We break down ALL the biggest fashion and beauty trends set to dominate 2026 for men and women – and those it’s time to DITCH for good
From men’s unique tailoring to stovepipe jeans and ‘filler in a bottle’, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting years in fashion and beauty we’ve seen in a long time.
Across Australia, and the world, experts have confirmed we’re entering a new era of personal style, where bold colour, smart skincare and effortless glamour collide.
Runways from Paris to New York have already laid the groundwork, with micro-fringes, ’80s power dressing, nostalgic primary colours and platform sandals storming back into the spotlight.
Meanwhile, the beauty world is having a complete reset of its own, embracing statement winged eyeliner once again, bold pops of colour, feather-light bases and the next wave of K-beauty innovations – a category Australians are now the second-highest spenders on in the world.
Even skincare is getting a shake-up, with buzzy actives like Volufiline earning a new cult status and men jumping on faux tans and regenerative treatments in record numbers.
And if you needed more proof that 2026 is all about reinvention, the cosmetic treatment landscape is undergoing its biggest shift yet with regenerative injectables, hybrid lasers and a firm goodbye to the overfilled look.
But as with every new year, not everything is making the cut. Fashion stylists say chaotic print-clashing and the barrel-jean experiment are officially on their way out, plus another one that may surprise you.
Whether you’re into fashion, beauty or a bit of both, the trends ahead promise a year of experimentation and a lot of nostalgia.
Runways from Paris to New York have already laid the groundwork for 2026’s fashion and beauty trends – with micro-fringes, ’80s power dressing, nostalgic primary colours and platform sandals storming back into the spotlight
HAIR
Baby Bangs
If you thought the fringe revival was big this year, 2026 is taking it even further.
Super-short ‘baby bangs’ cropped up across the SS26 runways – from Dries Van Noten to Thom Browne – signalling that this bold, micro-fringe moment is officially back.
Vintage-inspired Layers
According to hair expert Oray Oz, the man behind the locks of Gigi Hadid, Lindsay Lohan and Vera Wang, this style channels the sophistication of the 1960s.
Popularised by modern muses like Sabrina Carpenter (below), these cuts focus on long, face-framing pieces and a refined, architectural structure that moves beautifully without collapsing into fluff.
‘It’s the kind of haircut that looks styled even when you’ve only done a half-hearted blast-dry, because the layers have been cut so intentionally.’
Suede Bronde
Sydney’s best-known celebrity hairstylist Jaye Edwards, says this combination brunette continues to be one of his salon’s most requested shades.
‘It hits that sweet spot between blonde and brunette. It’s warm without being golden, cool without being ashy, and universally flattering,’ he added.
‘For suede bronde, I focus on muted lowlights and diffused highlights so you get this creamy, seamless blend that grows out beautifully.’
Grungy, Grown-out Colour
If a six-week repeat colour appointment isn’t your idea of a good time, you’re in luck because grown out roots are back in vogue.
It’s the antithesis of high-maintenance beauty – and according to the experts, that relaxed, rock-and-roll edge (as sported regularly by celebs like Florence Pugh, pictured) is exactly why it’s trending.
Celebrity hair stylist Jaye Edwards says ‘suede bronde’ (a combination brunette hue like Chrishell Stause’s, pictured) continues to be one of his salon’s most requested shades. But grown out ‘grunge’ hair colour like Florence Pugh’s is also trending
MAKEUP
In the world of beauty, celebrity makeup artist Jade Kisnorbo said we can expect ‘lots of eyeliner and creative flair with eyeshadow selections,’ paired with editorial glowing skin rather than heavily pressed highlight powders and glittery creams.
Concealer-as-base becomes a go-to trick too.
‘Sheer it out over well-prepped skin for a natural finish that lasts all day,’ she added.
The ’80s return in the form of bold pops of colour on lids and high-points of the cheeks embracing feel-good, mood-lifting shades.
Pale lips have also come back round, ‘driven by K-beauty, blurred stains and soft-focus finishes will be everywhere next year’.
Jade also predicted that time-saving hybrid makeup products are set to explode.
