Frosty Lipstick, Matte Makeup, and Side Bangs (Gasp!): 2026's Top Beauty Trends Are Taking Us Back to 2006
Get ready for a little controversy and a lot of nostalgia.
It might be 2026, but the beauty industry is looking a lot like 2016… even 2006. That's because some "outdated," "old school," and "untrendy" looks are (or are about to be) back and better than ever. Prepare yourself, dear reader, because I'm talking about some very controversial concepts. There's the return of 2016-era matte foundation, for instance. (This time, though, you can rest assured that they're soft, velvety, and modern—not cakey or drying.) I'm also going to hit on the internet's very 2006-era obsession with frosty lipstick and (gasp!) side bangs.
Lila Childs is a celebrity makeup artist and host of The Powder Room. She says the major 2026 trends will be "a deviation from the 'clean-girl aesthetic,'" aka those that are bold, dramatic, and more statement-making than we've seen in recent years. You know what that means, right? Gone are the days of a slicked-back bun and no-makeup makeup. We're entering a new era of expression where nostalgia wins.
Ahead, see every unexpected beauty trend set to make a comeback in 2026. This list is sure to inspire strong opinions. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Side Bangs
Lila Childs' side bangs give main character energy.
Why not start with what is perhaps the most controversial trend? Side bangs are one of the greatest intergenerational divides. Millennials might associate them with a bygone era, whereas Gen Z might be more apt to embrace them. Regardless of which camp you fall into, there's no denying that they will be *the* trendy haircut of 2026. Don't believe me? Take it from Childs, whose recent side bangs reveal singlehandedly convinced me that they are, in fact, cool—very cool.
"They feel nostalgic, a little edgy, and modern all at the same time," she says. "Once again, a deviation from the clean girl aesthetic, but one that doesn’t feel too far out of anyone’s comfort zone. I think everyone is always striving for that '90s romcom main character look, and that’s certainly what I was trying to emulate when I got them. My hairstylist, Aurora at the Yves Durif Salo,n is the queen of side bangs! "
Shop the Look:
Crimped Hair
Margot Robbie's Wuthering Heights looks were a tour de force in the dark romance aesthetic. I think this crimped look is one of her best hairstyles.
There's another look that's being pulled straight out of the archives in 2026: crimped hair. It's been cycling in and out of style ever since the '80s, but this time, it's being whisked into the present thanks to the Wuthering Heights press tour (I'm looking at you, Margot Robbie). It may be a strange association for us millennials, who used to crimp our hair into oblivion in the early aughts, but in 2026, it reads as soft and windswept. It's right in line with the fashion crowd's recent obsession with romantic hairstyles. We just need Jacob Elordi to stand in as our Heathcliff...
Shop the Look:
Frosty Lipstick
An iconic example of the frosty lip trend, as seen on Kate Moss in 1995.
When I polled my colleagues, AKA fellow Who What Wear beauty editors, for the trends they predict will be *everywhere* in 2026, senior beauty editor Jamie Schneider instantly replied "frosty lipstick." I couldn't agree more.
Recently, L'Oreal's Ballerina Shoes Lipstick (a cool, Y2K-coded frosty pink) went viral on TikTok and Instagram. Since then, I've also seen Sugar Plum (frosty plum-pink) and Spiced Cider (frosty berry-brown) make the rounds. Meanwhile, I recently watched Erin Parsons, makeup artist and beauty historian, decode Pamela Anderson's exact 2002 frosty lip combo. Outside of specific products and icons, my FYP has been filled with frosty finishes. So, here's your official PSA. If you've been sticking to subtle lip tints and dewy balms over the last few years, it's high time to switch it up and reach for an icy, frosty, '90s-esque lippie.
The Y2K Smokey Eye
Models walked the runway with a Y2K smokey eye at 7 For All Mankind.
Childs says there's yet another early-2000s makeup trend coming for 2026, and it's a complete reversal of the internet's recent obsession with all things soft, subtle, and "natural-looking." It's a dramatic, smokey eye—more specifically, a Y2K smokey eye. This look is slightly messy and imperfect, which just adds to its cool, nostalgic charm. "We saw it all over the runway at NYFW like Tory Burch and 7 For All Man Kind," Childs says. "It’s still 'chic' but a deviation from the clean girl aesthetic which I think everyone is craving." Childs recommends investing in Victoria Beckham Beauty's Satin Kajal Liners or the new Fara Homidi eye palettes, since both are "geared toward this trend."
Shop the Look:
Cat-Eye Nails
This is proof cat-eye nails are just as chic as chrome nails.
Sorry, chrome! Your long reign as the trending manicure du jour is officially ending in 2026. I know, I know. This might be a hard pill to swallow for die-hard loyalists of "glazed donut nails." However, it's not all bad news. It's being replaced with an equally chic manicure. I'm talking about cat-eye nails, otherwise known as velvet nails. This look involves using magnetic nail polish that contains iron particles. When a magnet is moved over top, the iron particles shift to create a shimmering, 3D effect that (per its name) resembles velvet. You can create cat-eye nails at home if you're down to DIY, but there is always the in-salon option.
Shop the Look:
Matte Makeup
This dreamy, blurred, matte look is the perfect example of "cloud skin."
After an emphasis on all things ultra-dewy, it's only natural that we'd go all the way back to matte-finish makeup. (As I said before, beauty trends are nothing if not cyclical!). If the thought of a matte foundation makes you wince and reflect upon dry, crusty, and cakey formulas of yesteryear, you should know that 2026's take is much, much different. These modern matte foundations are hydrating, cushiony, soft, and velvety. They offer a dreamy, blurred, and softly luminescent look that's right in step with the TikTok-viral "cloud skin" trend.
It goes beyond foundation, too. Childs says we'll see more matte-finish makeup products in general. "I feel like we saw this with makeup launches toward the end of the year," Childs says, "More powder blushes and bronzers, complexion products described to create a 'blurred' finish. I also feel like the increased attention around CBK with FX’s Love Story coming out, people will be interested in creating that classic 90’s barely there matte makeup look."
Shop the Look:
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.
