With each new season, the beauty industry offers bolder solutions, balancing between nostalgia and innovation. The trends of winter 2026 confirm: the past is not just returning, but being reinterpreted.
At the recent fashion shows in Paris, makeup artists turned to looks that seemed to have disappeared forever. And now one of them has returned in an unexpected interpretation, sparking debate even among those who usually welcome any experiments.
The trends of winter 2026 have already included makeup among the most discussed, and the reason is the combination of a recognizable presentation style and a provocative accent. This beauty technique has transitioned from a fashionable past to a relevant arsenal for the season, instantly gaining the status of a symbol of nostalgia.
Visually, it looks like a nod from the era of glamour, but in reality, it requires both courage and the skill to apply makeup well.
Bright Pink Lipstick in the Spirit of Bubblegum Pink
Think of the looks of it-girls from the 2000s, where lip gloss shone much brighter than jewelry. This palette — from the shade of delicate bubblegum to rich raspberry — is returning to the trend list for winter 2026. The shade, once adored by Paris Hilton and Nicki Minaj, is being rediscovered on the runways of Chloé and Isabel Marant, but now it no longer speaks to us of kitsch and glamour; instead, it conveys tenderness, self-irony, and the ability to work with contrasts.
At the Chloé show, makeup artists suggested focusing solely on the lips: the face remained almost "naked" — here you can observe a perfectly even tone, with a barely noticeable shadow on the eyelids, and natural brows. In this context, the bright lipstick transformed into an artistic accent, like a stroke of paint on a blank canvas: this technique allows for the bold pink to fit even into a minimalist outfit.
The secret is not to use this shade literally as in the 2010s: instead of a dense texture and matte finish, airy creamy textures, shimmer, and soft blending come to the forefront. This approach turns risk into elegance: the lips look expressive but do not compete with the overall look.
Makeup artists recommend complementing the pink lipstick with a nude liner: it creates boundaries, makes the color more noble, and visually emphasizes the shape.
The return of the pink shade is not just a trend for the love of retro, but a step towards rethinking the perception of femininity in makeup. Bright pink no longer screams glamour: it plays, seduces, and sets the right mood. Pink does not require perfect styling and an evening dress; it easily pairs with cozy knitwear or a wool coat.
This is where the versatility of the beauty technique lies: one must be bold without renouncing naturalness.
The most surprising thing is how quickly the trend became popular among fashion influencers: it migrated from the runways to social media, where beauty bloggers offer dozens of ways to wear bright pink lipstick — from classic looks with graphic eyeliner to more complex solutions: ombre, sheer textures, layering with pencils and glosses. Yes, this is indeed a case where one shade opens up hundreds of possibilities.
A look back at the past has once again become a reason for rethinking the present: the controversial pink lipstick has turned into a symbol of daring tenderness and renewed glamour. In winter 2026, it became that very detail that brightens up a look without taking away its lightness. Perhaps this is where its appeal lies: in the ability to be oneself, even while using the most challenging shades.
