New year, new trends—2026 is a fresh start to begin anew, and with it, a clean slate. With 365 days in the year, there is plenty of time to reset and revamp one's routine, but while change takes time, we can always start with the simplest of outward changes. The past year has been dominated by a cycle of trends such as natural, feature-enhancing make-up beats with undetectable finishes, skincare maximalism turned minimalism, semi-matte bases, recession blonde, food-named manicures, high-tech devices, and mocha mousse tresses. And that was just 2025.

Now we're looking to find what's next. But while we can't hit the bullseye on all of them, we do know leading industry experts who can guide us in the right direction. Below, we've gathered some of our favourite leading beauty gurus to share their trend forecasts for the year.

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Clean Girl Reigns Supreme

The clean girl look remains a mainstay in our beauty arsenal due to its effortless, universal appeal that works all-year round. It's all about an undetectable base, strategic concealing, softly defined eyes, watercolour cheeks, and a plush lip. This time around, we're looking for a natural radiance with a hint of colour—think berry-stained gradients or flushed pinks.

American beauty expert and celebrity make-up artist Gina Brooke—who has worked with Madonna, Naomi Campbell, and Gisele Bündchen—explains, "The formulas will be lightweight, such as water-based cheek stains or ombré lip oils that layer seamlessly over skincare, emphasising soft-focus blurs over sharp contours."

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But Colour Remains Very Much Alive

If the tail-end of 2025 showed us anything, it's that we also crave for colour. Singapore-based make-up artist Kenneth Chia, who has worked across fashion, beauty, and entertainment with names such as Laufey, Coldplay, Germaine Leonora, and ELLE Bestie January 2025 Saffron Sharpe, puts it perfectly: "In an era where self-expression is currency and remembered through digicams, make-up is embracing fun again." He continues: "We’re moving away from ‘fresh’ and towards ‘felt’. The clean girl has been reduced to a predictable cadence of sheer beiges and 1,000 identical GRWMs. Make-up in 2026 is about mood, personas and emotional contrast—Expression is back. Colour is back. Technique is back. Individuality is back"

Someone many beauty aficionados admire for this shift is none other than London-based celebrity make-up artist Sophia Sinot. While the star has worked with Doja Cat and Emma Chamberlain, her recent work with Zara Larsson is truly one for the beauty books. "(Sophia) is on a generational viral run for her bold 2000's popstar looks on Zara Larsson’s tour, which the internet has heralded as the beginning of the end of clean girl makeup," he says. The make-up artist also cited celebrity make-up artist Ngozi Edeme, who has worked with Tyla and Anok Yai, with her signature 1980's-esque blush and Choi Minseok’s Y2K on steroids looks with XG for this trend as well.

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High-Impact

With everyone in their polychromatic moment, Kenneth expects high-impact formulas and products to come back in full force—and we're already seeing that play out within the first few weeks of 2026. "After a long reign of sheer tints, watercolour washes and neutrals, strong colours are back," he says. From lacquered lips over lip oils, bright blushes, the resurgence of single eyeshadows, C-beauty duochrome pigments, and even jokes about 2016 make-up trends (when the world is calling 2026 the new 2016), it is the perfect time to go big and go bold.

Statement Lips

One way to stand out is with a bold, statement lip. Kenneth predicts, "I believe there will be a big push for lips as the next frontier to conquer. From Chanel Beauty’s latest Asian ambassador Nana Komatsu’s rich burgundy lips in the campaign, to nu-goth revival via Lady Gaga’s metallic vampy red lip during her year-long Mayhem promo (courtesy of MUA Sarah Tanno)."

He also lists down Jenna Ortega’s goth-femme red carpet looks during the Wednesday season two press tour, the internet’s obsession with cool-toned lip pencil, and Zendaya’s wheelhouse of burnt reds and oxblood lips for the Dune 2 press tour as examples of this trend. "The rumblings have been everywhere." It can come in a variety of forms, from crisp velvet reds and 2000's frosty shimmers to overlined cupid's bows and nude-out lips. It is easy to adapt and personalise to fit anyone and everyone.

Youthful Playfulness

We know one of the best places to turn to for inspiration is none other than Seoul. Known for their impeccable glass skin, undetectable finishes, watery yet long-lasting tints, and soft brows, K-beauty has been at the forefront of beauty trends, and Gina predicts it will be once again. "K-beauty will lead with its ultra-hydrating, barely traceable finishes accented by gradient, soft pink lips or graphic liner for that playful, youthful energy," she says.

The New Trendsetters

As for who sets the trends, we're looking behind the scenes to the original experts: Professional makeup artists. "In an era of micro-trends, overwhelming product development/innovation and information overload, we’re flocking back toward our best artists in the business to lead the way," says Kenneth.

Favourites include celebrity make-up artist Nina Park (in the words of make-up artist Alexandra French, "She is your favourite make-up artist’s make-up artist."), as well as artists-turned-brand-founders such as Mary Phillips, Katie Jane Hughes, Hung Vanngo, Isamaya Ffrench, and Mario Dedivanovic.

