The 11 Best Spring Makeup Trends Are Sexy, Sensual, and Perfectly Luminous
It's dew or die.
When looking at the year ahead, 2025 makeup trends are predicted to pump the breaks on the nostalgia in lieu of innovative and surprising alternatives like colored mascara and bold lipsticks. However, when it comes to breaking it down by season, the general spring makeup vibe is essentially gearing up to be easy-to-master looks that skew natural—with a touch of pastels thrown in for good measure.
Although there will be pops of color (blush isn't going anywhere anytime soon), this spring is all about dewy, luminous skin. It's truly a moment for playfulness and self-expression to come together. Fresh faces, flushed finishes, and a heavy dose of dew that doubles as a glazed skin primer are taking hold, plus plenty of rosy blushes and luminous champagne eyeshadows.
Ironically, the glam poised to be the most popular this season is very anti-trend; it's a do-as-you-wish, wear-what-you-want time of year. “I’m not a big fan of trends—they can feel a bit superficial to me," says makeup artist and brand founder Violette Serrat. "Instead, I love the idea of inspiring one another and expressing ourselves based on how we’re feeling in the moment."
So shed those layers, get out into the sun, and take a look at the mood-boosting, super-easy spring makeup trends that are primed to take hold in the upcoming months.
A Fresh "Bare" Face
An example of the fresh bare face spring makeup trend, a woman in a tan dress
Move over matte. Makeup artists Kelly Zhang and Emily Gray predict that a hydrated, fresh "bare" face will be everywhere this spring. The aesthetic leans toward enhancing your natural radiance without heavy coverage. "Start with a light, dewy base that lets your skin’s texture shine through," Zhang explains. She recommends using a tinted primer to impart a healthy glow.
"For me dewy skin never goes out of style, as I have very dry skin, but once it starts to get a little warmer, we all need to let our skin breathe a little," says Gray. "I think freckles will continue trending and this goes along with fresh, dewy skin."
To nail this look, Zhang recommends using a damp beauty sponge to press and blend the product seamlessly into the skin as it works to minimize lines and create an ethereal, airbrushed finish. Want to add freckles? Dab a few dots of product around your nose and quickly tap-tap-tap with your fingers to blend.
Ombré Flush Blush
Violette wears an ombre flush blush combination
To get a gorgeous multidimensional glow, Serrat loves blending her blushes to create the perfect spring hue. “Lately, I’ve been loving blending two shades for what I like to call The Ombré Flush," she says. To create this look , she starts with a warm, bronzy hue, adding it along the perimeter of the face, starting with her cheekbones, before blending it inward and upward toward the apple of her cheeks. She then adds some to her forehead, temples, and nose before picking up a brighter tone like Bisou Blush Maryam, which she adds to the apples of the cheeks in a circular motion.
"A little extra in the center adds depth, and I finish with a dab on the nose for that extra touch," she notes. "Together, these shades create a beautiful, multidimensional glow.”
Luminous Eyeshadow
An example of the luminous eyeshadow spring trend
A subtle sparkle in the way of luminous eyeshadow will be a big trend for spring. Zhang champions using champagne or nude hues at the inner corners and center of the eyelids to brighten your gaze.
"This technique is perfect for both day-to-day wear and evening outings," she says. Apply the eyeshadow in thin layers using a fluffy blending brush. For some extra luminosity, she loves adding a sweep of clear lipgloss on the eyelids to "elevate your look with a dewy finish."
Glassy Skin
Dewy, glass skin on a model in a black coat and white shirt
Skin so shiny you can see your own reflection appears to be the name of the game, according to Kevin Kodra, Nudestix global makeup artist. He predicts glass skin will be trending this season. "A luminous, glass-like complexion is universally flattering at any age," he says. It's time to give the matte finish and powdery highlights a little break in favor of a more radiant finish.
Sunset Orange Blended Blush
An example of the sunset orange blended blush trend
"Imagine capturing the warm, gentle glow of a sunset on your cheeks—this trend does just that," says Zhang. She recommends emulating this look by using an orange blush across the cheeks with a hint over the nose for that sun-kissed flush. To really make this the focus, keep the base minimal to let the blush shine. Building up the pigment gradually is key to avoid going overboard. "Complement this with a touch of golden eyeshadow and a nude lipgloss for a harmonious, radiant finish," she says.
Blurred Lips
An example of the blurred lips spring trend
“In France, we’re known for a lip technique called 'bouche mordue' [just-bitten lips)," says Serrat. "It’s a three-step technique that creates a blurry look, like you've just been kissed. It’s effortless, sensual, and supremely chic." But don't limit yourself to just the lips—this powdery, blurred effect can continue beyond the lips, extending to the eyes and cheeks. To create the look, apply your lipstick with a dense lip brush, then tap the edges with your finger to diffuse the color. Use a cotton bud to clean up any areas that extend too far but remember, this look is all about that perfectly imperfect effect.
Bold Pink Blush
An example of the bold pink blush spring trend
While a pink blush might seem obvious for spring, some trends don't need to reinvent the wheel. "After the seasonal overcast depression of cold winter weather, we are ready to welcome some color, sun, and brightness," says Gray. "We are placing it directly under the eye, which gives a pretty pink under eye. It's a great alternative to just having a lighter concealer color under the eye."
