What I find most interesting about the defining lip trends of 2026 so far is that they’re more of a texture play than a color one. Think back to, say, 2016 for example. A decade ago, the “cool” lip looks were very matte, yes, but also very dark and vampy. If not rich plums or deep reds, they might be striking blue in King Kylie fashion.
Today, instead of one dominant shade, pro makeup artist Kasey Spickard refers to a growing preference for tones that closely mimic the natural lip. “I’m seeing a huge emergence toward cool-tone colors, and the blurred, soft lips we saw on runways and pro artists a few years back really trending with consumers and clients.” The result lands squarely in that coveted your-lips-but-better territory.
Vogue’s Favorite Trending Lip Products
Unleashia Oh! Happy Day Lip Pencil
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Westman Atelier HydroBalm Tinted Lipstick
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Saie Glossybounce High-Shine Hydrating Lip Gloss Oil
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Merit Signature Lip Blush
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Violette_FR Lip Nectar
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Summer Fridays Flushed Lip Stain
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Color fading into the background, brands are playing with finish. Think: the continued rise of blurred lips, lacquered high-shine glosses, the modern revival of lip stains, and whisper-light washes of sheer color. Many of them nod to the ’90s, but the through line isn’t just about mass nostalgia.“Think high impact, low maintenance looks,” Spickard adds. Across the board, formulas are leaning either skin-care-forward or intentionally diffused, creating lips that feel hydrated, comfortable, and slightly undone.
The takeaway: whether glossy, stained, or softly smudged, the season’s most relevant lip looks share the same sensibility—effortless and comfortable. Below, we explore the four lip trends we expect to take us through summer and beyond.
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The Blurred Lips
If there’s one lip finish that has quietly taken over Hollywood’s red carpets, it’s the blurred lip—in both product finish and application technique. A quick scan of recent awards shows makes the case: Mia Goth, Charli XCX, Emma Stone, and Jessie Buckley have all stepped out with softly diffused pouts that make lips look more pillowy without being meticulously over-lined. Of course, we can all thank celebrity makeup artist Nina Park, who popularized the look on her star-studded client list.
Re-creating it at home is less about precision and more about technique. Kate Lee, makeup artist for Chanel, recommends applying your lip product and then diffusing the edges with a domed brush, buffing from the center of the lips outward. Cool-toned contour shades or chubby lip liners help softly define the shape, while balmy velvet lipsticks finish the look with that plush, softly blurred texture.
