- Makeup is back in a big way: 2026 marks a shift away from minimalist beauty toward bold color, texture, and self-expression.
- Skin and lips are softer, not stricter: Think polished-but-natural skin and blurred, smudged “makeout” lips instead of harsh lines.
- The vibe is cool and future-facing: Y3K shimmer, frosted finishes, and cool tones modernize familiar trends.
TikTok doesn't know I'm a beauty editor. When I scroll, it's all lesbian thirst traps and tarot readers telling me I should, in fact, go back to my ex. But the latest makeup trends? Not really. Until, well, recently, when something shifted, and my FYP started spitting out in-depth makeup tutorials and reviews of the "it" lipstick color for 2026. Perhaps the algorithm has finally realized I live a double life. But I'm willing to believe that there's more at play: that makeup truly, finally, and genuinely is back.
There have been a whole lot of signifiers that 2026 makeup will look a lot different from years' past, beyond my very particular For You Page. Backstage at NYFW, I saw major eyeshadow moments and bold lips that I haven't seen in years. "Over the next year, we will definitely see an increase in artistry and really get back to having fun with makeup," makeup artist Kyle Anderson tells Cosmo. Think: A shift toward self-expression, texture, and individuality—not uniform perfection. Ahead, our full 2026 makeup trend prediction, from the looks that won't feel aligned to what'll take its place on your FYP.
Makeup trends that are in for 2026:
1. Supermodel Skin
Everyone's saying the clean girl is dead. I wouldn't say that. She's alive and well—just reinvented. One thing clean girls gave us is a skin-first approach to makeup, with lighter-weight formulas that offer hydrating skincare benefits. And these skin tints and rectified foundations totally have a place in your routine, even if you're dusting on an '80s blush or rainbow-hued eyeshadow on top of it.
But across the board, every spring/summer show I got a peek into backstage during NYFW, the makeup artists reiterated the same point: Skin is polished, but natural. Nothing too dewy or matte, necessarily. But the cheeks are sculpted and the under-eyes are color corrected, just in a totally different way than we used to.
"We have graduated from the minimalist approach when it comes to skin and are going to start adding glam back in, but with modern and intentional placement," says Anderson. One artist who is getting a ton of buzz on social media is Nina Park. She works with Addison Rae, Margaret Qualley, and Zöe Kravitz. Her signature makeup is sprinkled with pro techniques that softly lift and blur skin. M.ph Beauty, by celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips, released their Underpainting Palette with a mix of cream contour and highlight shades for a natural, diffused look.
2. Makeout Lips
"We’re predicting there is a more hazy/blurred moment on the horizon," says Anderson. Outlines are smudged and diffused, creating softer shapes with more natural edges. It's sexy and stained, Anderson adds, as you've just smeared your lipstick a bit with a quick kiss. If you go in with a lip liner to define, draw it on, then blend it out with your finger. Then, pop on a lip stain for a long-lasting look. These lips can go matte or glossy, too; it all depends on your vibes (and how chapped your lips are atm).
3. Welcome to Y3K
The early aughts have inspired many beauty trends over the last decade (skinny brows, cool tones, and concealer lips, for example). But as we enter the second half of the 2020s, looking to the future for inspo makes sense.
"As AI begins to weave into our everyday life, we can only anticipate seeing it influence the makeup industry as well," says Anderson. "AI-generated makeup looks and styling are able to take the essence of the Y2K aesthetic and add futuristic elements to level up." With that, he anticipates elevated eye moments with more modern styling as well as liner trends on the rise. Saturated shimmers are also high on the list, like those seen on Zara Larsson and Tyla, along with frosted lips (like MAC's Dazzle Lip Crayons and L'Oreal's Ballerina Shoes lipstick, both of which have totally gone viral). It's an elevated take on 2000s makeup.
4. Cooled Down
"Varying waves of milky pinks, warmer peaches, and neutrals will always be in, no matter how the trends evolve," says Anderson. But one thing's for sure: Cool tones make every look a bit more refined. It exudes an "it" factor; it's no wonder all of the coolest celebs are often seen in shades of gray (Julia Fox, Gabbriette, Chappell Roan, Jenna Ortega, Doechii—you name it). Dust 'em on your lids with a powder shadow for a soft, powdery look (it's in a handful of all the newest eyeshadow palettes, like Urban Decay Naked Shaped). Or draw on a cool-toned brown lip liner (we love Make Up For Ever's Endless Cacao) and smudge it out. This will not only contour your lips and add fullness, but also give your look an overall edgier look, no matter what shade you top it off with.
Meet the experts:
- Kyle Anderson is a National MAC makeup artist based in Jersey City, NJ. He's done makeup for campaigns, on celebrities, and for the runway.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing makeup stories.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
