Get Glam With Fall 2026's Biggest Makeup Trends

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With the summer heat slowly giving way to cooler weather, it's time to revamp our makeup repertoire. The past few months were all about barely-there foundation, blurred lips, and watercolor blush, and while those trends may creep into fall beauty looks, I'm noticing a lot more oomph while perusing fall/winter 2026 runway makeup. As a makeup artist, I can't help but get excited about shifting seasons, as it means seeing what new fads emerge amongst designers and influencers. And if you're not into spending over 10 minutes on your makeup in the morning, you're in luck. Super precise applications are out, and messy makeup is in.

The beauty about this fall's makeup trends is that you can go either maximalist with graphite liner and bold lips or choose a clean look with just a hint of smudged lipstick. I've been seeing a lot of '90s looks on runways, including the Gucci Fall/Winter 2026 show at Milan Fashion Week, so get your moody makeup out. Matte is in again as well for foundation, lipstick, and blush, which means saying bye to the dewy face of summer. As always, have fun with these trends and make them your own, because as I always say, there are no rules when it comes to makeup.

Smoky eyes have taken a back seat to clean beauty around 2020, but they're back and better than ever. The lived-in smoky eye is making messy glamorous, and it couldn't be easier, as it isn't about precision at all. Back in the 2010s, you needed at least three different eyeshadow shades to do a smoked-out eye — a highlighter for the brows and inner corners of the eyes, a medium shade for the lids, and a dark contour. And then there was the never-ending blending to smooth all the colors together. This fall, the lived-in smoky eye is what's happening, and it takes less than five minutes.

Chocolate eyeshadow colors are huge now, and you can use anything from a deep taupe to an espresso, depending on your skin tone. Milani has a kit with several colors you can mix and match. Using a medium-sized fluffy brush, sweep the shadow onto your lid and slightly above your crease. Don't worry about getting it too even, as you want that '90s grunge effect. Run the brush along your bottom lid, stopping just short of the inner corners. If you want to elongate your eyes, extend the shadow outward, but try not to make a sharp cat-eye, as the makeup trend has shifted from graphic shapes to a softer finish.

If you have trouble color-coordinating your warms and cools, just stick with one shade for your all-over makeup. The matchy-matchy look has been super trendy this year, and it will continue into the fall. You can pull off monochromatic makeup with any color, but instead of the soft pastel pinks and mauves we saw in the earlier seasons, stick with berry and burnt orange shades come September. Don't be shy with the application either — lean into bright colors that will really make your autumnal aesthetic pop.

To make your application easier, look for 2-in-1 products that act as a blush, eyeshadow, and lip stain, such as the e.l.f. Monochromatic Multi-Stick. The cream formula is super easy to swipe onto your cheeks, lids, and lips, which you can then blend with your finger. Be sure to blur the edges of your pout, as the diffused, just-bitten finish is also super hot now and makes your lips look more pillowy, to boot.

The glass skin trend has been making its way around faces all over the world for several years, and while you don't have to give up on sheen, a more matte look is taking over for fall 2026. This isn't to say that your foundation has to be completely flat, like the matte finishes of the '80s. Current velvet formulas leave you with a smooth, airbrushed effect with just a hint of glow. And this look is great for those looking to hide imperfections, like breakouts and large pores. Glass skin is very unforgiving, as there is minimal makeup involved and all those reflections only highlight a bumpy surface.

When looking for a foundation, keep an eye out for those that promise a velvet or satin finish. The Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Waterproof Foundation has medium coverage and has a formula that mimics your natural skin. I like to apply it with a beauty sponge to really tap the foundation in so that it doesn't settle visibly into pores and fine lines. Once evenly blended, give your face a light dusting of finishing powder, then follow with a touch of bronzer and blush.

There were some '90s makeup trends we hoped would make comebacks, and our wish came true. While one of the biggest looks during that era was super clean and minimalist, the other end of the spectrum was avant-garde, statement makeup. We're talking super smoky eyes lined with kohl, bold arched brows, and various shades of dark red lipstick. Gucci recreated the look at their A/W 2026 runway show, with their models looking like they stepped right out of the 1988 "Simply Irresistible" music video by Robert Palmer.

Maximalist makeup can be intimidating to try, but don't worry too much about precision. Try the aforementioned lived-in smoky eye technique with a smudge of kohl eyeliner on the top and bottom lids. You don't have to draw a sharp outline around your lips as folks did in the '90s, either. Use a lip brush to apply the lipstick and lightly smudge the edges. The modern take on this trend is to look slightly undone and carefree, but in an intentional way.

When offering product recs as a makeup pro, I always choose brands that I've used on my clients and myself, as I know they'll deliver. Milani, Laura Mercier, and e.l.f. are all highly rated and recognized names, so I'm confident in their quality. I also like to choose products that are relatively affordable, with the Laura Mercier foundation being a bit on the high end. However, that's one area I think is worth splurging, as some drugstore foundations have a limited color range and may not be as pigmented. Other trendy items, such as the multi-stick, don't have to be a luxury item, so you can experiment with different shades for every season.