EXPRESS YOURSELF

Dopamine-boosting colour on the SS24 runways, exaggerated 80s-style looks and the rise of ‘cosmic-core’ (think: space-age chrome meets Beyoncé’s Renaissance) point towards bold, playful beauty artistry in 2024. This is your invitation to get expressive.

“The way each of us uses make-up is very telling about the way we feel about ourselves,” says visionary make-up artist Isamaya Ffrench. “I feel like people are less afraid to experiment with make-up than they used to be. Metallics, duo chromes and pearls are still big – they add so much dimension to the face, and are easy to apply with your fingers to reach their full potential.”

Try contrasting colour-blocking on eyes, layering metallic textures or ombré-effect lips. Or dip into the trend with juicy colours, wet-look textures and a dab of biodegradable glitter.

BEAUTY GETS WISE

Pamela Anderson’s make-up free looks at fashion week and the rise in brands rejecting anti-ageing messaging show how ‘pro-ageing’ is challenging the status quo. Skincare brand Tatcha is leading the way, phasing out ‘normal’ as a skin type and ‘anti-ageing’ as a term because they believe ageing is a gift. Instead, their formulas focus on healthy skin and unlocking its potential. They join an increasing number of science-backed products and treatments that help us to be the best version of ourselves – whether that’s a potent vitamin C to tackle dullness and pigmentation or formulas designed to help conditions such as eczema and rosacea.

Skincare expert and founder of Skin Design London Fatma Shaheen (the woman behind Naomi Campbell and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s skin) believes that “maintaining a consistent skincare routine that contributes to overall health should reduce the need for procedures like Botox or dermal fillers.”

What are the most exciting tech and treatments right now? Fatma says, “The synergy of radio frequency, cryotherapy and lymphatic methods can address multiple aspects of skin health, including tightening, detoxification and improved texture.” And the secret to your best skin ever? “Fresh, glowing, tight skin is our goal,” she says. “Using Vitamin C Antioxidant Glow, Retinol Gel Crème and Face Tight will instantly improve the texture of your skin.”

HYBRID HEROES

Blurring the lines between make-up and skincare is becoming increasingly prevalent – from moisturiser-SPF-tint combinations to foundations and lip oils packed with skincare benefits. We’ve come to expect products to multitask. Make-up artist Lisa Eldridge has noticed this shift: “Whether it’s niacinamide or hyaluronic acid, these types of actives are featuring more and more in colour cosmetics. Why not treat your skin while painting your face?!”

And why have three products when you can have one? We’re now at the stage of the two-minute make-up bag: 2024’s hybrid beauty products can deliver a full routine, quickly. The antidote to 10-step skincare routines, potent multipurpose products are leading the way, allowing you to save time and reduce waste. We’re seeing cleansers that double up as masks, mascaras that nourish lashes and all-over tints for lips, cheeks and eyes.

“Some of my favourite hybrid heroes are my Elevated Glow Highlighter, a glow giver that contains natural polymers and oat kernel extract to tighten, hydrate and reduce redness,” says Lisa, “and the Gloss Embrace Lip Gloss, which performs as a buttery gloss and treatment mask thanks to a blend of nourishing oils.”