The power of a viral beauty trend can’t be underestimated. One short video can enter the pop culture canon and have a rapid impact on everyone you know. Cast your minds back to 2023, when all the beauty girls started buying soft, grey jersey headbands – a decades-old hair accessory popularised by Brigitte Bardot and Barbra Streisand. Or in 2024, when we were introduced to the “morning shed”, a skincare layering fad that had us seriously wondering if Gen Z were okay.
This past year, minimal beauty reached a crescendo. Mascara was ditched for ghost lashes, and blush faded from cherry red to terracotta brown. Hair trends also unravelled from tightly scraped, slicked-back buns to low-tension up-dos and tousled, wavy bobs. The wellness boom, however, continued to plough full steam ahead. From the creatine craze to guzzling okra water for gut health benefits, our obsession with perfect health showed no sign of slowing down.
Many of the above started as niche movements before spilling out into the mainstream. So, without further ado, here are eight Vogue Staffers on their viral beauty predictions for the year ahead.
Frizzy hair, don’t care
Has there been any greater battle on this earth than the war against frizzy hair? Hyperbole, perhaps, but there is a glimmer of truth to it. How many frizz-busting serums, keratin treatments, ceramic-plated hot tools and leave-in conditioners can our poor strands of hair take? They are simply just trying to exist, and I think we should let them. We need to stop listening to people who tell us frizz is inherently bad, and instead, start embracing it. Frizz should be out, proud and celebrated. Put the gel down, beloved.
Riann Phillip, associate features editor
Infrared pilates
Forget hot yoga, 2026 is all about infrared pilates. If you thought your body was shaking before, prepare to turn up the heat of your traditional workout. Think roll-ups, roll-overs and the hundreds all at temperatures of up to 38 degrees. You’ll be sweating, but you leave feeling almost euphoric – or is that just me?
Ellie Davis, senior beauty commerce writer
’90s glam
When it comes to make-up, 2026 will usher in a subtle glam era, with an alternative spin. Think: cool-toned browns, smoky taupes, blended liners and glossy neutral lips… very that girl energy. Natural lashes are definitely here to stay – lifted, fluttery and separated. Blush isn’t going anywhere, either, but the sun-kissed approach will be even more trendy – radiant and glowing from within – accentuated with the faintest dusting of highlighter.
Anisa Kennar, creative production coordinator
Bobs be gone
Heading into the new year, I’m fast developing the deep-rooted fear that, after having been a bob girl for over four years now, I could be swayed by the idea of long, wavy boho locks. Anyone who knows me will know I only ever praise the clean-cut, easy styling of a bob, and would advise anyone considering the chop to go for it – it’s life-changing. But during London Fashion Week, it felt like I was drowning in gorgeous, long, boho-esque inspo. Think: tousled and undone-looking hair that falls perfectly into subtle waves, and slouches over your favourite pieces of clothing.
Mia Portet, commerce producer
So long, slicked-back buns
With great relief to my hairline, slick, sleek, scraped-back hair will finally bid adieu in 2025. A last gasp of the clean girl aesthetic, 2026 is about intentional muss and welcoming frizz (I agree with Riann: let’s reclaim the word this year), and not being too precious about, well, anything. The goal: individuality. The norm: none!
Morgan Fargo, beauty & wellness editor
Cue the cut-crease
The make-up girlies are itching to dust off their Urban Decay palettes – myself included. What happened to being experimental, going against the grain and running to the shops with turquoise eyeshadow? Bring it all back, I say. Life is nothing without doll-matte foundation and a little fun.
Ranyechi Udemezue, associate beauty & wellness writer
Red light and lymphatic drainage mania
I think red light-infused workouts and vibration plate classes are becoming the new go-to for getting toned while boosting skin and recovery at the same time. People are leaning into the idea of combining beauty and wellness treatments, and being able to do it at simultaneously seems like a no-brainer.
Lois Adeoshun, fashion assistant
Tattoo hiatus
The clean girl aesthetic is still among us. To that end, I’m predicting that bare skin will be big in 2026. I’m not saying you need to run to your local tattoo removal clinic, but you may well find yourself ghosting your tattoo artist. Don’t get me wrong, I love tattoos – I have a fair few myself and plan to get more – but now that Brat summer is well behind us, it feels like we’re craving a more wholesome, pared-back reset. And what better place to start than by putting the ink on pause?
Julia Storm, commerce writer
