7 Beauty Trends for Spring/Summer 2026 That Are Expected to Take Center Stage This Upcoming Season

      There’s a noticeable chill in the atmosphere, yet I’m already eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring. As a beauty director dedicated to studying beauty trends, you can trust that I’ve been contemplating the forthcoming spring/summer 2026 beauty trends extensively. Last season, I anticipated a slowdown in the beauty trend cycle due to consumer fatigue—and I was correct. After years of indulging in every makeup, hair, and skincare trend that social media presented, in 2026, people are yearning for a more measured approach. I can definitively say that the bubble of beauty microtrends has burst, and as we head into spring, we’ll be embracing a slow-beauty philosophy. What does this entail? For one, the beauty trends for spring/summer are once again being influenced by the runways. It also signifies that the beauty looks to watch for S/S 26 are genuinely wearable. Say goodbye to high-maintenance aesthetics that are just passing fads; S/S 26 will focus on a refined, effortless approach.

      Over the past six months, I have been analyzing the S/S 26 runways and discussing with various makeup artists, hairstylists, and beauty insiders, so trust me when I say that these are the seven beauty trends you'll be experimenting with this spring/summer.

      ### 1. Lipstick Only

      One of the standout beauty highlights of the S/S 26 fashion month was Chloé’s bold pink lip. While a significant pink theme graced the spring/summer runways, our focus is on wearability, right? The way to wear lipstick this spring isn’t determined by color or finish but by pairing it with—nothing else. Bright pink matte lips stood out at Chloé, blurred browns were predominant at Sportmax, sharp plums shone at Edeline Lee, and deep ombré reds took center stage at Roksanda. What unifies these lip looks? A fresh, minimal face, allowing the lips to take the spotlight. “It’s beauty that never yells but always resonates,” states Sharryn Hinchliffe, executive global director of artistry at Mac Cosmetics. “The Roksanda look this season was a sculptural tribute to Barbara Hepworth—clean, skin-centric, and subtly beautiful. It celebrates restraint and sophistication, featuring glowing skin and lips that exude elegance.”

      ### 2. Pulled-Back Styles

      One of the S/S 26 beauty trends that excites me the most is the emergence of laid-back, casual up-dos. Forget the extreme hairstyles we’ve seen in previous seasons, such as overly messy ponytails or slicked-back buns; S/S 26 is redefining what a stylish up-do looks like after years of extremes. From sleek buns at Saint Laurent to loosely tied ponytails at Bottega, along with intricate twists seen at Tove and Carven, the defining pulled-back styles for this upcoming season are characterized by a relaxed and loosely tied finish. This results in nonchalant ponytails or buns that exude chic minimalism without appearing forced. It’s messy-girl vibes, but refined.

      ### 3. New Bronze

      No spring/summer beauty report would be complete without a mention of bronzer, especially from a London-based writer who hasn’t seen the sun in what feels like ages. The application of bronzer we will witness in spring/summer has dramatically shifted from previous norms. For the last decade, bronzed makeup has typically been paired with a glow. As we distanced ourselves from contouring, we craved bronzers that added radiance to our faces. However, for S/S 26, a new approach has emerged. At Michael Kors, bronzer was applied downwards on the cheeks, Ralph Lauren showcased dusted cheekbones and eyelids, Elie Saab featured terracotta shades on the eyes, while Giorgio Armani paired bronzed hues under the lower lash line with glowing cheeks. The defining feature of bronzer in spring/summer 2026 is a consistently buttery and baked finish. Say goodbye to shimmer, luminous powders, and cream textures—this season, matte is making a comeback.

      ### 4. Liquid Waves

      When hair isn’t styled in loose, casual up-dos, it’s down and wavy. The trend of “liquid waves” clearly dominated the runways this season, whether it involved polished natural textures at Blumarine, ‘70s-inspired crimps at Etro, gently curved lengths at Balenciaga, or soft mermaid waves at Ralph Lauren. Although waves have made a notable comeback in recent seasons, this time they are firmly establishing their presence in a polished manner. Though the wave patterns may be irregular, they are beautifully defined. Combine that with water-like movement and a mirror-like shine, and you’ve captured the essence.

      ### 5. Expensive Skin

      While it's often stated that “skin is in,” it’s important to recognize that skin