In 2026, Makeup Trends Are Getting Bolder, Brighter, and a Hell of a Lot Flirtier
Let's go, girls.
After scrolling through #beautytok and chatting with a few professional makeup artists, one thing is clear: we’re collectively craving more personality and expression in our makeup. Think bolder, brighter, and far less restrained (bye-bye clean-girl minimalism...for now). According to the pros, 2026 will be defined by luminous skin paired with unapologetic color—whether that shows up as bright and colorful eyeshadow, bold statement lips, or flushed, rosy cheeks.
“The theme will be divided. I think there will be some that still cling to the 'clean girl' aesthetic, while others are starting to rebel and revert to colorful, bright, fun makeup,” says New York City-based celebrity makeup artist Emily Gray. “I’m seeing this with celebrities like Zara Larsson, whose recent tour featured some of the most fun, bright, tropical-colored makeup—a cute and nostalgic nod to the highly creative makeup looks of the 2016 era."
This bold approach is extending beyond shadows and into lashes, too, with a focus on dramatic falsies that pop against soft-focus skin. Ultimately, your makeup look is entirely up to you, but I'm choosing to view 2026 as a time to experiment again. The future of makeup isn’t about choosing between minimalism and maximalism, but about embracing whatever makes you feel most confident in your own skin. That in mind, let's get into the biggest makeup trends pros are predicting for the next calendar year.
Luminous Soft-Focus Skin
While dramatic eyes and lips will dominate, skinimalism is the one trend from 2025 that we expect to carry over into the New Year. “People still want to look more natural and healthy, with hydrated and glowy makeup looks,” says celebrity makeup artist, Erika La’Pearl.
Bridge echoes this statement, referencing the glowy, hydrated, and luminous complexions she created on models during the Tom Ford SS’26 runway show. “I’ve been using two key complexion products in my kit, the Shade and Illuminate Contour Duo (it’s a classic, and it has been in my makeup kit since it first launched) and the new Architecture Radiance Hydrating Foundation SPF 50+. You can easily enhance your natural features using a great foundation and crème contour palette,” she adds.
A model at the Thom Browne Spring-Summer 2026 show with luminous skin.
Statement Lashes
I spotted a few ’60s-themed dramatic lash looks on the spring/summer 2026 runway that create a stunning doll-like look, and makeup artists are excited to be seeing more of the retro style soon. “I love playing with lashes in an unconventional way. For spring, I think we’ll see a lot of subtle drama in the eyes," says Bridge. To create a similar style to her “broken lash” look, you can use individual lash extensions and a few swipes of mascara. Press the lashes together with your fingers to create a point. “It was a fun way to add some unexpected drama to the eyes,” adds Bridge.
A model at the Thom Browne Spring-Summer 2026 show wearing blue lash extensions.
Bold, Lacquered Lips
While understated, nude lips dominated this year, lip makeup is about to become much brighter and more expressive. “Goodbye nudes—hello bold color,” says Gray. “Bright, fun shades aren’t just for the eyes anymore; they’re taking over lips, too.”
A model at the Lacoste spring-summer 26 fashion show wearing a bold reddish orange lipstick.
Bright, Colorful Eyeshadow
“Because of Zara Larsson and '80s makeup trends coming back, I am seeing so many fun, bright colored shadows on the eyes.—colors like pink, green, and blue," says Gray. When I do bright eyeshadow looks, I love to use Viseart’s Editorial Brights. This palette includes every bright color known to man (and you can mix them), and they blend easily.
A model at the Shuting Qius spring/summer 25 show wearing bright pink eyeshadow.
Draped Blush
As a beauty lover with a collection of over 50 blushes (I have a problem, I know,) I’m happy to say that blush will be bigger and better in 2026. Experts expect it to be used in various techniques. “Draped blush is a technique I keep seeing coming back. This time, it rewrites the use of color in a modern way. It's all about a lifting effect and enhancing the person's bone structure,” says makeup artist Christian Briceno. “It's so flattering in person and even better on camera; it doesn't just look naturally flushed; it looks sculpted." For this technique, I usually mix textures: a cream base for saturation, followed by a soft powder blush to set everything in place without compromising the skin's natural texture.
A model at the Leonard spring-summer 26 show wearing draped blush.
Bold Winged Eyeliner
Winged eyeliner will be getting a bold refresh for 2026. Instead of the ultra-precise, barely-there lines that have been popular in recent years, the look is evolving into something more expressive and intentional. Expect thicker wings, sharper angles, and playful variations, including elongated liquid cat eyes, floating wings, and graphic shapes that extend past the outer corner. Black liner will always be a staple, but makeup artists are also experimenting with rich browns, inky blues, and unexpected pops of color to make the wing feel modern.
Maya Jama at the Fashion Awards 2025, wearing black thick winged eyeliner.
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Meet the Experts
Lucy Bridge is a global makeup artist at Tom Ford, ushering in a bold new era of artistic expression for the house. Known for her boundary-defying approach to beauty, Bridge brings a modern vision that embraces individuality in its most authentic and expressive form.
Emily Gray prides herself on a balanced skill set of bold glamor, flawless editorial, and clean natural looks. However, her true gift is making her clients realize their most beautiful selves while simultaneously putting them at ease with the entire process. Emily's background studying classic art combined with her relentless quest for staying current with the freshest styles and latest techniques makes her the celebrated artist she has become. Emily’s clientele includes Mickey Guyton, Brittany Spencer, Kristin Cavallari, Little Big Town, and Lily Aldridge.
With a sharp eye and a knack for detail, Christian Briceno honed his craft assisting celebrity makeup artist Erin Parsons and working backstage at top fashion shows, including: Hermès, Jean Paul Gaultier, Schiaparelli, Carolina Herrera, Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren and the CFDA Awards. His work has caught the attention of brands like L’Oréal Paris, Maybelline New York, Matrix, Lancôme, Sony Music, Macy’s, MTV Unplugged, and Ceremonia. He’s also worked with talents like Debi Mazar, Laura Donnelly, Alicia Silverstone, and Coco Rocha.
Erika La’Pearl is a celebrated celebrity makeup artist and beauty creator known for her flawless, editorial-ready glam and standout looks on some of today’s biggest stars. With a passion for makeup that began in childhood, she transformed her love for beauty into a thriving career after attending beauty school and moving to Atlanta. Erika’s expert artistry and bold creativity caught the attention of Cardi B’s team in 2016, leading her to become Cardi’s key makeup artist for red carpets, performances, photo shoots, and major award shows. Beyond her signature beats and show-stopping color work, Erika inspires through her confidence, authenticity, and dedication to inclusive beauty
