Makeup Trends 2026

Beauty is all about being creative, having fun, and expressing yourself! If you’re scrolling through Allure or browsing the Ulta Beauty website and wondering, how can I add a little spark to my look this year, here’s the deal. 

Think glowy highlighter, dewy over baked, and a whole lot of shiny lips. From minimalist everyday makeup looks to Barbie glam, there are tons of new shades, formulas and beauty products to try, making 2026 more exciting, artistic and sexier than ever. 

Top Makeup Trends of 2026

Color Explosion  

Got a favorite color? Now, you can wear it on your lids, brows, or lips. It’s okay to show some personality! Let your makeup scream confidence with electric blues, neon shades, and rainbow hues that show your true authenticity. 

  • Eyeshadow Palettes: Urban Decay Electric Palette, Huda Beauty Neon Obsessions
  • Liquid Liners: NYX Vivid Brights
  • Pro Tip: Pair cobalt liner with a neon inner corner for instant drama.

Dreamy Vibes  

Inspired by K-Beauty, the blurred lips and cloud-like skin are a hot trend this year. The diffused, popsicle stained lips give soft and sensual vibes. Skip the lip liner and add a touch of romance with Halo lips that blend beyond the lip lines. 

  • Blurred Lips: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Lip Matte, Peripera Ink Velvet
  • Cloud Skin: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation + Hourglass Veil Setting Powder

Skin That Speaks Volumes  

The makeupless makeup look never goes out of style and sometimes less is more.If you’re a full coverage or matte look girl, this may be a hard change. With tons of tinted moisturizers, dewy highlighters and fabulous skincare products, a healthy, natural look is easy to achieve. Try a radiant gentle matte and subtle coverage that lets your real skin shine through.

  • Natural Glow: NARS Light Reflecting Foundation, Glossier Futuredew
  • Gentle Matte: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Powder Foundation

Go Big or Go Home

If maximalism is totally your thing, glitter, gems, and editorial artistry are always fun. Make a bold statement and be unapologetically creative this year with themed makeup palettes and accents that turn heads in any room.

  • Glitter & Gems: Lemonhead.LA Spacepaste Glitter, Face Lace Gem Stickers
  • Editorial Tools: Danessa Myricks Colorfix Pigments

Cozy Glam

Remember the latte look? If you’re a classic beauty, reimagine warm latte tones, caramel lids, and sculpted cheeks that bring comfort and elegance together. Add a nice bronzer or liquid highlighter for a sculpted wintry look. 

  • Warm Neutrals: Natasha Denona Biba Palette, Makeup by Mario Master Mattes
  • Sculpting: Fenty Beauty Match Stix

Beauty Meets Tech 

Personalized makeup looks powered by AI? Yes, please! Tech-driven tools are making beauty smarter and totally tailored to you. And to be honest it’s quite amazing to see how innovation is making its way into the beauty industry.

  • AI-Powered Tools: Foreo Luna 4, YSL Rouge Sur Mesure Lip Color Creator
  • Personalized Skincare: Function of Beauty Custom Formulas

2026 is your year to try something new. Get rid of that same makeup routine and try out some of this new stuff. I promise you! You will be pleasantly surprised. The mantra is simple “Makeup is art, and you’re the masterpiece”.

Beauty Trends 2026

New Year’s Resolutions are one of the greatest things about starting a new year! After the holidays, events, and the fireworks, there’s the enthusiasm of a fresh start. It’s an opportunity for fabulous ambitions in the world of beauty. That means adding some sparkle to the treasure chest. This year, it’s time to make self care a top priority and try out some of these great, new and innovative products that are really showing and proving.   

Here are some ideas for 2026 Beauty Resolutions: 

Beauty

• Try a new makeup look

• Do an overnight lip mask regularly

• Find a new go-to body butter

Self-Care

• Practice meditation once a week

• Review daily affirmations

• Write in my journal

Skincare

• Pay closer attention to my skin

• Drink more water throughout the day

• Wear sunscreen consistently

Nails

• Oil my cuticles regularly

• Try a new bright nail color

Shop Beauty Resolutions

Lip Masks

Abib PDRN Collagen Lip Mask Glazed Jelly – A highly rated alternative with collagen and jelly texture for soft overnight lips.

https://amzn.to/4bkM4Mj

Body Butter

Osea Undaria Body Butter – A more luxurious pick with deeply hydrating ingredients and rich texture.

https://amzn.to/4jrGYQj

Cuticle Oil

Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail Cuticle Oil – Classic everyday cuticle oil with vitamin E for soft, healthy nails.

https://amzn.to/49EKgfU

Journal

Leuchtturm1917 Softcover Notebook – A beautiful, high-quality journal that’s perfect for daily reflections.

https://amzn.to/4ppPj8G

Water Bottle

CIVAGO 32 oz Insulated Water Bottle With Straw – Spacious insulated bottle to help you drink more water every day (great for your skincare goals!)

https://amzn.to/45Fza7U

Exploring New Frontiers in Beauty: 2025

Every year, exploring beauty, health and wellness is like navigating the boundless solar system. We uncover exciting new insights, discoveries and observations. In the galaxy’s star studded, vast space, progress isn’t measured by speed or velocity. It’s about charting the beauty cosmos and finding out what works best for the individual. We must understand the terrain, adjust the course and improve the plan to accomplish the goal of our mission.

Here is a recap of this year’s beauty mission and the discoveries we made on the year long voyage. 

Initial Insights

After spending some serious time in new atmospheres, we realized that an extra layer of defense is always required. We recognized the need for sunscreen as a heat shield, just as much as we need a space suit on Mars. 

