Vogue has spotlighted three wearable makeup trends for spring 2026, emphasizing texture and pops of color in a mature and fresh manner. Makeup artists Lisa Eldridge, Emily Wood, and Saba Khan shared insights on blue eyeshadow, muted blush, and buffed red lips as key looks to try now. These trends shift from recent maximalist styles toward more practical applications.
The beauty industry is moving away from the maximalist makeup moods seen on recent runways, such as misty eyes at London Fashion Week, toward more wearable options for everyday use. In an article published on March 13, 2026, Vogue consulted professional makeup artists Lisa Eldridge, Emily Wood, and Saba Khan to identify dominant trends for the season.
Blue eyeshadow emerges as a timeless choice, with Eldridge noting its enduring popularity. “Blue has been popular throughout the decades, spanning from Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic eyeshadow in Cleopatra to Kate Moss wearing an icy blue smoky eye for Gucci’s spring show in 1996,” she said. For spring 2026, Eldridge recommends selecting a shade that suits the wearer and applying it with a small brush for blending, paired with mascara for defined lashes. Wood suggests extending the pigment to the brow bone, combining it with matte shades and an icy blue top coat.
Products highlighted include Merit Beauty's Solo Shadow in Midnight, Dior's Diorshow Mono Couleur in 240 Denim, Charlotte Tilbury's Palette Of Beautifying Eye Trends in Denim Dimension, and Victoria Beckham Beauty's Eyewear in Cornflower.
Muted blush is another focus, applied softly from the cheeks to the temples. Eldridge advocates pairing it with a luminous base for a monochromatic effect. Khan observed, “Blush is constantly evolving depending on the mood or character we want to embody,” adding, “I’m seeing a strong shift towards muted, pastel-toned draping.” Recommended items are Blurry Pudding Pot, Chanel's Joues Contraste Intense Cream-to-Powder Blush in Grenat Profond, Soft Focus Blurring Blush, and Anastasia Beverly Hills' Blurring Serum Blush in Hibiscus.
The buffed red lip, popularized by Nina Park and seen on Lily-Rose Depp, Zoë Kravitz, and Greta Lee, involves lining the lips, buffing with a brush, applying lipstick, and patting with a finger for a diffused finish. Suggested lip products are Tom Ford's Lip Color Matte Lipstick in Ruby Rush and Signature Lipstick in Power, Fara Homidi's Essential Lip Compact in Red 1, and Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue in Daring Red.
These trends offer easy experimentation, blending historical influences with contemporary wearability.
