Velvet Skin, Romantic Blush, Grunge

Say what you will about winter, but the season knows how to romanticize a routine: candles flickering in every corner, cozy blankets in constant rotation, loungewear becoming a literal uniform, and those earlier evenings that make an early pour of red wine feel perfectly reasonable. It also brings that familiar itch to refresh your makeup bag, and with celebrity makeup artists already sketching out the season’s biggest trends, I can assure you there’s plenty to get excited about.

The overall vibe this winter feels different in the best way. As celebrity makeup artist Lisa Eldridge told me, “as we move into the greyer, more introspective months, there’s a palpable shift in mood, a collective desire for makeup maximalism and expressive color.” But that doesn’t mean there’s only one way to show up. Euphoria’s lead makeup artist Donni Davy reminded me, “it depends on one’s mood! There’s room for it all.” So whether you’re feeling soft and minimal or ready to go full maximalist, winter’s letting you do both. A snapshot of what’s ahead includes the whole spectrum—from velvety skin and blurred lips to romantic flushes, bold color, and even a little grunge.

To unpack everything properly, I went straight to the experts. Davy squeezed in our chat between filming scenes for Season 3, and Eldridge—legendary artist and namesake brand founder whose clients include Dua Lipa, Kate Winslet, and Keira Knightley—walked me through the shifts she’s seeing right now. Ahead, all the biggest makeup trends for winter 2026.