As we embrace the fresh energy of March 2025, the beauty world is blooming with innovative trends that celebrate natural radiance and creative expression. From dewy complexions to playful colours, here’s your comprehensive guide to this season’s most coveted makeup looks.
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The Return to Radiant Skin
Gone are the days of heavy, matte foundations. This spring, it’s all about achieving that coveted “your skin but better” glow. The Saie Slip Tint has become a cult favorite for its hydrating formula and natural finish – apply with fingertips in thin layers, pressing into skin rather than rubbing for the most skin-like finish. For something with slightly more coverage, the new ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 offers skincare benefits while evening out your complexion. Pro tip: Shake well before use and warm the product between your hands first. Prep skin with Summer Fridays Cloud Dew moisturiser, allowing it to fully absorb for 2-3 minutes before applying makeup.
Pastel Eyeshadow
Spring’s colour palette is drawing inspiration from a watercolour garden. The Rare Beauty Discovery Eyeshadow Palette in “Spring Awakening” perfectly captures this trend – use a fluffy brush to build colour gradually, starting from the outer corner and blending inward. For the Pat McGrath Divine Pastel Dreams palette, try applying the shimmers with a slightly damp brush for intense pigmentation. The key to making pastels pop is using an eye primer first – the Anastasia Beverly Hills Eye Primer creates the perfect canvas.
The Glass Lip Revolution
Matte lipsticks are taking a backseat to hydrating lip oils and glosses. The focus is on creating plump, healthy-looking lips with products that nourish while they enhance. Merit’s Shade Slick Oil has become a makeup artist favorite – apply in the center of the lips and press together for the most natural distribution. For the Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil, try the “sandwich” method: apply one layer, blot, then add a second layer for longer-lasting shine. When using Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheat, follow your natural lip line first, then slightly overline only at the cupid’s bow and center of the bottom lip for the most natural enhancement.
Watercolour Blush Technique
This season’s blush application is all about creating a diffused, natural-looking flush. The trend extends beyond just the cheeks – a soft wash of colour across the nose bridge creates that “just came in from the cold” effect. Cream and liquid formulas are ideal for achieving this watercolour-like finish.
Star Products
- Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush “Happy” ($23): Start with ONE tiny dot.
- Milk Makeup Cooling Water Stick Blush ($28): Apply directly to cheeks then blend with fingers.
- Rose Inc Blush Divine “Foxglove” ($30): Use stippling motion with dual-fibre brush.
- Merit Flush Balm ($28): Warm product on back of hand first.
Application Secret: For the watercolour effect, apply product to back of hand first, pick up with damp beauty sponge, then press and roll onto cheeks. Build colour gradually, starting further back on cheeks and blending forward.
Metallic Moments
While the overall aesthetic leans natural, strategic placement of metallic accents adds dimension and intrigue to any look. Shimmery inner corner highlights and foiled lid effects create an ethereal glow that catches the light beautifully. This trend works especially well paired with the season’s pastel palette.
Star Products
- Hourglass Scattered Light “Reflect” ($29): Apply with finger for maximum impact.
- Stila Glitter & Glow “Kitten Karma” ($24): Use doe-foot applicator directly.
- Victoria Beckham Lid Lustre “Moonlight” ($36): Apply with dampened synthetic brush.
- Danessa Myricks Infinite Chrome Flakes ($25): Pat on with finger, never swipe.
Application Technique: For inner corners, use a small precise brush, slightly dampened. For all-over lid sparkle, pat on with finger in layers, allowing each layer to set for 30 seconds.
Coloured Mascara
Traditional black mascara is getting colourful company. Blue, burgundy, and brown mascaras are emerging as unexpected ways to enhance your eye colour and add subtle intrigue to your look. These coloured mascaras work particularly well with the season’s softer colour palette.
Star Products
- Byredo Astronomical Mascara “Blue” ($46): Apply from root to tip, wiggling upward.
- Glossier Skip-To “Jam” ($26): Layer over brown mascara for depth.
- YSL Lash Clash “Ocean Blue” ($29): Use white primer first for vibrant colour.
- Half Magic Chromaddiction “Electric Iris” ($20): Apply as accent on lash tips.
Application Tips: Start with curled lashes and white primer. Apply coloured mascara from roots, wiggling upward. For extra pop, use black mascara on upper lashes, coloured on lower lashes.
Soft, Feathered Brows
Forget rigid, carved-out brows. This season celebrates soft, feathered brows achieved with tinted gels and subtle filling techniques. The goal is to create naturally full-looking brows that frame the face without overpowering it.
Star Products
- Kosas Air Brow ($24): Brush against growth first, then in direction of hair.
- Benefit Fluff Up Brow Wax ($25): Use light upward strokes.
