2024 has been a standout year for beauty, with many celebrities setting new trends that have inspired beauty professionals across the industry.
Whether you’re seeking fresh inspiration for your clients or just want to know what’s been hot this year, these beauty icons offer a look at innovative makeup techniques to flawless skin and show-stopping nail designs
In no particular order, here are Professional Beauty’s top picks for trendsetting celebs in 2024.
What are the best celebrity beauty looks of 2024?
Chappell Roan
Arguably the breakout star of 2024, singer-songwriter Chappell Roan has continued to embrace her experimental aesthetic.
Known for using makeup as a form of self-expression, Roan opts for bold, imaginative themes and characters in her beauty style, with standout moments including her Joan of Arc performance at the VMAs and the Swan Lake-inspired look while performing on The Tonight Show.
She often experiments with vibrant eye makeup for avant-garde looks that draw inspiration from fantasy and performance art – think graphic liners, shimmering pastel shadows and unexpected pops of colour.
Chappell Roan also frequently wears matte white face makeup as part of her “clowncore” look. Explaining her reasoning, Roan said, “People in my hometown call gay people clowns. That’s why I actually wear my white face… Like b****, I’ll show you a clown.”
She often collaborates with makeup artist Andrew Dahling, who regularly uses Mac makeup products in the looks – check out our interview with Mac UK’s director of makeup artistry, Dominic Skinner.
When it comes to her nails, Roan’s looks are equally as creative – she frequently opts for theatrical designs featuring intricate art that ties into her themed performances.
Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh’s 2024 beauty looks exude timeless elegance, with a focus on healthy-looking skin and subtle yet sophisticated makeup.
She often uses radiant foundations and soft highlighter to achieve a glow, while her makeup is refined, with defined brows, natural eyeshadow shades and a soft lip, allowing her natural beauty to shine through.
Yeoh’s beauty looks feed into her overall polished, graceful aesthetic which exudes elegance.
An honourable mention must also go to Yeoh’s Wicked costar, Cynthia Erivo – find out everything you need to know about Erivo’s incredible nail art here.
Raye
Singer-songwriter Raye’s beauty statements are as dynamic as her music.
Her red carpet looks (created with makeup artist Lan Nguyen-Grealis) frequently feature vibrant looks, from deep jewel tones to striking metallics, perfectly paired with dramatic lashes.
Raye has been known to push boundaries with edgy designs, such as pops of glitter or bold liner shapes, paired with luminous skin to evoke a fun twist on old Hollywood glamour.
Her 2024 nail looks have leant towards bold red nails that perfectly match her glamorous aesthetic and add a touch of drama and sophistication to her overall look.
Hailey Bieber
Model and businesswoman Hailey Bieber was already setting trends back in 2022 with the rise of the “clean girl” aesthetic – and in 2024, Bieber is still championing fresh, dewy skin and effortless elegance.
Known for her signature glowy look, Bieber often embraces a luminous complexion with a lightweight foundation, while her makeup is subtle but sophisticated, with softly defined brows, a warm blush and lip shades in nudes and pinks.
Her nails often serve as nail inspo (see, glazed donut nails) and she’s continued to sport minimalist yet chic designs this year.
Bieber is also the founder of Rhode Beauty, which offers products that focus on skincare-infused makeup, cementing her role as a beauty trendsetter.
Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson’s 2024 beauty style celebrates minimalism, showcasing her natural beauty.
Known for her iconic glam in the ‘90s, Anderson has evolved her style to embrace the “no-makeup makeup” trend with a focus on an all-round fresh-faced appearance.
The actress’s more relaxed aesthetic, with dewy skin, soft brows and understated lashes, offers inspiration for an accessible look for people who want to achieve timeless beauty without dramatic makeup.
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez, who owns the Rare Beauty makeup brand, has consistently been a beauty icon for the last few years.
Known for her flawless complexion, the actress, singer and businesswoman often opts for a dewy foundation and a soft, warm blush, paired with lip shades in nudes or soft pink shades for a fresh look.
Gomez’s nails are also often similarly understated, with soft, sheer pink shades that add a subtle yet elegant touch to her beauty style.
