Spring 2026 makeup: 5 easy-to-adopt trends from Kate Winslet and Alexa Chung’s makeup artists

In recent months, the beauty mood has tilted towards maximalism. From the ultra-showy eyes on the catwalks of London Fashion Week, to Zara Larsson’s pink eyeshadow, to Jennie Kim’s pink blush under the eyes: bold looks have dominated. Yet in real life, whether in the office or on the streets, we much prefer make-up trends that are easy to wear and, above all, easy to achieve. Three professional make-up artists share their tips for spring 2026.

Icy Blue eyeshadow, the star of spring make-up trends

According to make-up artist Lisa Eldridge, whose clients include Alexa Chung and Kate Winslet, blue eyeshadow has never really disappeared from the eyelids. Blue has crossed the decades with grace, from Elizabeth Taylor’s eyeshadow in Cleopatra (1963) to Kate Moss wearing an Icy Blue smoky eye at the Gucci Spring/Summer 1996 show.

For Spring 2026, Lisa Eldridge suggests finding the shade that brings you the most joy. When it comes to application, a small brush guarantees an even blend. Then pair your blue eyelid with a lick of mascara for naturally defined lashes.

Emily Wood, for her part, likes to wear the pigment all the way to the brow bone. She recommends pairing it with unexpected matte shades, then using an Icy Blue shade as a top coat. This simple gesture gives a fresh glow to the eyes, even on a daily basis.

“Blue has been popular throughout the decades, from Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic eyeshadow in Cleopatra to Kate Moss wearing an Icy Blue smoky eye at the Gucci Spring/Summer show in 1996.”

Diffused blush: a soft, airy blush

Soft, diffused blush, blended from cheekbone to temple, is all the rage right now. Lisa Eldridge pairs this look with a luminous base and matching eyes and lips for a seamless monochromatic finish. This approach gives the face a natural, effortless freshness.

According to Saba Khan, blush constantly evolves according to mood or character. She also sees a strong trend towards discreet blushes in pastel shades. These soft shades are suitable for all skin tones and adapt well to spring light.

• Icy Blue eyeshadow: a revisited classic, to be worn from the tip of the brush to the brow bone.
• Diffused blush: a blended blush from cheekbone to temples, in pastel tones.
• Skin nature: visible, authentic skin, enhanced by a single pigmented product.
• Blurred lips: blurred lips with melted contours, popularized by make-up artist Nina Park.
• Smokey eyes nineties: smoky eyes with deliberately messy edges, in bronze tones.

Skin nature: authentic skin at the heart of make-up trends

While “glass skin” and “cloud skin” trends have dominated our news feeds over the past two years, the reality is that healthy skin comes in all sorts of textures. Emily Wood says she’s obsessed with seeing real skin. She’s noticed an evolution towards texture, that is, authentically lived-in skin that feels honest and courageous.

This approach to natural skin is ideal for spring, as it remains easy to wear yet expressive. Specifically, keep your skin as it is (while wearing SPF, of course). Then use a blush, self-tanner or lip liner to add a little pigment.

The trick is to first apply a concentrated product to a single area: cheeks, lips or temples. Then use the rest of the product to shade other parts of your face. The final, optional step is to curl your lashes.

Emily Wood says she loves to use a super-pigmented lip pencil, like Fara Homidi’s Smudge & Contour. She pairs it with Violette FR’s Bisou Balm Sheer Matte or Westman Atelier’s Lip Suede Matte. This duo gives a very contemporary “bare skin, living lips” effect.

Blurred lips: blurred lips for a daring spring

Popularized by make-up artist Nina Park, the blurred lips trend has been worn by Lily-Rose Depp, Zoë Kravitz and Greta Lee. This look relies on blended, almost fuzzy contours, giving lips a velvety appearance. This spring, a bold lipstick is the perfect way to stand out from the crowd.

To achieve this, start by outlining your lips. Then smooth out the line with a brush to eliminate any harsh lines. Apply your lipstick, then run your finger along the contours to help the product penetrate. This gesture creates the blurred effect so sought-after in today’s make-up trends.

This look works just as well in the office as it does in the evening. Simply adapt the intensity of the color to the occasion. A discreet red for daytime, a deep burgundy for evening: the technique remains the same.

Nineties smokey eyes: the return of the smoky look

After a season dominated by gray and silver, Saba Khan announces the return of bronze eyelids, combined with a subtle definition of the smokey eye. According to her, smoky eyes are timeless. What changes is the way they are framed, to give the look a modern touch.

Emily Wood has also noticed the return of the rock and roll eye. This style contrasts with the clean girl trend that has dominated in recent years. The make-up trends for spring 2026 thus give pride of place to a more assertive, more raw look.

As for technique, first apply a dark pencil close to the lash line. Then blend with a brush or fingertips. Then spread a smokey shadow over the top for a blurred, wraparound finish. Emily Wood recommends keeping the edges deliberately messy to stay true to the nineties spirit.

These 5 make-up trends for spring 2026, described by Lisa Eldridge, Emily Wood and Saba Khan, share a common thread: ease. Whether you opt for an icy blue on the eyelids, a pastel blush on the cheeks or blurred lips, each look can be achieved in just a few gestures. This season’s make-up invites you to have fun without pressure, with simple products and naturally expressive results.

• make-up trends