Holistic Beauty

But before we get into a full make-up beat, we have to take care of the canvas first. Gina tells us, "2026 will amplify the less-is-more approach, prioritising skincare and subtle enhancements." To put it simply: "Expect a world where beauty feels like an extension of wellness," says Gina. With the rising popularity of #biohacking, red light therapy, saunas, cold plunges, and TCM practices among Gen Zs, Gina says to add the go-to celebrity beauty secret to that list as well. "Hyperbaric oxygen therapy will go mainstream in spas and home devices, delivering pressurised pure oxygen to flood the skin with O2."

She explains: "As a non-invasive longevity hack, studies show it accelerates healing and fights fine lines by 20-30%. With cellular health as 2026's buzzword, it's perfect for the crowd that's looking to be healthy inside and out." Done by the likes of Miley Cyrus, Kim Kardashian, and Paris Hilton, we've tried it out ourselves with IDS Aesthetics' O2 Rejuvenate and Opulence Facials by Intraceuticals. The results? Plump, radiant, red-carpet-ready skin to take on 2026.

Barrier Repair

Our skin is fried—point blank. With a complexion nightmare rotation of actives, peels, pollutants, and stressors, a lot of us are switching to skin-barrier, anti-inflammatory routines for the new year. Kenneth predicts people will put more focus on skin boosters that work with the skin than against it. "Get ready to see way more of these buzzwords finally break into public consciousness: microbiomes, exosomes, biotech, peptides, and adaptogens. The new flex isn’t glass skin, it’s skin that doesn’t spiral when you spiral," he tells us.

Modern Refinement

Over on the hairfront, effortlessly chic yet polished tresses were on trend in 2025. French-born and Singapore-based hairstylist Yann Beyrie, who has worked with visionaries such as Jean Paul Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood, predicts this will continue to be at the forefront for 2026. "Clients increasingly want hair that looks polished yet natural—styles that move with ease, without relying on long blow-drying sessions or heavy styling," he tells us. "This evolution has placed precision haircutting at the forefront. A well-executed cut now does most of the work, creating shape and texture that hold beautifully with minimal effort at home."

Yann has also seen clients become more confident with their choices, which will continue in the new year. Fringes, face-framing layers and bolder structures are growing in popularity with more people feeling ready to personalise their look and commit to a stronger sense of style. "We expect this shift to continue into 2026, driven by a desire for simplicity, individuality and modern refinement.”

Skintification Of Haircare

Scalp care took centre stage in 2025, and that trend isn't going anywhere in 2026 as Yann explains, "Clients now treat the scalp the same way they treat their skin, looking for gentle exfoliants, soothing actives and biome-balancing ingredients that support stronger, healthier hair over time." What's next: Science-driven, specialised solutions focused on hair loss, sensitivity and long-term scalp health. "Even if a brand performs well across many categories, consumers increasingly look for true expertise in a specific area," he says. "These shifts naturally guide our focus toward more targeted, results-driven scalp care."

Gentler Formulations

Changing one's hair colour is a form of expression, but people are now looking for ways to do so without putting one's health at risk. Yann predicts this will be popular this year: "For 2026, we see a strong trend toward cleaner and gentler hair colour services. Our clients are increasingly seeking safer formulas with fewer harsh ingredients, without compromising performance or grey coverage. They are also far more informed today, which makes transparency essential in the way we explain and use our products," he explains. With new formulations, more salons like Yann's own at Wisma Atria are offering ammonia-free, high-performance colours enriched with certified organic ingredients. "Thanks to scientific progress, natural-leaning professional colours are now far more effective."

Cat Eye Tips

Moving down to our fingertips, the cat eye nail trend is expected to be big this year, as predicted by nail artist and founder of Frisky Nails, Lau Wei Shuen, who has over 56,000 followers on Instagram and did Dua Lipa's nails for the Singapore stop of her Radical Optimism Tour. "I think cat eye nails will definitely be a big thing in 2026, especially those with a super high shine that sparkles like a marble," she says. "The Asian nail community has been obsessed with glowy, iridescent cat eyes, and I think this year will be when the Western community starts to discover it." A prime spot to find inspiration? None other than Xiaohongshu. "If you search 水晶猫眼 on there, you can see all the cool designs there."

The Glaze Lives On

Made famous by Hailey Bieber and celebrity nail artist Zola Ganzorigt, white chrome nails—better known as the glazed doughnut mani—will continue to be popular in the new year. "I think it'll still be trending no matter what year it is, so it's definitely something to keep in your kit as an artist." It's so popular that Wei Shuen has formulated her own Frisky Nail chrome powder for the perfect gloss.

Gel Overhaul

Last year, Europe banned nail polishes containing Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO)—a photoinitiator in gel nail polish that helps it harden under UV/LED light for a glossy, long-lasting finish—from being sold or used in Europe due to reproductive toxicity concerns. And while TPO isn't banned in Singapore, it will trickle down as we see companies reformulate their gel polishes. "Most brands and consumers will likely expect it to be the norm since many companies have started doing it," says Wei Shuen.

Airbrushed Mode

From ombré to aura nails, the airbrushed effect was big in 2025, but it was complicated, messy, and in some cases, toxic. However, new tools will keep the trend going into the new year. "The Asian community came up with pat-pat gels, which are super high viscosity gels that you can literally pat with a sponge to give that same airbrushed effect, but this time without any harm. So, airbrushed nails will still be popular, just with a different method."

*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity