The Beauty Forecast for Spring/Summer 2026

Blue eyeshadow is having a moment this season. From deep indigo and soft azure to striking cobalt and vibrant aquamarine, the versatile colour encourages you to have fun and experiment.

“Blue looks great on most people because there is so much variation to it,” says Wendy Rowe, an A-list make-up artist whose clients include Nicole Kidman, Sienna Miller and Alexa Chung. Whether you opt for a hint of ice blue in the inner corner of the eye, a soft wash of denim across the lid or a defined navy eyeliner, consider this trend your official invitation to play around.

Rowe’s go-to blues include Diorshow Waterproof Mascara in Catwalk Blue and Clé de Peau Beauté eyeshadow in Deep Blue Ocean, both of which deliver depth, lasting pigment and a sophisticated finish.

If this season encourages experimentation, then Y3K is its most adventurous expression. Emerging from Japan’s tech-driven beauty scene, the trend takes cues from gaming, digital worlds and AI, but remains surprisingly wearable. Think metallics, holographic sheens and light-reflecting finishes across eyes, skin and lips. MAC’s Strobe Cream in UVLite, for example, offers an iridescent take on glass skin, adding luminosity that feels as suited to the red carpet as it does to everyday wear.

If you don’t want to go full sci-fi (we get it), dial it down and introduce reflective or glittering textures. “A scattered eyeshadow catches the light beautifully, and is best applied with your fingertips,” says Brooke Turnbull, make-up artist to stars such as Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Sophie Turner. You can stay within the neutral-tone realm and simply lean into iridescent textures and finishes. Consider Hourglass’ Scattered Light Eyeshadow in Smoke, which imparts a subtle glow rather than high-octane sparkle.

The well-blended look remains a firm favourite this season. The mood is softness over precision and diffusion over structure – a finish that comes down to technique just as much as formulation. Think a warm brown eyeliner, softly winged out; a cushiony blush that frames the face in a delicate halo; and, of course, the Nina Park lip, achieved by blending a cool-toned lip liner to create a soft shadow rather than a full overline. Your mantra is blend, blend, blend: work product into a brush first to ensure a seamless, blurred effect.

Westman Atelier’s Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in the iconic Petal was created for exactly this effect, delivering a gently flushed look that reads as natural yet unmistakably fresh. On the lips, a liner in tawny or tobacco brown – one or two shades darker than your skin tone – creates a dreamy impression. Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Lip Liner in Cinnamon is a natural starting point: trace the outer edges of your lips to create a subtle shadowing effect, then diffuse. For a fuller, plumper look, “only line the middle – your cupid’s bow and the centre of your lower lip, skipping the outer corners,” advises Rowe. Finally, blend it with your fingertips for that ‘your-lips-but-better’ finish.

Skin scents – or no-perfume perfumes – offer a quiet counterpoint to opulent ouds and gourmands. Minimalist by design, these clean, pared-back compositions sit close to the body, adapting to the wearer’s skin chemistry to create an aroma that’s entirely their own. Ideal for layering, they enhance your natural scent, acting as a tailored base.

The category’s purest expression remains Escentric Molecules’ Molecule 01. Built around a single aroma molecule, Iso E Super, which is prized for its cedarwood-like scent and velvety sensation, the fragrance interacts with each wearer in a unique way, revealing itself gradually and with a distinctly individual finish.

Sweet, edible scents are still very much en vogue, but this season, they arrive with a grown-up sensibility. Classic gourmand notes such as vanilla, tonka bean and caramel are tempered with woods, resins, spices and florals, creating fragrances that feel nuanced and elevated. Savoury notes come to the fore, with pistachio, rice, sesame and milk accords adding depth and intrigue. Less dessert trolley, more thoughtful indulgence.

Always one to push boundaries, BornToStandOut blends cacao absolute with condensed milk, caramel fudge and whipped cream in its deliciously decadent Choco Loco. Guerlain’s L’Art & La Matière Tobacco Honey takes a darker turn, pairing sesame with aromatic spices like anise and clove, before unfolding into a heart of honey, vanilla and tonka bean, grounded by a tobacco accord. Elsewhere, Penhaligon’s Fortuitous Finley offers a fresher interpretation, pairing salty pistachio with luminous violet and finishing on a smooth leather base.

