Spring 2017 Makeup Trends: The Most Exciting Looks to Try Now

Discover spring's boldest, brightest, and most enchanting makeup trends—fresh from the runway to your everyday style.

By Medha deb

Created on Oct 3, 2025

Discover spring's boldest, brightest, and most enchanting makeup trends—fresh from the runway to your everyday style.

Spring 2017 burst onto the beauty scene with an electrifying range of makeup trends—the kind that encourage playful experimentation, creative color use, and the boldest statement looks we’ve seen in years. From rainbow sherbet eyelids to smudgy, lived-in liner, these runway-inspired ideas are designed to inspire both makeup newbies and seasoned beauty enthusiasts.

Why Spring 2017 Makeup Is All About Self-Expression

This season, the runways of New York, London, Paris, and Milan sent an unmistakable message: More is more—or less is more, if that’s your style. Whether you’re drawn to vivid palettes and wild textures, or to the barely-there, minimalist look, there’s a spring trend for you. Makeup artists and trendsetters alike are celebrating the power of makeup to reveal your inner self, and, if you wish, to transform it completely.

Main Spring 2017 Makeup Trends

Color-Blocked Eyes: Using two (or more) contrasting or complementary eyeshadow colors—think peach and purple—layered side by side for maximum impact.
Smudged and Glossy Liner: The classic smoky eye gets a refresh with smudged, undone edges and even a slick of gloss for added dimension.
Rainbow Sherbet Pastels: From aqua and gold to chartreuse and lavender, whimsical pastels are swept and blended across lids.
Glittered and Chocolate Lips: Add chocolate-hued lipstick with a dusting of matching or contrasting glitter for a playful, decadent statement.
Bold Brows—Defined but Natural: Fluffy, brushed-up arches frame the face and complement both maximal and minimal eye looks.
No-Makeup Makeup: Minimal coverage, just a hint of gloss, and a clean, fresh finish for a “bare-faced” beauty moment.
Sunset and Ombre Lips: Two-toned effects with color gradients, especially in warm hues like orange and coral.
All-Over Color: Don’t stop at lips or eyes—sweep color onto brows and cheeks; think pinks, teal, and metallic accents.

Trend Breakdown and How-To Guides

1. Color-Blocked and Contrasting Eyes

How to wear it: Select two shades on opposite ends of the spectrum—such as purple and peach, or cobalt blue and gold. Apply them side-by-side, either horizontally or vertically split. Blend gently at the meeting point for a smooth transition, or keep the separation sharp for runway drama.

Tip: Use a dense eyeshadow brush for application and a clean, fluffy brush to soften edges as needed.
Monochromatic variant: Choose two shades from the same color family—like soft pink and deep berry—for a subtler version.

2. Softly Smudged Liner

You don’t have to perfect your lines this season. Instead, embrace the undone, morning-after look, mixing Kohl pencil with a swipe of clear or tinted eye gloss over the top. Smudge liner along the upper and lower lash lines using your fingertips or a cotton swab, then finish with a coat of mascara for urban, slightly bohemian vibes.

Pro tip: For even more texture, dab a subtle shimmer gloss onto the center of the lid.
Boho upgrade: Layer multiple liner shades (such as navy and plum).

3. Rainbow Sherbet Pastels

Nothing says spring quite like a whimsical, unicorn-inspired eye. Sweep pastel shimmer shades—lavender, mint, gold, aqua, and chartreuse—across the lid, blending up toward the brow bone. Highlight inner corners for a wide-eyed, magical effect.

Tip: Use cream or gel formulas for the most vibrant, blendable color.

4. Glitter and Chocolate Lips

Chocolate covered cherry lips were taken up a notch: after applying a deep, chocolate lipstick, gently press chocolate-glitter pigment (or even a metallic brown shadow) on top. The effect? A pout that’s dramatic, seductive, and fun—a show-stopper at parties or events.

Try it with: Neutral eye makeup to keep the focus on your lips.
Bolder alternative: Add cherry, plum, or gold flecks for extra dimension.

5. Bold, Fluffy Brows

Strong brows remain at center stage—well-groomed but not overdrawn. Use a spoolie to brush arches upward; fill with a neutral or slightly tinted brow gel. Pluck only stray hairs, leaving the overall shape natural.

Extra definition: Set brows with a clear wax or brow soap.
Statement brows: Try a hint of shimmering purple or teal for editorial flair.

6. Bare-Faced Beauty: The No-Makeup Makeup Look

This fresh approach centers on glowing, healthy-looking skin. Focus on impeccable skincare, use a sheer foundation or BB cream only where needed, and skip contour for a more natural finish. Add a hint of colorless gloss or balm to lips, brush up brows, and—if desired—a subtle cream blush for extra life. The goal? Flawless, touchable skin with minimal product.

7. Sunset & Ombre Lips

Take your lips on a gradient journey—from soft peach to vivid orange, or from coral to red. Use a lighter shade in the center of the lips and blend outward into a deeper hue for a two-toned, sun-inspired effect. These sunset lips pair perfectly with simple eyes or bold brows.

