Pastel make-up is trending – here are the best products to create a wearable look

pastel make-up 2024 best products

Credit: Courtesy of brands

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Pastel make-up is trending – here are the best products to create a wearable look

By Chloe Burcham

11 months ago

All products on this page have been selected by the editorial team, however Stylist may make commission on some products purchased through affiliate links in this article

4 min read

Pastel make-up is currently dominating our social media feeds. Here’s how to make the trend work for you.


While the idea of ‘pastels for spring’ might not seem like a groundbreaking concept, when it comes to make-up trends, it’s a look we haven’t really seen take off since the early 00s. But pastel make-up is enjoying something of a resurgence, and we’re seriously into it. 

From dreamy lilac eyeshadows to soft peachy blushes, pastel hues are taking centre stage, building on last year’s ‘clean girl’ aesthetic and offering a more whimsical and ethereal look. 

But if the thought of pastel make-up throws you back to that frosted, metallic make-up look popular around the turn of the millennium, worry not – this season’s pastel looks are a whole lot more wearable. 

Whether you opt for a soft, muted eyeshadow or a creamy flush of blush, pastel make-up can effortlessly complement all skin tones.

For those with fair skin, pastel make-up can add a delicate flush of colour that will help to boost your glow. Lilac eyeshadows create a soft-focus but striking eye look, while pastel pink lipsticks give a youthful flush of colour to the lips. For deeper skin tones, opt for pastel hues that pop with vibrancy – pretty peaches, creamy corals and soft magentas, for example – creating a striking contrast that feels fresh and modern. 

From lilac liners to peachy blushes, we’ve rounded up the best pastel make-up products to help you create an entire palette of soft, ethereal shades…

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Iconic London Glaze Crayon

With one part creamy eyeshadow crayon and one liquid glitter glaze, these two-in-one eyeshadow sticks are perfect to create a stand-out eye look. The ‘Quartz’ shade is a soft candied pink that looks gorgeous on all skin tones. 

Shop Iconic London Glaze Crayon, £24

buy now

Anastasia Beverly Hills Ethereal Eye Gloss

Anastasia Beverly Hills Ethereal Eye Gloss

Great for festivals, these Ethereal Eye Glosses give an intense shot of iridescent glitter and soft pastel colour. 

Shop Anastasia Beverly Hills Ethereal Eye Gloss, £26

buy now

pastel-makeup

Makeup Revolution Mood Switch Hyper Real Multi Palette

If shimmer’s your thing – you’ll love this frosted pastel palette from Makeup Revolution. With eight holographic shades, you can create endless ethereal looks. 

Shop Makeup Revolution Mood Switch Hyper Real Multi Palette at Boots, £7.99

buy now

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Vieve Eye Wand in Lilac

“Lilac eye make-up” is currently trending on TikTok with over 12.5 million views, making this sherbet-inspired shade perfect for getting in on the trend. It also has a matte finish, creating a soft-focus modern effect. 

Shop Vieve Eye Wand in Lilac at Cult Beauty, £23

buy now

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Glossier Lidstar

Want lilac lids but with a hint of shimmer? This Lily Lidstar shade is for you. Simply sweep across the lid and pat in place with your fingertips. Keep things sheer and barely-there or layer up the colour for a bolder pigment payoff. 

Shop Glossier Lidstar in Lily, £18

buy now

Reeson blusher

Reeson Blush

With a mousse-like texture and soft, velvety finish, these little blusher pots are perfect for creating a wash of pastel colour on the cheeks. Plus, the formula’s packed with skincare benefits too – meaning your complexion is left hydrated and glowing the more you wear it. 

Shop Reeson Blush, £25

buy now

pastel-makeup

Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner in Seafoam

Whether you scribble it all over the lid for a hit of pastel colour or use it as a liner for a modern look, this Kajal Liner in Seafoam – a matte pastel green – looks gorgeous on all skin tones. 

Shop Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner in Seafoam, £30

buy now

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By Terry Ombre Blackstar Eye Shadow

For an ultra-wearable way to get in on the trend, why not try a soft pink hue – like this creamy eyeshadow crayon in the shade Misty Rock from By Terry. 

Shop By Terry Ombre Blackstar Eye Shadow at Space NK, £32

buy now

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Rare Beauty Silky Touch Highlighter

Pastel make-up craves iridescent skin, which is where Rare’s Silky Touch Highlighters come in. They create the perfect soft-focus canvas, allowing your pastel accents to pop. 

Shop Rare Beauty Silky Touch Highlighter at Space NK, £24

buy now

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Ilia Liquid Powder Eye Tint

With a water-resistant formula that dries fast and leaves a barely-there, weightless finish, this easy-to-apply eyeshadow keeps the eyes coated with a rich pastel hue that remains in place throughout the day.

Shop Ilia Liquid Powder Eye Tint at Space NK, £28

buy now

IT Cosmetics Confidence in Your Glow

IT Cosmetics Confidence in Your Glow

With a warm undertone, mimicking the sun-kissed effect you get from a bronzer, these new blushers from IT Cosmetics are perfect if you want to add a pastel pop of colour, without washing out your skin tone. 

Shop IT Cosmetics Confidence in Your Glow at Cult Beauty, £32

buy now

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Huda Beauty Creamy Lip Stain

Powered by skin-softening ingredients like hyaluronic acid and coconut extract, this non-drying lip and cheek stain gives a soft, satin matte finish that’s pastel perfection.

Shop Huda Beauty Creamy Lip Stain at Cult Beauty, £21

buy now

Pat McGrath Labs Divine Blush Legendary Glow Colour Balm

Pat McGrath Labs Divine Blush Legendary Glow Colour Balm

Enriched with a blend of moisture-enhancing shea butter, squalane and passion fruit seed oil these creamy blusher sticks add a pop of pastel colour and healthy-looking sheen to the skin. Plus, you can use it on your lips too for a monochromatic make-up look.  

Shop Pat McGrath Labs Divine Blush Legendary Glow Colour Balm at Cult Beauty, £22.50

buy now

Images: courtesy of brands

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