"I'm Definitely a Lip and Brow Enthusiast": Charli XCX Discusses Her 2026 Beauty Phase and Timeless Essentials

      Some might argue that Charli XCX is embracing a rebranding phase. The artist recently unveiled "Rock Music" as the lead single from her forthcoming eighth album (followed by "SS26," which is set to release on May 21), featuring a grungier sound that marks a significant departure from the dance-pop vibes of Brat, which became the defining soundtrack of summer 2024. Her beauty approach has also seen a subtle transformation: While her Brat beauty era was characterized by smudged eyeliner and a casual "party-girl" image, her current look appears softer and smokier—occasionally even without any eye makeup, as shown in her "Rock Music" music video. To solidify this new glamorous phase, Charli has been named the latest U.S. ambassador for YSL Beauty. It's evident that a makeover is clearly in store.

      What would Charli herself say about this transformation? "It's all still intrinsically me," she reflects on the campaign's beauty concept, her voice gentle and contrasting with the deliberately distorted sounds familiar from her music. "But I think some of the styles I collaborated on with Sam Visser, who did all the makeup for the campaign, are definitely more maximalist." She describes looks featuring radiant skin, light-reflective lips, sculpted eyelids, and "adrenaline flushed" cheeks—a surprising selection for someone who usually opts for a more minimal makeup style.

      "We were experimenting with blush in ways I don't usually, applying it high and blending it into the eye area," she explains. "Previously, I relied quite a bit on winged eyeliner, but these [looks] are a bit smokier, which really resonates with me right now." Charli views these changes not as concluding a chapter but as starting a new one. "It's about taking the essence of what I've always done in beauty and giving it a little twist," she adds. The "brat" is still present—she's simply evolved.

      When she’s not on a shoot or stage, you might be surprised to find that Charli doesn’t always rely on eyeliner. "I'm very much into lip and brow products right now," she reveals regarding her current makeup preferences. "I either groom my brows or apply a lip product. That’s my everyday look." For her lips, she’s "particularly obsessed" with YSL Beauty's Lovenude Lip Blusher. "It's matte and just gorgeous. It’s easy to use on the go, which is honestly how I prefer to do my makeup," she says, taking a moment to pull the product from her bag to confirm the specific shade. (Success—it's Undressed Pink.) For her brows, she brushes them upwards with a spoolie dipped in hairspray, rather than traditional brow gel. "It keeps them in place, and I don’t have to think about it. It’s probably not the healthiest choice, but it’s my go-to," she laughs.

      As a YSL Beauty ambassador—alongside the likes of Laura Harrier, Amelia Gray Hamlin, and Lila Moss—Charli has access to all the brand's unreleased upcoming products, including the Skin Affair Soft Glow Cushion Foundation, launching on May 29. (For reference, she secretly wore the shade LN10 at the Met Gala.) "It comes with an adorable keychain," she notes, "so you can attach it to your bag, and it looks really cute." Another favorite of hers is the brand's Couture Mini Clutch, an eyeshadow quad featuring soft, velvety pigments ideal for creating soft-grunge aesthetics (if I may say so). "I've got one that features taupe, silver, and brown. That’s my go-to palette."

      Despite altering her approach, eye makeup remains Charli's trademark, even as she steps away from eyeliner in favor of soft shadows. "Sometimes, I like to keep it really neutral with nothing on my eyes, and other times, I go all out—complete black, oil slick. It really varies with my mood," she explains. When I inquire about her overall mood for 2026, she takes a moment—"Damn, that’s a lot of pressure!" she jokes—before proclaiming: "Effortless, chic, and still a bit messy." The party girl spirit endures, regardless of any rebranding efforts.