Dark lips, matte foundation, smokey eyeliner — these makeup trends come back every autumn, one way or another. We’re simple people! Too much change from season to season is bound to cause a little stress. So, we pull from the archives and reimagine them to feel modern. That, my friends, is precisely the vibe for autumn 2026. Makeup right now feels elevated, but not precise. Everything’s sheered out, softened, and smudged. But the biggest trends feel like they’ve been stripped back to make way for individuality. “More and more clients are telling me, ‘less is more,’” says makeup artist Dani Parkes. “We’re embracing our natural beauty more, so we’re not trying to morph our faces.” Your natural features shine a bit more, whether it’s paring things back (as is the case with “ghost lashes” and “anti-blush”) or taking them to the next level (a bright blue wash on your lid). Keep reading for a full report, courtesy of Parkes and my endless research on what’s next in makeup (from scouting at runway shows to scrolling on Pinterest). Ghost Lashes Summer might be basically over, but one of the most viral looks from Zendaya will rage on, says Parkes. Ghost lashes, as it’s been deemed, are completely bare lashes, so much so that it essentially blends in with your skin. “With fall, I love the no-lash-bold-lip look,” Parkes tells me. “A lot of my clients don’t want me to bring false lashes to appointments now,” she explains. “Full lashes are out.” The no-mascara look can definitely make your eyes look brighter (Cosmo US assistant beauty editor Jasmine Hyman tried it for a week and felt more confident sans spidery lashes). Plus, it’s significantly less work. No removal at the end of the day? Win in my book. But if you want a bit of mascara, Parkes says she’ll offer her clients a “kiss of mascara” on the tips of the lashes and the outer corner of the eyes to elongate them and add a bit of depth. Casual Blues “Soft, blue eyes are coming back in a casual way,” says Parkes, who actually appeared in a Cosmo US shoot last spring wearing blue eyeshadow. (Go figure!) But she warns that it’s hazy and fresh, with an aquamarine or faded-denim shade rather than a stark navy. This keeps the look fresh and powdery (and admittedly, less overtly fall). 3. Anti-Blush We’ve been so used to babydoll pink and peach cheeks for years that a cool-toned, muted cheek feels so out of left field. The anti-blush concept “has been happening in the makeup world, but we finally have a name for it,” says Parkes. “I love a blush that resembles the contour of your cheeks and brings out your natural flush without being too bold.” It’s the antithesis of blush blindness where, in fact, your blush barely shows up. Try a nude shade that’s in line with your natural skin tone, just slightly cooler toned. Merit’s Flush Balm in Bespoke is well-loved for this technique, as is Violette_FR’s Plume Blush in Latte Praline. 4. Stained Glass Lips Lips that look like light could travel through them? That’s the stained glass effect, and it’s replacing matte and vinyl lips this season. We’re not skimping on colour — on the contrary!— but it’s translucent, so a bit of your natural lip still peeks through. A glossy lip stain (like MAC’s Lustreglass Stainglass or E.l.f.’s Glossy Lip Stain) perfectly helps achieve this look. You’ll get some longevity from the staining effect, but the product goes on shiny. Bonus points if you opt for a deep brown or berry color to really ring in the fall vibes. 5. Soft Smoke Smokey eyes will always be in for fall, but this year, they’re a little more refined. After years of umming and ahh-ing about a grunge revival, an autumn 2026 smokey eye proves that you can pare things back. Now, a smudged-out liner is all you need to get a similar look. And the placement matters. “People are doing more of a foxy liner that goes downward or out rather than lifting,” says Parkes. 6. Iced Out A bright inner corner has taken over virtually every red carpet this summer, signaling that we’re going to keep seeing it well into the autumn and winter. It brings so much lightness to your entire face with just one dot on either eye, adding an ethereal incandescence to your makeup. Getting the look is supremely easy, also. Dab your inner corners with a shimmery white or cream eyeshadow stick, or dust on a bit of your highlighter if you want a slightly softer effect.
