Beauty

Fitness classes combining red light therapy with exercise, including vibration plate classes that boost skin health and recovery simultaneously

Tactile nail art with velvety finishes, cat eye effects, sculptural designs and art-adorned nails replacing minimalist manicures

Cool-toned browns, smoky taupes, blended liners, glossy neutral lips and natural separated lashes with sun-kissed radiant blush

A refined approach to makeup that focuses on enhancing natural features with minimal product, emphasizing healthy, glowing skin. This trend evolves from previous 'no-makeup makeup' looks, incorporating strategic placement and high-quality, lightweight formulas for a polished yet effortless appearance.

Consumers are increasingly demanding transparency and ethical responsibility from beauty brands. This trend emphasizes eco-friendly packaging, sustainably sourced ingredients, cruelty-free formulations, and a commitment to reducing environmental impact across the entire product lifecycle.

The integration of advanced AI diagnostics, including at-home microbiome testing and detailed environmental analysis, will move beyond simple questionnaires. Consumers will expect dynamic product formulations and regimen adjustments delivered via subscription models that change based on real-time biometric data and lifestyle factors.

Consumers are moving beyond general personalization to demand products formulated based on individual biological data, including microbiome analysis and DNA sequencing. This shift is driven by advancements in at-home testing kits and AI algorithms that recommend precise ingredient combinations for maximum efficacy. The focus is on preventative skin health and optimization rather than reactive treatment.

Sustainability concerns are pushing waterless beauty from a niche concept to a mainstream expectation across all categories (hair, body, and makeup). Solid concentrates, powder-to-liquid formulas, and anhydrous products reduce shipping weight, minimize preservative needs, and appeal strongly to eco-conscious Gen Z and Millennial consumers. Refill systems are becoming standard practice for these formats.

Biotechnology is revolutionizing ingredient sourcing, moving away from traditional botanical extraction toward highly pure, sustainably produced lab-grown actives. Ingredients like synthetic collagen, cultured growth factors, and precision-fermented antioxidants offer superior efficacy and consistent quality without relying on resource-intensive agriculture. This technology addresses both ethical sourcing and supply chain stability.

Products designed to interact with the nervous system and skin receptors to influence mood, stress levels, and sleep quality will become mainstream. This includes topical ingredients and sophisticated scent profiles that claim measurable psychological benefits, bridging the gap between wellness and traditional beauty.

Consumers will increasingly demand skincare solutions tailored precisely to their individual genetic makeup, environmental exposure, and real-time skin conditions. AI-powered diagnostic tools and personalized formulations, often delivered via subscription models, will become mainstream, moving beyond simple skin type categorization to molecular-level customization.

The market for high-powered, at-home beauty devices will mature, moving beyond basic LED masks to sophisticated, multi-functional tools utilizing microcurrent, radiofrequency, and focused ultrasound. These devices will feature connectivity and AI coaching to replicate professional clinic results and drive long-term consumer loyalty.

Driven by heightened consumer awareness regarding sustainability and water scarcity, solid formats (shampoo bars, solid serums, powder cleansers) will transition from niche to standard offerings across all price points. Brands will prioritize concentrated, anhydrous formulas to reduce shipping weight and environmental impact.

AR technology is evolving beyond simple color matching to simulate complex aesthetic procedures, such as fillers, non-surgical lifts, and microblading, allowing consumers to visualize realistic outcomes before committing. This reduces decision anxiety and drives demand for both professional services and sophisticated at-home devices. Brands are integrating these tools directly into e-commerce and consultation platforms.

Beyond 'clean' and 'eco-friendly,' the focus will shift to regenerative beauty, emphasizing products and practices that actively restore the environment and support biodiversity. This includes refillable systems, upcycled ingredients, waterless formulations, and brands investing in circular economy models and ethical sourcing that benefit local communities.

Advancements in biotechnology will lead to a surge in bio-engineered and lab-grown ingredients, offering sustainable and potent alternatives to traditionally sourced components. This trend addresses concerns about ingredient scarcity, ethical sourcing, and environmental impact, providing high-performance actives with controlled purity and efficacy.

Following the 'clean girl' and 'no-makeup makeup' aesthetic, consumers will demand true hybrid products that offer high-performance skincare benefits alongside minimal cosmetic coverage. Formulas must be non-comedogenic, clinically proven to improve skin health, and feature multi-use applications to simplify routines.

Consumers are moving beyond generic product lines, seeking formulations precisely tailored to their individual skin microbiome, genetic predispositions, and environmental factors. AI-powered diagnostics and at-home testing kits will drive this shift, leading to bespoke product creation and dynamic regimen adjustments.

