After a brutal winter and months of minimal makeup, we’re ready for spring makeup looks to come back in full force. Sure, some of us have embraced our bare skin over the past two years, but we’re ready to have some fun again and dip into our ever-growing stash of eye shadow palettes and lipsticks.
And from the looks of Instagram, we’re not alone. Our feeds are full of color, shimmer, and a much-needed dose of fun when it comes to makeup. The only rule seems to be that there are none—it’s all about what makes you feel good. But if you need a starting point, we’ve got plenty of makeup ideas to get you started.
We rounded up the coolest spring makeup looks to try right now, from batwing liner to high blush. Scroll on for all the makeup ideas we’ve been adding to our saved folders.
Blue Liner
A navy liner is the perfect choice for a hint of color that feels totally wearable. Use Chanel’s Stylo Yeux Waterproof in Fervent Blue all around your eyes for max drama, or try just a smudge on your upper waterline for a touch of blue.
Photo: Instagram.com/fridacashflow
Shimmer Sprinkle
Yes, there is a subtle way to do shimmer. Tap an iridescent shadow like Urban Decay’s 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow on with your finger so you’re left with just a sprinkling of gleam. Add a touch of gloss and some blush, and you’re good to go.
Photo: Instagram.com/shaynagold
Sunset Eyes
The sun may be setting later, but you can still channel the most magical time of day with your makeup. Swipe a bright orange like Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeshadow in Wild One across your lids and under your lower lash line. Add a swipe of black liner and some generous mascara to make your eyes pop.
Photo: Instagram.com/ash_kholm
Cloud Skin
Cloud skin is the prettiest new glowy-skin trend for spring. While glass skin is all about an insane shine, cloud skin has a soft-focus, hazy, and lit-from-within look. Think about the sun shining through a band of clouds—that’s what we’re going for here. Dimension is key and can be achieved by strategically mixing skin care and makeup to get an ethereal, cherubic glow, instead of a blinding, wet-looking gleam. Into it? Check out our guide about how to get cloud skin.
Photo: Instagram.com/lauraharrier
Smudgy Black Eyeliner
Remember that eyeliner look you were obsessed with in high school? (You know the one.) Yeah, it’s back, and it’s smudgier than ever. For the easiest possible eye makeup, grab your pencil, and line both your upper and lower waterlines. Blink aggressively for that lived-in effect, and then pack on the mascara. Done.
Photo: Instagram.com/emilyalind
Pretty in Pink
Pink makeup looks gorgeous year-round, but it just feels right for springtime. Take a hot pink shadow through your crease instead of your lids for a more unexpected way to wear the shade.
Photo: Instagram.com/carolagmakeup
Batwing liner
Most current beauty trends are firmly rooted in ’90s and early ’2000s nostalgia. However, ’60s-inspired double winged eyeliner, A.K.A. batwing liner, is a nice break from the early-aughts mania. The trend is a personal favorite of celebrity makeup artist Lily Keys, who is behind some of Charli XCX’s recent interpretations of the trend. “It’s a take on the retro ’60s Twiggy eye,” she says. “It opens your eyes and makes them appear bigger and more feminine, almost doll-like. You need a steady hand and some practice, but anyone can do it.”
Photo: Instagram.com/carlyy.fisher
Two-Tone Liner
You don’t have to pick one color when it comes to liner. In fact, two or more shades are twice as nice. Keep the lines sharp for a more graphic look, or blur the colors into each other for a watercolor effect.
Photo: Instagram.com/shaynagold
Hyper Blush
To amp up the drama, take a hot pink blush high on your cheekbones and onto your eyelids (try Patrick Ta’s in She’s a Doll) and hit the town.
Photo: Instagram.com/patrickta
Mint Moment
A pop of mint shadow and a thick winged liner feels cool yet a little retro, while glowing skin plants it firmly in 2022.
Photo: Instagram.com/kingmalimagic
Fresh Red
Lipstick always feels fresh, but one of the coolest ways to wear a red lip right now is with barely any other makeup. Wet hair and a white tank ups the ease factor and is perfect for the warm weather ahead.
Photo: Instagram.com/alexachung
Bronze Smudge
Have you recently gone over to the copper side like Sophie Turner? Play off the warmth in your hair with a subtle smudge of bronzy-plum liner (we love Victoria Beckham Beauty’s in Cocoa).
Photo: Instagram.com/naokoscintu
Lime Green Pop
A pretty wash of bright green shadow—try Colourpop’s Color Stix in Isla Vista—is the perfect update to your daily liner and gloss combo.
Photo: Instagram.com/solangeknowles
Flushed Lips
Pink lipstick is so pretty when it’s blurred out for that elusive I-just-ate-a-Popsicle stain (fake it with a coat of Glossier’s Generation G lipstick). Paired with glowing skin and fluffy brows, it’s a no-fail look for spring and beyond.
Photo: Instagram.com/gracemargaretha
Baby Blue Eyes
Retro-blue eye shadow is having a moment, and we’re 100% for it. Stick with a wash of one shade across your lids for an easy vibe, or gradate a few, the way makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes did, for more dimension.
Photo: Instagram.com/katiejanehughes
Pastel Lids
Pastels for spring aren’t the most groundbreaking, sure, but there’s a reason we keep coming back to them: They’re so damn pretty. Paired with minimal makeup everywhere else, a smudge of yellow or blue feels unexpected. Try applying Nyx Professional Makeup Vivid Brights Crème Color with your fingers for a similar vibe.
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty.
Euphoria Eyes
Yes, Euphoria is still inspiring our makeup routines. While season two was packed with incredible looks, the cloud liner Jules wears in both the first season and the bridge episodes is perfect for spring. If you’re not confident in your liner skills, go for these stickers that the show’s makeup artist, Donni Davy, created to emulate the look.
Gregory Scaffidi/Imaxtree
Originally published in Glamour.com
