Makeup is an art form, and like all art forms, it changes and shifts in order to align with the current culture of the environment. Every professional makeup artist will know their basics and classics backwards and forwards, but with the rapid trend cycle, how do you keep up with every viral microtrend? Never fear! We’ve collected five of the hottest makeup trends for 2026 to ensure that you will be ready to go, no matter who sits down in your chair.
Bold Eyeshadow
It’s true, what was once relegated to the past and considered tacky is back, and it’s big.
Bold eyeshadow, especially blue eyeshadow, triggers a sense of nostalgia, of makeup from a different era. Makeup trends in 2026 seem to be moving away from the ‘clean girl aesthetic’ and embracing the same fun spirit we all had when we would play with our mothers’ makeup as children. With artists like Addison Rae and Tate McCrae embracing Y2K aesthetics in their music and fashion, this look is back in a big way.
To achieve this look, always use an eyeshadow primer to prevent creasing. We recommend cream formulas and a shade of blue that hints at teal to achieve that perfect Y2K mermaid look.
Looking for a more retro Priscilla Presley-esque look? Again, use eyeshadow primer, but use a more powdery, true baby blue. Finish it off with an iconic and classic liquid liner wing. These retro looks are timeless and still capture our imagination.
Colorful Mascara
Another playful trend, colorful mascara, is taking over runways, and influencers are swiping it on for playful looks that remind us all of the 80s. The long, statement lashes are not going away anytime soon. Some makeup artists may opt to get their lash tech certification to diversify their portfolio and capitalize on these ongoing lash trends.
The colorful mascara trend can be subtle or a total statement. A burgundy mascara can just add a touch of color that subtly draws the focus to someone’s eyes. But a bright pink or garish green can make a big pop. For this trend, we recommend consulting color theory to achieve the look your client prefers. Stick to colors on similar sides of the color wheel when they want subtle, but reach across the wheel when they want to really make a statement.
Blurry Finishes
As the focus on skincare remains and medical aesthetic services are still sought out to achieve healthier-looking skin, a new skin finish trend has emerged. Blur makeup sits somewhere between dewy and matte, and gives the skin a soft and ethereal look.
To achieve this look, we recommend focusing on creme-based products. No sharp lines or finishes, the name of the game here is soft and blurry with deeper blush and lip colors for some romance.
Gothcore
With Netflix’s hit show Wednesday returning, and popular artists like Olivia Rodrigo embracing more punk-rock aesthetics, the goth look is back. Black lipstick dominated on Schiaparelli’s last runway, and trend-setters everywhere are embracing a darker hue when it comes to their looks.
To achieve a dark lip, we recommend always taking into account a client’s skin tone. Are they cool-toned or warm-toned? For a cool-toned client, look for very dark reds, or near-blacks, with purple and blue undertones. For a warm-toned client, look for a dark shade with more golden undertone hues. Understanding a client’s undertone is crucial for this look to avoid washing them out completely and not allowing the look to overwhelm their features.
For the eyes and face, always play with contrast. A good mix of dark-to-light in a client’s look will achieve what this trend is all about. Incorporating some fun graphic liner and sharp contouring will also help to make this look really pop.
Glossy Ombre Lips
Red lips will always be a classic, but this 2026 trend leans more into darker lip liner and an almost ombre effect, with a high gloss to finish it all off. The look nods to 90s trends that models and socialites like Gabriette and Julia Fox embrace, and it can be paired with the ‘gothcore’ looks that we covered before.
For this look, we once again recommend consulting the color wheel for finding a perfect red for a client. Then, overline the lips with a lip liner several shades darker. Next, apply the lipstick and use the blending brush to blend out and give the look that ‘ombre’ effect. Finish with a clear high-gloss lip gloss to give the lips a shiny and almost ‘candy apple’ like effect. Unlike the ‘blur makeup’ trend, this look does rely on sharp lines on the lips to keep everything looking crisp and give that plump and trendy look.
Learn Now To Be Ready For the Future
We all know trends do not exist in a vacuum. Each one morphs and changes into what the hot thing is next season. That is why we recommend trying to master these trends, even if they may seem like they’ll be gone in a blink of an eye. Each trend helps you sharpen skills that will prepare you to be ready for the next. Whether your clients want the ethereal blurred look, the bold gothic look, or to play with some fun bright colors, you’ll be ready to work your magic and master all of these fun, new looks.