The beauty industry will expand into neurocosmetics, developing products that influence mood, reduce stress, or improve sleep through topical application. Ingredients targeting the skin-brain axis, combined with sensory experiences like aromatherapy, will offer holistic well-being benefits beyond traditional aesthetic improvements.

2026's version of a statement-making pixie isn't about sharp lines and hard silhouettes, but rather a more lived-in version with airy textured pieces that move. The pixie evolves into a longer, swept-back style with just enough length to tuck behind the ears, helping lift cheekbones while keeping softness around the hairline and nape. It's bold but feels lived-in and effortless rather than severe.

Demand for beauty products that genuinely cater to a wider spectrum of skin tones, hair textures, and cultural beauty practices will intensify. Brands will invest in diverse R&D and marketing to create formulations that are not merely adaptable but specifically optimized for varied needs, moving beyond a 'one-size-fits-all' approach.

The emphasis on anti-aging will evolve into proactive skin health and longevity, focusing on maintaining skin vitality and resilience over time rather than solely correcting visible signs of aging. Products will incorporate ingredients that support the skin's natural defense mechanisms, microbiome balance, and cellular health from a younger age.

The beauty industry is increasingly exploring the connection between topical applications and neural responses, leading to products designed to influence mood, reduce stress, or enhance cognitive well-being through scent, texture, and active ingredients. This trend blurs the lines between beauty, wellness, and mental health.

The proliferation of advanced at-home beauty devices that combine multiple technologies (e.g., LED, microcurrent, ultrasound, cryotherapy) will continue, offering professional-grade treatments with personalized settings. These devices integrate seamlessly with apps for tracking progress and regimen guidance.

Grunge aesthetic returns with soft smokes, creamy shadow crayons, and defined waterlines. This trend fights the 'clean girl' aesthetic with smoky shadow crayons all over lids and eyeliner pencils on the waterline for an effortlessly edgy look.

Grunge aesthetic returns with soft smokes, creamy shadow crayons, and defined waterlines. This trend fights the 'clean girl' aesthetic with smoky shadow crayons all over lids and eyeliner pencils on the waterline for an effortlessly edgy look.

Moving beyond basic barrier repair, 2026 skincare focuses on bio-adaptive technologies that allow products to dynamically adjust to the user's environment and internal state (like stress or sleep cycles). This involves highly personalized formulations that react to individual skin needs in real-time.

Bold, experimental makeup with punchy colors, mismatched manicures, two-toned lipstick and bright eyeshadow replacing clean girl aesthetic

Otherworldly shimmer and holographic finishes replacing matte textures, featuring silver shimmer over eyes, lips and cheekbones inspired by alien-coded runway looks

Pilates workouts performed in infrared heat up to 38°C, combining traditional pilates with wellness benefits and red light therapy

Skincare routines are shifting toward foundational health, prioritizing the strengthening of the skin barrier and optimizing the microbiome. This trend moves away from aggressive treatments, focusing instead on gentle, restorative ingredients and products designed to maintain the skin's natural ecosystem and resilience against environmental stressors.

The 'Cool Blue' color palette is predicted to dominate beauty, extending beyond eyeshadow to include nail art, hair accents, and even subtle cheek or lip tones. This trend signifies a shift toward cooler, aquatic, and icy tones, contrasting the warmer palettes of previous years, and is highly influenced by social media and forecast reports.

This trend focuses on highly customized skincare solutions, moving beyond general skin types to address individual needs through advanced diagnostics and bespoke formulations. It emphasizes precision and efficacy, leveraging technology to create unique routines.

The intersection of technology and beauty is accelerating, with AI playing a crucial role in product development, personalized recommendations, and virtual try-ons. This trend embraces digital tools for enhanced consumer engagement, smart beauty devices, and data-driven insights to customize beauty experiences.

A significant trend for 2026 is the blurring of lines between skincare and makeup, with products offering both cosmetic coverage and active skincare benefits. This approach prioritizes skin health and treatment within makeup formulations, reflecting a holistic view of beauty.

Soft, smudgy makeup with no crisp definition inspired by Japanese and Korean styles, featuring blurred blush on cheeks and eyelids with watercolor effects

The next evolution of skin health focuses on personalized, data-driven routines that adapt to the individual's environment, stress levels, and genetic predispositions. This trend moves beyond simple ingredient focus towards systems that dynamically respond to physiological needs, integrating wearable tech and advanced diagnostics.

The Poetcore aesthetic, identified by Pinterest, translates into beauty through a soft, romantic, and slightly melancholic look. This involves delicate, diffused makeup, emphasizing natural textures, muted colors, and a focus on ethereal, literary inspiration rather than sharp lines or heavy contouring. It is closely related to the 'Soft Glam' or 'Blurred Makeup' texture trends.

