We need to pay a big thanks to Sophia Sinot and Painted by Esther this year for giving us some of the most colorful makeup looks we've seen in a while.

Painted by Esther has graced us with the most iconic base routine and blushed cheeks of the season. The looks she has given to celebrities and influencers such as Kylie Jenner, Olandria Carthen, and Tyla have been astonishing. Even influences online trends to perfect her base and iconic blush.

Olandria Carthen, makeup by @paintedbyesther

Sophia Singot has also proven to be an exceptional artist, best known currently for her work with Zara Larsson. Creating colorful eyeshadow looks with rhinestones and leaning into the current aesthetic of Zara Larsson’s album, “Midnight Sun.”

I have discussed, and will likely continue to discuss, my views on the “clean girl aesthetic” on this blog. I wanted to note a significant shift in how people prioritize their beauty routines. There was a strong emphasis on skincare and minimalism. While skincare remains essential, I am pleased to know that full glam is coming back in 2026.

The prominent trends of fuller-faced makeup and colorful eyeshadows are making a comeback, as seen in looks from these makeup artists. But also growing in popularity among influencers, on runways, and in trend predictions.

Eyeshadow as undereyes

I’ve been trying this trend for some time. I can say that, while it may not be an everyday look, applying silver or glittery eyeshadow under the eye, extending it from the lid to the inner corner, and along the undereye is absolutely superb.

This can also be done with more colorful shadows like the example with Tyla, or think back to when full glam was more prominent in 2017-2018. Beauty influencers often extended their makeup around the eyes, only this go around with the trend will be expanding a bit more to create more drama.

Cool-toned blush

Blush has been on the comeback for a long time, if it was ever really gone. But now the cool-toned blush trend is going to be increasingly popular, with Painted By Esther’s style becoming that much more popularized on social media. While this trend can be attributed to many factors, Esther’s influence is a key factor in not just the cool tones, but also the under eyes and apples of the cheeks, which are getting a little more blush love.

Glass skin

Pat McGrath debuted many glass skin makeup looks on runways earlier in the year, such as on BLANK, using airbrush techniques and a specific face mask and her setting spray: Pat McGrath skin fetish 001. While glass skin was a past skincare trend, it is now being translated into makeup, specifically editorial makeup. In the fashion world, trends will likely trickle down into everyday makeup and full-glam styles.

Are we still doing bleached brows?

Bleached brows are nothing new; you hate them or love them, and I personally love the look. While I do believe they aren't going anywhere in this new year, they are most definitely going through the test of time.

Micro trends nowadays last a matter of months to a few years before fizzling away, but these brows have become much more than a short-term trend, something in beauty that has been seen all over media for a time.

Vampy

Vampy looks, such as smoky eyes, thin brows, and grunge makeup extensions, became popular in 2024 and 2025. I reported on these trends before, and clean-girl makeup was over. While I may have been a little ahead of the curve on these, I still hold the same sentiment toward grunge and vampy makeup looks.

Celestial

Makeup by Mollie Gloss featuring Mac liquid eye shadow

This aligns with the under-eye eyeshadow trend, as makeup artists such as Mollie Gloss have been using substantial amounts of glitter, shimmer, and silver to create these starry yet cool-toned looks. Making the wearer look celestial and glamorous. I can see a significant trend toward silver shadows in the future.

Lace

I am definitely going to discuss lace as a fashion trend, but you wouldn't believe the amount of lace makeup I have found on Pinterest. From more subtle ways like lace headbands to lacey makeup, this is undoubtedly an editorial trend I can get behind. It pairs well with vampy romantic looks and more glamorous looks.

While I used a much more dramatic look by Charolette Roberts, the use of lace makeup like this will be more of an editorial trend to come. However, lace especially peekaboo lace is sureley a fashion trend that coencides with this.

Statement bottom lashes

Think Twiggy, think 60s! Bottom lash mascara is more of a personal choice, but in 2026, we will be getting much more into bottom lash mascara, extensions, liners, and wide eyes. I think this makeup trend, along with some fashion trends I’ll be predicting soon, tells me more 60s trends are coming back.

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Full glam, bleached brows, and a whole lot of shadow in 2026