The Summer Beauty Trends You're About to See Everywhere
December 5 | 4 minute read
Words by Izzy Wight
While our friends across the world spent June, July and August galivanting about in polka-dot bikinis and Gentle Monster shades, we southern hemisphere residents watched from afar, taking note of emerging trends and learning the lyrics to the year’s unofficial summer anthem (‘Aquamarine’, naturally).
Now, it’s our turn to have an Addison Rae, sunburnt blush, side-part summer. Ahead, a comprehensive list of only trends you need to know about in 2026 – as determined by MECCA HQ.
The Side-Part Renaissance
Millennials, rejoice! Inspired by circa-2014 Tumblr icons like Sky Ferreira, the side-part is making a resurgence in a big way. This time, it’s less about severe, vision-obscuring bangs and more about creating a soft, undone feel – the kind of ‘accidental’ sideswept look worn by Addison Rae, Gabbriette and model Precious Lee. If you, like me, have been forcing your hairline into a middle part for the last decade, the transition is easier than you think. After smoothing some of Gisou’s Honey Milk 5-In-1 Styling Cream into damp hair, just take a tail comb and create a clean asymmetrical part. Secure with some styling clips and let it air dry for a natural finish.
Put Your Foot in It
Between mesh ballet flat madness (initiated by The Row, proliferated by Khaite, Alaïa, Sandy Liang and now an army of high-street imitators), Tabi fever and the rise of ‘barefoot fashion’, toes are everywhere right now, and it’s not as upsetting as that sentence makes it sound. Particularly if you have healthy, shiny nails and soft, sandal-ready feet, courtesy of Margaret Dabbs London. Before going sans footwear to your next formal event, try a coat of the Pure Nail Strengthening Treatment and the ultra-nourishing, quick-absorbing Intensive Hydrating Foot Lotion.
Scents of Passion(fruit)
If the cooler weather draws us to cosy, enveloping scents, summer is the time to slip into something a little more comfortable (read: fresh and fruity). As we rotate closer to the sun, MECCA HQ is tipping passionfruit as the note of the moment. For a scent so typically tropical, it’s surprisingly versatile; Floral Street’s Sweet Almond Blossom Perfume Mist, for example, is an expectedly fruity, passionfruit-spiked gourmand – but when mixed with oud and rose in Maison Crivelli’s Oud Maracujá Extrait de Parfum, the note takes on a darker, sultrier side.
Watercolour Eyeshadow
No, you don’t need to be a pro with a paintbrush to nail watercolour lids. Instead of a punchy, pigmented eyeshadow, this trend is about creating a sheer wash of colour, preferably in pastel shades like light blue, lilac and baby pink (alternatively, channel Zara Larsson and do them all, at the same time). To recreate the look, choose a liquid shadow (VIOLETTE_FR's Yeux Paint in ‘Nuage de Lilas' and MECCA MAX’s Zoom Flex Fluid Liquid Shadow in ‘Cornflower Blue' are our favourites), dab some on the back of your hand and apply freely with your fingers. If you want the whole rainbow, opt for MECCA MAX’s Live In The Moment Palette – the periwinkle shade is particularly beautiful.
Sunburnt Blush
Actual sunburn? Absolutely not. Soft, terracotta-toned blush that mimics the effects of a just-back-from-the-beach glow? Yes! Applied high across the cheeks and nose, the right shade gives a perfect, outdoorsy flush. To get the look, try Glossier’s shimmery terracotta shade ‘Glisten’ from the Cloud Paint Trio, diffused with your fingers for a natural finish. If you need, add a touch of the berry (‘Afterglow’) or mauve (‘Crimson’) Cloud Paints until you reach the perfect sunburnt shade. Finish with a sweep of Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Matte Bronzer to add dimension and deepen the effect of that warm, summery colour.
Skincare With Feeling
Whipped, melted, creamy – all adjectives you could use to describe butter, and now, the textures taking skincare. In 2026, it’s all about how formulas feel. For a radiance-boosting routine that’s pure sensorial delight, start with the ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Black Cherry Cleansing Balm to melt away makeup and impurities (feels silky, smells delicious), follow with Herbar’s velvety Face Oil and finish with Youth to the People’s ultra-lightweight Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream.
Summer Goth
The beauty equivalent of wearing Dr Martens to the beach, summer goth is all about embracing the dark side while enjoying the (sun)light. A dark lip is the easiest way to channel your inner Morticia, and a glossy finish makes the look feel a little less heavy. ISAMAYA’s Liplacq in ‘Beetle’ is an opaque, plumping, blue-black glitter gloss, while the brand’s Lip Balm in ‘Vanity’ is a more toned-town, muted purple.
