Fall 2026 Makeup Trends

We've talked about fall 2026's hair trends and nail trends, which means it's time for makeup trends! Fall 2026's makeup trends are all about putting your best feature forward, whatever you decide it is!

• Bold lips: Love your lips? The good news is that bold lips with no other makeup is slated to trend this season. Add a tiny bit of coverage to your face with a BB cream or glowy skin tint, swipe on some mascara, and pop on your favorite bold lippie! Whether you love a bright red, a deep burgundy, or another color entirely, let your lips take center stage this season.

• Berry-tinted lips: A variation of the trend above, berry-tinted lips give you that perfect blackberry jam color without the maintenance of a dark lipstick. A stain, serum, gloss, or even soft matte lipsticks are all great, low-maintenance options. If you choose a stain, apply a thin layer of lip balm first, let it sit, and blot off the excess. Dark colors can emphasize cracks in your lips and make them look less moisturized, so exfoliate before the lip balm if you need to. After you apply the stain, add a little oil or balm if you need some extra moisture throughout the day.

• Mineral wash eyeshadow: The popular eyeshadow shades this season are grounded and earthy: slate, pewter, mushroom, greige, and muted charcoal. It's not a smoky eye in that it's not built through several shades, but instead lets the color stand out on its own. Whether you prefer a sheer look or something more concentrated, its all good. Start your color in the middle of your lid and diffuse it outward for a softer look. Sweep it up toward the brow brone if you want a more dramatic look.

• Sculptural lashes: What if the lashes were a design choice rather than your last step? You can create a wet lash look by applying mascara and clumping a few together with tweezers. Spiky lashes are also a fun look, and are best achieved through false lashes.

• Balmy sheen: The emphasis here is on freshly moisturized skin and highlights the high points of the face (cheekbones, temples, and outer planes of the face). Coverage, powder, and highlight are all applied, but the key is balance. Start with moisturizer, then apply foundation where you feel your skin needs it most. Some areas may need more than others. Add a little glowy balm on the high points of your face, and you're good to go!

• G-Rated smoky eye: Romantic, blurred eyeshadows are in this season, so it's the perfect time to dust off those neutral palettes. Espresso, chocolate, plum, and charcoal are all very popular. Start at the outer lid and blend inward rather than placing a dark color over the enitre eyelid. Add dark eyeliner on your lash line and smudge it so the line is loosely defined.

• Blush over contour: Super-blushy, sculpted looks are all the rage over strict contour. Create shape with your blush, and use different colors to add structure to your face without harsh contour.

• Skin-first beauty: This, like giving your skin a balmy sheen, is all about knowing where you need coverage. Show off your freckles. Add a little powder foundation at the center of your face and blend outward, or just add a tinted moisturizer (or a satin foundation if you want a little more coverage). Swipe on a natural-looking blush, and let your natural radiance shine through.

Need a makeup application for a special event? Salon Patrice is here to help! Find all of our makeup services here, or call (815) 223-8643 for more information.