Makeup is having a more expressive moment, with consumers showing renewed interest in statement lips, colorful cheeks and eye-catching finishes. The numbers support the shift: Pinterest’s 2026 Beauty Trend Report found that searches for dusty rose blush was up 189%, peach blush makeup was up 148%, berry blush makeup was up 82% and bold lip combinations was up 121%. These trends present an opportunity to spotlight cream blushes, lip stains, liners, richly pigmented lip colors and colorful eye products. You can encourage your employees to suggest complementary shades and demonstrate how customers can create a complete look with just a few products.
1. Blush Takes Center Stage
Blush is doing more than adding a little color to the cheeks. It’s becoming a defining part of the makeup look, with consumers experimenting with placement, finishes and shades. From soft peach and dusty rose to rich berry and terracotta, today’s blush looks offer plenty of room for personal expression.
What to Highlight in Store:
- Cream and liquid blushes for a fresh, radiant finish.
- Powder blushes for buildable color and a more defined look.
- Peach, berry, rose and terracotta shades to complement different makeup styles.
Employee Talking Point: Encourage customers to experiment with blush placement. Applying color higher on the cheekbones can create a lifted appearance, while blending across the apples of the cheeks creates a softer look.
2. Lips Make a Statement
Lip color is having its own moment, particularly with the growing interest in lip stains and bold lip combinations. Customers are looking for versatile ways to add color, whether that’s a berry-toned lip, a defined lip liner paired with gloss or a stain that delivers a wash of color.
What to Highlight in Store:
- Lip stains for long-lasting color.
- Lip liners in versatile nude, brown, berry and rose shades.
- High-shine glosses and richly pigmented lipsticks.
- Complementary liner and lipstick combinations.
Employee Talking Point: Show customers how pairing a slightly deeper lip liner with a coordinating lipstick or gloss can add dimension and create a more defined finish. Suggest a lip stain for customers who prefer a lower-maintenance color option.
3. Let the Eyes Do the Talking
Expressive makeup isn’t limited to cheeks and lips. Eyes are another opportunity for customers to experiment with color, texture and definition. Colorful eyeliner, shimmering eyeshadows, metallic finishes and dramatic lashes can transform an everyday look into something more statement-making.
What to Highlight in Store:
- Colorful eyeliners and eye pencils.
- Shimmering, metallic and multichrome eyeshadows.
- Neutral palettes that transition easily from day to evening.
- Volumizing mascaras and dramatic lash styles.
Employee Talking Point: Encourage customers who typically stick to neutral makeup to try one pop of color. A colorful eyeliner or metallic eyeshadow can make a statement without requiring an entirely new makeup routine.
4. Finish the Look
A great makeup look is about more than the products that add color. Finishing products help bring everything together and give customers more control over their desired result.
What to Highlight in Store:
- Setting sprays to help makeup stay in place.
- Setting powders for customers who prefer a more matte finish.
- Illuminating sprays for a radiant-looking complexion.
- Makeup sponges and brushes for blending and application.
Employee Talking Point: Ask customers what kind of finish they prefer—matte, radiant or somewhere in between. Use their answer to recommend a finishing product that complements the rest of their makeup routine.
