{"id":423,"date":"2025-12-07T06:05:38","date_gmt":"2025-12-06T22:05:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sasgai.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/07\/the-biggest-makeup-trends-of-2026-signal-a-colorful-vibe-shift\/"},"modified":"2025-12-07T06:05:38","modified_gmt":"2025-12-06T22:05:38","slug":"the-biggest-makeup-trends-of-2026-signal-a-colorful-vibe-shift","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sasgai.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/07\/the-biggest-makeup-trends-of-2026-signal-a-colorful-vibe-shift\/","title":{"rendered":"The Biggest Makeup Trends of 2026 Signal a Colorful Vibe Shift"},"content":{"rendered":"

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You’ve probably noticed\u2014on your socials, at your favorite retailers, or even just walking down the street\u2014that it has become increasingly difficult to predict what will happen next week, let alone next year. You’re not alone. The constant churn of trends has left many (including us) exhausted from being told what\u2019s “cool.” Instead, makeup lovers are choosing to do their own thing, putting together looks that spark joy and reflect their personalities, rather than following what\u2019s \u201cin.\u201d<\/p>\n

The makeup artists, trend forecasters, and retail buyers we spoke with echo similar sentiments, while the rainbow-colored eye shadow and pastel lips on the spring 2026 runways seem to indicate a desire for more color, texture, individuality, and fun in makeup.<\/p>\n

Kaitlin Rinehart, Ulta\u2019s vice president of merchandising, says the retailer expects to \u201csee more experimental looks and a shift from neutral products to those that deliver more color payoff and personal expression.\u201d Makeup artist Lauren Andersen sees a growing appreciation for artistry and makeup among her clients that is expressive and emotional, not corrective. And makeup artist Alex Levy feels he\u2019s seeing less of a homogenous look online. \u201cThere\u2019s definitely a push towards individuality,\u201d he says, \u201cand within that we\u2019re finding pockets of folks who gravitate towards similar, perhaps more niche, aesthetic interests.\u201d<\/p>\n

The latter half of 2025 saw goth and grunge makeup return to the mainstream. In 2026, gaming’s presence in the beauty industry will grow, with new brands and launches pushing texture and pigment into otherworldly, multidimensional realms. K-beauty will continue to have an impact on social media and beauty shelves, especially for lip stains and complexion products.<\/p>\n

South Korea might be inspiring brands to look to the future, but nostalgia is the driving influence for millennials and Gen Z\u2019ers. Rinehart predicts customers will use artistry brands to \u201cbring back bold and colorful looks from the 2000s and 2010s,\u201d while makeup artist Alexandra French thinks we\u2019re about to see \u201cthe 10-year beauty cycle go into effect\u2014a lot of 2016-style full glam but done much better.\u201d Going even further back, there\u2019s a growing fascination with the pastel lips and draped blush of the 1980s for members of generations that missed the era of excess.<\/p>\n

Multiple makeup artists use the word \u201cintentional\u201d when speaking about makeup in 2026. \u201cThere\u2019s a strong desire for authenticity; people still want to look polished, but not \u2018done,\u2019\u201d Andersen explains. As you scroll your feeds, you\u2019ll see that you can play up your lashes with faux clusters, adding a slash of bright blue shadow across lids, or by picking a new foundation that toes the line between makeup and skin care. If we can predict anything about makeup in 2026, it\u2019s that it\u2019s time to make it all about you.<\/p>\n

ROGYBV Lids Are Making Their Comeback<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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A rainbow of eye shadow shades came down the spring runways at shows like Tom Ford, Schiaparelli, Courreges, and Toga, and this has us wanting to bring a bit of color back to our lids in 2026. \u201cI think we are seeing the pendulum swing in the opposite direction from the clean girl [aesthetic],\u201d says French. \u201cThe tired, messy girl and lo-fi aesthetic is all the rage right now, but I\u2019m already seeing trends leaning into sculpted skin with sharp liner and colorful eye shadow.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n