The Spring/Summer 2024 fashion weeks brought no shortage of beauty inspiration, from subtle enhancements to full-on experimental statements. Designers played with glowing skin, pops of color, wet-looking hair and unexpected placements of graphic liner. While trends leaned into flawless complexions and textured locks, vivid hues and painterly touches introduced bold accents. As the shows transition from the catwalks into retail and consumer hands, striking yet wearable beauty allows for versatility and wide appeal across markets. With buildable basics and standout launches, Spring/Summer 2024 assortments can capture runway essence through products suited for real life.
Table of Contents:
1. Low-key glamour
2. Wet hair, don’t care
3. Aquatic accents
4. Playful geometry
5. Sun-kissed glow
6. Final words
Low-key glamour
Spring/Summer 2024 nods to quiet elegance through subtle pops of color and sheeny skin. Dubbed “Low-Key Luxury,” the look focuses on flawless-looking complexions to allow staple makeup products to shine. Models at Schiaparelli, Loewe and Tory Burch wore natural-hued lip colors and light sweeping eyeliner with no other frills. The emphasis lands on versatile basics that deliver understated polish.
When planning product assortments for the season, lead with skin-perfecting essentials like blurring primers, hydrating foundations with buildable coverage and brightening concealers. Ensure base offerings provide lightweight moisture and undetectable wear with a subtle radiant finish. Pair with lip and cheek tints in neutral, MLBB shades. For eyes, think classic black or brown eyeliners and mascaras that define without drama.
Products that promote “your skin but better” flair align well with Spring/Summer 2024’s pared-back aesthetic. Sheer, dewy coverage flatters across ages and needs while inviting pops of mascara, lip color or liner personalize the look. Buildable basics also transition from day to night, holding wide consumer appeal. Capture the versatility of the “Low-Key Glamour” trend through illuminated skin and multi-use makeup meant for real life.
Wet hair, don’t care
Spring/Summer 2024 continues the “grunge” aesthetic with wet-looking, undone hair in the “Soft Grunge” and “BedHead” trends. Models at Jason Wu, Concept Korea and Ann Demeulemeester brought textured locks with a damp sheen, almost as though fresh from the shower. Similarly, intentionally messy styles at Maison Margiela and Issey Miyake leaned into the look’s #LazyBeauty appeal.
When curating hair care assortments, lead with salt sprays, texturizing mists and flexible hold gels. These buildable products add sheen and separation for air-dried or heat-styled hair. Lightweight leave-in conditioners also nourish strands while encouraging natural texture. For volume, turn to volumizing shampoos and dry shampoos to revive second or third day styles.
To style wet looks at home, prep damp hair with mousse or sea salt spray before roughly blow drying or heat styling. Finish with a brushable, pliable gel or pomade on mid-lengths and ends, scrunching up the crown. Embrace imperfections and avoid over-smoothing for an authentic lived-in vibe. Effortless, touchable hair encapsulates the organic essence of Spring/Summer 2024 across fashion weeks.
Aquatic accents
Spring/Summer 2024 beauty took inspiration from the sea through “Aquatic Forms” and ocean-inspired accents. At the Diesel show, models wore shimmering aqua and teal eye makeup with gems at the inner corners to emulate scales. Ivana Helsinki featured icy blue highlighter and lip colors to convey frozen, ethereal beauty. Subtle nods also came through in pastel blue and green eye pigments as well as pearlescent complexion products.
When developing seasonal launches, consider aqua, teal and celadon green shades for eyes, cheeks, lips and nails. Shifting iridescent pigments also capture light like sea glass. Play with frosted textures and opalescent shimmers alongside more overt scale embellishments and pearls. Hair accessories like shell bobby pins or sea star clips introduce whimsy.
Consumers can explore oceanic beauty through multi-use pigmented balms for eyes, cheeks and lips. Sheer washes of color build from day to night while ultra-reflective pearls and glitters make cheekbones pop. Pastel eyeliners rimmed along the upper lash lines create pretty pops of color. For nails, full coverage teals and seafoam greens saturate summer manicures with aquatic edge and visual interest. Bring coastal charm home through Spring/Summer 2024’s ocean aesthetic.
Playful geometry
Graphic liner and geometric accents brought a sense of whimsy to Spring/Summer 2024 beauty. Dubbed “Playful Minimalism,” the look featured bold geometric eyeliner at Mugler and Helmut Lang alongside jewel-shaped pigments at KNWLS. Brows also got an artistic touch through embellished arches and squared-off shapes. The contrast of graphic elements with low-key hair and skin enhanced the visual interest.
When developing complexion products for the season, ensure versatile foundations and complexion balms suit pared back looks but also withstand bolder artistry. For eyes, liquid and kohl liners should deliver crisp lines with intense pigmentation that stays put. Pigment pots, crayons and powder products also allow for packed pops of color as well as smudgy effects.
To try standout graphic makeup at home, prep lids with eyeshadow primer and skin with blurring base for smooth application and hold. Use stencils with cream or liquid liners to trace shapes. Build pigment intensity in layers for jewel-toned brilliance. Softer smokey effects come from using angled brushes to buff eyeshadow or powder liner along the lash line or crease. Graphic touches turn the everyday eye look into art.
Sun-kissed glow
Warm, sun-kissed skin proves ubiquitous across Spring/Summer 2024 runways. Both the “Healthy Glow” and “Sunburnt Blush” trends spotlight radiant, multi-dimensional complexions with a light flush of color. At Chanel and MSGM, models wore ultra-sheer skin tints and foundations to reveal their natural luminosity. Flushed cheek colors in bright pops or soft diffusions added dimension.
When developing complexion products for the warmer months, lean into illuminating formulas that mimic light within skin. Sheer tints with buildable coverage, satin finishes and “your skin but better” claims should take priority over full coverage matte foundations. Prioritize luminosity and transparency. For cheeks, creamy gel and liquid blush formulas blend seamlessly into the complexion’s radiance. Add sun-kissed warmth through bronze and coral shades.
The no-makeup makeup look relies on prepping skin effectively and matching seamless base products for an even, naturally vibrant finish. Sheer coverage helps retain the complexion’s healthy glow without needing to overload on highlighter. For blush, use a dampened makeup sponge to softly press onto the high points of cheeks and blend out any edges. Summertime beauty embraces effortless, light-reflecting radiance.
Final words
Spring/Summer 2024 beauty trends cover a wide scope, from barely-there subtlety to vivid graphic statements. Connecting the extremes, flawless skin paves the way for versatility across markets. Buildable color cosmetics, multi-textural hair care and ocean-inspired accents also bridge wearability from real life to runway. As retailers evaluate seasonal assortments, strong crossover potential stands out through products promoting healthy-looking luminosity, touchable lived-in texture and unexpected pops of aquatic color or geometric liner. Vibrant yet achievable beauty offers something for everyone headed into sunny S/S 2024.
