Spring Makeup Trends That Will Dominate This Season According to Beauty Experts
Keeping up with the beauty landscape isn’t just about staying current—it’s the perfect opportunity to revitalize your potentially stagnant makeup routine. For fresh spring inspiration, we’ve collected the most significant makeup trends appearing on runways, red carpets, social media, and street style. From the resurgence of Y2K-inspired glossy lips and frosted eyeshadows to an emphasis on radiant skin, this season beautifully balances nostalgic elements with contemporary minimalism.
Vibrant Pink Blush
Pink blush for spring might not sound revolutionary, but after enduring months of dreary skies and muddy snow, it’s exactly the refresher we need. Celebrity makeup artist Emily Gray notes this color trending in both powder and cream formulations. Beyond traditional cheek application, she suggests a clever technique of placing pink blush just below the eyes, offering “a great alternative to simply using lighter concealer under the eye.”
Understated, Natural Brows
Rest assured, we’re not reverting completely to pencil-thin ’90s brows, but there is a noticeable shift toward more natural shapes. “I am definitely seeing a change from the seemingly endless trend of bold, strong brows to a softer, more natural-looking approach,” explains Aimee Carr, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Voodoo Makeup. “Choose subtler definition with a feathery, wispy appearance achieved using powdered products rather than cream pencils.”
Y2K-Inspired Glossy Lips
Glossy lips represent a nostalgic beauty revival drawing inspiration from the ’90s and early 2000s, delivering a wonderfully fresh and dewy finish. “This trend has recently resurfaced as consumers move toward more subtle, luminous makeup looks featuring light-reflecting textures, which feel modern and youthful while maintaining a soft, glamorous finish,” says award-winning makeup artist Katy Holland. “Since this trend is just beginning to gain momentum, I anticipate significant growth this spring.”
Refined Glass Skin
Glass skin continues its popularity, but with an evolution. This year emphasizes a refined, sculpted radiance—think less dewy, more dimensional. “This look enhances the skin’s natural luminosity while keeping it polished and perfected,” explains celebrity makeup artist Emilio Uribe. “It’s no longer just about hydration; subtle highlights, skin-blurring products, and ultra-light coverage layers create a lit-from-within, hyper-real finish.”
Uribe advises avoiding heavy foundations and recommends layering products strategically. He suggests skipping glitter in favor of glossy balm textures, pearlescent highlighters, and dewy setting sprays for a breathable glow.
Shimmery Pastel Eyeshadows
Frosted eyelids featuring shimmery pastels offer another nod to Y2K aesthetics, perfectly complementing spring color palettes. “This season I’m observing shimmer pastels—or as millennials might remember them—frosty pastels,” Gray remarks. “They provide both a beautiful wash of color on the eye and interesting light play with their reflective qualities. This can also create a quick yet impactful eye look using just one eyeshadow.”
Soft-Focus Nude Lips
The ‘clean girl’ aesthetic persists but has evolved slightly. For spring makeup trends, Uribe highlights soft, blurred nude lips that appear effortless yet polished.
“This trend involves finding your perfect nude shade and applying it in a way that enhances your natural lips,” he explains. “Skip harsh lip liners. Instead, use a soft, neutral lipstick or tinted balm in a shade that complements your natural lip color. Apply the color to the center of your lips and blend outward using your fingertip for a soft-focus effect.”
He recommends finishing with a light touch of clear or satin gloss or oil to add dimension without appearing overdone.
Minimalist “No Makeup” Makeup
As consumers continue investing significantly in skincare, showcasing those well-maintained complexions with a less-is-more approach makes perfect sense. Carr notes, “We’re witnessing a major shift toward fresh, clean-faced looks that highlight all the effort we’ve invested in our skin care routines. Incorporating extra hydration is essential for enhancing that deep, ultra-radiant glow from within.”
Sustainable and Clean Beauty Practices
Sustainability and clean beauty emphasize eco-friendly, non-toxic ingredients beneficial for both skin health and environmental protection. “With increasing consumer demand for transparency and ethical practices, brands are prioritizing recyclable packaging, cruelty-free testing methods, and plant-based formulations,” Holland explains. For greater environmental impact, she suggests using multifunctional products containing natural, clean ingredients and selecting brands committed to eco-friendly packaging solutions.