Fall 2026 Makeup Trends Embrace Boldness, Moving Beyond "Clean Girl" Aesthetic

The "clean girl" makeup trend is evolving, with a notable shift towards more dramatic and colorful looks for Fall 2026, according to celebrity makeup artist Hannah Murray, who also serves as Bobbi Brown's first global artistic director.

"I’m loving the more dramatic smoky eyes with deeper lipsticks; it feels sexy and powerful," Murray told Page Six Style, signaling a move beyond the minimalist aesthetic that has dominated recent seasons. She notes a growing excitement for "more color and stronger looks."

Windswept Blush

This fall's trends will feature "soft, feminine, flushed cheeks you’d get from being in the mountains," Murray predicts. This look can be achieved by applying a cream blush, like Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge, to the apples of the cheeks and a touch on the bridge of the nose. Murray recommends using a blush with a red undertone for the most authentic flush.

Smoldering Eyes and Lips

In contrast to minimalism, runway shows from Saint Laurent, Gucci, and Jean Paul Gaultier have showcased a return to "smoked-out" dark neutral eyes paired with bold burgundy or red lips. Murray describes this as a look of "dark sophistication."

To achieve the smoked-out eye, Murray suggests starting with a creamy kohl liner and blending it out. This can be softened further with a neutral, cool-toned eyeshadow or a cream eyeshadow. She recommends Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Eyeliner Stick in shades like Panther, Aubergine, or Fog. Murray advises keeping the rest of the makeup minimal to avoid an overdone appearance, emphasizing the importance of focusing on one or two features while keeping others fresh for an effortless look.

Vibrant Eyeshadow

Eyeshadow trends will also embrace bolder choices, with runways at Sportmax and Moschino featuring "intense bold colors applied solidly on eye with the rest of the face fairly blank." For this trend, Murray recommends applying concealer or a skin-toned cream eyeshadow as a base before the colorful shadow to ensure vibrancy and longevity.

Skincare Staples

Murray emphasizes the importance of a solid skincare routine as the foundation for any makeup look. She consistently uses Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base + Moisturizer & Primer, calling it her "all-time favorite product" for ensuring makeup longevity. For a dewy finish, especially for photography, she applies a moisturizer like Weleda Skin Food to the high points of the cheekbones, noting that it "brings back skin quality immediately and refreshes the face."