From lash serums to lip oils: Makeup trends to watch in SS26

From nourished lashes to flushed cheeks and nostalgic glossy lips, current makeup trends reflect a blend of performance, versatility and skincare benefits.

That’s according to Lookfantastic’s new SS26 report, which outlines the season’s top cosmetic trends.

Lashes - long, bold and low-maintenance

Lashes were the fastest-growing product category across cosmetics in 2025, and the report suggests this trend is expected to continue throughout 2026.

Rather than committing to time-intensive lash lifts or extensions, customers are leaning towards treatments and mascaras that promote longer, healthier-looking lashes with minimal upkeep.

Beauty brands are responding with advanced formulas that promise length, volume, and conditioning benefits in one swipe.

Lash serums remain particularly popular, with products such as UKLASH Eyelash Serum and Nanolash Eyelash Serum leading demand. Brow care is also rising alongside lash growth, with Nanobrow Eyebrow Serum gaining traction.

Blush takes the spotlight

After lashes, blush is the next fastest-growing category in cosmetics. Flushed, blush-heavy looks continue to dominate, driven by new textures and buildable formulas.

Cream-to-powder formats, liquid blushes, and blurring finishes are propelling the trend forward. Products like YSL Make Me Blush Bold Blurring Blush reflect the demand for high-impact colour with a soft-focus finish.

Celebrity influence has also played a major role - particularly Sabrina Carpenter, whose signature rosy, well-blushed aesthetic has inspired countless tutorials and product launches.

Lip gloss - the return of high-shine nostalgia

Lips are another fast-growing cosmetic subcategory, led by lip gloss, followed closely by lip liners and balms. The resurgence is largely fuelled by nostalgic trends - especially the return of the ’90s glossy lip.

However, today’s gloss is more sophisticated. The "skinification" of makeup has extended to lip products, with balms and oils delivering hydration, plumping benefits and skincare ingredients alongside pigment and shine.

Bestselling examples include YSL Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss, which combines high-shine payoff with nourishing comfort.

Skincare-makeup hybrids 

While the "clean girl" aesthetic may be evolving, the skin-first mindset is here to stay. Consumers are gravitating towards products that enhance their natural beauty while actively improving skin health.

This has accelerated the "skinification" of makeup, where foundation, tint, and base products double as skincare treatments. Brands are reformulating staples and creating versatile hybrids that simplify routines without sacrificing performance.

BB and CC creams are leading the charge, offering a "your skin but better" finish that has become a daily essential. Demand for Korean-inspired complexion products is surging, with Erborian CC Crème among the standout performers.

Foundations are also evolving to meet this demand. Long-wear formulas such as Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup remain 2025 bestsellers, while YSL All Hours Glow Foundation reflects consumers’ desire for high coverage, skin-like finishes.

Image credit: UKLASH