Our Beauty Editor Shares the Trends Shaping 2026

After years of microtrends and virality-driven beauty buys, 2026 feels like a collective exhale. The beauty trends of 2026 signal a meaningful shift away from novelty for novelty’s sake—and toward intention. It’s a return to ritual, to products and practices that feel grounded, personal, and genuinely supportive of our well-being.

Across makeup, hair, and skincare, 2026 beauty trends are being shaped by a deeper understanding of science, hormone health, and the nervous system—and by a growing awareness of the long-term impact of what we put on our bodies. Instead of chasing every new launch, we’re learning to ask better questions: Does this work with my skin? Does it support my energy? Does it simplify my routine? The result is a beauty landscape rooted in longevity and self-trust, where building intentional, signature rituals matters more than keeping up.

Featured image by Michelle Nash.

What’s Next in Beauty for 2026

The beauty trends of 2026 point to a more grounded, intentional way of caring for ourselves. Expect skincare that prioritizes barrier health over aggressive actives, makeup that leans into effortlessness, and a personal signature—looks you return to because they feel like you—and tools that blur the line between beauty and wellness. There’s also a growing focus on longevity, as treatments and products are increasingly designed to support skin over time, not just deliver quick fixes.

Perhaps most compelling is the emotional shift happening alongside these trends. Beauty in 2026 is less about correcting perceived flaws and more about creating space to feel good in your skin. It’s beauty that adapts to real life—whether that looks like a five-minute morning routine or a slower, sensory ritual at night.

Beauty in 2026 is less about correcting perceived flaws and more about creating space to feel good in your skin.

Top Skincare Trends of 2026

Ahead, we’re breaking down the 2026 beauty trend predictions shaping skincare, makeup, hair, and self-care, with expert insights on how to thoughtfully—and realistically—incorporate them into your routine.

Marine Actives

Salt water has long been touted as a cure-all, so it’s no surprise that marine-based skincare continues to gain momentum. Ingredients like algae, seaweed, and marine minerals are showing up across formulations, prized for their hydrating, replenishing properties. The throughline? Skin that looks plump, refreshed, and deeply hydrated—like a tall glass of water, made literal.

According to Leigh-Ann Dolan, esthetician at Body+Beauty Lab, this shift is already taking shape in treatment rooms. If you’ve heard of the viral salmon facial, expect it to become more accessible in 2026—sparking a broader wave of salmon-derived ingredients and regenerative treatments. Consider it this year’s answer to snail mucin.

“PDRN is going to be huge for 2026,” says Dolan. “PDRN stands for polydeoxyribonucleotide and is derived from salmon DNA fragments. It’s been used in regenerative medicine for wound healing and tissue repair, and it promotes collagen synthesis, improves skin elasticity, supports scar repair, reduces inflammation, and can even help address pigmentation when used in dermatologic treatments.”

Long Live Exosomes

When we last covered exosomes, they were something of a hidden gem—typically available only as an add-on during a dermatologist or facialist visit. Now, they’ve moved firmly into the spotlight, becoming a favorite among skincare biohackers for their potential to boost collagen and support skin longevity.

According to Dr. Gina Maccarone, triple board–certified cosmetic surgeon and founder of The Surgeonista, exosomes are quickly earning a reputation as the new retinol. “Many of us are growing weary of the irritation and flakiness that often come with potent retinoids,” she explains. “As a result, products featuring growth factors and exosomes are gaining traction as gentler, yet effective, alternatives.”

Leigh-Ann Dolan adds that exosomes work at the cellular level to stimulate collagen, smooth texture, and enhance overall radiance. The takeaway? Serums infused with exosomes are poised to be everywhere in 2026—and they’re signaling a shift toward results-driven skincare that prioritizes tolerance and long-term skin health.

Resting Rich Face: The Rise of Undone Skin

The clean girl aesthetic is evolving—trading polish for presence. Enter undone beauty: skin that looks like you’ve just stepped out of a facial—bright, hydrated, and softly luminous. The key difference? You don’t need to book a treatment to achieve it. This trend reflects a return to basics and ritual, where healthy skin looks lived-in rather than perfected.

Undone skin is less about coverage and more about condition. It asks simple questions: Do you look hydrated? Does your skin have a natural warmth, like you’ve spent time in the sun or just taken a deep breath? That’s the essence of the undone look—skin that feels cared for, not concealed.

According to celebrity makeup artist Christian Briceno, “the most significant flex is skin that looks like you’ve done almost nothing to it. Clients want their skin to look like skin—healthy, hydrated, and genuinely cared for—before a single drop of makeup goes on.” He notes that this approach is especially flattering on mature skin: less product, more respect for texture.

To achieve the look, Briceno recommends starting with a rich, nourishing moisturizer and taking a few minutes for a face-sculpting massage to boost circulation and release muscle tension. The result is that fresh-from-a-facial glow—relaxed, hydrated, and effortlessly radiant.

