Winter 2026 Makeup Trends Go Maximalist: Eyemaxxing, Frost and Face Gems

Winter 2026's biggest makeup trend list reads like a playground: eyemaxxing, frosty finishes, face gems, red-on-red and blue eye shadow, all grounded by one counter-trend — sheer foundation. Six working makeup artists across London, New York and Los Angeles break down the looks and name the exact products to build them.

What is eyemaxxing?

Eyemaxxing — maximal eye makeup — dominated the Antonio Marras, Kim Shui and Givenchy runways this season. "I feel like everyone this year was desperate for makeup to make a comeback," says London-based makeup artist Rachel Hill-Cherry. "More eyeliner, more mascara, more colour, more creativity, and more fun."

Her entry point: a kajal eyeliner. "Something that's super creamy and blendable, but once it dries, it stays put," Hill-Cherry says. She names Charlotte Tilbury Rock 'N' Kohl Eyeliner pencils in jewel tones and Marc Jacobs Beauty Drawn This Way eyeliner in punchier shades like yellow and aqua. "Wrap it around the entire eye, and with an eye shadow brush or your finger just blend and buff in for that ultimate cool girl, lived-in eye. Repeat until desired intensity."

How do you wear soft-focus lip liner?

The smudged lip recalls the 1990s-era 99-cent NYC Color lipstick era. "[It's] no harsh lines, no obvious colors, just super intentional and low-key. A lip you don't have to worry about," says Hill-Cherry. It suits "those who want to cheat their way to fuller-looking lips in a really natural way."

Tools: Rhode Peptide Lip Shapers, with a thicker pencil that removes the guesswork on how far to blur, or Refy Blur Lip Liner with an even wider tip. Fill the center with blush lipstick or nude balm and blot outward.

Why is frost back?

Frosty finishes appeared at Weiderhoeft, Balenciaga and Bluemarine, and read as decidedly 2026. "People want more personality in their makeup [right now]," says Los Angeles-based makeup artist Brandy Allen. "Frost is all about that beautiful, pearlized, light-reflecting finish, and winter is also the perfect season for that texture play. I think we're going to see everything from soft champagne and rosy frosts to deeper chocolate, plum, and burgundy metallics."

Allen cites Mac's recently rereleased frost lipsticks. New York-based makeup artist Laura Mele points to the '90s-inspired Chanel runways and expects "washes of silver, icy blue, champagne, and pearlescent white." She recommends Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Glitter Eyeshadow; R.E.M. Beauty Starlet Liquid Eyeshadow in Lab Coat delivers a snow-queen finish.

For frosted skin, Los Angeles makeup artist Ernesto Casillas applies "a high-pimpact highlighter all over the eyelids and browbone, the cheeks, and even the sides of the forehead" — Karla Cosmetics Multichrome Loose Pigment in Insomnia, as used on the Harris Reed models, or Kosas Shiny Objects Wet Glisten Highlighter in Opaline.

How does red-on-red work?

Monochromatic red looks appeared at Elisabetta Franchi, Matières Fécales and Litkovska. "[It's] such a fun way to switch up a smoky eye," says Los Angeles makeup artist Sarah Walsh, who suggests starting with moodier burgundy tones — Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner in Bordeaux smudged along the lash line, plus its matching mascara — then a red shadow buffed over the lid. Palettes: KimChiChic Jewel Collection Palette in Ruby or Colourpop Wine and Only Eyeshadow Palette. For matching lips, Fashion Week artists favored blurred, bitten reds — About Face Blurred Matte Lip Plump or Violette_Fr Bisou Balm — keeping tones all cool or all warm.

What defines the winter blush and face gems?

"Face gems and sparkle have been everywhere in 2026," says Walsh, from Zara Larsson concerts to runways and Met Gala looks on Eileen Gu, Tyla and Rihanna. For wearability, she suggests gems along the cheekbones or eye corners — Half Magic or Lavaa Face Gems — or chunky glitters like Lemonhead LA Spacejam and Unicorn Snot Macro Glitter, applied with fingers.

Blush goes matte this season, per Walsh: "what differentiates this [2026] blush trend is that it's matte." Allen says to "blend it across the apples of the cheeks and lightly over the bridge of the nose. The goal is to make it look like the color is coming from within the skin." Products: LYS Beauty Higher Standard Satin Matte Cream Blush or Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder in Red Velvet.

Is blue eye shadow wearable again?

"Blue eye shadow is so back," Mele says. Gucci, Proenza Schouler and Valentino showed the spectrum from deep denim smokes to baby blue. "I'm a huge fan of a navy smoky eye, which is a soft grunge way of playing with color," says New York- and Los Angeles-based makeup artist Billie Gene: dark pencil smudged at the lash line, then Merit Solo Shadow in Midnight or Kiko Milano High Pigment Eyeshadow in Metallic Blue pressed over it. Lighter options: Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Tailored Denim or Lancôme Idole Goddess Dimension Eyeshadow in Lunar Glow.

Why sheer foundation?

The maximal eye needs a quiet base. "A lighter base feels fresh and modern, especially paired with a dramatic [feature]," says Gene. "People want coverage they can control without losing the character of their skin." He layers moisturizer, then Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint or Milk Cosmetics Hydro Gel Skin Tint, working "from the center of the face outward," and spot-conceals only where needed, "leaving the rest of the complexion luminous."

With runway validation, named products and artist-led techniques in place, winter 2026's play-driven makeup shifts from editorial statement to shoppable shelf list.