We're getting our glow on in 2026
Makeup trends in 2025, have leaned away from flash in the pan extravagance and erred on the side of caution with a less is more attitude that's allowed us to focus on our skin care routines instead of elaborate eye shadow looks.
Our autumn makeup inspiration was cosy with a palette of warm, muted tones. In winter, we focused on core makeup principles to hone a flawless complexion, and in spring we did away with foundation altogether. So now, come summer, our makeup has an undeniably natural softness to it.
As for 2026? We're not suddenly going to start piling the makeup back on; instead we're using all we've learned in 2025 as a base. Playing with new textures and techniques that transform us into flawless beings — part angel, part AI.
Think: An ethereal, translucent, light-reflective filter of makeup that enhances the natural features that exist beneath.
1/ Frosted makeup
Inspired by the icy beauty looks of Y2K Victoria's Secret models, according to Pinterest searches for frosted makeup are up by 150 per cent.
"Gen Z and Millennials are bringing a subzero sophistication to absolutely everything in 2026 — think cool-toned coats, glacier-inspired accessories and the frostiest of cocktails. It’s the temp drop we’ve all been waiting for."
@ryu.xx___
@kalikennedy
@juliaedwardsmakeup
2/ Soft dewy makeup
Glass skin has been the trend du jour of the last few years, but now we're transcending the skin care-centric trend with celestial and cosmic inspired makeup looks. It's your skin, but heavenly.
With searches for soft dewy makeup up by 115 per cent, Pinterest predicts this otherworldly makeup trend will make a big impact in the months to come.
"In 2026, Gen Z and Millennials are going intergalactic. Think holographic home accents, opalescent eyeshadow that looks like moon dust, and cosmic silhouettes straight out of a sci-fi movie. The aliens have landed — and they have fabulous taste."
@eunjuuyuu
@oliviagriffithsmakeup
@jasminlily_
3/ Jelly blush
As far as we can tell most of us have abandoned powder blushes in lieu of creamy, liquid, balmy, and jelly-like formulas to fake a natural flush.
Pinterest's research suggests that there's no sign of this wet cheek look disappearing in 2026 either — searches for jelly blush are up by 130 per cent.
However, the inspiration search engine thinks that skin care enriched formulas have influenced our cheek makeup forever, so look for 'elastic cheek tints' in the new year that promise to improve skin elasticity and plump, juicy colour pay off.
@jinn_juni
@shannon.z
@aishapotter
4/ Avant garde editorial makeup
Feeling bored of 'pretty' makeup? You're not alone.
Searches for avant garde editorial makeup are up by 270 per cent says Pinterest, with the more adventurous among us turning to high fashion editorial beauty looks for inspiration, and new and exciting ways to use the contents of their makeup bags.
"The perfect winged liner? She doesn’t go here. This year, beauty is missing the mark — on purpose."
@farahomidi
@anatakahashiii
@nikki_makeup
5/ Dark romantic makeup
In your dark academia, whimsigoth, siren era? Great news — searches for dark romantic makeup are up by 150 per cent.
"Beauty bites back with this 2026 trend. Millennials and Gen Z will go all in on after-dark aesthetics, embracing jet black nails, romantic goth hairstyles and a smudged smokey eye — all with a touch of glossy glamour. Who says you can’t be haunting and heartbreaking?"
@brookelturnbull
@gracemariaellington
@aimeetwistartistry
Main image credit: @anatakahashiii, @nikki_makeup, @shannon.z, @aishapotter and @kalikennedy
Looking for more ways to update things in 2026? These are the nail trends to know.
Briar Clark got her start in the media industry in 2017, as an intern for Marie Claire and InStyle. Since then, her keen interest in fashion and beauty has landed her gigs as a Digital Content Producer and Beauty Editor with titles like Girlfriend, Refinery29, BEAUTYcrew and beautyheaven. She loves the way seemingly innocuous topics like skin care and style have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces or make them think about themselves a little differently. A big believer in self love and experimentation, Briar has made a point of becoming the Australian beauty industry’s unofficial guinea pig for unusual treatments and daring hair trends. When she’s not testing out the latest beauty launches, Briar is big on broadening her horizons, mostly in the form of food but she’s also partial to travelling to new destinations both near and far (and of course, allocating an extra bag to bring their best beauty offerings home with her).