Discoveries

Retinol, Niacinimide, Hyaluronic Acid, and Vitamin C were key formulas that we learned were powerful and effective when used correctly. We understood how these products and even a trip to the dermatologist can heal the skin like never before. As we navigated the turbulence of skincare, we came close to discovering the right flight plan. 

Observations

Through observation, we concluded that any type of skin protection is better than nothing. Tinted moisturizer was the ultimate solution. We enhanced our ability to adapt to new environments and protect the skin with low maintenance tinted moisturizer products. 

Additional Findings

As we explored the vastness of the beauty space, nails were no longer an afterthought. The perfect manicure became a mission critical operation. We focused on small details like nail care, polish perfection and design.  

The Final Observation

The last checkpoint was hair care. We realized that much was needed to prepare for the journey “ahead”. We developed an innovative approach to protect and manage the crown using products with ingredients like biotin, argan oil and hemp. 

The Outcomes

We journeyed beyond surface levels and explored factors like vitamins, nutrition, eyes, and ears. We evaluated affirmations and positive vibes, while observing what we ate, what we needed and how to improve the senses for space missions. Self care became the central control panel for expansive intergalactic travel.

The Long-Mission Plan

The biggest takeaway from 2025 was not the outcome of a single mission, but a shift in views. Beauty and wellness became less about launching the rocket and more about long term missions. That meant finding ways to stay proactive, consistent, and safe on any terrain. More feedback will be provided as the next mission unfolds. 

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause

The plane was delayed. The gifts arrived late. The food was overcooked and I couldn’t get the dog to stop barking. 

That sounds like the beginning of a horrible Christmas story…something like Home Alone! 

But, it gets worse. I was ready to have the most wonderful Christmas ever until I realized that in no way, shape or form was I ready for that special moment that I would share with my cherished loved one.

You know…The kiss under the mistle toe. 

I’m talking about berry flavored, buttery, scented long wear, bombgirl pink lipstick that I wouldn’t dare wear because my lips are not winter proof. That was my biggest fear. 

If you’re into going the extra mile to make sure your lips don’t feel like cardboard during the winter and even more importantly during those magical holiday moments, here are a few of the top lipsticks, glosses and lip oils recommended by the experts at Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Allure, Vogue, Ulta Beauty, Lifestyle of Beauty & Skin, and Byrdie.

Top Lipsticks of 2025

1. Dior Rouge Dior 999 Velvet Lipstick — Dior

Source: Marie Claire – Best Lipsticks 2025

2. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick — Charlotte Tilbury

Source: Marie Claire – Best Lipsticks 2025

3. MAC Retro Matte Lipstick — MAC

Source: Allure – Best of Beauty (Lips) 2025

4. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick — Revlon

Source: Ulta – Best Lip Products 2025 (editorial/bestseller pick)

5. Glossier Generation G Sheer Matte Lipstick — Glossier

Source: Marie Claire – Best Lipsticks 2025

Top Lip Gloss / Gloss-Oil Hybrids of 2025

1. MAC Lipglass Air Non-Sticky Lip Gloss — MAC

Source: Vogue – Best Lip Glosses 2025

2. Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer — Fenty Beauty

Source: Harper’s Bazaar – Best Lip Glosses 2025

3. YSL Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss — Yves Saint Laurent

Source: Allure – Best of Beauty (Lips) 2025

4. Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil — Summer Fridays

Source: Lifestyle of Beauty & Skin – 2025 Glazed Lip Guide

Top Lip Oils of 2025

1. Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil — Dior

Source: Byrdie – Best Lip Oils 2025

2. e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil — e.l.f. Cosmetics

Source: Allure – Best of Beauty (Lips) 2025

3. Fenty Treatz Hydrating + Strengthening Lip Oil — Fenty Beauty

Source: Lifestyle of Beauty & Skin – 2025 Glazed Lip Guide

4. Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil — Gisou

Source: Lifestyle of Beauty & Skin – 2025 Glazed Lip Guide

With these dreamy winter lip tips you’ll be thoroughly prepared for some serious mistletoe action this year. Just don’t get caught with Santa!

Holidays Nails That Sparkle

The holidays are one of the most fun times to play with nails. You try everything from full gram, metallic and textures to velvet glass nails and glitter tips.

According to trend reports, designs like snowflakes, striped sweater prints, animal-prints turned winter-prints (deer print!), “moody French tips” (using dark/brown/colored tips instead of classic white) are hot.

Whether you’re still shopping for holiday gifts or looking for a way to spruce up your fingertips just in time for the egg nog, here are some of the most popular trendy nail kits to grab this year. 

Olive and June Gingerbread Mini Manicure Set

$18.00

Fun, themed holiday kits (mini size, great for content or gift).

Olive and June

Essie Gel Couture 2‑Piece Holiday Gift Set

$15.75

Higher-end polish gift set; good for layering a “special” mani.

Ulta Beauty

OPI Holiday Mini Nail Lacquer Kit

$19.95

Great “stocking stuffer” or for multiple looks.

OPI

Kiss imPRESS Holiday Press‑On Nails Gift Set

$9.49

Press-ons — perfect for creators, quick change-up, no polish mess.

KISS

Essie 12‑Pc Holiday Nail Polish Advent Calendar Set

$38.95

For the full holiday runway — a countdown style set.

Walmart

Beetles Gel Christmas Gel Nail Polish Set

$38.99

A full gel set with many colour options; good if you like experimenting with looks.

Amazon

Make this year’s holiday parties, dinners, and outings special with dainty shapes, dazzling gems, and unique nail finishes that bring on the Christmas spirit.