The beauty industry is shifting towards a more comprehensive approach to skin health, moving beyond superficial treatments to address internal and external factors. This includes highly personalized skincare routines tailored to individual needs, leveraging advanced diagnostics and ingredients that work in synergy with the body's natural processes.

This trend signifies a return to polished, high-glamour beauty, focusing on sophistication and luxury. It emphasizes flawless skin, structured makeup, and an overall elevated, intentionally styled appearance, moving away from casual or 'no-makeup' looks.

Skincare is advancing towards formulations that actively respond to the skin's changing needs and environmental factors. This involves smart ingredients and technologies that adapt their action based on real-time skin conditions, offering highly personalized and effective treatment.

The beauty industry is experiencing a broad revival of nostalgic looks beyond just the '90s, pulling inspiration from various decades, including the 2000s and earlier eras. This trend emphasizes playful, often colorful, and sometimes exaggerated styles that reference past cultural moments, reflecting a desire for escapism and familiarity.

Dark romantic makeup with plum tones, inky kohl-rimmed eyes, jet black nails and sombré brunette hair creating moody, vampiric vibes

Skincare is increasingly integrating advanced biometric data and technology to optimize product efficacy. This involves using wearable tech or personalized diagnostic tools to monitor skin changes, environmental factors, and internal health metrics, allowing skincare formulations to adapt in real-time for maximum results.

Experimental colorful eyeshadow looks with defined cut-crease technique, turquoise shades and doll-matte foundation for dramatic effect

Consumers are moving towards simplified skincare routines, prioritizing fewer, multi-functional products with potent, high-quality ingredients. This trend emphasizes skin health and efficacy over extensive, multi-step regimens.

The 'Cool Blue' aesthetic, driven by social media predictions, focuses on incorporating shades of blue into beauty routines, particularly for eye makeup and nail art. This trend moves beyond traditional neutrals, embracing icy, aquatic, and pastel blue tones for a fresh, striking look.

Soft, minimally defined brows enhancing natural shape with only the first inch laminated, creating subtle fluffy arches without heavy styling

Moving away from sharp contours and heavy definition, 2026 sees the rise of 'blurred' makeup. This technique emphasizes soft, diffused edges, particularly for lips and eyes, creating a dreamy, slightly undone, and universally flattering finish. It focuses on texture rather than precise lines.

The trend shifts away from harsh, dramatic contouring towards a more subtle, 'soft sculpting' approach. This involves using lighter, more blendable products to enhance natural bone structure with a diffused, seamless finish.

Poetcore translates into a soft, romantic, and slightly melancholic beauty look. This trend emphasizes natural, dewy skin, soft washes of color, and perhaps subtle, vintage-inspired details, reflecting a broader cultural shift towards literary and contemplative aesthetics.

A resurgence of cool blue hues is anticipated across various makeup categories, from eyeshadows to eyeliners. This trend offers a refreshing and bold aesthetic, moving away from warmer palettes and signaling a shift towards more experimental color choices.

Consumers are moving beyond generic product lines toward highly specific formulations based on real-time biometric data, microbiome analysis, and environmental factors. AI-driven diagnostic tools, often integrated into smart mirrors or mobile apps, will deliver precise ingredient recommendations and dynamically adjust routines. This shift emphasizes efficacy and eliminates product waste associated with trial-and-error purchasing.

One of the most exciting trends focuses on products specifically designed for perimenopausal and menopausal skin. The conversation has become more open and empowering, and patients want to understand how hormonal changes impact collagen, elasticity, and hydration. Losing estrogen can mean hyperpigmentation, laxity, dehydration, and sagging. Brands are introducing products addressing skin changes during these phases, targeting dryness, thinning, loss of elasticity, and barrier function support.

Peptides and growth factors are becoming smarter, more sophisticated, and remain extremely popular. They can truly make skin act younger by activating fibroblasts, increasing skin-cell turnover, and improving response to UV or environmental damage. Key innovations include copper tripeptide-1 (stabilized for improved wound healing and collagen support), oligopeptide-68 (modern brightening peptide that reduces pigmentation), and microbiome-targeting peptides (emerging class that helps balance redness, acne, and skin tolerance).

With in-office treatments like collagen-stimulating injectables and resurfacing lasers becoming more common, dermatologists and patients are looking for ways to optimize results both pre- and post-procedure. Products with peptides and growth factors can change the nature of skin going into treatments and reduce downtime. Consumers are curious about products that promise treatment-like results at home while maintaining and enhancing what they're doing at the dermatologist's office.

