Beauty
The 11 Buzziest Spring Makeup Trends You're About To See Everywhere
From thick brows to face jewelry.
Spring is the perfect time breathe new life into your beauty routine. While the winter season saw lots of dark pigments and floating eyeliner designs, the warmer season calls for more adventurous eye, lip, and brow styles. For the intel, experts are revealing the hottest spring makeup looks for 2021 that you're going to want to try ASAP.
Bustle spoke with top makeup artists — including L’Oréal Paris consulting celebrity makeup artist Sir John (who works with Beyonce, BTW), Urban Decay global makeup artist Steve Kassajikian, and Garnier consulting beauty expert Millie Morales — to get their predictions on just which beauty looks will be trending once the snow starts to melt.
Some makeup staples that were popular in the fall and winter will continue to be big, like winged and smoky liner, but there are plenty of new looks that are going to flood your social media feeds. From colorful eyes to subtle accents, these are 11 spring makeup looks for 2021 you'll want to start perfecting now.
1Dewy Skin
According to Sir John, this spring is all about the "less is more" approach to makeup. He predicts that people will opt for lighter coverage foundations to let the skin breathe. "We're in a stage where we're striving to reveal who we are and we're loving how much we're taking care of ourselves," Sir John tells Bustle, pointing to a movement in which people own their natural complexions.
For the dewy skin, barely-there look, he recommends the Skin Paradise Water-Infused Tinted Moisturizer from L'Oréal Paris, though Saie's Slip Tint is also a great option. When applying a lightweight foundation for the no-makeup effect, Sir John suggests using a wet BeautyBlender to stipple on product when your skin is still slightly damp from moisturizer. "Apply where needed — it doesn't have to be everywhere," he says.
To add an extra dewy but natural-looking finish, makeup artist Olivia Rose loves to add a bright blush — like the NARS Couer Battant — for a fresh flush to the cheeks.
2Thick Brows
Dua Lipa and Lily Collins are known for rocking their naturally full brows, which is a look that's going to trend this spring. According to Morales, thick, fluffy arches work to frame the face. "To create perfectly untamed brows, apply a little Garnier Fructis Style Full Control Hairspray on a spoolie eyebrow brush," she tells Bustle (though any hairspray will do). "It will keep your brows in place and last all day long."
Kassajikian also recommends applying your brow product in strokes that mimic your natural hairs, then brushing them up with a clear gel to set and fluff them.
3Smoky Liner
Heavy eyeliner may feel very early 2000s (hello, Avril Lavigne), but it's making a major comeback this spring, says Rose. All you really need is a black kohl pencil and a heavy hand, which makes it easy for beginners and makeup pros alike.
"Pack on a heavy, bold liner all around the eye and smoke it out to give it a soft edge, and your job here is done," Rose tells Bustle. Try the MAC Blacktrack fluid liner for the look.
4Bold Colors
As the weather gets warmer it only feels right to swap winter's deep, dark hues for brighter, more vibrant pigments. This spring, Morales predicts yellows, greens, and blues to be popular eyeshadow colors, which pairs perfectly with the face masks people will still be wearing. For a clean and structured eye, she recommends using a micellar water to wipe up any pigment fallout. Go with a colorful set that contains plenty of hues, like the Juvia's Place The Zulu Eyeshadow Palette, for ultimate versatility.
5Color Blocking
Since this spring is all about bold colors, why just stick to one? Color blocking is the perfect way to bring runway flare to you everyday makeup looks. "A super bright color choice paired with stripped-back skin is one of my favorite looks at the moment," Rose tells Bustle, nodding to the color blocking eyeshadow trend.
To wear the style on your eyes, she recommends sticking to two shades (clashing or matching) and then buffing out one of the colors as you keep the other one clean and structured.
6Elongated Eyeliner
Cat eye liner is a timeless beauty trend, but, according to Sir John, this spring is all about an elongated eye, which he says makes the eyes look longer. "Extend your liner out past the outer corner of your eye and a bit upward," he tells Bustle. Also apply the eyeliner to your inner corners, then, if you're wearing eyeshadow, smudge it to blend.
Morales adds that the key to nailing the look is to practice. "A statement eyeliner secret is to outline the shape with an eye pencil," she says.
7Bright Mascara
Sir John also predicts that rainbow-hued mascaras will be trending this spring. "We’re sticking with color on the eyes," he tells Bustle, noting that it's an easy way to add a pop to an otherwise more neutral look. His tip? Use a lash primer to brush through your lash hairs for added length before you add a colorful mascara.
Try ColourPop's BFF Mascara or Sephora Collection's Volume On Mascara for some non-traditional lash shades.
8Statement Lips
A brightly-colored statement lip will be one of the most popular ways to wear bold hues this spring, according to Sir John. His tip? Look for long-lasting formulas so that your pigment doesn't budge.
Pat McGrath Labs' MatteTrance Lipstick stays put and comes in vivid shades, and you can't go wrong with a lip stain — try Yves Saint Laurent's Vinyl Cream Lip Stain for all day color.
Editor's note: A previous headline included language that did not meet Bustle's editorial inclusivity standards. It has been updated to reflect Bustle's standards.
9Face Jewelry
Call it the Euphoria effect, but celebrity makeup artist Jenny Patinkin says face jewelry is in for spring 2021 and points to Chrissy Teigen and her makeup artist Nova Kaplan for propelling the trend forward. “After being stuck inside for so long and being so solemn while living through a global pandemic, this trend is all about being playful and having a little fun,” says Patinkin.
“A row of crystals at your lash line, polka dots on your lids, a full-on cluster to wing out your eyes... they're all great ways to dress up faces that have gone unadorned for so long.” Try face decals from Face Lace or BH Cosmetics’ Gem On Decorative Face and Body Jewels.
10Sculpting Blush
Rihanna’s perfectly draped blush from the 2017 Met Gala already lives in our heads rent-free, but Patinkin says it’s back this spring. She predicts people are looking for makeup that can give a youthful, lifted appearance, and blush placed high on the cheekbone does just that.
“Placing your blush all the way up on your cheekbones, snuggled close to the outer corner of the eye, gives an instant lift,” she explains. “And when blended onto the lids in bright sheer pinks, it gives an ethereal, bohemian look.” Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty cream blush is perfect for the look.
11Skinimalism
Makeup artist Cara Lovello says that minimalist makeup styles that highlight radiant skin — much like the no-makeup makeup look — will be big this spring.
“Skin-like makeup will be big over heavy foundation,” she tells Bustle. “Achieve a radiant skin look by mixing Nars Illuminating Primer in with your foundation for a lighter, illuminating coverage. Top with your favorite cream highlight or highlight drops on the tops of your cheekbones and you’re good to go.”
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