What if 2026 marked the start of a real revolution in our makeup? Decryption.
Would the new year sound the death knell for the “clean girl”? She has been there for a long time, in a corner, watching us. Her and her minimalist but perfect makeup. Her and her expertly layered bun. Her and her neutral but always impeccable manicures. Her and her smooth perfection. Since 2020 and the end of confinement, it has imposed itself on our faces, in our habits and our way of doing makeup. But in 2026, it seems that the movement is running out of steam because it is considered too excessive and a little boring in the world of beauty. The “clean girl” aesthetic is bowing out in favor of a whole new trend. We’ll explain it to you.
Return to 2024, where we see the emergence of the “mob wife” fashion, in other words “mafioso’s wife”. The pitch? Furs, leopard prints, heavy makeup and voluminous hairstyles. If the movement does not last, it is the first sign of a silent rebellion. Change is underway. Back to the present where, if you are a fan of social networks, you have undoubtedly noticed: “2026 is the new 2016”. Concretely, this means that more daring and pronounced makeup is indeed back. Yes, remember in those days, foundation was thick, eyebrows too, and contouring was an integral part of our routines. In 2026, there is no question of bringing back all these vestiges of the past but rather of drawing inspiration from them to create more fun looks. “Maximalism is back — vibrant eyes, layered textures, glossy lips, glitter and unexpected color combinations. Makeup becomes an art and a means of personal expression, and no longer just a tool for beautification“, even assures Charlie Riddle, celebrity makeup artist, to the American media The Zoe Reports. We thus leave perfection for something more textured and artistic.
Same observation on the side of Pinterest. In its annual report on trends, the visual inspiration platform assures us: in 2026, makeup will be unique. Searches for the keywords “eccentric makeup” increased by 100%, and by 115% for “weird makeup looks”. Well beyond that, the expression “avant-garde makeup tutorial” (makeup that resembles a work of art) is up 270%. All these trends have this in common, that they do not use cosmetics to correct, but rather to express one’s personality.
On the catwalks, the trend for more pronounced and artistic makeup is also confirmed. Where fashion houses were banking on almost bare skin, barely noticeable mascara and nude lips, an upheaval is being observed. During Viktor & Rolf’s Spring/Summer 2026 show, models appeared with eyes saturated with black kohl and cheekbones covered in vibrant blush. Rick Owens transforms his models into futuristic creatures with “apocalyptic” looks. It is the absolute anti-thesis of natural.
Obviously, in everyday life, there is no question of transforming into an alien or going out looking like a member of the group KISS (unless that’s what you like, we’re not here to judge). This renewal in the world of beauty is reflected more by a very graphic liner (black, blue, silver, etc.), glitter, the look highlighted with kohl, a dramatic blush, colorful eye shadow. On the lips, bold colors are in order. You will have understood: the possibilities are endless and there are no real rules!