After controversies in 2025, sunscreens are getting a serious credibility shift in 2026. People need clarity in terms of what's in their SPF, how it's tested, and how it impacts both skin and environment. Brands that pair transparency with beautiful textures will win. Expect more mineral-based, skin-care-infused formulas that feel luxurious to wear, plus more inclusive, high-grade formulations. FDA may approve bemotrizinol (BEMT), a new UV filter that stays stable longer and gives better broad-spectrum protection.

Warmer, biscuit-toned blondes are replacing cooler ash tones. Soft, natural coppers and warm ginger tones are highly requested in salons. These warm tones are softer on the complexion, more wearable day-to-day, and grow out much more gracefully than icy shades. The appetite for warmth continues as people realize the flattering, low-maintenance benefits.

Gold-standard ingredients like retinol and vitamin C are being upgraded with latest biotech innovations. New delivery systems are giving cosmetic chemists better tools to create gentler yet more powerful formulas. Brands are fine-tuning, making 2.0 versions of basic ingredients with improved stability, bioavailability, and penetration. Examples include vitamin C with exfoliators for better penetration, and advanced retinal formulations for sensitive skin.

The bob continues to dominate with a softer cheek-skimming version that can be tucked behind the ears while maintaining chic appeal. Jaw-length shapes are growing in popularity as wearers feel empowered to try more exposing cuts. The style features collar-skimming, ruffled silhouettes set on side partings, offering cool girl energy without looking too polished.

Driven by sustainability concerns and consumer demand for potent, travel-friendly products, waterless and highly concentrated beauty formats are gaining significant traction. This includes solid bars, powder-to-liquid products, and anhydrous serums that reduce carbon footprint and packaging weight. Brands adopting this strategy are seen as leaders in environmental responsibility.

Brunettes are deepening and glossing up with espresso, milk-tea, hot chocolate, and chestnut tones leading the way. Subtle tonal variation replaces obvious contrast, resulting in rich, dimensional color that feels expensive but understated. These warm, velvety brunette tones work especially well on Afro, multi-textured, and curly hair, adding dimensional warmth with a slightly red glow.

The ethereal sister of Scandi Blonde, Blanche is a natural, minimal 'pure blonde' that contains no hue, giving it a bright, ultra-reflective quality. This fresh, clean direction for hair color offers a bright, arctic white blonde that's gaining traction within the fashion set. The color provides an ultra-modern, high-impact look for those seeking a stark, statement-making blonde.

The subtlest makeup approach from Seoul's beauty culture, featuring muted beige tones and soft matte finishes that meld with your skin rather than cover it. Inspired by K-Pop idols and Korean beauty editors, this trend emphasizes natural features with gentle sculpting.

A gentle pivot from glazed skin to velvety luminosity - skin that looks hydrated, soft, and alive, but not overly glossy. This winter 2026 trend features plush, toned-down radiance with cutting-edge formulas that deliver soft-velvet finishes.

The new nude lip color for 2026, popularized by 5th generation K-Pop idols like Illit. This unexpected neutral features a blend of pink and purple pigments with high shine, creating a glazed effect that's poised to gain traction through spring.

Overt but masterfully blended blush draped across the bridge of the nose and bridging the space between undereyes and upper cheeks. This technique, ubiquitous throughout Seoul streets, creates a freshly flushed appearance with light dusting of color rather than concentrated pops.

The subtlest makeup approach from Seoul's beauty culture, featuring muted beige tones and soft matte finishes that meld with your skin rather than cover it. Inspired by K-Pop idols and Korean beauty editors, this trend emphasizes natural features with gentle sculpting.

A gentle pivot from glazed skin to velvety luminosity - skin that looks hydrated, soft, and alive, but not overly glossy. This winter 2026 trend features plush, toned-down radiance with cutting-edge formulas that deliver soft-velvet finishes.

Blush maximalism reaching its peak with Rococo-inspired placements featuring vivid rose, berry, and apricot tones swept high across cheeks and temples. This sculptural, storytelling approach to blush creates opulent, imaginative looks perfectly suited to winter's need for a flush of life.

The new nude lip color for 2026, popularized by 5th generation K-Pop idols like Illit. This unexpected neutral features a blend of pink and purple pigments with high shine, creating a glazed effect that's poised to gain traction through spring.

Blush maximalism reaching its peak with Rococo-inspired placements featuring vivid rose, berry, and apricot tones swept high across cheeks and temples. This sculptural, storytelling approach to blush creates opulent, imaginative looks perfectly suited to winter's need for a flush of life.

Overt but masterfully blended blush draped across the bridge of the nose and bridging the space between undereyes and upper cheeks. This technique, ubiquitous throughout Seoul streets, creates a freshly flushed appearance with light dusting of color rather than concentrated pops.