7 spring beauty trends we’re excited about this season

A series of recent fashion shows and red carpets have given us plenty of inspiration for our beautiful looks. From vinyl skin finishes to the prettiest shades of pink and sparkling pop hair, here’s a taste of the spring beauty trends we’re celebrating ahead of the new season.

Coquettish charm

There was a distinct Valley of the Dolls a moment that has been happening with hair lately and hasn’t completely bypassed makeup either. Along with the aforementioned patent leather that has an almost made-up feel, doll embellishments are big news for spring. You’ll need to master more than just polished skin: look to thin lashes and pretty faded pastel shades washed over lids to pull off this spring beauty trend. An evolution of the OTT sugar pink that Barbiecore brought us last summer, the key thing to get right is perfectly rounded blush bumps that sit right on the apples of the cheeks (try Merit’s domed Flush Blush Balm in Stockholm for easy execution and color ). Off the runway, singer Sabrina Carpenter and actor Sidney Sweeney are two stars who wear this look well.

Pastel perfection

Blueberry Milk, Butter, and Caffe Latte: Just a selection of the delicious nail trends that have been on the rise in recent months—and our collective appetite for milky pastels and candy hues shows no signs of abating come spring. If you’re in the mood for freshness, why not try macaroon shades of pistachio, muted tangerine and lavender? Color aside, we predict iridescent pearl finishes will be big. More subtle than chrome, it’s just as beautiful layered over colors for a subtle softening, or worn alone on clean, bare nails for an elegant shine. For an at-home mani, try Essie’s Pearly White Shimmer, while Biosculpture’s EvoGel in Icy Elsa is a great shimmer shade to ask your nail technician about.

Cherry Cola hair

Blame it on Cardi B and Dua Lipa: for spring, deep and blazing hot red is the color you want. A deeper and more dramatic version of the soft, ginger tones we’ve seen on celebrities like Emma Stone, this is a color that will suit every skin tone. It has already amassed something of a cult following on TikTok as well, with searches for the term reaching almost 200 million on the platform. To get the look, ask your colorist for a rich red with chocolate undertones, but keep in mind that you’ll need to maintain the color regularly to prevent it from fading. To keep it looking fresh between salon visits, try a color-enhancing shampoo like John Frieda’s Red Enhancer Shampoo.

Chloé girl beauty

If you’re a fan of Chloé’s classic beauty vision, you probably adored Chemena Kamali’s debut show as creative director for Fall/Winter 2024. In keeping with the house’s core “makeup without makeup” aesthetic, the show provided a major reference point for which is expected to be a major trend in the new season. As long as there is some makeup in this skin directive, it is used sparingly and almost imperceptibly; a bit of concealer to hide the redness around the nose, a bit of powder to take away any unwanted shine and just a swipe of brow pomade to keep things groomed. Plus, it’s a look that relies more on good skincare than makeup, so glow-inducing masks, hydrating serums, and under-eye globes that cool and de-puff are the prep tools you’ll need on hand to work.

Grating skin

Trust Pat McGrath to be behind one of spring’s biggest (and prettiest) beauty trends. While many 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 finish the models are wearing might not be completely wearable every day, a version of it is. If you need inspiration, Terry Barber’s skin-illuminating glow at Richard Quinn is a good place to start, while the red The Oscars carpet also served up acres of glowing 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 makeup trend that will dominate the new season is entirely darker and more dramatic. Whether it’s singer Ray, Italian icon Sophia Loren (who inspired Gucci’s Fall/Winter 2024 collection) or opera singer Maria Callas, who Erdem Moralioglu referenced in his own Fall/Winter 2024 show, inspiration is everywhere. For absolute precision and the most inky black lines, try the Gucci Beauty Eyeliner Pen.

Boffant beans

If recent celebrity cuts are anything to go by, the bob bob is making a comeback. Also known as the baroque bean, the voluminous, sophisticated style echoes the ubiquitous low-luxe vibe. 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 just the right amount of bounce lies in the right volumizing styling products and some experience with a heated round brush. You can also combine two trends in one and show off your bob in the sought-after “luxe brunette” color. Consisting of a rich brunette base with lots of velvety, chocolate tones woven together to add depth and dimension, a glossy, glossy finish is essential.

Originally published on Vogue.co.uk