2024 beauty trends: Blonzing, espresso makeup to black cherry lips, looks that delivered

2024 was a year where beauty took a joyride—bold, fun, and unapologetically experimental. The trends came in, from intergalactic shimmer that felt straight out of a sci-fi movie to scalp skincare that made us rethink our entire routine. It was the year beauty went big, bizarre, and… dare we say, downright genius. Ready to catch up on what had us double-tapping, debating, and dashing to our vanities?

Skinimalism 2.0: Elevated bare-faced beauty

The trend of 'skinimalism' continued to dominate, but in 2024, it got an upgrade. No longer just about simplifying your skincare routine, this year’s skinimalism emphasized using fewer but more potent products to achieve that lit-from-within glow. The spotlight turned to nourishing the skin's microbiome with ceramide-infused moisturizers, probiotic-packed serums, and mild, skin-friendly cleansers. Skincare lovers are now favouring hydration and resilience, moving away from harsh exfoliation practices. Cindy Thawne, a Dubai-based fashion designer and makeup expert elaborates on how you can get this look: Use multi-functional serums, that combine niacinamide, peptides and vitamin C. “You also need lightweight foundations with skincare benefits, blending coverage with hydration. Your final result is natural dewy finishes that actually celebrate the skin texture, rather than hiding it.”

Rosy cheeks and blush blindness

Blush went from a subtle boost to a full-blown obsession, with beauty influencers and even pop stars like Sabrina Carpenter leading the way. Boyfriend blush, sunset blush, lifting blush, even semi-permanent tattoo blush—all trended this year.  The trend achieved new milestones on TikTok, earning the name ‘blush blindness’, when people claimed that they didn’t know if they were overdoing it.

Black cherry, the colour of the year

Black cherry was the ultimate beauty trend this year, and it was everywhere! From Kylie Jenner to Kate Moss and Lisa, everyone was putting their own spin on this deep, moody shade inspired by the berry. Whether it’s leaning toward brown or purple, depending on your vibe, this dark red hue is the easiest way to add some serious edge to your look with just a coat or two. And it wasn't just nails—those sultry black cherry lips were everywhere too, owning the beauty scene with a perfect mix of daytime chic and evening glam.

Espresso inspired-makeup

Espresso-inspired makeup took the beauty world by storm this year, bringing rich, deep browns and bold, coffee-toned hues into the spotlight. Think smoky eyes, velvety brown lips, and that perfect bronzed glow—it’s all about embracing those espresso shades that add warmth and drama to any look. Celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Rihanna, and Zendaya have been leading the charge, rocking bold coffee-inspired looks that are both sultry and sophisticated. Whether it’s Bieber's effortless, bronzy eye or Rihanna’s deep brown lip, these stars know how to blend it like a pro. It’s the perfect mix of luxe, cozy, and fierce, and it’s got us all hooked.

How to get the look: Thawne suggests, “To achieve the espresso-inspired makeup look, start by prepping your skin with a hydrating primer and applying a natural matte foundation for a flawless base. For the eyes, blend rich brown shadows, focusing on a darker espresso shade for the lid and adding a touch of shimmer to the inner corners”. Smudge dark brown eyeliner along the lash lines for a sultry finish, and top it off with volumizing mascara. Warm up your complexion with bronzer and a terracotta blush, then highlight your cheekbones for a subtle glow. Finish with velvety brown lipstick or gloss, and define your brows naturally for a polished, cohesive look.

Blonzing

A combination of blonde and bronzing, blonzing blended sun-kissed golden hues with bronzed, glowing skin. “It’s meant to be a statement of carefree, effortless glam and probably that’s why it resonated across social media and red carpets alike,” explains Annika Mathur, an Abu Dhabi-based makeup artist. Products like cream bronzers, liquid highlighters, and tinted moisturizers became essential to achieve the look, along with balayage-inspired hair techniques to create a multidimensional blonde.

Here's a lowdown, on how to get this look: For starters, create a glowing, sun-kissed base using a cream bronzer or tinted moisturizer that complements your skin tone. Apply the bronzer to areas where the sun naturally hits—cheekbones, temples, nose bridge, and jawline—for a soft, radiant contour. Pair this with a liquid highlighter on the high points of your face, like the tops of your cheeks and the tip of your nose, to enhance the glow. For hair, incorporate balayage techniques to blend golden blonde tones with your natural base, creating a multidimensional effect. Use a texture spray to style your hair into soft waves or tousled layers for an effortless, beachy vibe. The result is a blend of golden hues and bronzed skin that exudes carefree glam.

The Bob hair cut

This year, it seemed like everyone embraced the bob haircut. Often referred to as a "reset cut," the bob became a transformative choice for many, with variations like the fluffy, long-layered Italian bob and the versatile midi-bob offering options for every face shape and style preference. Part of its appeal lies in its styling simplicity—minimal effort can create a polished look. The cut enhances hair's thickness and health, and its adaptable nature makes growing it out a seamless process. “The best part is that there isn’t just one type of bob, there are many,” explains Mathur.

Here are a few types of bob haircuts:

The French Bob: With its jawline length, subtle waves, and wispy bangs, the French bob exuded Parisian chic.

The sleek Bob: Ultra-smooth and poker-straight, this version became a red-carpet favorite for its glossy, high-fashion finish.

The curly Bob: Natural curls and coils were celebrated with this textured version, proving that the bob works beautifully for all hair types.

The Wolf Bob: A blend of the shag haircut and the classic bob, the wolf bob offered a playful, edgy twist with choppy layers and curtain bangs.