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Pen ($22): Create hair-like strokes in sparse areas.
- Patrick Ta Brow Lamination Gel ($26): Perfect for soap brow effect.
Application Method: Start by brushing brows up with clear gel, let set. Fill in gaps with pen using light, upward strokes. Finish with tinted gel, focusing on lifting the outer edges.
Read more about makeup: 18 Natural Makeup Ideas for Dark Skin
Underpainting
Underpainting (which is applying contour and blush before foundation) is gaining traction among beauty enthusiasts. This method creates an incredibly natural, lived-in look that appears to come from within rather than sitting on top of the skin.
Star Products
- Merit Bronze Balm ($30): Apply in ‘3’ shape before foundation.
- Rose Inc Divine Cream Blush ($30): Blend edges with damp sponge.
- Kjaer Weis Invisible Touch Foundation ($48): Pat over cream products.
- Makeup By Mario SoftSculpt ($30): Perfect for subtle contour under foundation.
Application Steps: Apply cream contour and blush directly to clean, moisturised skin. Blend thoroughly with fingers or sponge. Let sit for 1 minute, then apply foundation with bouncing motions using a damp sponge.
Embracing Natural Beauty
There’s a growing movement toward celebrating natural skin texture. Sheer coverage that allows freckles to peek through – whether natural or faux – is becoming increasingly popular. This trend represents a broader shift toward authentic beauty expressions.
Star products
- Freck Beauty Original Freckle Pen ($22): Dot randomly, pat immediately.
- Summer Fridays Skin Tint ($42): Apply with fingers in thin layers.
- Tower 28 SunnyDays Foundation ($32): Use damp sponge for sheer coverage.
- Glossier Stretch Concealer ($20): Pat only where needed.
Application Tips: Apply sheer base first. For natural-looking freckles, use different pressure for varied sizes, and pat immediately with finger to soften. Layer gradually – you can always add more.
Read more about makeup: How to Get Your Makeup to Last All Day
Lining Inner Corners
Eyeliner is becoming a playground for creativity. From pastel wings to metallic accents, graphic liner looks are being reimagined in softer colour palettes that feel fresh and wearable for spring.
Star Products
- About-Face Matte Fluid Eye Paint ($16): Use tiny brush for precise application
- Fenty Beauty Pastel Liner Collection ($24 each): Apply in layers for opacity
- Urban Decay 24/7 “Space Dust” ($23): Warm up product on back of hand first
- Danessa Myricks Colorfix ($18): Mix shades for custom colors
Application Method: Prime inner corner area first. Use a small, precise brush to place colour, then pat edges with finger to soften. Layer shimmer on top of matte colours for dimension.
Cream Bronzer
The shift toward dewy, natural-looking makeup has led to a preference for cream-based products, particularly in bronzers. These formulations blend seamlessly into the skin, creating natural warmth and dimension that looks incredibly lifelike.
Star Products
- Chanel Les Beiges Bronzing Cream ($50): Warm product between fingers first.
- Westman Atelier Face Trace ($48): Use stick directly, then blend with brush
- Rose Inc Solar Infusion ($36): Stipple with dense brush.
- Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer ($30): Swipe directly on skin, blend with sponge.
Application Tips: Apply in a ‘3’ shape along the face perimeter. Use stippling motions with a dense brush, building color gradually. Pro secret: Mix with one drop of liquid highlighter for a sun-kissed glow.
Read more about makeup products: Best Colour Correcting Products for Black Women
Glass Skin Effect with Highlighter
The glass skin trend continues to evolve with liquid highlighters taking centre stage. The goal is to create a wet-looking glow that appears as if it’s emanating from within the skin rather than sitting on top of it.
Star Products
- Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter ($46): Mix with foundation or apply under
- Saie Glowy Super Gel ($28): Pat onto high points with fingertips
- Rare Beauty Positive Light Luminizer ($25): Layer over powder for intense glow
- LYS Beauty Triple Fix Serum ($22): Perfect for a subtle all-over radiance
Application Technique: Layer liquid highlighter under foundation for subtle glow, or pat on top of foundation (before powder) for more impact. Use fingertips for the most natural blend.
Pro Tips for Achieving These Looks
- Begin by doing your skincare routine. Healthy skin will give you better results.
- Layer your hydrating products for the best dewy base.
- Invest in quality brushes for seamless blending.
- Don’t be afraid to mix products to create custom shades.
- Remember that less is more – build up products gradually.
- Use setting sprays to marry all your cream products together.
Spring 2025’s makeup trends celebrate individuality while encouraging playful experimentation. Whether you’re drawn to the natural skin movement or eager to try bold graphic liners, there’s something for everyone in this season’s trend forecast.
