The beauty industry so far in 2026 has been defined by skin-first philosophy, 2000s nostalgia and hybrid formulas that add functionality to beauty routines. This years stand out launches blur the line between skincare and makeup, with the emphasis on natural beauty and emphasising your natural features, prioritising skin health and aiming for visible results with minimal effort. The biggest trends of the year reflect this beauty shift with breathable textures, skin care infused formulas and soft definition finishes, dominating both shelves and our social media pages.
So if you want to update your makeup collection this year and add some multifunctional, yet skin-friendly products, these are the four biggest makeup products that are currently or will take over the beauty scene this year, so you can stay on trend whilst keeping your skin happy and healthy.
1. Peptide-infused tip treatments
Lip products purely for colour are a thing of the past. Gone are the drying liquid lipstick formulas that were popular in the late 2010s, in exchange for something more healthy and skin-friendly. The focus on skin care started on the skin on our face, but has now expanded to the scalp and, most importantly, our lips, which are often forgotten about when it comes to caring for our skin health.
Peptide-infused lip treatments combine the hydration of traditional lip balms, the shine of a lip gloss and the subtle definition of a liner. These formulas are designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines, support collagen production for smoother looking lips and strengthen the lip barrier with every wear.
2. Serum foundations and skin tints
Heavy and full coverage foundations continue to decline in popularity as serum foundations dominate in 2026. These ultra-light formulas blend skincare and coverage, as they blur imperfections whilst allowing natural skin texture to shine through. The result is a natural skin-like finish, allowing the wearer’s natural skin features, such as freckles or beauty spots, to still shine through. Infused with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and antioxidants, they offer hydration and skincare benefits alongside coverage.
3. Creams and balm blush
Cream products saw their popularity in 2025, and this will continue to grow into 2026. Following on frm the natural skin trend, cream blush allows natural skin to skin through all whilst being a functional product. The easy-to-blend formulas of cream blush make it extremely easy to blend out with fingers or a sponge, creating a seamless finish in a matter of seconds. These products can also be experimentally versatile, meaning that they can also be used on the lips or as an eyeshadow for a trendy monochrome look.
4. Multi-tasking mascara and lash serums
Mascara formulas in 2026 will include conditioning ingredients that are traditionally found in lash serums. These eyelash products promise length and strength to lashes whilst also adding curl and volume, all whilst the wearer goes about their day. This further displays the health-conscious impact that society is having on the makeup industry, with companies being forced to invest in making their product not only effective when applied but effective in the long run for lash health, for not only a temporary cosmetic enhancement but a long-lasting one.