The biggest beauty trends of 2026
Blue hues, the rise of de-influencing, and ingredient-led skincare – here’s what’s happening in the world of beauty this year
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A new year heralds new trends – and rather unsurprisingly, the world of beauty isn’t immune to the hype, buzz and fanfare. But how do you sort the here-to-stay products from the blink-and-you-missed-them TikTok fads? Collated from looks seen on the SS26 catwalks, reports from industry stalwarts such as the British Beauty Council, and trend monitoring agents like Cosmetify, we’ve compiled the ultimate guide to 2026’s biggest beauty trends. From the rise of de-influencing and ingredient-led skincare that actually works, to this year’s hottest hue, here’s everything you need to know to stay on trend this year.
Blue is back
Image: Guerlain
Image: Pat McGrath Labs
Celebrity makeup artist Pat McGrath has long been known for using blue in her looks – but she was just one of many making the most of turquoise hues at the SS26 shows. Spotted on the catwalks at Private Policy, Anna Sui, Luar, Jane Wade, and Schiaparelli, blue is most certainly back in the world of makeup this year. Add to this Pinterest reporting searches are up 150 per cent for ‘frosted makeup’ and 50 per cent for ‘icy blue’, any MUA worth their salt will have a stash of cobalt, cerulean, azure and sapphire shades in their kit in 2026.
Of course, all trends are cyclical, and many celebrities have sported the look in years past. Think Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra in 1962 and Barbie was born in 1959 with blue on her lids, while more modern It girls – Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Rihanna – are no strangers to touch of frosted blue. If they can pull it off, why can’t you?
Red light ramps up
According to Yelp, online searches for red light therapy treatments were up 304 per cent at the end of 2025, heralding an LED-lit era that isn’t going away any time soon. Not only is it seeping into skincare, but infrared is also becoming commonplace in the world of wellness (think hot Pilates and the ever-increasing prevalence of red-hued saunas). When it comes to your complexion, red light helps stimulate cellular repair, reduce inflammation, and promote healing by boosting mitochondrial energy in cells. In turn, it can reduce wrinkles, redness, acne scars and even reverse signs of ageing. Better yet, its growing popularity means there are now a vast swathe of at-home treatment options available. Discover our favourite red LED masks now.
Ingredient-led skincare leads the way
Cosmetify’s 2026 beauty trends report revealed that, despite economic uncertainty, buyers are still prioritising quality over quantity – and 71.9 per cent of respondents said product performance and quality are the number one purchase driver. This goes hand-in-hand with brand reputation being the second most important factor in beauty buying. Echoed by Euromonitor, which reported an industry shift towards consumers willing to pay more for formulas that deliver visible results, ingredient-led beauty is a 2026 trend worth buying into.
So, where to look for the best ingredient-led skincare? British brand Evolve Organic Beauty has been creating ingredient-first since establishing in Hertfordshire in 2009; no product from Cellcosmet is released without its ingredients being meticulously scientifically tested in its Swiss lab; Medik8 actually encourages consumers to shop by ingredient, from ceramides to caffeine; and SkinCeuticals prides itself on offering optimal concentrations of active ingredients to achieve visible results. Shop editor-approved products below.
Virtual reality beauty
While data compiled by THG Commerce suggests that nearly one third of global beauty sales will be made online by 2030, physical stores remain integral to discovering new products. That’s why you’re likely to see more brands upping the ante when it comes to in-store shopping during 2026, ensuring every mirror, touchpoint, and pop-up not only entices customers, but encourages content creation and brand awareness.
The likes of Sephora, Mac, Charlotte Tilbury and L’Oreal are already leading the way. Mac’s virtual try-on mirror and Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Mirror allows customers to experiment quickly and hygienically while encouraging purchasing (Mac has seen an increase in sales by 31 per cent). Elsewhere, Sephora’s Colour IQ technology scans a customer’s skin in-store to find the perfect foundation match, which is then attached to their online profile for future repurchasing, while La Roche-Posay’s My Skin Track UV sensor and Lancôme’s Skin Screen use AI to analyse 13 different skin parameters. Not only does this make the shopping experience personal, but also seamless. Expect to see it everywhere in 2026.
Reef-safe SPF
Could 2026 be the year that beauty becomes reef-safe? There’s certainly an appetite for it. TikTok searches for content related to reef-safe products have increased by 355 per cent in the past year, while year-on-year internet searches for ‘reef-safe SPF’ have risen by 86 per cent since 2024, according to Trendalytics. The term ‘reef-safe’ refers to formulas that don’t damage the ocean environment, as some UV filters are toxic to coral, reefs, and marine life.
Ingredients to avoid when buying SPF are oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene (remember them as the three Os) but these are by no means the only damaging ingredients. The best option is to opt for a mineral sunscreen, which often doesn't include non-nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and are therefore generally considered reef-safe. Always read the label – and be aware that the term ‘reef-safe’ is not regulated in the beauty world, so it’s up to you to do your due diligence. Not sure where to start? Consult our edit below.
The rise of de-influencing
Despite the ever-increasing number of beauty influencers endorsing products online, Cosmetify has found that influencers are losing their grip on, well, influencing us. This, coupled with an ongoing trend of ‘de-influencing’ – where creators encourage their followers not to buy certain products and move away from over-consumption – meant Cosmetify found only 82 out of 484 respondents said influencers or celebrities affected their purchase decisions. Prepare to be less influenced than ever.
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