Bid adieu to tightly defined curls and slick-backs, because this spring is all about minimal styling and natural movement. Think soft texture, air-dried finishes and a lived-in ease. “The priority shifts to hydrated, beautifully cared-for hair,” says Damien Boissinot, session stylist and regular contributor to Vogue, W and The Gentlewoman.

The approach is deliberately low maintenance, so look for products that enhance texture rather than impose it. Boissinot recommends texturising sprays, matte pastes or even dry shampoos. Ghd’s Curls Gone Wild Texture Spray encourages soft, tousled texture, while Sisley’s Hair Rituel Volumizing Spray lifts from the root for subtle structure. Rahua’s Voluminous Dry Shampoo refreshes and revives tired strands without compromising movement.

Curls and tight coils benefit from nourishment over control. Lightweight oils and flexible balms – such as The Hair Oil from Augustinus Bader or Heatless Styling Balm by Oribe – enhance natural shape and impart a healthy shine while keeping the finish relaxed and touchable.

As conversations around ageing and lifestyle shape the way we think about skin, the same is true for the scalp. Spate reports rising interest in ways to heal and protect scalp health – and, by extension, the condition of our hair.

“The industry has played a key role in creating this awareness,” says Harrods’ resident trichologist, Ricardo Vila Nova, who views scalp care as akin to skincare. Combining diagnostic technology with time-honoured remedies, his in-clinic treatments focus on understanding the scalp and creating a tailored routine to support it. That said, he emphasises there’s plenty that can be done at home.

“Begin with a thorough cleanse. Using your fingertips or a dedicated scalp-massage tool, gently work the scalp to stimulate circulation and release tension.” From there, apply a mask generously and allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes. “Work the treatment carefully through the hair, from roots to ends, ensuring it’s evenly distributed and fully absorbed.” The result is a healthier scalp environment – and stronger, better-looking strands over time.

The pursuit of innovation, partly inspired by advanced treatments from South Korea, has brought potent, science-led ingredients into sharp focus. “Actives like peptides, growth-factor mimetics and polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) have been used in Korean dermatology and aesthetic medicine for years,” says cosmetic dermatologist Dr Nora Jaafar. What makes their renewed prominence interesting is that it coincides with a broader shift towards prevention and long-term skin health, rather than quick fixes.

The active du jour, PDRN, is composed of DNA fragments broken down into small, bioactive sequences. These work to support cellular repair and regeneration, stimulating collagen production while calming inflammation. Valmont’s Vital Contour Cream draws on the brand’s long-standing expertise in DNA and RNA complexes, combining them with its proprietary Vitality Cocktail to support cellular vitality and skin resilience.

According to Harkin, beauty has shifted from skin deep to bone deep, with more people looking for holistic – yet highly targeted – ways to support their health and overall wellbeing. Supplements, naturally, play a key role in this personalised approach.

“When it comes to beauty from within, key vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc and vitamin C are essential,” says Marilia Chamon, nutritional therapist specialising in gut health. But rather than turning to catch‑all multivitamins, the focus is now on supplementing with a clear understanding of your own needs, and choosing compounds that cater to them directly. In doing so, you can bolster energy and resilience, boost your mood and promote skin clarity and hair strength – all the things that help you feel like the best version of yourself.

The benefits of lymphatic massage are nothing new. In fact, the practice goes back multiple millennia. However, with renewed interest and visible results, it’s easy to see why this once-specialist ritual has seen a sharp rise in attention, with global online searches doubling year-on-year, according to The Business of Fashion.

The lymphatic system plays a vital role in circulation and fluid balance, and activating it through slow, rhythmic gestures supports healthy tissue movement while inducing a sense of calm. Specialised, holistic treatments such as The Ultimate Aromatherapy Experience by Aromatherapy Associates apply targeted pressure to stimulate lymph nodes, ease muscular tension and encourage circulation, while Kama Ayurveda’s Sculpting & Firming Facial draws on traditional Ayurvedic methods to boost blood flow and subtly sculpt the skin.

Fortunately, these practices aren’t limited to the spa or resort. Lymphatic massage can easily be incorporated into your regular routine through dry brushing, massage tools or simple hand techniques, offering an indulgent moment of pause.