It's Official: These 6 Makeup Trends Will Be Popular in 2026

      As a beauty editor with ten years of experience in analyzing beauty trends, I find myself curious about what will characterize makeup trends in 2026. After conversing with makeup artists and monitoring their social media, it's clear that there's a noticeable shift in the makeup styles expected as we enter the new year. Along with innovative beauty products influencing the finishes we apply to our eyes, lips, and cheeks, there's a clear change on the horizon. The "clean girl" aesthetic is fading, making way for bolder makeup once again. While it still retains elements of the subtle makeup we've grown used to over the past decade, it is now adopting a slightly edgier vibe with a renewed focus on eyeliner and eyeshadow. I'm excited about this transformation. Are you ready to dive into the makeup trends of 2026? Continue scrolling for insights and predictions from makeup artists that will shape our beauty routines in the upcoming year.

      1. Soft Focus

      A quick look at the social media accounts of celebrity makeup artists reveals that everything features a soft-focus finish. Lips have a blurred, just-bitten appearance, eyeliner is softly blended, and skin has a natural but subtly blurred finish. The overall effect is a harmonious look that feels like an evolution of no-makeup makeup. Thanks to a new wave of products, you don't need a professional makeup artist’s skills to achieve this blurred effect; the products do the work for you. From balmy, sheer lipsticks that impart a just-bitten tint to diffused smoky eyeliners that create a gentle smolder in seconds, makeup is adopting a soft-focus aesthetic. This extends to skin, too—natural-matte textures in foundations, concealers, and blushes replicate the look of real skin while blending seamlessly.

      Shop the trend:

      - Glossier Cloud Paint Plush Blush

      - VIOLETTE_FR Bisou Balm in Mon Chéri

      - Merit Beauty The Minimalist

      2. Lip Contour

      Lip liner has skyrocketed in popularity, with Google searches for the product increasing by 52% in the past year. With an influx of lip liners passing through the Who What Wear UK beauty desk, it's clear we will see even more in 2026. However, rather than sticking with traditional sharpened pencil liners, we are now welcoming lip contour products like the Rhode Peptide Lip Shape and Merit Signature Lip Liner. These creamy formulas with larger dome-tipped ends make contouring and blending your lip liner easy with a single swipe. Whether used alone or layered with a lip gloss or lip oil, they are the perfect way to sculpt and softly define your lips in 2026.

      Shop the trend:

      - rhode Peptide Lip Shape Twist

      - MERIT Beauty Signature Lip Liner

      3. '80s Influence

      Bold blush has been a favorite in recent years, with signs indicating that the signature boldness of '80s luxury aesthetics will persist into 2026, according to the Pinterest Predicts 2026 Trend Report. The bold pigments and their extended placement—swept up to the temples—create a luminous glow well beyond the apples of the cheeks. This trend pairs with creamier, sheer formulas that offer transparency, making the bold application appear more modern and wearable. The Merit Flush Balm has been one of the top beauty products over the past year, and its dewy, sheer cream blush formula blends seamlessly into the skin for a radiant look. Likewise, Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush and Dior Backstage Rosy Glow provide an inner-lit glow that mimics a natural blush.

      Shop the trend:

      - Westman Atelier Petite Baby Cheeks Blush Stick

      4. Hot and Kohled

      While the "clean girl" aesthetic dominated the early part of the decade, makeup artist Harriot Babin notes the comeback of more expressive eye makeup in 2026. She says, “We’re moving away from ultra-minimal looks and reintroducing fuller, more vibrant eye makeup with deeper shadows, soft smoked liners, and lashes that really open the eyes.” This can be achieved by layering shadows, mixing matte and shimmer, and adding individual or half-lashes for extra lift. Unsurprisingly, Victoria Beckham Beauty's Satin Kajal Liners have gained immense popularity—it was our best-selling product on Who What Wear UK over the past year. Now available in various colors and finishes, it’s the perfect opportunity to play with eye makeup again. If vibrant colors feel too daring, stick with classic shades like brown, black, or navy for effortless smoky eyes.

      Shop the trend:

      - Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner

      - Charlotte Tilbury Rock N Kohl

      - e.l.f. Smudge 'n Smoke Eyeliner Brush

      5. Dew 2.0

      After the trends of glass skin and butter skin, we can look forward to makeup products that provide a natural-looking luminosity in 2026. It’s all about enhancing your skin to achieve its best appearance.