BOLD is back

Despite moves towards more natural make-up in recent years, our experts predict that bold looks will be back as the industry enters its “mob wife” era and elevates old trends for 2024. Lollie Hancockreveals the looks your clients will be dying to try

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All that glistens

Glowy skin is being taken to new levels this spring/ summer – a result of the influence of legendary MUA Pat McGrath’s incredible porcelain doll-inspired look at Maison Margiela’s 2024 Artisanal Collection show.

“A key trend from SS24 runways gives us a gorgeous glow meeting iconic eyes and pops of pastels and colour vibrancy,” explains make-up artist James Mac.

“Airbrushes have always been a staple in the industry and make-up artists will be running for their guns this season, backstage and in their creative spaces, to conquer the art of airbrushing in 2024.”

For those new to working with an airbrush, Mac recommends that “it’s always good to buddy up with someone who has experience and can help guide you and avoid the mistakes”.

He adds, “The task itself is manageable, but the real skill is troubleshooting – knowing control of strength and distance from face for an even application, and how to avoid clogging and knowing how to unclog and clean and airbrush to get back to business.

“The best starting point if using it by yourself is to apply from a distance with gentle pressure, familiarise yourself with the amount of application you’re using. Then, you can vary your control and application depending how much you want to airbrush on the desired area.”

Just peachy 

Pink is out and peach is in as make-up moves away from rosy tones in favour of soft peach hues. Huda Beauty launched its pink vs peach campaign to mark the launch of its new Peach Pie powder, and the shade is trending beyond just make-up, as Pantone named “peach fuzz” its official colour of the year for 2024.

Make-up artist and social media star Belle Hassan is predicting that “this year, peach tones are going to be everywhere, with a lot of brands starting to release more peach blushes and powders”.

The shade can be used in more ways than one, whether you add a pop of peach to the eye or create the perfect peachy pout for your clients, but one of the most popular ways we’re predicting this trend to be used is under the eyes.

“To achieve a beautiful peach look on clients, I would recommend using a peach colour corrector before you apply a brightening concealer to the under-eyes, and then apply a peach-toned loose powder to set,” explains Hassan. “You can also add a pop of peach blush to the high points of the cheeks and centre of the lips to tie the look in together.”

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Mob wife era

Move over clean girl, mobe wife is here as clients embrace the concept that sometimes more is more and get creative with smoky eyes and bold lips to channel their inner Big Ang.

The best place to start is with a strong smoky eye, with award-winning MUA and educator Aarti Pal explaining that “mastering the art of the smoky eye is essential”. She adds, “Begin by applying a neutral transition shade to the crease to create depth, then layer darker shades along the lash line and outer corner, blending for a sultry, gradient effect. To elevate the look, add a touch of metallic shadow.”

She says, “Solid and block eye make-up in vivid hues like red, blue and green will be making waves, allowing you to inject drama. To achieve this look, start by applying an eyeshadow primer to create a smooth base. Then, using a densely packed eyeshadow brush, carefully pat the vibrant pigment onto the eyelids, gradually building up the intensity.”

Don’t be afraid to try different methods, as Pal reminds us that “With bold eye make-up, experimentation is key.

“Explore different techniques such as tightlining, where eyeliner is applied to the upper waterline, to intensify the lash line and create the illusion of fuller lashes. Experiment with unique liner shapes and placements too.”

When it comes to lips, Pal says, “Opt for deep berry hues paired with a dark lip liner for added definition and longevity. Start by lining the lips with a lip liner in a shade matching your lipstick, then fill in the lips with a creamy lipstick formula for a bold, long-lasting pout.”

Cream dream

The popularity of cream products is showing no signs of slowing down, according to celebrity make-up artist, and head artist for 19/99 Beauty, Simone Otis.

“People have become a lot more comfortable with highly pigmented products. In the past, something that looked very bright could be a bit scary for most people as they assumed the product would look like that when applied. Sometimes that’s true and it is required for a particular effect, but more often we want something that gives the right amount of colour payoff but can be adjusted or blended perfectly for your favourite look .

“Make-up in a cream formula is super-versatile and easy to use. You can use your fingers or a brush to apply, and blend to get a subtle sheer look or build for more impact, you can blend shades together to get your colour and it is usually a quick application.

“Another benefit of using a cream product is that the texture allows the skin to shine through, making it easy to blend, get a natural look or make that very bold colour blend seamlessly. People are looking for more effective ways to easily get the make-up look that works perfectly for them and cream products are an excellent way to do that.”

When it comes to adapting your kit for different clients and ages, cream products are a universal option. “Cream lip products are a classic go-to texture, and they can also be applied by dabbing on with your fingertips or with a brush or pencil for a crisp and precise look,” adds Otis.