As the year begins to close on 2025, beauty is getting ready to welcome a fresh cast of trends in the months to come, from intricate hairstyles to cosmetic procedures and everything in between. Already, the beauty forecast for 2026 — according to runways, red carpets, experts, and, of course, the TikTok algorithm — is looking like a mix of the old and new, with highs of gourmand and mannequin skin, and lows of bleached brows and lip filler.
Here, see WWD’s break down of the trends that are “in” and “out” for 2026.
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Bobs and Micro Bangs
From Kris Jenner to Parker Posey, Sarah Catherine Hook and Halle Berry, there’s been no shortage of bobs this year. The hair trend, which gained popularity toward the tail end of 2024 thanks to Julianne Hough and Demi Lovato, has influenced a proliferation of A-listers to shed their long layers for the blunt, above-the-shoulders cut in the last few months alone. Naomi Campbell recently debuted the style at the CFDA Awards, going full-blown Pamela Anderson with micro bangs, too.
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Considering its robust popularity, the bob infatuation will certainly continue in 2026. However, it’ll likely evolve and take on new forms. Perhaps a hybrid-shag with layers, including baby bangs, or a French bob, which is just a finer chop above the chin. And when the temperature inevitably plummets in the first few months, the bob will no doubt disguise itself under the Olsen or Victoria Beckham turtleneck tuck, a technique that involves covering the ends of the hair in a high-neck sweater or jacket.
Mannequin Skin
The latest iteration of the K-beauty craze, mannequin skin, is poised to be the hottest makeup trend of 2026. This past fashion season saw a glass-skin renaissance take center stage at major shows, including Sandy Liang, Kim Shui and Wiederhoeft. Here, the makeup artists — Charlie Riddle, Romero Jennings and Sharryn Hinchliffe — let the models’ complexions do the talking, painting lightweight and serum-infused color cosmetics over strong skin care underlays for an outward-facing glow.
Jennings told WWD the current hyperfixation on minimal makeup and pared-back bases is a byproduct of AI. “Because of AI, everyone’s obsessed with skin,” he said. “It’s about creating this futuristic, filtered-looking complexion.”
As the integration of AI in everyday life ramps up over the next year, so will the mannequin skin trend. Filters will keep inspiring the texture-free base on a daily basis. The “skin-ification” of makeup, such as serum-infused formulas, will also pick up in the months ahead, encouraging beauty consumers to swap their foundation heavy routines for skin care-based alternatives.
Gourmand
From sweet caramel to heavy cream, and every sugary scent in between, the girlies have been on a gourmand fragrance high for the last year. And it’s not fading anytime soon. At least, not if “Love Island USA” Season Six contestant Leah Kateb has anything to say about it. The reality star turned beauty founder has been powering her “edible scent” obsession through her clean fragrance brand, Skylar, for the last few months, offering up sweet treat aromas left and right. Her latest, Doubles Dates, was inspired by her viral shower routine from last year, in which she layers delectable aromas in the form of shower gels, oils and lotions. Double Dates blends notes of sticky toffee, brown sugar and, of course, dates.
It’s not all hype, though. The in-store numbers are matching the online interest, too. In fact, the category is predicted to top holiday sales inside major retailers this year. Amanda Nusz, Target’s senior vice president of merchandising, essentials and beauty, told WWD that pistachio and marshmallow scents, specifically, are gaining traction with the new year almost upon us.
Designer Facelifts
Designer facelifts have been top of mind ever since Kris Jenner was spotted with a tight visage earlier this year, thanks to Dr. Steven Levine and the deep plane procedure he performed on her. The reality star, who also underwent a facelift in 2011, increased online interest in the surgery by 213 percent, per Fresha, earning the surgery the “designer facelift” nickname in the process.
Introduced by Dr. Sam Hamra in the 1990s, a deep plane facelift is a surgical technique different from the traditional facelift. Dr. Arnold Breitbart, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon based in New York, explained to WWD that the deep plane focuses on the deep layers of facial tissue below the superficial muscular aponeurotic system instead of pulling the skin or tightening the surface layer of the face.
As more celebrities reveal the plastic surgeries they’ve gotten in 2026, the stigmas surrounding them will continue to subside and maybe motivate more to at least consider Jenner’s designer facelift as the answer to their reverse-aging query.
Outs
Bleached Brows
Statement-making makeup may be taking off, but bleached brows are on their way out. The coloring technique shot to stardom back in 2022 when Kendall Jenner traded her brown brows for the barely-there look. Over the last three years, bleached brows have informed the siren beauty aesthetic, comprised of gloomy shadow and nude lips. Think Gabbriette Bechtel.
Now, it seems as though the naked brow is being forced out of style by the skinny brow, a beauty code belonging to the 1990s. Stars such as Julia Fox are reverting back to their natural brow color after spending time with the platinum blond look, but keeping the shape ultra-thin. Indeed, not all are saying goodbye just yet. For one, Jenna Ortega is still touting the look.
Bold hair expressions are far from finished, Patricia Nikole, hair colorist and Redken’s newest ambassador, argued. “Hair stylists are becoming more and more creative with their cutting and coloring, and clients are becoming more open minded with what they’re allowing their stylist to do. And so I don’t see a bunch of trends leaving, I see there being an evolution of like a mix and match of different,” Nikole told WWD.
Filler
After years of overconsumption in the filler department, the pendulum is swinging back. This year, several celebrities, from “Love Island USA” star Hannah Fields to Courteney Cox, joined a growing entrant of women dissolving their lip and facial injections to avoid what’s been deemed “pillow face,” otherwise known as filler fatigue. Used to describe the burnout overtime that comes from excessive and ongoing use of filler, Dr. Breitbart told WWD the overuse of filler often leads to this “distorted or puffy appearance,” the inverse of the intended look.
Dr. Jimmy Sung, a plastic surgeon in New York, said this newfound aversion to filler can also be attributed to rising recession fears amid shifts in the economy, as well as a rising resistance to strict beauty standards.
Clean Girl
The clean girl is officially tired.
The product of Hailey Bieber’s influence, clean girl has reigned supreme in the beauty mecca since 2023. Now, it’s getting a moody makeover. According to makeup artist Alexa Persico, the concept of always being put together is no longer resonating with people. Instead, they’re leaning into the Charli XCX “Brat” party girl and Wednesday Addams grunge of it all.
“This is known as the ‘tired girl,’” Persico told WWD. “It’s darker and edgier. It’s all about energy, and right now on social media, people are connecting with these looks that feel more real.”
“The whole look leans into what some might call imperfections, and that’s exactly the point,” celebrity makeup artist Tonya Riner added. “It’s not about perfection. It’s about letting individuality take the lead.”