Today, it is 71 degrees in New York City. Despite that, Halloween was less than a week ago, our office is already decorated for Christmas, and we're already making sure we're stocked up on makeup products for winter. This is all to say that we're very much in a state of seasonal confusion. For us, though, preparation for what's to come is key, and forecasting trends is our forte. We've been loving and living in ghost lashes, monochromatic looks, and blurred liner this fall—now we're keeping an eye out for the trends we'll turn to when December strikes.

For 2026-2027, winter makeup trends are both nostalgic and modern. They draw inspiration from the past and often feature a twist or element that grounds it in the present day. The trends embrace the drama because, when it feels too cold to bear, we need to have fun and create looks that demand to be seen—because, ultimately, that's what might get us to leave our homes.

Ahead, 10 makeup trends experts are forecasting for winter.

Meet The Experts:

Lori Taylor Davis is the Global Pro Makeup Artist at Smashbox Cosmetics, where she has spent two decades.

Jamie Greenberg is a celebrity makeup artist with over 20 years of experience. Her clientele includes Rashida Jones, Kristen Stewart, and Tracee Ellis Ross.

Joseph Carrillo is a high fashion makeup artist, beauty expert, and facial sculptor.

Wine-Stained Lips

Saint Laurent FW26 // Spotlight Launchmetrics

We've already predicted deep, rich, and indulgent reds as a winter nail trend—now, we're predicting lips to match. Think shades reminiscent of your favorite red wine, like a cabernet that feels quintessentially winter. Now think about the color in lipstick form. "This winter, I predict we’ll see a return to rich, expressive lip color, especially berry, plum, burgundy, and wine tones," Lori Taylor Davis, Global Pro Makeup Artist at Smashbox Cosmetics, says. "These shades feel luxurious and seasonal, but they also give makeup an instant sense of sophistication. With so many people embracing more individuality in their beauty routines, a statement lip is an easy way to elevate a look without adding a lot of steps.

To achieve the look, Davis suggests selecting a berry or wine shade that complements your skin's undertone, defining the lips with a coordinating liner, and softly blending the edges for a lived-in finish. If you're seeking a softer daytime look, consider pressing the color into the lips with your fingertip for a more subtle flush.

Lit From Within

Prabal Gurung FW26 // Spotlight Launchmetrics

This winter, it's all about maximal dew and appearing like, despite the dry, biting cold air, that our skin is healthy, hydrated, and thriving. "I think we’re moving toward a beautiful balance between dewy and matte skin. The goal is a complexion that looks hydrated, smooth, and naturally radiant without being overly shiny," Davis says. "During the colder months, skin can look dull or feel dehydrated, so a soft-focus, satin finish gives the complexion a healthy, perfected appearance while still allowing real skin to show through."

To get this glowing, luminous skin, Davis suggests leaning on cream blushes and balmy highlighters, as well as making sure that you're consistently using a moisturizer and primer suited to your skin type.

Icicle Eyes

Kim Shui FW25 // Spotlight Launchmetrics

This winter, we're leaning into icy, frosty, and quintessentially festive finishes. "We’ll see more playful, expressive eye makeup this winter, with silver, champagne, pewter, and icy rose tones bringing a modern twist to holiday glam," Lori Taylor Davis says. "There’s a nostalgic nod to the ’90s and early 2000s, but today’s version is more refined and wearable. It’s about strategically placing light and shimmer rather than covering the entire eye in glitter."

Bronzer Blindness

Ralph Lauren FW26 // Spotlight Launchmetrics

If you thought bronzer, sun-kissed skin was only a summer thing, think again—because we're about to enter the season of bronzer blindness, so get your favorite product ready and get ready to apply to maximal degree. "Bronzer will be alive and well in the winter," makeup artist Jamie Greenberg says. "I think in the winter months we tend to lay off bronzer, but this year you will see tons."

Moody Liner

Roksanda SS26 // Spotlight Launchmetrics

Dark lip liners aren't a new thing—just take a look back at the beauty looks that trended in the '90s, a look deeply rooted in Black culture. This season, though, it's all about what lip color we're pairing said dark liner with. "Bold lips with dark liners will be trending," Greenberg says. "We will see different color combos than the traditional brown and light taupe!"

Lashing Out

Harris Reed SS26 // Spotlight Launchmetrics

While fall was all about ghost lashes, winter is all about unmistakably alive lashes—even if that means that they have to be fake. "Lashes!!!! People are getting super talented with applying false lashes and clusters, and it's gotten so much easier," Jamie Greenberg says. "People are taking advantage of easy-to-apply lashes this winter."

Purple Haze

Thom Browne SS27 // Spotlight Launchmetrics

This fall and winter, purple has been trending in all forms: clothes and nails, for example. Now, it's time to add a purple blush to your cart for a look that can be subtle or bold depending on your mood. "Purple blush sounds like a lot, but on the skin it can read like a really pretty, cool-toned flush. I’d use the Marc Jacobs blush," high fashion makeup artist Joseph Carrillo says. "Pick up a little on a brush, tap off the extra, and blend it high on the cheek, moving back toward the temple. Think of it as blush doing a little contouring—color and shape in one step. Keep the rest of the face simple so the blush gets its moment."

Brown-Eyed Girl

Victoria Beckham FW25 // Spotlight Launchmetrics

As someone who has only ever used classic black mascaras, I'm accepting that it's time to experiment. If you're in a similar boat, consider brown, or an easy way of easing into this experimentation. "I’m reaching for the brown YSL mascara. Brown gives you definition, but it doesn’t make the eye feel as done or harsh as black can. Wiggle the wand at the roots, then comb through to the tips," Joseph Carrillo says. "It’s like turning the contrast down one notch: your lashes still show up, but the whole look feels softer and the eyes so much brighter! You can wear it on its own with a clean face, or with a little liner for more definition."

Renaissance Blush

Sandy Liang SS27 // Spotlight Launchmetrics

This winter, we're trying to achieve romantic flushed cheeks that could pass for a natural, sweet blush. "For the Renaissance blush, I’d use Glow Recipe dewy flush blush and think soft, romantic flush…not a perfect stripe," Joseph Carrillo says. "Tap it onto the apples of the cheeks with your fingers (to break down the color) and blend it outward and even down; if you like that cold-weather look, carry the color lightly across the bridge of the nose. It should look like you’ve just come in from the icy tundra."

Slept-In Eyes

Gucci FW26 // Spotlight Launchmetrics

We're still in the era of messy girl makeup! We're living for the casual, cool-girl aesthetic that embraces imperfection. This winter, it's all about imperfect, lived-in eye makeup. "For the smoky eye, keep it easy: press a brown eyeliner like MAC's coffee close to the lash line and blend it up little by little and out with your fingers, softening the edges, Joseph Carrillo says. "You want the effect of a little shadow left behind after a long night—not a sharp, perfectly drawn shape. Let the eyes stay soft, and keep the lip natural."