A go to guide for the trends that will be popping up next spring.
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Spring is in the air. Not only does that mean longer days, warmer weather, and more time spent outdoors, it also means that it’s time to try out brand new beauty looks to match the season. Each season, new beauty trends give us the opportunity to reinvent ourselves. To find this spring’s best beauty inspiration, we’re looking to the runways to figure out the biggest, boldest trends to catapult us into warmer weather.
Runways offer plenty of trends to parse through in the form of hair color, nail trends, makeup looks, and more. As spring approaches this year, we’re seeing fresh, interesting takes on existing trends. The Spring/Summer 2023 shows proved that TikTok aesthetic trends like balletcore and mermaidcore aren’t over yet—they will continue to have their time in the sun thanks to girlish hair bows and wet-looking hair. The runways were all about playing up femininity with touches of pink, blush-heavy looks, and hyper-dewy skin. The ’90s are still having a moment—grunge makeup looks featuring heavy eyeliner and 90s supermodel looks featuring glossy brown lips will reign supreme. And the undeniable fashion color of the year, fire engine red, is finding its way into beauty looks with bold eyeliners and cherry nails. This spring is also the perfect time to step out with a timeless red lip.
The Fall/Winter 2024 shows also provided plenty of beauty inspiration. While many of the beauty trends held from last fashion week, plenty of new ones cropped up. We saw doll-inspired beauty in the form of spidery lashes and dramatic hairstyles. We also saw statement lip colors make their way onto the runways. Not only that, but whimsical braids were all the rage, in the form of sky-high styles and sculptural twists.
Keep reading for the best beauty trends to try out in spring 2024. From eye-catching makeup ideas to fresh hairstyles, this season’s trends couldn’t be more fun to take for a spin.
ARE YOU RED—Y?
2023 was the year of pink with Barbiecore. The hangover to Barbie pink will be red as we have begun to see it for fall 2023. It will continue to be important for spring 2024. For your eyes, as pictured, bold eyeliner shades will become important.
ALICE + OLIVIA
A classic red lip turned into a “revenge lip” at Alice + Olivia. Lead makeup artist and Executive Director of Global Beauty for Too Faced, Elyse Reneau shares that the look was inspired by the archetype of the modern 1960s swan.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
BRANDON MAXWELL
Places that red are common, such as your nails and lips, will see a fun upgrade. For your nails, red shades will be coupled with short nails.
PALOMO SPAIN
Reneau describes the red lip, that’s “dripping in juicy gloss” as a lip that’s “just for you and no one else.”
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
BALLETCORE BEAUTY
Put on your best leotard because balletcore beauty is here to stay. While your chingons and pale pinks continue to be important, the goal is to accessorize to amp up the look. For hair, ribbons were everywhere. We loved this corset braided bun at Christian Siriano, so much that we wrote about it here.
SELKIE
At Selkie, pink ribbon earrings were a fun way to play with the ribbon trend.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
SERGIO HUDSON
Sergio Hudson also dabbled in ribbon play, but focused on black ribbons and hair netting to make the look less ballet dancer and more boss b*tch.
MIRROR PALAIS
Nails also played into balletcore, but updated you feminine mani (hello, Essie Ballet Slippers) with a chrome appeal.
Essie Nail Polish in Ballet Slippers
Essie Nail Polish in Ballet Slippers
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
3.1 PHILLIP LIM
Balletcore got an edge at 3.1 Phillip Lim, with a spiked ballerina bun that enveloped the power of a strong New York City woman.
AQUATIC WONDERLAND
If you want to be part of the mermaid world, you’re in luck. Like balletcore, this trend is also going nowhere. In fact, for spring 2024, it gets both a downgrade and an upgrade. You can go literal mermaidcore with blues, greens, and purples or play up the trend with asymmetrical eyeshadows, like we saw at Anna Sui.
THE BLONDS
For skin, mermaidcore focuses on dewy, hydrated, glowing skin while for makeup, it’s all about the eyes.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
Chanel Lumière De L’océan Illuminating Powder
Chanel Lumière De L’océan Illuminating Powder
CHUKS COLLINS
For hair, that wet, editorial look is an easy, less colorful approach, while still giving siren sexy. “Just before it drips is how far you could go for this seasons wet look, ultra wet, ultra slippery, ultra sleek, a near vinyl finish—the wetter the better,” states celebrity hairstylist Adam Reed, founder of Arkive Headcare.
R+Co Motorcycle Flexible Gel
R+Co Motorcycle Flexible Gel
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
SANDY LIANG
For nails, Sandy Liang created bedazzled barnacles, by extending the mermaidcore look beyond the iridescent nail lacquer with perfectly placed sparkly jewels. We love.
SKIN IS IN
Skin, skin, skin. It was the focus almost everywhere. Hyper-glowy skin makes a subtle statement.