‘Think of Victoria Beckham Beauty’s lip-and-cheek tints to K-beauty blurring pots.’
In the world of beauty, celebrity makeup artist Jade Kisnorbo said we can expect ‘lots of eyeliner and creative flair with eyeshadow selections,’ paired with editorial glowing skin rather than heavily pressed highlight powders and glittery creams. Pictured: Abbie Chatfield (left) and Australian model Simone Holtznagel
The ’80s return in the form of bold pops of colour on lids and high points of the cheeks embracing feel-good, mood-lifting shades. Pictured: Former Miss Universe Australia Laura Dundovic sporting the look
The Ordinary’s Volufiline 92% + Pal-Isoleucine 1% serum is just $37.20 for 15ml -considerably cheaper than an aesthetic appointment
SKINCARE
Meet Volufiline
The buzzed-about active already being dubbed ‘filler in a bottle.’
This plant-derived molecule is designed to target areas prone to age-related hollowness, from under-eyes to smile lines, by helping fat cells appear fuller.
Early studies suggest it may boost lipid production, giving skin a softer, more cushioned look, and according to aesthetic doctor Dr Sindhu Siddiqi it works by helping plump up fat cells in the areas where you topically apply it.
The effect is subtle and temporary – but with its needle-free plumping power and huge TikTok buzz, Volufiline is shaping up to be one of beauty’s biggest ingredients for 2026.
K-Beauty Boom
Australia’s love affair with K-beauty isn’t slowing down – in fact, it’s only getting stronger.
We’re now officially the second-highest spending K-beauty market per capita in the world (with only South Korea ahead of us), and that momentum is set to surge even further into 2026.
From glass-skin routines to ingredient-led innovations, Aussies can’t get enough of the results-driven, multi-step rituals K-beauty is known for.
Australia’s obsession with K-beauty keeps growing – we’re now the second-highest spending K-beauty market per capita in the world, behind only South Korea, with demand set to soar even further in 2026. Pictured (right): Daily Mail’s resident beauty expert Elise Wilson shopping at the newly opened W-Cosmetics in Bondi Junction
Expect even more Korean brands, trends, devices and skincare technologies to dominate the landscape next year – from exosomes and fermented actives to probiotics and beyond.
Retailer W-Cosmetics, which specialises in K-beauty and J-beauty, has just launched pop-ups inside David Jones stores nationwide to keep up with demand.
And this January (Thurs 22 – Sat 24), they’re debuting the first-ever World of W (WoW) event – a three-day festival at Sydney’s ICC designed for beauty lovers to swatch, sample, play and leave with a bag full of new favourites.
Faux Tan
Three Warriors founder Corbin Halliday says men are tanning more than ever, with the stigma long gone.
‘A tan is the quickest confidence lift you can give yourself,’ he explained, adding that guys now want to look fresh without risking UV damage.
Low-maintenance products are the favourites – think tan drops, face mists and fast express foams that slot easily into a basic routine. Celebrity figures like Chris Appleton are also helping normalise the trend, using simple spritz-and-go formulas like Three Warriors’ Face Tan Water.
Looking to 2026, Corbin predicts skin-first, customisable tanning will dominate, infused with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide are set to become the new standard.
Three Warriors founder Corbin Halliday says men are tanning more than ever, with the stigma long gone. He predicts skin-first, customisable tanning will dominate, infused with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. Pictured: The Kardashian’s hairstylist Chris Appleton wearing Three Warriors fake tan
COSMETIC TREATMENTS
The hyper-contoured look is officially out according to Dr. Rafael, who is a cosmetic doctor and trainer at Face Doctor’s in Sydney.
Injectables & Techniques
‘Biostimulatory injectables will dominate: think Rejuran (derived from salmon sperm DNA) and exosome-based treatments focused on skin repair, texture and dermal strength.’
‘Treatment ‘stacking’ is evolving into a staged approach across multiple appointments,’ he added.
‘Think Rejuran injections one visit, exosomes another, then laser, avoiding over-treatment while still boosting results.’
