The Spring/Summer 2026 Beauty Trends Set to Dominate

There’s a serious chill in the air, and I’m already counting down the days until spring. As a beauty director who spends her days analysing beauty trends, you better believe I’ve been putting a lot of thought into the upcoming spring/summer 2026 beauty trends. Last season, I predicted that we would see the beauty trend carousel slow down due to consumer fatigue—and I was right. After years of lapping up every makeup trend, hair trend and skincare trend that social media threw our way, in 2026, everyone is desperate to slow things down.

I can officially confirm that the beauty microtrend bubble has burst, and going into spring, we’ll be adopting a slow-beauty mindset. What does this mean? Well, for starters, the spring/summer beauty trends are, once again, being dictated by the runways. It also means that the S/S 26 beauty looks to have on your radar are truly wearable. Forget high-maintenance aesthetics that prove flash-in-the-pan, S/S 26 trends have longevity—the upcoming season will be all about a polished approach to effortlessness.

I’ve spent the past six months dissecting the S/S 26 runways and speaking with every makeup artist, hair stylist and beauty insider I know, so trust me—these are the 7 beauty trends you’re going to be itching to get ahead of this spring/summer.

1. Lipstick Only

No doubt one of the most iconic beauty moments of the S/S 26 fashion month season was Chloé’s pink statement lip. And while there was a notable pink haze that descended upon the spring/summer runways, we’re focusing on wearability, remember? The way to wear lipstick as we venture into spring isn’t dependent on colour, shade or finish, but instead hangs on what you’re pairing it with—nothing.

Popping pink matte finishes led the way at Chloé, blurred browns dominated at Sportmax, razor-sharp plums were showcased at Edeline Lee and deep ombré reds were the main event at Roksanda. The thing that ties these lip looks together? A quiet, clean face, so that the lips do all of the talking. “It’s beauty that never shouts, but always speaks,” says Sharryn Hinchliffe, executive global director of artistry at Mac Cosmetics. “The Roksanda look this season was a sculptural ode to Barbara Hepworth—clean, skin-forward and quietly beautiful. It’s a celebration of restraint and refinement, where skin glows with polished luminosity, and lips whisper elegance.”