Lupita Nyong’o
Lupita Nyongo’s 2024 beauty looks are all about vibrant colour and radiant skin.
The actress frequently embraces striking lipsticks and eyeshadows in shades of red, fuchsia and deep purple – and has even been seen sporting the current blue eyeshadow trend – adding a powerful pop of colour.
Her flawless, glowing skin remains a standout feature, often enhanced with dewy foundations and subtle highlighter for a fresh, luminous complexion.
Nyongo’s ability to experiment with bold hues while maintaining a polished and elegant aesthetic made her a true beauty icon and trendsetter in 2024.
Rosé
Singer Rosé’s beauty looks are a perfect blend of ethereal elegance and modern glam.
Recognisable for her soft, glowing complexion, she often opts for subtle makeup that enhances her natural features.
Part of girl group Blackpink, Rosé’s eye makeup and lip shades often consists of neutral tones and soft pinks which is complented by a wash of pink blush, complementing her delicate aesthetic.
She also often wears chic, minimalist designs or soft, neutral tones on her nails, matching her overall style.
Sabrina Carpenter
Pop princess Sabrina Carpenter has undoubtedly found her beauty niche in 2024, leaning into a romantic aesthetic that perfectly complements her playful energy on her Short n Sweet Tour.
Carpenter has become synonymous with bold pink blush and complementary lipstick shades that create a youthful, rosy glow, while subtle winged eyeliner and delicately applied highlighter draw attention to her features.
She often goes for longer nails in neutral shades like pale pinks and creamy whites, although for her Short n Sweet tour she’s embraced shorter nails with minimalist accents and glossy finishes.
Sabrina Carpenter is also known for her hair looks - check out her best hair moments here.
Hunter Schafer
The actress’s beauty looks have leaned into a more minimalist aesthetic in 2024, showcasing her striking features with subtle, refined makeup choices.
While she’s been known for experimenting with bold lipsticks and eye-catching eyeshadow shades in the past, this year she’s embraced softer, more natural looks.
Hunter has also rocked the “no mascara” look, allowing her eyes to make a more understated impact.
While her style this year is more pared-back, we anticipate that she might return to her signature bold, experimental looks to complement her innovative style in the future.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s beauty looks this year have been a masterclass in classic glamour and have solidified her as a beauty trendsetter.
Whether dazzling onstage at her record-breaking Eras Tour or gracing the red carpet, the singer-songwriter leans into soft glam with a modern twist, with her signature red lipstick and cat eyeliner.
Swift’s performances in all weathers – battling wind, rain and humidity – also led to fans frantically searching for her smudge-proof eyeliner and lipstick (Swift is reportedly a fan of Pat McGrath Labs makeup, specifically the liquid lipstick in shade Elson 4).
Swift’s go-to makeup looks complement her natural beauty, ensuring her makeup is both iconic and approachable for fans to replicate.
Meanwhile, Swift’s nails reflect this minimalist approach – she’s often seen sporting soft, neutral tones – although she did opt for some tour-inspired nail art by wearing a different colour on each nail to reflect each of her albums.
Check out Taylor Swift's hair transformation over the years here.
Zendaya
Zendaya is always a hit on the red carpets, and it’s not just because of her stylish and inventive outfits – this year her looks have showcased her similarly chic approach to beauty.
Known for her flawless, glowing skin, actress Zendaya embraces dewy foundation while her makeup varies between soft, neutral tones to dramatic, smoky looks that enhance her eyes.
Zendaya often opts for soft, pale pink nails or classic French manicures, creating a cohesive look while keeping the attention on her noteworthy outfits.
Charli XCX
Of course, no 2024 roundup would be complete without mentioning Charli XCX and Brat Summer.
The singer continued to push the boundaries of beauty in 2024 with her experimental looks that match her avant-garde music style.
Known for her edgy aesthetic, she frequently plays with dramatic eye makeup and graphic eyeliner to make a statement.
Her Brat persona, an extension of her rebellious side, saw her experimenting with neon tones and grungy metallic makeup.