Devices & Technology
Dr Raf says hybrid lasers are the next big thing combining wavelengths for better resurfacing, collagen stimulation and minimal downtime.
‘Advanced ultrasound skin tightening (HIFU and newer focused ultrasound platforms) are also improving in effectiveness and safety.’
Men’s Aesthetic Trends
Exosomes are now being used for hair restoration.
‘It’s less painful, has no blood draw, and promising for density.’
In his opinion, there has also been a significant rise in natural jawline enhancement in males for subtle definition, not exaggerated shapes.
FASHION ‘INS’
Men’s Soft Tailoring
Bringing a far more relaxed take on traditional suiting, sharp, rigid lines of old-school formalwear are giving way to looser cuts, natural shoulders and unstructured blazers that move with the body rather than against it.
‘Think breathable linens, luxe cottons and refined wool blends with elevated fabrics that feel polished but never stuffy, and always in muted tones instead of harsh blacks and dark greys,’ said Sydney-based fashion stylist Lattitia Taylor.
Backstage at Giorgio Armani Men’s Spring 2026 Ready-To-Wear Collection at Milan Men’s Fashion Week saw men in next year’s ‘soft tailoring’ trend
80s Office Wear
‘We will see volume across all categories in the new year, including bottoms,’ said Monique Villanueva, design and brand manager for Hello Molly.
This is full-fledged revival of bold ’80s office aesthetic. Think strong, oversized blazers, large shoulder pads and sharply structured suits, but reimagined with modern touches.
Monique says to expect colour-blocking, high-waisted tailoring, tapered legs and luxe fabrics that feel more runway than boardroom, complete with satin blouses, chunky gold jewellery and statement accessories.
For women it’s a revival of bold ’80s office style for the year ahead in the form of oversized blazers, shoulder pads, sharp suits and colour-blocked, high-waisted tailoring, updated with luxe fabrics, satin blouses and attention-grabbing accessories
Grade-school Colours
After seasons of muted, ‘quiet luxury’ tones (think chocolate browns, deep burgundies and soft neutrals), Lattitia says 2026 is getting a major colour reset.
‘Thanks to punchy runway moments from Loewe, Dior, Ralph Lauren and Versace, supersaturated primary and secondary hues are suddenly everywhere.
‘The vibe is almost nostalgic, echoing the bright, cheerful palette of a kindergarten classroom,’ she told Daily Mail.
‘You can go all out by clashing the bold shades together, or keep it wearable by anchoring them with classics like black, white or navy.’
Fashion stylist Lattitia Taylor predicts a vibrant turnaround for 2026, with bold, supersaturated colours taking over runways and echoing cheerful classroom palettes. She suggests mixing brights for impact, or pairing with black, white or navy to keep things wearable
The Stovepipe Jean
We’ve had our eras of skinnies and cigarette jeans, but 2026 is all about a new denim silhouette – the stovepipe.
If the name hasn’t hit your radar yet, it soon will. This cut sits in that sweet spot between skinny, straight and cropped – not as clingy as a skinny jean, not as cropped as a cigarette, and not as tapered as a classic straight-leg.
The result is a perfectly balanced hybrid that’s fast becoming the most flattering (and wearable) jean of the year.
Charms
From bag charms and Labubu-style collectibles to brooches and decorative add-ons, accessories are becoming the ultimate form of self-expression, said Monique.
There’s also a renewed appetite for vintage costume jewellery – time to dust off those Pandora bracelets, ladies – with shoppers hunting for pieces that feel unique and nostalgic.
According to Pinterest, searches for ‘maximalist accessories’ have jumped 105 per cent, while ‘heirloom jewellery’ is up 45 per cent, proving the trend spans generations.
From bag charms and Labubu-style collectibles to brooches and decorative add-ons, accessories are becoming the ultimate form of self-expression. Pinterest, searches for ‘maximalist accessories’ have jumped 105 per cent. Pictured: Hello Molly Win Instantly Strapless Maxi Dress ($99 right)
Platform Shoes
Millennials, rejoice, because one of the most iconic trends of the Spice Girls era is officially back.
