Ah, winter makeup trends. Despite being a longtime beauty editor who’s no stranger to maximalist looks like high-fashion editorials and fashion show backstage experimentation, I still have a soft spot for seasonal classics. Red lipstick at the holidays? Always. A wash of glitter eyeshadow on the eyes for New Year’s Eve? Of course. But what really excites me are the shifts that take a little decoding—the ones that trickle down from pro artists’ kits to the rest of our makeup bags.
That brings me to this year’s winter makeup trends for the 2025 and 2026 season, which, according to New York–based celebrity makeup artist Kasey Spickard, are in a state of flux. "We’re in such a transitional period with makeup aesthetics right now,” he tells Marie Claire. Translation: we’re moving away from clean-girl minimalism and leaning into play again—makeup that looks intentionally applied, with technique and personality at the forefront.
