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”.