FALL BEAUTY TRENDS 2026

"Clean Girl" is so yesterday? Makeup artist Loni on the must-have looks for Fall 2026, the comeback of color and smoky eyes—and why beauty can show more personality again.

 

1. What’s your Fall Forecast?
Which 3–5 makeup trends will define this fall for you—and why now, of all times?

For me, the biggest shift this fall is away from perfection and toward personality. After many seasons of “Clean Girl” and nearly invisible makeup, beauty can be more visible again.

I see five strong trends: Eyemaxxing with “lived-in” eyes, real skin, blurred lips, unexpected color, and bold details. Things are getting more interesting around the eyes in particular. Eyemaxxing—the deliberate focus on the eye area—is becoming a key trend. Smoky eyes are making a comeback, but less perfectly—black, brown, or burgundy eyeliner looks slightly smudged and not completely controlled.

At the same time, the skin is taking on a more natural look: less contouring, fewer layers, more real skin. And then color is making a comeback. For me, “BOLD” is a key word for Fall 2026. A bare face with intense eyes can be bold, as can dark lips without mascara or a single stroke of electric blue. It’s less about “more is more” and more about making clear choices. From perfection to personality.

 

2. Color Check
Which colors will we see frequently in the coming months?

Burgundy, oxblood, aubergine, espresso, and charcoal remain key. But I find colors we don’t automatically associate with fall even more interesting. I see a lot of potential in deep green, sage, dirty khaki, and mineral green tones—especially with a metallic or slightly dewy sheen.

And then there’s blue: Navy is already working incredibly well as an alternative to black. For 2027, Luminous Blue is already predicted to be a key color of the future—alongside Energy Orange, Pop Pink, Meadowland Green, and Clay. I’m certain that in the future, we’ll view color less in terms of seasons. Why should a vibrant blue or green only work in the summer?

 

The new color is bold yet sophisticated.

 

3. Skin is in
How does our complexion change in the fall? Will dewy skin remain, or are other finishes on the horizon?

The glow stays, but it’s changing. I think we’ve had enough of skin that shines all over. For me, it’s now about controlled luminosity—light only where it truly adds dimension to the face. I like to work with different textures: natural skin on the cheeks, slightly more matte around the nose and mouth, and perhaps a barely dewy highlight on the upper cheekbone.

At the same time, I’m finding modern matte skin interesting again. But not the dry, heavily powdered matte of the past. The skin should look dynamic and alive. For me, the most modern skin right now is real, tactile, and believable. The luxury lies in seeing as little product as possible. New textures make exactly that possible—especially cushion foundations, which feel airy yet still offer high coverage.

 

4. Eyes or Lips?
Where’s your focus this fall—eyes, lips, or maybe somewhere else entirely?

For me, it’s clear: eyes. I’m currently a big fan of looks that have a slightly “slept-in” vibe. Black, terracotta, espresso, burgundy, or navy pencil applied very close to the lash line and not blended too perfectly. Maybe a sheer gloss or metallic shimmer on the lid. It’s precisely this contrast between something raw and something very refined that feels modern.

A bold eye look doesn’t automatically require a heavily made-up face. On the contrary: right now, I find an intense, almost black eye paired with completely natural skin much more striking. You should see the face first—and the makeup second.

 

5. From Runway to Real Life
Which runway or editorial trend works surprisingly well for everyday wear?

Definitely the lived-in smoky eye. On the runway, it can get very dark and dramatic. For everyday life, a soft eye pencil is enough. I apply it directly to the upper lash line—maybe a little on the waterline—and smudge it with my finger or a small brush. The trick is to stop in time. It doesn’t have to be perfect.

That’s generally my approach to translating runway trends into everyday life: Don’t copy the runway look—translate the attitude. Sometimes a single element is enough to achieve the same effect.

 

6. The 5-Minute Version
Which fall trend can you pull off instantly with just one product?

The eye look I just described, using a creamy eye pencil. Apply it directly along the lash line, smudge it out a bit with your finger—and you’re done. Within two minutes, the entire mood of your face changes. The less perfectly you apply it, the more interesting it can look. For me, it’s the easiest way to go bold without having to do a full makeup look in the morning.

7. Worth the Hype?
Which makeup trend are you seeing everywhere right now and actually like—and which one is overrated?

I find the new “dark romance” trend really exciting. Not as a gothic look, but more as a mood: slightly smudged eyes, lips that look stained or bitten, vibrant skin, and a bit of a flush on the cheeks. There’s something emotional and sensual about it—and it can be both romantic and bold at the same time.

I find makeup overrated when you see the technique first and the person second: too many layers, too much contouring, and generally too much correction. For me, makeup should enhance personality, not standardize it. My tip: Stick to shaping pencils—they simply emphasize the face’s natural shadows.

8. Your Kit Says It All
Which product is currently a staple in your makeup kit?

Pencils. Always. Eye and lip pencils in various textures and colors. I can work incredibly quickly with them: lash line, smoky eye, wing, waterline, or blurred lip. I like products that don’t dictate how you’re supposed to use them. A pencil can be precise, but just as easily raw and spontaneous. Since makeup is allowed to look more immediate and less contrived again these days, a pencil is almost the most modern product in my kit.

 

9. One Pro Trick
What’s the one makeup artist trick that instantly makes a fall look more modern?

Don’t blend everything. If every edge is perfectly soft, a look can quickly lose its edge. I like to deliberately leave a sharper edge somewhere—at the outer corner of the eye, right along the lash line, or even on a lip. And sometimes the best trick is to take something away instead of adding even more product. That’s why, for me, a cotton swab and some cream are just as much a part of my makeup kit as a good brush. This balance of raw and refined is what makes a look interesting.

A good setting spray also becomes more important when trends shift back toward matte skin. It prevents the foundation from looking too mask-like.

10. Looking Ahead

Which aesthetic is still niche today but could become a major trend in 2027?

I believe that in 2027 we’ll see a more emotional, individual, and bold form of beauty. After years of “Clean Girl,” perfect brows, and very similar social media faces, there’s a renewed desire for experimentation and personal expression. For me, “BOLD” becomes an attitude rather than a specific look.

This could be a Luminous Blue Eye, an orange lip on bare skin, Deep Green on the waterline, or an unusual metallic texture. I find the combination of human imperfection and futuristic textures particularly fascinating: real skin meets metallic, an imperfect smoky eye meets a precise glint of light, a blurred lip meets clean skin.

That’s why I don’t believe 2027 will be defined by one dominant look. It’s much more about developing your own signature style and making bolder choices.

Beauty becomes emotional again.
Beauty becomes individual again.
Beauty becomes BOLD again.

And the more perfect our digital world becomes, the more fabulous makeup is when you can still see a human touch.