Beauty media platform Cosmetics Business has revealed the top five make-up trends shaping colour cosmetics in 2026, as the category rebounds following years of skincare-first beauty.

• Prestige face make-up sales in Europe were up 9% in the first half of 2026, with the UK up 10%, driven by the skinification of make-up, according to Circana.
• Concealers are up 10% in value terms in Europe, tinted moisturisers up 15%, blush up 11% and bronzers up 23%.
• In the USA, double-digit gains were also recorded in bronzers and blush during the first half of 2026.
• Lip colour is also making a comeback, with sales up 4% across Europe in 2026.

What are the top five make-up trends of 2026?

• Loose setting powders, reinvented - After years of being associated with the heavy-baking era of the 2010s, loose setting powder is making a comeback. Brands including Charlotte Tilbury and Dior have launched new powder innovations, reimagining the category for a generation that demands dewy, skin-like finishes.
• PDRN moves into make-up - Having become the biggest breakout K-beauty skincare ingredient of 2026, PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) - known for supporting hydration, tissue repair, elasticity and collagen synthesis – is now making its way into colour cosmetics. As Melody Yuan, founder of K-beauty retailer Skin Cupid explains: “Ingredients traditionally associated with skincare are becoming important selling points in make-up. PDRN is particularly well positioned because it is associated with hydration, skin conditioning and skin rejuvenation narratives.”
• Lip stains and tints - A new generation of lip tints and stains is dominating launches, combining lasting colour with hydration and effortless application. The trend fits under what forecaster WGSN calls “make-up essentialism” - consumers editing down their routines in favour of fewer, higher-performing products. Tints offer softer, buildable washes of colour, while stains prioritise longevity.
• Eyemaxxing - The latest beauty obsession taking over social media, eyemaxxing uses colour theory to enhance natural eye colour by pairing eyes with complementary shades found opposite them on the colour wheel. Blue eyes are intensified with warm oranges and coppers; green eyes with reds and burgundies. The trend reflects the broader resurgence of maximalist glam in make-up, with LookFantastic reporting sear  ches for eyes up 19.3% and brows up 25.3%.
• Lip liners: new growth from filler fatigue - Dollar sales of lip liners were up 34% for the 12 months ending May 2026 in the USA per Circana. As talk around “filler fatigue” gains momentum, modern lip liner formulas offering plumping, defining, and contouring effects are positioning themselves as a less invasive alternative to lip fillers. The “halo lips” aesthetic - using lip liner to create a feathery, soft-focus effect for the look of fuller lips - has been one of the standout trends of the year.

For more information, visit cosmeticsbusiness.com.