In 2025, a shift towards natural makeup began to take place, replacing years of heavy contour and over-perfected glam and 2026 that shift is only going to get bigger where makeup looks are enhancing natural features instead of covering them. Products which benefit the health of your skin will become a priority along with subtle sculpting and the return of high shine finishes including lip gloss. These trends are designed to work in real life for real people’s day-to-day routine as opposed to social media filters.
Skin-First Makeup Is the Foundation of Every Look
Makeup looks will start with skin that looks healthy and hydrated. In 2026, the focus will continue to shift towards enhancing natural skin texture as opposed to using heavy coverage to mask skin complexions. To achieve this look, the most popular products will be skin tints or lightweight foundations if a little more coverage is desired. To complete the base, minimal concealer will be applied strategically to apply the product where it is needed rather than across areas of the face. To go along with the skin like trend, reflective highlighters will be replaced with soft luminosity to create a natural glow. Makeup products which meet the needs of skincare are going to be key to this trend.
Soft Sculpting Replaces Heavy Contour
Harsh contour lines and heavy bronzing will be left behind and be replaced with soft definition that enhances natural boned structure. For the natural look, cream based bronzers and liquid contour products are perfect to be able to seamlessly blend into the skin. Rather than dramatically reshaping the face, the goal is to add gentle warmth. To complement the bronzer, blush has become more popular and that is only going to increase into 2026. Creamed blush is applied higher on the cheeks and sometimes also swept over the bridge of the nose for a sun kissed look. This approach to sculpting creates balance to ensure facial features don’t look overpowered and instead supports the skin first makeup trend, making the complexion look healthy.
Eyes Are Minimal but Intentional
Simplicity is going to be the key to eye makeup this year, following on with the trend the purpose is to enhance natural features. Soft browns and warm neutrals, paired with toned down shimmers to add subtle depth will dominate. These eye shadows will create definition while keeping the overall natural look.
Eyeliner will continue to be thin and sometimes with a smudged wing depending if this will enhance the face shape with a natural lift. Brow gel will become more popular and create a soft, brushed up brow, to frame the face without appearing overdone. This minimalist eye trend allows the glowing skin and glossy lips to take centre stage, creating a balanced makeup look.
Glossy Lips Make a Full Comeback
Glossy lips began to make a come back last year and this year they will be a key part of the modern makeup look. After years of over lined lips and matte formulas, the focus has shifted towards hydration and a natural shine. Popular glosses tend to be high shine that are softly tinted to add some colour while keeping your lips look natural. Lip gloss fits perfectly into the skin first trend of 2026, complementing glowing complexions, particularly from brands specialising in simple makeup, like REFY. It can work well for everyday minimal looks as well as full glam styles to add balance and softness to the overall look. You can build dimension by layering gloss on top lip line and lipstick if you want fuller looking lips.
Makeup That Works for Real Life
The skin like trend of 2026 is designed to work with real life, prioritising natural easy to do looks over complex routines and heavy finishes. In addition, products that can transition effortlessly from day to night are popular allowing makeup looks to be easily refreshed without having to start again. This shift has led to an increase in multi use products being purchased to simplify and save time, such as lip blush which can double up as lipstick and blush and sometimes also eyeshadow. Skin tints, cream based formulas and lip gloss all perfectly support the lifestyle shift, offering flexibility throughout the day.
Individuality Over Perfection
One of the biggest shifts that is going to be in 2026 is moving away from one ‘perfect’ beauty standard but instead using makeup to enhance your individual natural beauty. Trends are no longer stuck in their ways; they are adaptable and encourage individuals to express themselves whilst using techniques and products to suit their face shape and skin type.
Minimal makeup complimented with one standout feature like glossy lips against a skin like base is proving that balance is becoming more popular. This year, the trends include wearing makeup that feels authentic and makes you feel confident, making it as unique as you like.
Conclusion
The makeup trends in 2026 are clearly shifting towards simplicity and individuality. Skin first makeup, soft sculpting and minimal eye looks create a natural base, while glossy lips add the perfect balance.