DIY tip: Apply lipstick with a brush and blend carefully at the gradient.

8. Colorful Everything: Eyes, Cheeks, Brows

Spring 2017 removed all boundaries: If you love pink, wear it on your lips, eyes, and cheeks. Teal is not just for eyes—try it in brows or even as a soft liner. Pastel purple, coral, fuchsia, gold—mix, match, and layer to your heart’s content.

Creative combo: Try soft blush on your cheekbones paired with matching tone lipstick, or try using your lipstick as a cream blush (a pro trick for long-lasting color).

Runway Inspiration: The Looks Behind the Trends

Fendi: Runway models stunned with glittery lips and sleek, graphic eyeliner—a bold, high-fashion juxtaposition featured across global fashion weeks.
Giambattista Valli: The ever-chic red lip remains a classic, especially when paired with minimal makeup and natural hair textures.
Carolina Herrera: These looks proved strong eyes and strong lips can work together—smoky eyes and fiery red lipstick created unforgettable runway moments.
DKNY: Gothic-inspired deep lips (think merlot or plum) were softened with highlighted centers for a modern twist.
Blumarine: Bronzed, dewy skin and tawny washes on cheeks and lids give that sun-kissed, ready-for-summer vibe.
Sophia Webster: Rainbow glitters and bold liner transformed festival beauty into a year-round statement.

Step-by-Step: Creating a Spring 2017-Inspired Look

Prep your skin with a hydrating primer, letting your natural glow shine through.
Choose your focal feature: eyes, lips, or both for a maximalist approach.
Apply bold color—either shadow, liner, or lipstick—in two contrasting or harmonious tones.
Embrace texture: add shimmer, gloss, or glitter as desired. Layering is encouraged.
Perfect your brows with upward strokes, keeping them fluffy and softly filled.
Finish with a fresh face: minimal contour, a whisper of highlighter, and clear or tinted lip gloss for effortless chic.

Expert Advice: Making the Trends Work for You

Choose color pairings that complement your eye color or undertone to maximize impact.
Groom brows for structure before applying bold eye makeup; this anchors the look.
For glitter lips, use a tacky base (like a creamy lipstick) so the sparkles adhere and last.
Balance out graphic colors with clean lines or blend softly for a more wearable effect.
Most importantly: mix trends! For example, pair a smudged teal liner with pastel cheeks, or combine glossy lids with ombre lips.

Table: Top Spring 2017 Makeup Trends and Where to Wear Them

Trend	Best For	Occasion
Color-blocked eyes	Experimenters, night outs	Festivals, parties, fashion events
Smudgy, glossy liner	Everyday wear, edgy style	Casual days, concerts
Rainbow pastel lids	Creative, whimsical looks	Spring events, brunches
Chocolate glitter lips	Drama lovers	Evenings out, date nights
Bold brows	All wearers	Day and night, every occasion
Bare-faced beauty	Natural look fans	Work, school, casual outings
Sunset ombre lips	Trendsetters	Photo shoots, events
All-over color	Daring beauty lovers	Fashion shows, themed parties

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How do I keep glitter and pastel products from falling out or fading?

A: Always apply a sticky primer (designed for eyes or lips) before glitters and loose pigments. For pastels, layering creamy formulas beneath powder shadows boosts longevity and vibrancy.

Q: Can strong eyes and lips work together, or is it too much?

A: For 2017, “too much” isn’t a thing—runways proved bold eyes and lips can make a striking combo. Just balance textures; for example, pair a shiny lip with a matte smoky eye, or vice versa.

Q: Any tips for trying runway trends without looking overdone for every day?

A: Soften the look by diffusing colors and focusing on one statement feature at a time, such as pastel lids with a nude lip, or glitter lips with pared-back skin. Adapt application intensity as appropriate for your environment.

Q: How to choose the right color pairings for color-blocked eyes?

A: Go for complementary shades (blue and orange, pink and green) for maximum effect, or pick similar hues (rose and plum) for a subtler, monochrome finish. Consider your skin tone and eye color for added harmony.

Q: Will the “no-makeup” look work for oily or blemished skin?

A: Absolutely. Use lightweight, buildable concealers and oil-controlling primers. Mattifying products can deliver the minimal coverage needed while enhancing your natural features.

Top Pro Tips for Your Best Spring Look

Always experiment with lighting at home before wearing bold colors out. Natural light reveals true shades and blending quality.
Makeup wipes or micellar water are essential for quick corrections as you work with intense hues.
Clean brushes between colors to maintain crisp, vibrant separation in color-blocked looks.
For long wear, use setting spray—especially when layers of shimmer or gloss are involved.

Final Thoughts: Spring 2017 is for the Brave & the Minimalist Alike

This spring was all about breaking barriers and expressing every facet of your beauty identity—whether through a full blast of color and glitter or by letting fresh, cared-for skin and lightly groomed arches shine. Take inspiration from the runways, adapt it to your personal style, and above all, have fun with your makeup!

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

Read full bio of medha deb