Ahead, all the leading spring beauty trends to know, according to the pros—plus, how to achieve them yourself.
Pastel Colors
Pastels for spring? Groundbreaking. “While always a seasonal favorite, this year, warm pastels are in queue to be the number one standout on faces,” Chanel makeup artist and groomer Tasha Reiko Brown says. “Warm pastels in dewy textures will take center stage, while chalky or milky tones will be passed over in favor of hues like peach, apricot, and coral. The perfect way to achieve this dewy look is to apply your eye shadow or blush in a single, diffused swipe over the eyelids and onto the apples of the cheeks.” Keep Ilia’s Eye Stylus shadow stick on hand for this, in a hue like Nectar that’s a summery peach. Play up the color on the lips and cheeks, too; or, give the nails a flowering touch with Chanel’s polish available in a host of lively pastels.
Red Light District
Red light therapy is by no means new technology, but in 2025 the space continues innovate—with LED interest surging. For those not in the know, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose previously explained that “red light has been shown to reduce inflammation in the skin and to stimulate fibroblasts to produce collagen, which can reduce and prevent wrinkles and can improve skin texture.” Other light wavelengths like blue and near-infrared offer other benefits from blemish control to reducing inflammation. This spring, take your pick from a handful of red light therapy devices available. Standouts on the market include Omnilux’s bestselling mask, which has earned the approval of board-certified nurse practitioner Dr. Catie Boucher, DCNP, FNP-C. “Aside from its 40 published clinical studies and FDA-approval, it fits seamlessly into my life,” she says. Or, opt for Currentbody’s neck and décolletage mask or hair growth helmet (read our full review of the latter, here).
Powder 2.0
Cheek color has often been a toss up between glow or matte. Cakey matte has dominated recent years, but this spring we’re embracing the best of both worlds. “The heavy matte moment is phasing out as we lean into a more fresh approachable skin moment,” Jaikaran says. “The goal is always fresh, hydrated, and healthy skin—whether that’s through skincare or lightweight complexion products, the goal can be realized either way.” To achieve this glowy base with a blurred finish, reach for new age powders atop a creamier makeup base. Minimal finely-milled setting powders along the undereye and T-zone, or well-pigmented Saie powder blushes can achieve a soft-focus without compromising radiance.
Return of the Sculpt
We’re sensing renewed interest in facial sculpting and depuffing; dare we say, trending upwards to the NuFace heyday? This spring, everyone’s putting their best foot forward to alleviate puffiness via a host of face massagers. Board-certified physician assistant Paula Brezavscek, PA-C is partial to Beautology Labs Cryo Toning Tools for lymphatic drainage, depuffing, and skin tightening. “These cryotherapy wands work wonders to calm inflammation, reduce fluid retention, and give your face a lifted, sculpted look,” she says. “Store them in the fridge for an instant cooling effect anytime your skin needs a refresh.” Our team, on the other hand, has a penchant for Therabody’s TheraFace wand which treats skin with cold or heat therapy.
Smudged Out Liners
“The softness of spring colors pairs perfectly with a soft-focus eye,” Brown says. “Smudged out brown and copper eyeliners compliment warm, pastel cheeks and lips, as they add strong impact while being softer in dimension.” Opt for a creamy eye pencil, like the Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Brun Agapé or Espresso or Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Satin Kajal Liner in Cinnamon, applied close to the lash line. “Then, with your ring finger or a small brush, subtly drag out the liner with a flick into a small wing. The point is to not be precise, as the result should be imperfect with soft-focus smudges. Finally, repeat this process on the bottom lash line for added, easy drama.”
Lip Tints
“Softer shades in softer textures are big for the warmth of spring,” says Brown. “Lip tints provide color in soft sheer washes so that the lips have a transparent flush of color.” Embrace a more laidback approach to dressing the lips with these moisturizing, precision-free salves in peach, apricot, or coral shades, per Brown. A lip stain is an editor-favorite, like Benefit Cosmetic’s Benetint which subtly colors the lips for several hours of wear. Or enhance your pout with Chanel’s Rouge Coco Baume for more sheer color. “Really rub the lipstick into your skin to create a soft, long-lasting lip tint.”
Watercolor Blush
The blush trend of spring 2025? Watercolor flushes. “Diffused blush should mimic your natural flush, which tends to focus on the apples of the cheeks with soft edges all around,” says Brown. “The best way to achieve this look is with a high blendable, dewy cream blush, like the N°1 de Chanel Lip and Cheek Balm in Vibrant Coral or Wake-up Pink or the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Blush in Light Peach or Warm Pink. Begin by buffing the product onto the apples of the cheeks backwards along the cheekbone. Then, use any product remaining on your on fingertips to tap the color onto the bridge of nose and chin for a soft color balance.” Or, you could use a good powder brush to achieve that diffused finish. “Choose a loosely packed, fluffy blush brush and work in a soft buffing motion for easy diffusion. Be sure to tap the tops of the cheekbones with a transparent balm to provide an extra glow onto the cheeks,” says Brown.
Full Body Care
Body-care as a larger beauty category rose to popularity in 2023, and we anticipate the interest to continue through spring. “We’re going to be paying more attention to our arms, our legs, stomach, neck, hands, wanting to deliver the same level of care to these areas as we are the face,” says Dr. Shirazi, highlighting ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, peptides, and ceramides as essentials to find in your choice of body-care products. “Body masks and sprays are another way to rejuvenate and smooth the skin enhancing its the health and appearance.” U Beauty’s Resurfacing Compound is a great example of this—packed with peptides, exfoliating acids, and retinol to make way for softer, smoother skin. Follow this with a glistening body oil like Costa Brazil’s Kaya, rich in vitamins A and E, plus omegas 3, 6 and 9 to provide equal parts protection and radiance.
Bio-Tech Ingredients
Board-certified dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi, MD, is predicting a surge of bio-tech ingredients such as exosomes, synbiotic skincare, peptides coming to the forefront of the skin-care conversation as formulations become more wildly available to consumers—allowing offerings once relegated to clinics and dermatologist offices into the regimens of the masses, as a form of upkeep or newfound skin repair. Of the ingredients to be on the lookout for, Dr. Shirazi provides a brief explanation of their efficacy. “Exosomes are the avatars of stem cells,” she says. “The skin’s microbiome is gaining more and more respect as it plays such a crucial role in our skin’s health and well-being. Synbiotic skincare uses prebiotics to feed the nutrients to the good bacteria on your skin, making them grow and thrive.”
Monotone Lids
From twinkling shimmers to mattified washes, we’re seeing the single shadows take over for spring. Perfect for accentuating the eyes with minimal effort but maximum payoff, all it takes is buffing on your favorite hue with your fingers or a brush. Take your pick of pastels and sweet hues by Chanel for a feminine touch, or lean into mauves, grays, and chocolate browns for night.
Skin Barrier Buzz
Skin barrier repair has become a sort of skincare buzz word, but I actually welcome it because of its importance in your overall skin health. “Your skin is your largest organ and your first line of defense against the environment,” says Gunn. “When your skin barrier is compromised, you will notice acne, dryness, irritation, etc. More medical grade skin-care brands are now creating products containing ceramides, niacinamide, and fatty acids to help strengthen and rebuild the skin barrier. Think of it as the foundation of your house. It has to be in great shape or everything else falls apart.” To ride the skin barrier wave, pack your routine with plenty of nourishing products like iNNBeauty Project’s Extreme Cream and Dr. Barbara Sturm’s new ceramide face oil which will keep your skin glowingly soft and smooth well into summer.