From cloud skin to colour drenching: The beauty trends taking over this spring/summer

As days grow longer and temperatures rise, Cult Beauty is spotlighting the trends customers are embracing this spring/summer - from TikTok-driven makeup looks to evolving skincare habits.

Colour drenching

Nostalgia continues to shape beauty trends this season, with Gen Z and Gen Alpha revisiting pre-social media aesthetics. The influence of the 1990s remains strong, while early-2000s fashion is also re-emerging across wardrobes and makeup bags.

One standout trend is “colour drenching” - the use of a single, often bright or pastel shade across eyes, lips and cheeks. The look nods to the Girl Power era, when pop culture figures like Baby Spice and Shirley Manson helped redefine femininity with playful, expressive makeup.

Today’s interpretation often carries a more modern edge, blending soft, nostalgic references with a bolder, more self-aware attitude. Pastels, shimmer and hair accessories are reappearing, reworked through a contemporary lens.

Cloud skin

“Cloud skin” sits between matte and dewy finishes, offering a soft-focus, lightly blurred complexion with a natural glow. It draws on influences from both full-coverage makeup trends of the mid-2010s and more recent “glass skin” aesthetics, while aiming for a more wearable, diffused effect.

The look is supported by new formulations such as lightweight foundations, tinted moisturisers, and hybrid SPF products. These products are designed to even the skin tone while maintaining a natural, skin-like finish - with Cult Beauty expecting this look to dominate even more this summer.

Regenerative skincare

Regenerative skincare focuses on supporting the skin’s natural renewal processes. It typically incorporates ingredients such as peptides, growth factors, PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide), exosomes and antioxidants, alongside daily SPF use.

Rather than targeting individual concerns in isolation, this approach is designed to support long-term skin health by helping maintain collagen and elastin while protecting against environmental stressors. As consumers become increasingly skincare-savvy, these ingredients are topping their wish lists.

SPF as skincare

Sunscreen is increasingly being positioned as a multi-functional skincare essential rather than a standalone step. In addition to providing UV protection, many modern SPF formulations also aim to hydrate, smooth and improve the overall appearance of the skin.

New formats - including serums, sprays, powders and makeup hybrids - are making SPF more adaptable to different routines and preferences, encouraging more consistent daily use.

This shift comes as “skinimalism” continues to gain momentum, reflecting a broader move towards simplified skincare routines focused on fewer, more effective products. Rather than multi-step regimens, the emphasis is on multi-functional formulas that combine several benefits in one.

This approach prioritises practicality, reduced packaging and ease of use, while still aiming to support overall skin health and appearance.

Across the sun care category, attitudes towards tanning are also evolving, shaped by a stronger focus on skin health and UV protection. Many consumers are now pairing high-SPF products with self-tanning formulas to achieve a bronzed look while minimising sun exposure.

At the same time, self-tanning products continue to diversify, with formats including drops, mists, mousses and wipes. Pre- and post-tan skincare steps - such as exfoliation and moisturisation - are also being used to support smoother application and longer-lasting results.

Restyling

Dry shampoo and hair-refreshing products are evolving beyond their original function. Newer formulations are designed not only to absorb oil but also to reduce frizz, add shine and refresh overall style.

These products are often used to extend time between washes and can be paired with heat styling or used alone, depending on the desired finish.

It comes amid a broader trend towards high-gloss, ultra-smooth hair, often described as the “glass hair” effect. The focus is on finishing formulas that leave lengths looking polished, healthy and refined.

Post-wash glossing treatments, anti-humidity sprays and lightweight serums designed to improve smoothness and manageability are becoming increasingly common in haircare routines.

The result is a return to a more styled, ‘90s-inspired aesthetic - think sleek ponytails and polished, sporty finishes reminiscent of classic Americana and tennis-inspired looks. The emphasis is on ultra-smooth, high-shine hair with controlled movement and minimal frizz.

To achieve this, consumers are turning to mists, sticks, pomades and on-the-go waxes that offer light-reflective shine and help tame flyaways. These products are gaining traction as demand grows for effortless, refined styling that prioritises polish and simplicity.