With a new year comes fresh ideas to change up your beauty game. It doesn’t have to be a complete overhaul either. But perhaps for you, it’s about adding in some bold liners to your makeup bag or cutting a lob and flipping its ends. It could be leaving your brows au naturel (yes really) or experimenting with nail trends you’ve never even thought to try before. No matter which trends you embrace, 2026 is the year to try something new. So, let’s get into it with the best of the best to choose from. Here are five of the year’s top trends primed for a total takeover. It’s a new year, and a new you after all.
Skin Health is Wealth
Forget the buzz, because this year’s reigning products are tried, true and backed by science. Look for all-star ingredients with proven track records and invest in the key cornerstones of any good skincare routine. This year, gold standard ingredients like bio-ceramides and micro-hyaluronic acid, plus new patented ingredients will take your skincare to the next level. And regardless of any in-office treatments you might be booking in, good skincare starts at home with great products.
Bold Colours
Pantone might have picked a shade of white as the colour of the year, but 2026’s makeup trends are anything but vanilla. Think about bold blush placements, vampy lip shades and a whole lot of cool blues tones. They key to making it feel modern is by giving it all a diffused finish for more effortless appeal. Don’t be afraid to apply product and then use your fingertips to tap the edges. The final look has a lived-in feel that’s cool. No need for perfection in 2026.
Polished Styles
While makeup may be purposely imperfect, 2026’s hairstyles mark a return to glamour and polish. Starting with bouncy blowouts and long lobs, these looks are coming in the creamiest of hair colours. Whether you go for long layers or blunt bobs, strands should be shiny and smooth for a fresh from the salon look and feel. Up-dos will be slick and fly-a-ways will be tame in 2026, so this year calls for plenty of conditioning masks, hairsprays and shine mists.
Throwback Brows
You can go ahead and cancel your brow lamination, because this year’s brow trend is a total throwback. Taking cues from 90s icon Pamela Anderson, 2026 brows are thinner and more natural than recent styles. Don’t go too crazy with your tweezers before the year’s end. It’s best to stick with your natural shape and finish off with a highlighter to really give your brows a nice lift.
Nailing Textures
This year, when it comes to nails, it’s all about textures first. Don’t be afraid to experiment here, because really anything goes. Trends like velvet will be staples, but we’ll also see them amplified by chrome overlays. To take it one step further, you can consider details like 3D decals for nails that truly stand out. And for a classic twist on the trend, CHANEL-like woven tweeds are always a good idea. Achieving these intricate looks has never been easier either with so many amazing press-ons to choose from.
Featured image via Adobe Stock.