The Biggest Beauty Trends of 2026 (So Far)
June 25 | 4 minute read
Words by Danielle Gay
File this under ‘peak beauty inspiration’.
With July not even upon us, it might feel premature to sum up the year in beauty – so let’s call this our End of Financial Year wrap-up instead. A little internet sleuthing and a scroll through our screenshots reveals a prevailing trend: 2026 is the year of experimentation, with our makeup kits hitting pause on pared-back beauty (sorry, clean-girl loyalists) in favour of graphic shapes and brighter colours.
A spirit of nostalgia underpins the moment, with smudged liner, ’90s brows and berry tones making a return. It has also been the year of new application techniques – call it the ‘Nina Park effect’ (more on that later) – and the 'intentionally imperfect’, with filter-like perfection swapped for a more lived-in finish.
As the year unfolds, here’s MECCA’s guide to the makeup looks dominating 2026 and how to recreate them.
Blurred Lips
For this trend, it’s makeup artist Nina Park that’s the name on everyone’s lips – literally. The New York-based MUA has become known for her signature ‘blurred lip’ technique, thanks to the viral looks she’s created for celebrity clients like Emma Stone (pictured), Greta Lee, Zoë Kravitz, Lily-Rose Depp and Hailey Bieber. Instead of a harsh overline, Park gently contours the edges of the lips for a subtly fuller effect that appears completely natural.
To get the look, go in with rhode’s Peptide Lip Shape Contouring Lip Shaper in a brown or pink shade slightly deeper than your natural lip tone (we like ‘Lunge’ for the perfect rosy beige and ‘Flex’ for a rich neutral brown), using the built-in smudger to blend out the colour. When tidying up, buff some product higher into the Cupid’s bow than you might otherwise allow, creating a soft-focus ‘just-kissed’ look. To finish, take ILIA's Lip Sketch Hydrating Crayon in a slightly darker shade and fill in the lips for added definition. For the perfect Park-approved pout, a dot of your favourite lip gloss – strictly in the centre of the lips – elevates the look.
To get the look, go in with rhode’s Peptide Lip Shape Contouring Lip Shaper in a brown or pink shade slightly deeper than your natural lip tone (we like ‘Lunge’ for the perfect rosy beige and ‘Flex’ for a rich neutral brown), using the built-in smudger to blend out the colour. When tidying up, buff some product higher into the Cupid’s bow than you might otherwise allow, creating a soft-focus ‘just-kissed’ look. To finish, take ILIA's Lip Sketch Hydrating Crayon in a slightly darker shade and fill in the lips for added definition. For the perfect Park-approved pout, a dot of your favourite lip gloss – strictly in the centre of the lips – elevates the look.
Statement Eyes
The shift in eye makeup this year is anything but subtle. No more understated liner or barely-there shadow; instead, bold eyes are the mood du jour. Blue eyeshadow continues to trend, while colourful lids and graphic liner are being served across TikTok feeds, inspired in part by the final season of HBO’s Euphoria (we’re not crying) and the playful Y2K maximalism of beauty icon Zara Larsson.
Go all in with the ‘Euphoria’ x Half Magic Eyeshadow Palette, which features six high-octane shades with an iridescent payoff, each one inspired by a character from the series. The Fara Homidi Beauty Essential Eye Compact in the shade ‘Trio No.61’ is a shortcut to the look; the crease-free cream formula includes a rich chocolate brown, a soft taupe for adding dimension and the perfect powder-blue hue for a sheer wash of colour in a few swipes.
Go all in with the ‘Euphoria’ x Half Magic Eyeshadow Palette, which features six high-octane shades with an iridescent payoff, each one inspired by a character from the series. The Fara Homidi Beauty Essential Eye Compact in the shade ‘Trio No.61’ is a shortcut to the look; the crease-free cream formula includes a rich chocolate brown, a soft taupe for adding dimension and the perfect powder-blue hue for a sheer wash of colour in a few swipes.
Elevated Blush
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention one of the biggest beauty moments in 2026: blush, with an upgrade! This year, blush draping and transition blush – made famous by MUA Ngozi Edeme (aka, Painted By Esther) – have replaced both the sunburnt look and the sharply defined techniques of seasons past.
To nail the look, focus on sweeping the pigment from the apples up into the temples, creating a look that’s saturated yet diffused. For more intensity, start with a liquid or cream blush in a muted tone, then layer a brighter powder blush over the top, and seamlessly blend out the edges with a pink-toned setting powder.
Kevyn Aucoin formulated The Neo-Blush with draping in mind. The palette’s ombré tone creates a flush that’s sheered out for a subtle, ‘just-left-the-sun lounge’ finish. Reach for Glossier’s pillowy-soft Cloud Paint Plush Blush for extra depth and a cloud-like veil of colour.
To nail the look, focus on sweeping the pigment from the apples up into the temples, creating a look that’s saturated yet diffused. For more intensity, start with a liquid or cream blush in a muted tone, then layer a brighter powder blush over the top, and seamlessly blend out the edges with a pink-toned setting powder.
Kevyn Aucoin formulated The Neo-Blush with draping in mind. The palette’s ombré tone creates a flush that’s sheered out for a subtle, ‘just-left-the-sun lounge’ finish. Reach for Glossier’s pillowy-soft Cloud Paint Plush Blush for extra depth and a cloud-like veil of colour.
’90s Revival
Thin brows, berry tones, smoky liner and smudged eyes signal a renewed nostalgia for the beauty codes of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Rather than committing to pencil-thin arches, the trend can be translated through the eyes: look for rich berry colourways, opt for a classic smoky eye, or gently smudge the liner for a blurred edge.
VIOLETTE_FR’s Plume Eyeshadow gives an effortless, lived-in eye look with a single sweep – apply the smoky shade ‘Charbon Fumé’ on the lids or close to the lash line for a Kate Moss-worthy look.
VIOLETTE_FR’s Plume Eyeshadow gives an effortless, lived-in eye look with a single sweep – apply the smoky shade ‘Charbon Fumé’ on the lids or close to the lash line for a Kate Moss-worthy look.
Mocha Tones
This year, the focus is on warm browns – mocha and espresso shades in everything from interior design to fashion. That same sensibility is reflected in toasted macchiato hues across the lips, eyes and cheeks.
The long-awaited arrival of rhode’s Pocket Bronze Long-wearing Cream Bronzer anchors the look. Work the shade ‘Bake’ into the bridge of the nose and temples, adding a dot to the lids and lips for a monochromatic effect. If you favour a matte finish, sweep on Too Faced’s cult-favourite Chocolate Soleil Blurring Matte Bronzer.
The long-awaited arrival of rhode’s Pocket Bronze Long-wearing Cream Bronzer anchors the look. Work the shade ‘Bake’ into the bridge of the nose and temples, adding a dot to the lids and lips for a monochromatic effect. If you favour a matte finish, sweep on Too Faced’s cult-favourite Chocolate Soleil Blurring Matte Bronzer.
