From glass doll skin to eye-catching colour: Makeup artists on the buzziest looks of 2024 to date

In 2024, it seems there's a beauty trend for everyone, whether you handle a brush with a more conservative hand or live for experimenting with out-of-this-world looks. To zero in on the looks to watch, we reached out to five industry pros across Canada to hear what they'd say are the buzziest makeup trends of the year so far and what we can expect to flood our social feeds in the coming months. 

Glass doll skin

"Korean glass skin" has been trending for years now, but iconic makeup artist Pat McGrath singlehandedly broke the internet with her rendition of the look for the Maison Margiela Spring 2024 Couture show earlier this year. Needless to say, it's one of the most buzzed about — if not the biggest — beauty trend for 2024. 

The pros are as delighted as the masses. "This is very exciting for makeup artists all around the world," said Montreal-based makeup artist Juliette Dugas of the look. Coquitlam, B.C., makeup and hair artist Jaissa-Rae said the technique McGrath used to achieve the look (mixing various peel-off face masks with distilled water and applying the liquid with an airbrush) is absolutely captivating and that it's one of the trends she's most excited about. (Tutorials abound now.)

As with any trend, slight tweaks will be a given. "I'm sure we're going to continue to see different variations of the Margiela glass skin," said Toronto makeup and hair artist Ms. Myles, who has recreated the look herself. She anticipates artists mixing in shimmery pigments to bring the "already glass-like skin to life with iridescence."

Natural skin 

When it comes to everyday makeup, expect to see an emphasis on natural skin after years of "heavy face beats," said Toronto makeup artist Kim Creton. "Consumers are now looking for effortless and healthy-looking skin," she said. And brands are delivering, incorporating skin-loving ingredients into product formulations. Want to try it out for yourself? Swap out your foundation for a tinted moisturizer, or try adding some dewy glow drops into your makeup look. 

Making contact

An unexpected star in the makeup space? Coloured contact lenses. No longer relegated to cosplay and Halloween costumes, vibrant lenses are taking over the editorial space to enhance elaborate eye looks, said Ms. Myles. She credits makeup artist Raisa Flowers as someone who has definitely impacted the trend. 

Makeup artists Dee Carrion and Ernesto Casillas have also incorporated them into beauty looks for celebs Doechii and Doja Cat, respectively. The tour looks "were so unbelievably cool," said Ms. Myles, that they ended up all over Pinterest and have reintroduced contacts as a part of makeup looks. 

A hint of sun

A sunkissed touch without the harmful UV damage is yours thanks to "sunburned" makeup looks. While this trend made waves a few summers ago, Toronto- and Montreal-based makeup and hair artist Paola Manigat anticipates its return this year. "It is the perfect way to have fun with your makeup and add texture and depth to your looks," she said. 

The look is created with low-opacity blushes and speckled with faux freckles. An added bonus? "If you are struggling with breakouts or uneven skin tone, this look is perfect to help you distract from it and hopefully feel much more comfortable in your skin." 

Hits of colour 

Keep an eye out for bright pops of colour. After vibrant hues took a backseat for some time while natural makeup took the spotlight, Dugas is excited to see looks with more distinctive, colourful accents this year. 

Manigat also predicts more people will begin adding bright notes into their looks, like opting for a lavender or green eyeliner in place of traditional blacks and browns. "It's all about keeping the rest of your makeup natural and fresh and adding some unexpected accents of colour."

Ms. Myles is noticing people going for brighter options, too, which she sees as a response to the virality of brown mascara on social media. "I just see coloured mascara being the next step for people who are not willing to put contacts in their eyes or people who just want to switch up their routine," she said. 

Next-level lip liner

Lined lips, strategically diffused and topped with clear gloss boomed last year after hip-hop star JT showed up to Paris Fashion Week in a combo created by makeup artist Sophia Sinot. Ms. Myles believes the style signalled a shift into more lip-focused beauty looks, which we'll continue to see. These days, she says, people are dipping back into fun, colourful liners in cherry and plum shades, finishing it off with a clear gloss and heading out the door.

Nostalgic '90s

Don't put those shimmery shadows and brown lipsticks away just yet, because the '90s-inspired beauty trend isn't going anywhere, said Jaissa-Rae. She expects more nostalgic '90s makeup styles to dominate in the coming months. Think iconic supermodel looks like the ones created by the late Kevyn Aucoin, "emphasizing natural features to exude confidence and glamour," she said.

Creton also believes '90s makeup is here to stay. "Glazed, formally known as frosted, lipsticks are making a fierce comeback," said Creton, especially paired with a darker taupe  or brown lip liner. And for the eyes, she anticipates more cool-toned eyeshadow looks: washes of muted greys, blues, browns and mauves.