Bye-Bye Heavy Makeup! 5 Makeup Trends for 2026 That Will Make Your Face Instantly Glowing & Trendy!

Wow, time flies, doesn’t it? We’re already about to welcome 2026! Usually, the turn of the year is synonymous with change, including in terms of appearance. Well, for those of you who love makeup but want to stay looking fresh and not overdone, Salwa has some sneak peeks on makeup trends predicted to be huge next year. Get ready to fall in love with your own face again!

So here’s the thing, Beauty Besties, in this fast-paced era, people are increasingly looking for practicality but still want to be on point. This includes makeup. We don’t want to look like we’re wearing a mask anymore, right? That’s why the 2026 makeup trends will focus heavily on “effortless beauty.” How can you look naturally beautiful while still having that “something extra”?

1. The Reign of “Barely-There” Makeup: Nude & Natural Still the Champion!This isn’t a new trend, but it’s loved more and more as time goes on! The concept of barely-there makeup or very light makeup, as if you’re not wearing anything, will continue to dominate. Why? It’s simple, because it makes you look healthy, fresh, and much younger. The key here is excellent skin prep and the right products.Imagine waking up, your skin already looks good, just add a little concealer where needed, a light blush on so you don’t look pale, and mascara to make your eyes look alive. That’s it, you’re ready for a nice coffee or to chase a deadline! It doesn’t take long, but the results are maximum.

   SalwaSalon Tip: The secret to light yet stunning makeup is in skincare. Make sure your skin is well-moisturized and hydrated. Use a lightweight moisturizer and a serum suited to your skin type before applying makeup. If your skin is already healthy, any makeup will look good!

2. K-Style & J-Style: Asian Touches Gaining Global RecognitionWho isn’t captivated by dewy Korean skin or the super neat and feminine Japanese makeup? Well, these two styles are timeless and will have even more variations in 2026.K-Style is synonymous with glassy, slightly dewy skin, gradient lips, and blush that makes the face look naturally flushed. The focus is on making the skin look healthy from within. Meanwhile, J-Style leans towards clean makeup, focusing on expressive eyes (use thin eyeliner and mascara!) and soft-looking lips. Both highlight natural beauty, but with slightly different vibes.

   The best part about both styles is that they can be easily adapted to individual characters. Want something cuter like a K-Pop idol or more elegant like a Japanese actress? Absolutely!

3. Local Pride: Local Brands Shining Brighter!This is what makes Salwa so proud! Indonesian local brands are getting cooler and more recognized. In 2026, they won’t just be an option, but trendsetters! From skincare to makeup, their quality is on par with international brands, and now there are more choices that suit our skin and our pockets.Brands like Somethinc, Luxcrime, Make Over, From This Island, Wardah, and many more will continue to innovate. We’ll see many products born from in-depth research, good formulations, and certainly colors that are perfect for Indonesian skin. This is proof that local beauty is indeed timeless!

   Myth vs. Fact:
   Myth: Local makeup is of poor quality and doesn’t last long.
   Fact: That’s completely wrong! Local brands now have advanced technology and research that make their products long-lasting, have good pigmentation, and are comfortable to wear. Try it yourself and see!

4. Ethnic & Bold Touch: Embracing Cultural Touches with More CourageWho says natural makeup has to be monotonous? In 2026, we’ll see more touches of color and motifs inspired by Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage. This isn’t just about eyeshadow or lipstick colors, but can also be through more playful body art applications or eye makeup accents inspired by batik or woven patterns.This is what makes our makeup more unique and tells a story. Imagine, you can wear a touch of gold inspired by wayang (shadow puppets), or geometric patterns inspired by traditional carvings. How cool is that? This is how we celebrate our identity through the art of dressing up.

   The focus is on blending traditional elements with modern trends. This way, it won’t look old-fashioned, but rather chic and classy. For example, you could wear bold earthy eyeshadow colors, paired with a thin liner. Or wear a strong brick-red lipstick, but with a satin finish, not a very matte one.

5. “Clean Beauty” Goes Mainstream: Safe and Eco-FriendlyThe issues of clean beauty and sustainability can no longer be ignored. In 2026, this trend will become more of a standard. Consumers are becoming smarter and more concerned about what they put on their skin and its impact on the environment.This means makeup products formulated with safe ingredients (paraben, sulfate, phthalate-free, etc.), cruelty-free (not tested on animals), and with eco-friendly packaging will be in high demand.

   Not only that, some brands are also starting recycling programs for their packaging or using recycled materials. This is great! We can still look beautiful while contributing to protecting the Earth. So, if you see clean beauty claims, double-check the details. Make sure they are truly in line with the claims.

So, what do you think? Turns out it’s not that complicated to achieve your dream glowing face while staying trendy in 2026, right? Next year’s makeup trends indeed prioritize natural beauty enhanced with modern and conscious touches. From optimal skincare, choosing the right products, to the courage to experiment with cultural elements. Let’s start trying tonight to be ready to look stunning next year!