7 Beauty Trends for Spring/Summer 2026 Poised to Take Center Stage Next Season
There's a noticeable chill in the air, yet I'm already eagerly anticipating the arrival of spring. As a beauty director who devotes her days to analyzing beauty trends, you can be sure I've been contemplating the beauty trends for spring/summer 2026. Last season, I correctly predicted that the pace of beauty trends would slow down due to consumer fatigue. After years of eagerly embracing every makeup, hair, and skincare trend that social media presented, by 2026, everyone is eager for a more relaxed pace. I can confidently say that the beauty microtrend bubble has popped, and as we approach spring, we'll embrace a slow-beauty philosophy. What does this entail? For one, the spring/summer beauty trends are once again being influenced by runway shows. This means the beauty looks for S/S 26 you should be aware of are truly practical. Say goodbye to high-maintenance styles that are merely fleeting; S/S 26 trends possess staying power, with the upcoming season focusing on a polished yet effortless aesthetic. I've spent the last six months analyzing the S/S 26 runways and discussing with every makeup artist, hairstylist, and beauty insider I know, so trust me when I say these are the seven beauty trends you can expect to play with this spring/summer.
1. Lipstick Only
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight: Roksanda, Sportmax, Edeline Lee, Chloé) Without a doubt, one of the standout beauty moments of the S/S 26 fashion month was Chloé's vibrant pink lip. While there was a noticeable pink trend on the spring/summer runways, we're focusing on wearability, right? The way to sport lipstick this spring isn't determined by color, shade, or finish, but rather what you’re pairing it with—nothing. Bold pink matte finishes were prominent at Chloé, blurred browns took over at Sportmax, sharp plums were highlighted at Edeline Lee, and deep ombré reds were a key feature at Roksanda. The common thread tying these lip looks together? A fresh, minimalist face that allows the lips to take center stage. "It’s beauty that doesn’t shout but speaks softly," notes Sharryn Hinchliffe, executive global director of artistry at Mac Cosmetics. "This season’s look at Roksanda was a sculptural tribute to Barbara Hepworth—clean, skin-first, and subtly beautiful. It celebrates restraint and sophistication, with skin radiating a polished glow and lips conveying elegance."
Mac
Macximal Lipstick in Snob
Merit
Signature Lip Blush in September
Nars
Explicit Lipstick in Unrestrained
2. Pulled-Back Styles
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight: Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Tove, Carven) One of the S/S 26 beauty trends I am most excited about is the emergence of low-maintenance, casually styled up-dos. Forget the extreme hairstyles we've seen recently (overly messy ponytails or slick buns), as S/S 26 redefines what a cool up-do looks like for the first time in years. From scraped-back buns at Saint Laurent and casually tied ponytails at Bottega to more elaborate twists at Tove and Carven, the hallmark pulled-back styles for the season share a common feature: they are effortlessly thrown up and loosely tied. The outcome is a relaxed ponytail or bun that exudes chic minimalism without appearing forced. It's a polished take on the messy-girl vibe.
Color Wow
Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
Living Proof
Style Lab Flex Hair Spray
3. New Bronze
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight: Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Elie Saab, Giorgio Armani) This spring/summer beauty report wouldn’t be complete without mentioning bronzer, especially as it comes from someone based in London who hasn't enjoyed sunlight in what seems like ages. Nevertheless, the application of bronzer we are set to see this season has evolved significantly. For the past decade, bronzed looks have been synonymous with glow. As we moved away from contouring, we gravitated towards glow-enhancing bronzers that we could apply generously. However, for S/S 26, there's a fresh take. Michael Kors showcased baked bronzer applied downwards over the cheeks, Ralph Lauren featured a combination of dusted cheekbones and eyelids, Elie Saab kept terracotta tones on the eyes, while Giorgio Armani showcased smudged bronzed hues under the lower lash line paired with a luminous cheek. The main characteristic of bronzer for spring/summer 2026 is the always buttery and baked finish. Forget shimmer, luminous powders, and cream textures—this season, matte is making a comeback.
Victoria Beckham Beauty
Satin Kajal Liner Terracotta
Charlotte Tilbury
Airbrush Bronzer
Makeup By Mario
Master Mattes Cream Eyeshadow
4. Liquid Waves
(Image credit
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7 Beauty Trends for Spring/Summer 2026 Poised to Take Center Stage Next Season
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