Spring 2026 Makeup Trends: Bold Lips, Eyes & Vibrant Colors

Patrick Randak

Bold Lips

Beauty Staple: Matte-red lipstick

Easy upgrade: Poppy lip gloss. Try NYC New York Color Big Bold Plumping Lip Gloss in Supersized Red ($4, drugstores).

DIY tip: Going sheer and bright makes your entire face look fresh. Apply a coat of orange-red gloss, then dab extra in the center of your lip for a plumping effect.

Our reader tester: Lauren Branche, 29

Patrick Randak

Bold Eyes

Beauty staple: Black pencil

Easy upgrade: Blue liquid liner. A good one: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Periwinkle ($20, stilacosmetics.com).

DIY tip: Blue makes your eyes pop. Draw a thin black line along your lashes to add definition, then layer a powdery blue liner over it for a vibrant flash of color.

Our reader tester: Erica Masiello, 31

Patrick Randak

Perky Blush

Beauty staple: Matte bronzer

Easy upgrade: Hot pink-and-peach blush. We like Lancôme Blush in Love in Pommettes D'Amour ($49, lancome-usa.com).

DIY tip: Two-tone powder blush gives you a natural-looking glow. Swirl a small blush brush in a matte peach powder and apply it along the hollows of your cheeks. Then dust a shimmery bright pink on the tops of your cheekbones; it'll catch the light whenever you smile.

Our reader tester: Kelley Sullivan, 34

Patrick Randak

Coral Lips

Beauty staple: Nude lip gloss

Easy upgrade: Coral lipstick. Go with Maybelline New York Color Sensational Vivids Lipcolor in Shocking Coral ($7, drugstores).

DIY tip: Adding a punchy color to your lips will perk up your skin tone. Swipe your fingertip across the lipstick, then gently pat it onto your lips to build your desired shade.

Our reader tester: Ariana Meyerson Lipman, 40

Patrick Randak

Bright Eyes

Beauty staple: Beige eye shadow

Easy upgrade: Shimmery green eye shadow. Check out Tarte Beauty & the Box Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Quad in Secret Garden ($22, sephora.com).

DIY tip: Green shadow brings out the flecks of gold or honey in your eyes. Dip an eye shadow brush in the fern shade and follow your eyelid creases from inner to outer corners, extending the shadow slightly. Fill in your lids for a sophisticated yet modern look.

Our reader tester: Nicole Lapin, 28

Originally published in FITNESS magazine, March 2013.