Exploring New Ways to Shine: Put Your Spin on Spring/Summer 2024 Beauty Trends
Social media influencers have mastered the art of flooding our attention with numerous renditions on the latest beauty trends. It is an avalanche of perfectly styled hair, flawlessly applied makeup, and the latest sartorial look. The looks they present are more aspirational than attainable. While these overly curated posts are eye-catching, they contribute to a world of confusion and unrealistic standards.
Beauty as Wellness is about picking colors, styles, and techniques that enhance your natural attributes, not transforming yourself into someone or something else. Instead of aiming for this manufactured world of perfection, let’s create an authentic expression of who you are emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
Today, there is a surge of creativity in beauty trends. As we breeze through spring into summer, we are seeing soft pastels, vibrant washes of color, and bold accents on the eyes or lips. It is a perfect opportunity to get playful and experiment with looks that reflect your inner personality.
Here are the trends shown on our model Ellie and some tips on how to adapt the beauty trends to make them your own, which I call “Your Spin.” Remember that beauty is not a fixed endpoint; it is an evolving journey of, and to, self-expression.
The Spring/Summer Beauty Trends
Ballet is the Look’s Core
This style of makeup is soft and elegant supported by a feeling that reminds us of ballet. It includes a wash of soft pale tones resonant of dance shoes’ incandescent colors. Soft, dreamy-looking skin has the ease of flowy fabric worn by a dancer in a grand pirouette.
On Ellie, I used a warm pink in a wash, also known as soft brush, technique on her eyelids and over the cheek. Note how the warm tone is complementary to her skin.
Your Spin
Choose color tones that complement your skin and enhance your eyes. The goal is to diffuse the light and add a healthy, soft glow all over the face. Consider adding a soft pink or pale coral to your eyes and cheeks.
Go Pastel
This trend involves using light and airy shades including light pink, soft blues, and fair lavender. Envision light, whimsical, and ethereal. When the look complements the skin and eyes, the result can be more intense.
On Ellie, I added blue in the crease to define her eyes, while making the iris appear browner, and thus more soulful. This was complimented by a soft coral on the cheeks and a neutral-toned lip, with defined, lightly lined, and blended, muted color.
Your Spin
Find shades that uplift your eye color and skin tone. To do this look for tones in the makeup that could be in your skin or eye color. For instance, if you have brown eyes that look warm i.e., have a gold tone choose warm colors that have a similar tone within. If you lean towards cooler tones in your skin and eyes, like a blue or red, then incorporate that into your makeup. Then, choose a technique of application that will add some structure and definition to the face. The result: soft, gentle, and inviting.
Bold Red Lips
Confidence, sophistication, and elegance are the keywords that come to mind here. A bold, red lip is a classic look that stands the test of time. Always. The key: pair a strong lip with a simple application of complexion and eye color, so the red lip is the focal point.
On Ellie, I used a warm red that is dramatic and bold, and enhances the beauty of her skin tone.
Your Spin
To pull off bold red lips, keep the rest of your makeup minimal. A touch of mascara, concealer, and a bit of blush are all you need. Complete the look by choosing a red shade that complements your skin and eyes. If you have fair skin opt for red lipstick that has a blue undertone. Common names for lipstick could be cherry or cranberry. For medium tone skins, choose a red with warmer tone. Such as brick red. And deepest skin tones look great with bold reds and deep burgundy. My tip: when you choose the right lipstick. your skin and eyes look better. even if you have applied no other makeup to your complexion (i.e., blush, bronzer, highlighter).
Statement Eyeliner
This look is all about bold lines, dramatic wings, and eye-catching designs. It’s an ideal trend for everyone who wants to express their inner personality with real creativity.
On Ellie, I did a strong line with a dramatic flick in charcoal color, enhanced by a metallic sheen. Paired with a soft pink/peach cheek color and pink lips, all of the chosen colors and tones created a harmonious balance.
Your Spin
To rock statement eyeliner, choose styles and colors that flatter the shape of your eyes. Popular designs this spring/summer include dramatic flicks, bold liner, and defined creases via solid lines. Whichever of these you choose, draw the lines carefully so they enhance the shapes and geometry around it. If you are a fan of eyeliner, try a dramatic winged look. If you feel avant-garde, try bolder lines with unblended edges. Remember to make sure whatever look you choose doesn’t overwhelm your eyes; it enhances them.
Monochrome
This trend focuses on using a single-color hue in various shades on eyes, cheeks, and lips to create a look that is polished, unified, and cohesive.
On Ellie, I chose a few shades of a warm brown in eye shadow, blush, and lipstick/gloss. The various tones compliment her eye, skin, and lips respectively.
Your Spin
The concept behind monochrome makeup is choosing one color family to use in an eyeshadow, cheek, and lip. On Ellie as an example. I picked an eyeshadow in three shades of brown. One to match her skin as my base, one lighter on the brow bone, and one darker to the eye lid. This idea of three is also used on lips. As in ombré lips below and as a well know application of highlighter, contour, and blush. When making it your own choose the same family of color and vary the intensity of tones. Brown is the most versatile because of the many colors found in lipsticks,
Ombré Lips
A stunning trend that can be applied with dramatic or neutral tones, the look is achieved by blending two or more shades of lip color. The effect is a fuller lip of gradient tones.
On Ellie, I chose to use a dark, deep burgundy color. This is dramatic, yet complementary because it enhances her skintone and hair color.
Your Spin
The key to this look is blending each color into the next one. The darker tone is applied to the outer edges of the lips and gradually gets lighter as you add more color, moving towards the center of the mouth. This technique gives a 3D effect. This trend is a creative way to elevate your makeup looks. It can correct lips with an uneven shape. Whether you go soft and neutral or dramatic, be sure to blend your colors and liners. Gloss on top adds shine and luminosity to your work.
The Takeaway: Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful
This spring and summer, take these trends and make them your own. Whether you channel your inner ballerina, play with pastels, or master the art of the ombré lip, remember to adapt the trend to embrace your features, individual style, and personality. At the end of the day, real beauty lies in feeling good about who you are. The best beauty trends are the ones that make you feel like yourself—but a little more fabulous.
Model: Ellie Asemota – Instagram: @ellieasemota
Photography by Nadia Pandolfo Photography
