Winter 2026 Makeup Trends Adopt Bold, Nostalgic Creativity
Winter 2026’s makeup trends are all about play and creativity, with a focus on bold and nostalgic looks. Instead of the usual no-makeup makeup, runways showcased bright colors and big shapes, encouraging experimentation with cerulean blues and canary yellows. This season invites you to ditch your phone and rediscover the joy of simple pleasures, like swinging on a playground set or getting crafty with glitter and Play-Doh. It’s about recapturing that childlike, carefree magic and giving “sensible” a rest.
Eyemaxxing Takes Center Stage
The trend of eyemaxxing is all about going big and bold with shapes and intensity. London-based makeup artist Rachel Hill-Cherry notes a desire for more eyeliner, more mascara, and more color. She suggests starting with a kajal eyeliner like Charlotte Tilbury’s Rock ’N’ Kohl or Marc Jacobs Beauty’s Drawn This Way for a blendable yet long-lasting look. Hill-Cherry emphasizes that this trend is about adopting creativity and fun, wrapping the eyeliner around the entire eye and blending it for a “lived-in” effect. Repeat the process until you achieve the desired intensity, and don’t be afraid to experiment with jewel tones and punchy colors like yellow and aqua.
Soft-Focus Lip Liner and Frosty Finishes
The smudgy, soft-focus lip trend evokes a nostalgic feel, reminiscent of 99-cent lipstick experiments. Hill-Cherry recommends Rhode Peptide Lip Shapers or Refy Blur Lip Liner for a natural, fuller-looking lip. For a touch of ’90s nostalgia, try the frosty finishes seen at Weiderhoeft, Balenciaga, and Bluemarine, or opt for a smudgy, “I applied this with my fingers” lip liner. Los Angeles-based makeup artist Brandy Allen highlights Mac’s rereleased frost lipsticks and Urban Decay’s Moondust Glitter Eyeshadow for a light-reflecting, pearlized effect. New York City-based makeup artist Laura Mele suggests incorporating ’90s-inspired eye shadows with washes of silver, icy blue, champagne, and pearlescent white. She recommends Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Glitter Eyeshadow for a dramatic snow queen finish.
The shift toward sheer foundations and strategic concealer allows for a natural base that enhances, rather than masks, the skin’s character. This approach, championed by Billie Gene, ensures that freckles and texture remain visible while redness and blemishes are subtly addressed. Products like Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint and Milk Cosmetics Hydro Gel Skin Tint offer a sheer, healthy finish that pairs well with the season’s dramatic features.
Monochromatic Red and Winter Flush
A monochromatic red look is gaining popularity, with red eye shadow and matching lips creating a bold statement. Los Angeles-based makeup artist Sarah Walsh suggests starting with a moody red like burgundy for an eyes-only look. She recommends Victoria Beckham’s Satin Kajal Liner in Bordeaux and a red shadow from palettes like KimChiChic Jewel Collection in Ruby or Colourpop Wine and Only. For a fuller effect, add red lips with stains like About Face Blurred Matte Lip Plump or Violette_Fr Bisou Balm. The winter flush trend focuses on a matte, red blush for a sporty, après-ski look. Walsh advises using red or orange-red blush across the apples of the cheeks and bridge of the nose for a natural, flushed appearance. Recommended products include LYS Beauty Higher Standard Satin Matte Cream Blush and Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder in Red Velvet.
Face Gems and Blue Eye Shadow
Face gems are making a statement in 2026, seen at concerts, runways, and the Met Gala. Walsh suggests a subtle approach with Half Magic or Lavaa Face Gems along the cheekbones or eye corners. For a glitter alternative, try Lemonhead LA Spacejam or Unicorn Snot Macro Glitter for a gem-like effect without the fuss. Blue eye shadow is back, with shades ranging from deep denim to soft baby blue. New York City-based makeup artist Billie Gene recommends a navy smoky eye using Merit Solo Shadow in Midnight or Kiko Milano High Pigment Eyeshadow in Metallic Blue. For a lighter look, try Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Tailored Denim or Lancôme Idole Goddess Dimension Eyeshadow in Lunar Glow.
Gene emphasizes the importance of controllable coverage, allowing freckles and texture to show while addressing redness and blemishes. Just ask yourself: What would 10-year-old you do? Would you stick to neutrals, or dive into a pot of glitter and pink eyeliner? This season, it’s all about adopting the playful, creative spirit of your younger self.
