The year 2024 has seen a flurry of beauty trends, from excessive blushing to thin eyebrows, and some were definitely more popular than others.
When it came to application, makeup enthusiasts flooded social media with so-called ‘hacks’, claiming they were the secret to perfecting flawless glam.
While some were more memorable than others, beauty experts reviewed the viral makeup trends of 2024. Actually Worth taking in the new year.
Low contrast makeup
“Low Contrast Makeup” Goes Viral TikTok When creatives began to question how the difference between your hair, eye and skin color affected your makeup style.
This trend revolves around maintaining low contrast, where every element of your makeup blends seamlessly together, rather than letting one feature dominate. The result? An argument effortlessly chic finish.
French Makeup artist, Eleanor, has been instrumental in popularizing this approach, sharing a series of TikTok videos that explore the concept of “finding your contrast.”
To demystify this process, he developed a filter to help users determine their contrast level. By selecting your skin tone and comparing it to examples with low, medium or high contrast, you can uncover the ideal balance for a bright yet natural look.
Morphe 9T Neutral Territory Artistry Palette, £14, looks fantastic
Pout Clout Lip Plumping Pen – Neutral Beige, £8
Blush contouring
Blush definitely had its moment in 2024 thanks to the singer. Sabrina Carpenter And with the revival of the eighties, social media went crazy for pink cheeks.
While ‘blush blindness’ also went viral – and not necessarily for good reason – people started looking for the best ways to apply blush correctly.
“Blush contouring creates a beautiful look to draw attention away from the center of the face,” explains the lash technician and its founder. Tied upElizabeth Chandler.
“Painting from the top of the jawbone to the temple gives a more finished square look rather than a round look,” explains Chandler.
Blush contouring soon became the go-to hack, where you hold your thumb and index finger in an ‘L’ shape and hold it along the outer edge of your nose facing inward.
It’s the negative space between your hand and your face that makes for the perfect position to apply blush for a healthy, lifted look.
KIKO Milano Unlimited Blush, £11.49, Look Fantastic
Famous London Blurring Blush Stick, £23
Lash Curler Hack
Although eyelash curlers work wonders immediately after use, sometimes you find your lashes flat an hour later.
A hack that went viral this year was using an eyeshadow primer to keep that curl in place.
The method involves curling your lashes as usual with your curler, then taking an eyeshadow primer on a small brush and applying it to your lashes. Following it up with mascara means your lashes will last all day.
However, Chandler cautions about the long-term consequences of this approach.
“Anything that clogs the follicle is ultimately bad, so it’s important to remove the mascara completely,” she explains. “Any powder after liquid can introduce bacteria that can cause infection.”
If you feel like your lashes need a break from that extra lift, Chandler says to “keep things simple and use mascara and non-toxic products.”
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Travel Size, £11.25 (was £15), looks fantastic
Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara, £9.99, Boots