Last year, on a whim, I quit caffeine. I don’t remember the exact reason, but I remember the first few days of headaches and fatigue sans matcha. Thankfully, my cravings are long behind me, and when reflecting on the last year, I thought—what small change can I make this year that could shift everything? It makes sense that my word for 2024 is curiosity, and I’m excited to see what I’ll love, grow out of, and fall into in the year ahead. Of course, as a beauty editor, I’m also curious about the 2024 beauty trends that will impact our daily routines and rituals in the year ahead.
2024 Beauty Trends You’re About to See Everywhere
From 90s grunge to Y2K kitsch, trends often influence how we understand and reflect on different periods in our lives. We associate certain aesthetic choices with our life experiences. Looking through old pictures can be like watching our own personal eras tour. We remember who we were with different hair, a different makeup routine, or when we (all) inevitably over-plucked our eyebrows.
We can’t predict what this year will bring, but we can pinpoint the 2024 beauty trends you’ll be seeing everywhere. Curious? Read on.
Trending Skincare Products
You’d think skincare routines are a constant. Sure, some treat theirs like a predictable ritual immune to the influence of the trend cycle. But that’s far from the truth. Skincare trends are among the most volatile. With new discoveries, technologies, and even application methods constantly circulating the internet, it can be difficult to cut out the noise.
As a beauty editor, I’m eager to try every new product I can get my hands on. I’ve discovered niche ingredients I can’t live without, but I’ve also made a slew of mistakes so you don’t have to. With this year’s latest skincare innovations vying for space in your vanity, these are the trends worth trying out.
Science-Backed Skincare
Is 2024 the year we sever our attachment to social media skincare trends? As trust wanes on heavily-produced before and after skincare videos, many people are going back to basics—and trusting their dermatologists. Skincare made or backed by science and experts is going to outshine pretty packaging this year.
Skin Streaming
A new take on skin minimalism (aka ‘skinimalism‘), skin streaming refers to streamlining your routine to its essentials. The basics according to skin streaming include a cleanser, an antioxidant serum, a moisturizer, and a sunscreen. Though I’m all for whimsical products like my skin milks and hydrogel face masks, skin streaming is more attainable and affordable. Whether you pare down permanently or try it when your skin is irritated, this is a TikTok trend we can get behind.
Gentle Exfoliation
Over-exfoliation is over. The 2024 beauty trends forecast favors a protected skin barrier. But this doesn’t mean you have to throw out all your peels and tonics—just rethink your approach. Instead of reaching for the formulas with the highest acid percentage, evaluate which formulations are best for your skin and skincare concerns. Choose between AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs discerningly and practice gentle exfoliation a few times a week instead of every night. Your skin barrier will thank you.
Facial Massages
The best beauty routines are the ones that feel like a wellness ritual instead of a chore. Some days I can barely muster up the energy to wash my face, let alone go through the motions of a tedious routine. But no matter how tired I am, I always feel better after giving myself a facial massage.
The simple ritual helps with lymphatic drainage and facial sculpting while also relaxing my muscles (who else holds all their tension in their jaw?) and reminding me to be more present. This year, facial massages you can do with just your hands will be all the rage. I still love all my gadgets and gua sha, but a quick massage with warm hands is so much more accessible.
Hand and Neck Care
Your hands and neck are the first places to show signs of aging. So even if you apply skincare and sunscreen to your face diligently, you’re probably forgetting these key areas. Good news: there’s a new class of skincare products made to protect your hands and neck with powerful ingredients like collagen and retinol. And this year, you’ll be seeing them everywhere.
SPF Reapplication
Speaking of protecting your skin, there’s no better force against the elements than SPF. But even if you lather yourself with SPF50 before leaving the house, remember to reapply. Let 2024 be the year you top up your sun protection every two hours. From SPF makeup powders to sunscreen sticks, there are options for all lifestyles. Remember, the best sun protection is the one you’ll actually wear— and reapply.
The Makeup Looks You’ll Love
Whether you’re switching up your daily look or wanting to experiment with something bold, makeup trends are the place to showcase your creativity.
Over the past few years, makeup has seen a shift. Instead of using it to cover up our insecurities, makeup has become an exciting form of self-expression. In this spirit, celebrity makeup artists and runway looks have encouraged creativity—adding a pop of color here and a new shade there. These are the 2024 beauty trends the makeup industry can’t get enough of.
Bring on the Blush
Whether you call this the Strawberry Girl aesthetic or the Sabrina Carpenter look, participating in this winter’s biggest makeup trend means piling on the blush. Exaggerate the apples of your cheeks and the top of your nose with a heavy wash of red or pink pigments. The dramatic contrast works even better if you keep the rest of the look natural. I’ve always said my ideal vacation makeup is nothing but sunscreen with a lip and cheek multi-stick, so I’m ready for this trend to take over and evolve throughout the year.
Spider Lashes
Spider lashes are the 2024 version of Twiggy’s signature 60s look. It’s achieved by using mascara to create distinct, spider-like lashes. Hot tip: high-quality mascara is the key to achieving this look without clumping.
Permanent Freckles
Faux freckles have been an increasingly popular makeup trend in recent years. Now, following other permanent makeup trends like lip blushing and micro-blading, you can get permanent freckles with a quick trip to the salon instead of laying out in the sun. While I’ve been seeing this online everywhere, I’ll be keeping tabs to see if this one takes off in real life—or if people will stick to drawing on freckles with liquid liner.
Lots of Lip
Lip plumpers, lip filler, lip stains, oh my! The beauty industry can’t get enough of lip trends. In 2024, expect more fun takes on lip looks this year. “Hyaluronic acid lips” (using hyaluronic acid under your favorite lip balm) is the trending natural alternative to lip plumpers. And new shades of lip gloss and lip oils keep hitting the shelves. Right now, everyone is wearing berry-toned lips and the brown “latte makeup” trend also seems to be holding strong.
Trends to Keep Hair Healthy in 2024
We all know the feeling of looking in the mirror and asking ourselves: Should I get bangs? Should I cut off all my hair? While taking a big risk with your hair can sometimes pay off, I’ve found it’s usually better to consult my hair stylist before making any rash decision. So when approaching 2024 beauty trends, we’re sticking to smaller shifts and focusing on making our hair as healthy as it can be.
Two-Tone Hair
A step down from 2023’s Gemini hair, two-tone hair refers to different ways of incorporating another shade into your hair. This can be highlights, ombre, or shattered roots, and it’s often a more natural contrast that gives your hair dimension without risking too much regret.
Nighttime Hair Rituals
Your haircare routine doesn’t end after you rinse and repeat. The truth is, healthy hair is made in your sleep. 2024 is the year of incorporating hair rituals into our nighttime routines. Using natural ingredients like hair oiling or rice water sprays is one option, so is wrapping your hair in silk or using a satin pillow.
Side Part
Will 2024 be the end of the middle part? Side parts are the most surprising comeback of the year. Over the past few years, middle parts reigned with sleek, low-maintenance hairstyles. But blowouts are back, and with bouncier hair comes the dramatic side part. Now the ultimate question: do you part your hair on the right or left?
Whimsical Accessories
Call it a symptom of the pandemic, but hair accessories over the past few years have been very functional. Don’t get me wrong. I love the practicality of a claw clip and a headband. But the recent surge in ribbons and bows reminded me of a time when hair trends were just pretty. Pretty and impractical. Whimsical and over the top. That’s the vibe for hair accessories in 2024.
