following hot on the heals of the red velvet beauty trend, it’s forecasted that red is set to takeover makeup palettes in 2024. ‘While 2023 was the year of Barbiecore beauty, 2024 is all about reds,’ agrees Sarah Amelia Fogg, a celebrity permanent makeup artist, brow expert and founder of Brows by Sarah. ‘We’ve already started to see this transition from pink to red during the autumn and winter months of 2023, with cherry red being named “the colour of the season” and this is definitely predicted to carry on into next year. Glossy red lips will take over spring makeup and beautiful red nails will continue in popularity too.’

It’s a trend that isn’t limited to a classic red lip and nail, either. ‘We may even start to see bold red eyeliner taking over,’ suggests Sarah. ‘Graphic eyes were extremely popular on the catwalks this year due to the rise of nostalgic beauty. Pops of colour add depth to the face and a focus point to the makeup look, creating a memorable beauty moment. Red is universally complimentary for all skin tones too, hence why it is timeless amongst recurring makeup trends.’

‘Graphic colour, used either on the eyes or lips and using a more subtle colour on the other features – for example, a winged yellow eyeliner paired with a neutral one on the lips and cheeks or a bold orange-red lip paired with very subtly defined eyes and a hint of colour on the cheeks – is set to be huge in 2024,’ adds Simone Otis, makeup artist for 19/99 Beauty. ‘I also love the look of amplifying your face shape using contour and highlight and a more vivid cheek colour while softly defining the eyes and lips with neutral shades. ‘

Alexander McQueen SS24

2. Skinny Brows

Speaking of nostalgia – when it comes to 2024 makeup, throwback styles from the 90s and 00s will be all the rage. ‘From monochrome eyes and graphic liner to heavy blush and skinny brows, nostalgic makeup trends were seen all over this year’s catwalks, along with throwback shaggy haircuts and vintage clothing,’ explains Sarah. ‘Beauty has become less about fitting in and more about expressing yourself and your individuality – beauty standards are changing, hence the rise of these less-conventional trends.’

Sarah predicts that skinny brows will become one of the leading beauty trends of 2024. ‘Skinny brows are a classic, eye-catching 90s trend – they are more subtle than the fluffy brow that took over 2023, but the sharp shape still defines and frames the face,’ she says. ‘However, it’s important to avoid the tweezers when trying this trend – once you pluck hairs away, it’s important to remember that they may never grow back, which can be detrimental to brow health in the long term. Instead, use a clear brow gel to brush brow hairs into a thinner shape for a less permanent change.’

Opéra Sport SS24 (c) Bryndis Thorsteinsdottir

3. Heavy Blush

Do you remember the strawberry makeup trend? One signature staple of the look, its rosy, over-the-top blush, is predicted to continue its reign over the makeup counter. ‘Heavy blush is another nostalgic look – back in the 90’s people weren’t strategic with where they placed their blush – and this is set to return in 2024 with people already applying it to their eyelids and even across their nose,’ emphasises Sarah. ‘Heavy, pigmented blush is bound to be trending in the new year.’

Emilia Wickstead SS24 (c) Jason Lloyd Evans

4. Micro Makeup Routines

Don’t have time for a thorough makeup routine in the morning? You’re not the only one. ‘Between advanced skincare routines and a long list of beauty products you simply don’t have time for, makeup routines are slowly becoming the bane of everyone’s mornings – especially as life gets busier,’ agrees Sarah. ‘With heavy coverage makeup looks dying out and skin prep now at the top of everyone’s priority list, 2024 will see the rise of minimal makeup routines and quick, no-makeup makeup looks. Skin prep is key for this one – you want to look like you’ve still made an effort on your barefaced days and so make sure that your skin looks bright and fresh. Liquid products are another vital element to this look. Use liquid blushes and bronzing or contour products as these blend quicker and easier and also add an effortless, natural glow to the face too.’

‘The “no makeup makeup” trend will not only continue to thrive, but it will also go one step further in 2024, where less is more, and individuality takes centre stage,’ agrees Terry De Gunzberg, founder of By Terry. ‘This trend isn’t merely a shift in makeup routines; it represents an evolution towards celebrating our unique features and prioritising subtle, sophisticated luxury. The focus will be on products that contain high-quality ingredients and offer tangible results, and less on extravagant packaging and branding.’

Stine Goya SS24 (c) Bryndis Thorsteindottir

5. Dewy Skin

Did you manage to achieve a suitably luscious skin glow in 2023? If not, there’s still time to try out the trend next year. ‘The natural and radiant skin trend continues in 2024,’ confirms Sharan Dhillon, founder of Omorfia Make-Up. ‘You can achieve a healthy glow by using illuminating primers, lightweight foundations and highlighters on the high points of your face. Embrace that fresh-faced, lit-from-within look.’

Emilia Wickstead SS24 (c) Jason Lloyd Evans

6. Bold Eyeshadow

A quick look at the AW23 and SS24 runways may have clued you into this burgeoning makeup trend for 2024: bold eyeshadow. ‘Get ready to experiment with vibrant shades like electric blues, neon pinks, and bold purples,’ says Sharan. ‘The best way to create this eye makeup look is to start with a transition colour on the outer corners of the eye – think brown and orange tones – and then use a bold colour on the halo of the eyes to create a bold, blended look.’

Philipp Plein SS24

7. Graphic Eyeliner

After something a little sharper? You’ll be pleased to know that more graphic eyeliner designs will become more mainstream in 2024 too. ‘Take your eyeliner game to the next level with graphic designs, from geometric shapes to double-winged liners,’ highlights Sharan. ‘You can also experiment with different colours and finishes, so you can create an even more personal finish.’

Ganni SS24 (c) Bryndis Thorsteinsdottir

8. Freckles

Going hand-in-hand with more natural-driven trends, freckles were seen having a resurgence on the SS24 runway (as seen with Munthe at Copenhagen Fashion Week). Whether dusted lightly across noses and cheeks or smattered all over the face, these small additions help give a more innocent and youthful appearance – while giving the impression of being sun-kissed without risking the UV rays.

Munthe SS24 (c) Bryndis Thorsteinsdottir

9. Gemstones

You can be sure to shine on throughout 2024 with this makeup trend. Once again diving deep into the world of nostalgia, the use of gemstones is giving us major Y2K vibes. Dotted across the eyes in a symmetrical pattern (the key is to add each gemstone on either side of the eye as you go along, rather than build up one eye and try to replicate it on the other), this glitzy look is guaranteed to add a bit of sparkle no matter the occasion.

Helmstedt SS24 (c) Tonya Matyu

10. 3D Makeup

In a similar vein, makeup that goes beyond the parameters of the two-dimensional world are also expected to rise to prominence. While maybe not for daily outings (although if you fancy flowers stuck on your face in the office, you do you), 3D makeup is all about making bold statements that add an extra layer of drama to your outfit. We see this trend becoming popular around festival and party season, with an emphasis on floral motifs.

Simone Rocha SS24 (c) Daniel Sims

11. Black Lip

While a bold, red lip is set to dominate on one side of the makeup 2024 spectrum, it’s predicted that a moody black lip will take up residence on the other. Inspired by the lingering gothcore wave, black lips took centre stage at Burberry’s SS24 show – tying in with the House’s surprisingly dark summer palette. Perfect for those who shy away from vibrant hues, this could be the underdog party trend of the new year.

7 Days Active SS24 (c) Bryndis Thorsteinsdottir

Featured image: Simone Rocha SS24 (c) Daniel Sims