Gray also notes that both powder and cream blushes are great for this trend. "The cream and powder combo creates a beautiful, dimensional bright pink blush look."
Dewy Petal Lips
An example of dewy petal lips
"Inspired by the delicate beauty of morning dewdrops on flower petals, dewy petal lips focus on a light pink hue that leaves your lips looking soft and hydrated," says Zhang. "This look is all about maintaining a natural, fresh finish that pairs perfectly with a light, nude base and subtle blush."
To achieve this effortless-looking lip, Zhang recommends starting with your liquid lipstick at the center of the lip for fullness and then blending outward. "Blot lightly and add a second layer if needed for extra staying power without compromising the dewy finish," she says. This technique ensures your lips remain the focal point, exuding both freshness and a touch of effortless glamour.
Shimmery Pastels
Jennifer Lopez at the 75th Academy Awards
Modern renditions on nostalgic Y2K makeup looks are still holding on in 2025, and for spring, pastels are naturally going to show up in some form or another. "This season, I’m noticing shimmer pastels or, for us millennials, also known as 'frosty’ pastels," says Gray. Shimmer pastel eyeshadows give both a good wash of color on the eye and a play of light with the reflecting shimmers. Bonus: they're an impactful eye look with just one shimmer or glitter eyeshadow.
Soft Matte (Not Flat) Skin
Taylor Marie Hill poses backstage at the Ferrari Fashion Show during the Milan Fashion Week with soft matte skin.
While dewy, radiant finishes seem to be reining supreme, a niche type of matte hasn't thrown in the towel yet. Kodra says a light hand—and some intentional oil—is the key to a natural and not cake-y looking matte finish. "While I set celebrity clients with loose powder for long wear, everyday beauty calls for a more flexible solution," he explains. Choose a blurring stick or oil blotter for daily touch-ups and skip the powder altogether.
Cherry Coated Lips
Alexis is wearing Petal bouche Cerise Désir here, an example of cherry coated lips.
While earthier tones like brown or burgundy might logically appear during the fall, they can surprisingly work very well during the springtime too. “I've recently been into brown as a fresh alternative to black—from bold liner looks to softer smokey eyes," says Serrat. You can even play in the burgundy family if you feel more adventurous.
Why Trust Marie Claire
Jamie Wilson is a beauty editor and writer with nearly a decade of experience in the beauty industry. She has words in Harper's Bazaar, Glamour, Marie Claire, and more, focusing on print and digital features, trend stories, and shopping roundups. She spoke with four makeup to compile this list of spring makeup trends.
Marie Claire is also a leading beauty expert, having produced content about various makeup trends and popular techniques. We're constantly scanning and reviewing new makeup launches and keeping a pulse on what's trending.
Meet the Experts
From a young age, Violette cultivated a deep connection to art. An aspiring painter, Violette spent her formative days learning to paint at the Louvre mastering techniques exhibited during the Italian Renaissance and Neoclassical eras. Very quickly, Violette learned the true intimacy between art and emotions, carrying this discovery with her as she embarked on a career as a distinguished makeup artist.
Throughout her illustrious career that spans over 2 decades, with an expansive portfolio, which includes collaborations with Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, W Magazine, T Magazine, Dazed, and Teen Vogue, showcases her ability to not only conjure up painterly beauty looks but to contribute her distinct creative direction as well. In 2012, she was appointed as the International Makeup Designer of Dior Beauty where she became the youngest makeup designer in the brand’s history. Soon after, in 2014, Violette was invited to consult for Sephora on product development where she lent her artist expertise, and later held the role of Global Beauty Director of Estée Lauder in 2017 at the age of 33, making her the youngest person to hold the significant role within the company’s 75-year history. She also serves as the Creative Director of Makeup at Iconic, luxury brand, Guerlain.
Kelly Zhang was born in a small town in Henan, China, and moved to Los Angeles with her family when she was 12.
Makeup became her way of connecting with people. It wasn't just about looking good—it was a way for her to express herself and help others do the same. As she learned more about makeup, she realized it could change not only how people looked but also how they felt about themselves. It gave her confidence and helped her find her voice.
She was later inspired me to start Kelly Zhang Agency. "I wanted it to be more than just a beauty —a place where talented artists could share their work, connect with others, and grow. Our mission is to help emerging artists gain the visibility and opportunities they deserve."
Emily hails from the diverse metro Detroit area, where the foundation of her artistry was created. She credits her makeup knowledge to a combination of her time at Sephora and the many friends that volunteered their faces and still often do. Emily believes that MUAs should be artists first and able to service all skin tones. With the combination of her refined eye and drive, she’s quickly becoming the go to celebrity makeup artist in Nashville and beyond.
Kevin Kodra is a Toronto-based makeup artist and content creator with a combined social following of +800K, known for pushing boundaries and redefining glamour in his own way. As the NUDESTIX Global Makeup Artist Digital Educator, Kevin educates and inspires the global. NUDESTIX community; inclusive of customers, artistry teams and audiences across all social platforms by sharing his easy nude artistry techniques and elevated pro-tips.