The Hair Mood of 2026

In 2026, hair trends reflect a shift toward care, movement, and intention. The emphasis is less on rigid styles or high-maintenance looks and more on hair that feels healthy, touchable, and lived-in. Volume replaces slickness, softness replaces sharp lines, and rituals that support scalp and strand health take priority. The result is hair that looks polished without feeling overworked—an approach that values longevity, individuality, and ease over perfection.

Intentional Effortlessness

In 2026, hair trends are embracing a more thoughtful approach to styling—one that prioritizes care over excess. According to Devin Graciano, professional hairstylist and CEO of Goldie Locks, there’s a clear shift toward finishes that feel polished but never overdone. “People are gravitating toward styling that looks intentional,” she says. “Think soft volume and a classic round-brush blowout—refined, but still natural.”

The secret to this look is surprisingly simple: the right tools and strong fundamentals. A quality brush and comb do much of the work, allowing hair to look effortless without appearing undone. This isn’t about recreating the ‘woke up like this’ illusion—it’s about hair that looks genuinely cared for, hydrated, and well-prepped.

As Graciano puts it, “Shiny, healthy hair is the new flex.” In other words, when your hair is properly nourished and thoughtfully styled, it doesn’t need much else.

Short and Sweet

Blunt bobs dominated 2025, but while short hair isn’t going anywhere, the silhouettes in 2026 are noticeably softer. “We’re seeing more diffused edges, softer perimeters, and a gentler approach to fringe,” says Graciano. “Short hair will still feel bold—but in a way that’s more fluid, refined, and wearable.”

When it comes to styling, the focus shifts from rigidity to movement. Light styling gels and flexible hold products help add volume and definition without weighing hair down, allowing shorter cuts to feel touchable, modern, and effortlessly polished.

Big Hair, Don’t Care

No matter your hair length, volume is taking center stage in 2026. According to Annabelle Taura, beauty expert at Fresha, the shift away from slicked-back styles is both aesthetic and practical. “People are tired of the slick-back look—and for good reason,” she says. “These styles create constant tension on the scalp, rely on heavy product use, and can weigh the hair down over time, potentially causing damage.”

Instead of pulling hair tight or loading up on gel, this trend is about letting hair move naturally and look healthy. Volume becomes a sign of care, not chaos.

“This trend works especially well for curly hair,” Taura adds, “encouraging people to embrace their natural texture with shorter, ’80s-inspired layers and soft fringe. Think bigger volume, softer silhouettes, and a glamorous, tousled finish.”

Hair Peptides

Peptides have long been a mainstay in skincare—from topical treatments to supplements—and now they’re making their way into hair care. As the focus on scalp health and overall hair wellness deepens, hair peptides, particularly copper peptides, are emerging as the next frontier in supporting growth and strength.

Working at the scalp level, copper peptides help nourish hair from the root down, reinforcing healthier, fuller-looking strands over time. It’s a science-backed shift that mirrors what we’ve already seen in skincare: when you support the foundation, everything else follows.

Where Makeup Is Headed in 2026

In 2026, makeup becomes less about correction and more about expression. As routines simplify and skin takes center stage, makeup is reclaiming its role as a creative outlet—one that feels personal, playful, and intentional. Rather than chasing every trend, the focus shifts to color, texture, and finishes that reflect mood and individuality, not perfection.

Makeup Maximalism

After years dominated by the clean girl aesthetic, color and play are back—but with a more thoughtful edge. Makeup maximalism in 2026 isn’t about piling on product or masking perceived flaws. It’s about using makeup as self-expression, anchored by your own signature shades and techniques. Think dopamine dressing, but for your face.

“Quiet luxury and clean girl had their moment,” says Taura. “But with so many innovative products and beautiful formulations available, people are ready to have fun with makeup again—not just for nights out, but as part of everyday expression.”

Soft Matte Skin

After years of glazed, glassy finishes, matte makeup is making a return—but not in the way we remember it. While matte last dominated a decade ago, today’s formulas tell a different story. With advances in product quality, shade range, and skin-like textures, matte in 2026 feels refined rather than heavy.

This new iteration is softer and more dimensional—never cakey or powdery. Think blurred, velvety skin that still reflects light and movement.

According to Briceno, soft matte is quickly becoming the new aspirational finish. “Blurry-matte skin is emerging as a luxury standard,” he says. “It gives the face a polished, modern look without sacrificing radiance or making skin appear flat.”

Warm Neutral Makeup

If maximalism isn’t your mood, warm neutral makeup offers a softer way to add depth and dimension. This trend elevates natural makeup by leaning into nuanced browns and warm neutrals that enhance the complexion without overpowering it.

“It’s about using warm, earthy tones to tell a cohesive, tasteful story,” says Briceno. “The key is harmony—shades that bring warmth to the face without tipping muddy or orange.”

To achieve the look, keep the balance intentional: warm, softly defined eyes paired with a creamy, diffused cheek and a subtly bronzed lip with a blurred finish. The result is effortless, polished, and endlessly wearable.