The Greatest Makeup Inspiration From Spring 2024 Fashion Week

Bright lights, flashing cameras, and lots of action can all be found backstage at fashion week — but at the spring 2024 shows, it was the colorful pigments on makeup artists’ brushes that had Allure’s undivided attention. Two-toned lips, cheekbones radiating with blush, and neon eyeliner couldn’t go unnoticed.

Stepping away from the expected — like black ink framing the eyes and a delicate flush on cheeks — makeup artists showed us inspiring ways to play with color. And it turns out, swapping red (or yellow or pink) for your typical neutral shade looks less shocking than you might imagine, and swiping on two complementary lipsticks is so much more fun than wearing only one. All of our favorite makeup looks this season are refreshingly wearable — and certainly not just reserved for the runway.

You’ll want to start stocking up on vibrant blush, eyeshadow, and eyeliner now. Here, the prettiest makeup inspiration for spring 2024.


Try two-toned lips in softer colors.

<h1 class="title">Ulla Johnson - Runway - New York Fashion Week - September 2023</h1><cite class="credit">John Lamparski/Getty Images</cite>

Ulla Johnson - Runway - New York Fashion Week - September 2023

John Lamparski/Getty Images

Two-toned lips met quiet luxury at Ulla Johnson’s spring 2024 show. Lead makeup artist Romy Soleimani switched up the typically over-the-top look (usually in combinations like magenta and lilac or green and blue) to something fit for every day: “I played with the colors from the collection. I love that kind of almost acidy, pale peach mixed with the earthy terracotta. It reminds me of a sunset or a sunrise,” she told Allure. After prepping with lip liner, she swiped Sisley Paris Phyto-Rouge Lipstick in Beige Tahiti on the top lip and Phyto-Rouge Lipstick in Orange Ibiza on the bottom. Avoid pressing your lips together to maintain the contrast.

Set aside your black liner for something more colorful.

<h1 class="title">Helmut Lang - Runway - New York Fashion Week - September 2023: The Shows</h1><cite class="credit">Cindy Ord/Getty Images</cite>

Helmut Lang - Runway - New York Fashion Week - September 2023: The Shows

Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Winged eyeliner is even more striking when it’s drawn on in colors like red, yellow, fuchsia, and white. Makeup artist Daniel Sallstrom reached for MAC Acrylic Paints (there is every color in the rainbow to choose from) and drew “very straight” lines jetting out from the corners of the eyes. Sallstrom kept the rest of the makeup fresh and clean to allow the eyes to do all the talking.

Extend your blush beyond your cheeks.

<h1 class="title">Kim Shui - Runway - New York Fashion Week - September 2023: The Shows</h1><cite class="credit">Noam Galai/Getty Images</cite>

Kim Shui - Runway - New York Fashion Week - September 2023: The Shows

Noam Galai/Getty Images

"The poetry, power, and strength of femininity” is what inspired makeup artist Romero Jennings to create the monochromatic pink makeup look at the Kim Shui spring show. And how exactly do you make pink makeup feel powerful? Apply it with bold strokes — and way past the apples of your cheeks. Jennings blended MAC Extra Dimension Blush in Rosy Cheeks, a hot pink powder, along the cheekbones and around the eyes in a C shape for dramatic effect.

Apply eyeshadow asymmetrically.

<h1 class="title">Phillip Lim - Runway - Spring/Summer 2024 New York Fashion Week</h1><cite class="credit">Victor VIRGILE/Getty Images</cite>

Phillip Lim - Runway - Spring/Summer 2024 New York Fashion Week

Victor VIRGILE/Getty Images

Makeup artist Diane Kendal showed the world just how surprisingly effortless it can be to wear periwinkle blue eyeshadow at the 3.1 Phillip Lim show. Rather than meticulously blending pigments to perfection, follow her lead: In just two strokes — one carefree swipe of the brush on each lid — you have a complete look and all eyes will be on you. Adding a few coats of mascara on lashes can make this painterly style appear a bit more done, though it’s not required.

Brighten up a cut crease in pastel pigments.

<h1 class="title">Versace - Runway - Spring/Summer 2024 Milan Fashion Week</h1><cite class="credit">Victor VIRGILE/Getty Images</cite>

Versace - Runway - Spring/Summer 2024 Milan Fashion Week

Victor VIRGILE/Getty Images

A striking flick of pigment isn't reserved solely for your lash line. At Versace's show, makeup artist Pat McGrath put her own spin on the “graphically defined cut creases of the 60s,” reimagining the look in vivid pastels. McGrath reached for a “custom mix” of shades like pistachio green, baby blue, and pink. To complete the look, lashes were coated in Pat McGrath Labs FetishEyes Mascara for a spidery finish.

Prefer something slightly more subtle? Consider a two-toned wink of color along your lower lash line, as seen at Vivetta.

<h1 class="title">Vivetta - Backstage - Milan Fashion Week - Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024</h1><cite class="credit">Saverio Marfia/Getty Images</cite>

Vivetta - Backstage - Milan Fashion Week - Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024

Saverio Marfia/Getty Images

And when you want to make a statement, combine the best of both for an eye-catching look.  Makeup artist Hiromi Ueda did exactly that at Giorgio Armani's spring show.

<h1 class="title">Photo: Filippo Fortis / Gorunway.com</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Filippo Fortis / Gorunway.com</cite>

Photo: Filippo Fortis / Gorunway.com

Photo: Filippo Fortis / Gorunway.com

Go green with your lipstick.

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Burberry Spring 2024 Ready To Wear - Backstage

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Getty Images

At a glance, you might mistake this for a swipe of black lipstick — but as models caught the light walking Burberry's green carpet, their lips gleamed in a matching dark emerald. Adding a layer of gloss atop the vampy hue keeps it from looking stark.


Discover more makeup inspiration.


Now watch Lucy Hale's beauty routine.

Originally Appeared on Allure