From skincare to scent: Cult Beauty spotlights spring beauty trends

Cult Beauty’s spring 2026 report highlights the season’s key trends, from fresh dewy skin and standout fragrance notes to the latest beauty innovations worth noting. Here's the insights...

Makeup

This spring, beauty celebrates authenticity and effortless polish. Consumers are embracing naturally luminous textures, lightly enhanced with sheer tints, blurring balms and soft highlighters - a nod to ‘90s minimalism, recently championed by Sarah Pidgeon and Carolyn Bessette-inspired elegance.

Blurred, soft-edged makeup is also gaining popularity, with smudged shades and diffused liners creating a relaxed, effortless look. Creamy blush and easy-to-apply products allow quick, painterly finishes without heavy tools, making it convenient for everyday wear. The trend is expected to evolve further at cultural events like Cannes, according to the online retailer.

Elsewhere, ‘80s-inspired makeup is making a comeback, with bold, vibrant blushes reimagined in soft, wearable textures - often swept toward the temples in striking shades like coral, cochineal and flame.

Skincare

The focus is shifting from chasing youth to maintaining healthy, resilient skin. Barrier repair takes centre stage, with gentle, peptide-rich formulas inspired by Korean innovations protecting and fortifying skin. Longevity-focused routines now prioritise antioxidants, PDRN (salmon-derived regenerative DNA), and mindful tools like gua sha to support long-term skin health.

Hydration continues to be a cornerstone of skincare, with sheet masks, hydrogel treatments and overnight plumpers delivering instant moisture and radiance. Under-eye flash patches packed with brightening and firming serums are also trending, offering quick hydration and revitalisation with concentrated formulas designed for fast results.

Haircare

Curls are celebrated this season in refined, polished forms, enhanced by creams, butters, and glosses that define and control frizz, while styling tools make achieving polished, bouncy curls easier and more accessible.

Meanwhile, straight, mid-length hair channels '90s-inspired movement with soft layering, sleek finishes and low-damage styling tools. Across all styles, the focus is on hair longevity - nutrient-rich serums, growth-stimulating devices, and hybrid styling sprays preserve strength while extending wash cycles, marrying style with care.

Bodycare 

Bodycare evolves beyond hydration to active wellness. Formulas enriched with peptides, nourishing oils and exfoliants create intentional, head-to-toe routines. Red light therapy and lymphatic drainage tools are also gaining traction, combining circulation, collagen-boosting benefits, and muscle toning for firmer, brighter, healthier-looking skin.

Fragrance

Fruity fragrances are flourishing, with citrus, cherry and peach notes layered with floral or gourmand nuances for modern, sophisticated energy.

Scent layering is also on the rise - combining lotions, hair mists and slow-release balms to craft personalised olfactory signatures. Brands like Kayali, Maison Margiela, Escentric Molecules and Chloé’s Atelier des Fleurs highlight customisation as the ultimate expression of style.