Platform sandals are strutting into 2026 with all the nostalgia, but Crocs’ VP of Global Design and Trend, Lucy Thornley, says this revival feels far more modern than retro.
She explained that today’s platforms and flip silhouettes have been reworked with sleeker lines, making them versatile enough to take you from a beach walk straight to rooftop drinks.
‘The trend is also skewing more gender-neutral, with style lovers embracing fluid fashion and wearing whatever makes them feel like their best selves,’ she added.
Platform sandals are strutting into 2026 with all the nostalgia, but Crocs’ VP of Global Design and Trend, Lucy Thornley, says this revival feels far more modern than retro. Pictured: Kendall Jenner
WHAT’S ‘OUT’ IN 2026
Every new year brings a fresh wave of trends – and a few casualties, of course. According to both the fashion and beauty experts, these are the styles, garments and looks that are officially getting the boot in 2026, with some that might surprise you.
OUT: The ‘Clean girl’ aesthetic
The clean girl era is officially on the way out.
After dominating beauty since 2023 with slick buns, glazed skin and barely-there makeup, the hyper-polished look is losing its grip ahead of 2026.
Celebrity makeup artist Rani Shortland says the idea of always looking perfectly put together no longer resonates.
Instead, she points to a shift toward moodier, more expressive makeup inspired by ‘Brat’ party-girl energy and darker, grunge-led aesthetics.
OUT: Bleached eyebrows
Once a defining feature of early-2020s siren beauty, the barely-there brow is officially losing momentum and a more deliberate statement is emerging.
Julia Fox has helped lead the shift, moving away from platinum arches and now embracing darker, ultra-thin brows that nod to 1990s beauty codes.
The barely-there brow trend is fading as bolder, ultra-thin brows make a comeback – led by Julia Fox (pictured), who has now swapped her bleached platinum arches for a distinct 1990s-inspired look instead
OUT: Fillers
Beauty is moving away from dramatic volume and hyper-contoured features, with skin quality and longevity taking priority instead.
‘The shift will continue toward skin quality and longevity, not volume,’ Dr Raf explained, adding that the heavily sculpted, hyper-contoured aesthetic has been declining for years.
A growing number of celebrities, including Love Island USA star Hannah Fields and Courteney Cox, have openly dissolved facial filler amid concerns about ‘pillow face’ and long-term effects.
Dr Raf adds that as patients become more aware of migration and delayed complications, ‘the demand for aggressive contouring simply isn’t there anymore’.
OUT: Bold prints/print clashing
‘Next year we’ll be favouring quiet luxury. It’s all about clean textures and sheer fabrics, so it’s time to retire the chaotic visual noise of oversized graphics and heavy prints,’ noted stylist Lattitia Taylor.
OUT: Bold prints and print clashing, and strong utilitarian hues
OUT: Navy, khaki and utilitarian hues
‘Utility colours feel too rigid for 2026’s romantic minimalism which will see a plethora of either brighter colours or ones with soft silhouettes and intricate detailing instead,’ Lattitia added.
‘Think Chloe’s boho inspired pastel ruffling and lace trims instead of camo and masculine aesthetics here.’
OUT: Barrel jeans
This was a fun micro-trend while it lasted, but Lattitia asked a great question: ‘Did anyone actually look good in these?’
We are happy to report that Lattitia has confirmed this style of jean will be exiting our favourite stores soon enough to make way for styles that are a lot more wearable and flattering – like the aforementioned stovepipes and fitted boot cuts.
OUT: Barrel jeans – ‘This style of jean will be exiting your favourite stores soon enough to make way for styles that are a lot more wearable and flattering – like the aforementioned stovepipes and fitted boot cuts,’ said fashion stylist Lattitia Taylor
So, whether you’re embracing a new haircut, overhauling your makeup routine or swapping out last year’s denim, the year ahead promises plenty of fresh updates.
One thing’s certain though – 2026 won’t be short on ways to look and feel completely refreshed.
It might just take a small nudge to get out of your comfort zone.
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