When looking for a new foundation or a blush suitable for one’s skin tone, the first instinct is often to scroll through dozens of pages without a precise filter. Makeup trends evolve quickly, and the real challenge is not knowing them, but finding the products that translate them concretely in your kit.
Refillable packaging and reformulations: what really changes for makeup
There is a lot of talk about eco-friendly packaging, but in reality, a refillable package does not guarantee sustainability or compliance on its own. The European Regulation 1223/2009 continues to apply in full: safety, labeling, ingredient list, responsible person. Whether the product is sold in a classic bottle or as a refill, the obligations remain the same.
The European regulation on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR) also concerns cosmetics. It gradually imposes requirements for recyclability, waste reduction, and traceability. For consumers, this means that a powder compact labeled “refillable” is not necessarily recyclable, and vice versa.
Another change to watch for: Regulation 2023/2055 on intentionally added microplastics provides for a gradual phase-out. Rinse-off products are affected starting in October 2027, some leave-on products in October 2029, and makeup products for lips and nails have a deadline set for October 2035. We can expect reformulations of powders, lipsticks, and nail polishes in the coming years.
By browsing all the products on Make Up Me, we can already spot brands that have begun this transition towards formulas without added microplastics, giving them a head start in building a more sustainable routine.
Makeup trends for the complexion: hybrid skincare takes hold
Hybrid skincare makeup is no longer just a floating marketing argument. We now find tinted serums, concealers enriched with moisturizing actives, and bases that claim measurable skincare effects. The boundary between beauty application and skincare is blurring in the very composition of the formulas.
Tinted serums and enriched bases
Tinted serums are replacing classic foundation for those who want to cover imperfections without suffocating the skin. The principle: a fluid texture, light to buildable coverage, and skincare ingredients (hyaluronic acid, niacinamide) integrated directly.
The tinted serum is especially suitable for skin that can no longer tolerate thick textures. However, for combination to oily skin, feedback varies on this point, and testing for a few days remains the best indicator before committing to a full bottle.
Next-generation concealers
The concealer is no longer just for hiding dark circles. Recent formulas incorporate light-reflecting pigments combined with corrective actives. This results in a luminous effect under the eye without product accumulation in fine lines.
To choose the right one, here are some concrete criteria:
- The texture should remain fluid after application, without cracking after two hours
- The undertone of the product (peach, yellow, rosy) should match the nature of the dark circle, not the skin color
- A concealer that is too covering on thin skin accentuates expression lines instead of softening them
Lip and eye colors: what the runways translate into concrete products
The latest Fashion Weeks have highlighted strong choices in lip and eye makeup. Two dominant directions are emerging that are already translating into accessible products.
Blurred lips and matte finishes
The “blurred lip,” this slightly smudged mouth with diffused contours, remains very present. The effect relies on application with a finger or flat brush, using a matte or satin product. The key to a successful blurred lip is to apply a small amount of product and blend outward.
Ultra-pigmented liquid lipsticks do not work for this look. We prefer tinted balms, lightweight lip inks, or creamy pencils applied by tapping.
Defined eyes with limited palettes
On the eye front, the trend is moving away from palettes with twenty shades that are rarely used in full. We are seeing a return of compact palettes of four to six shades, designed to create a complete look without hesitation. Less choice, more coherence between shades.
Mascara remains the centerpiece of the gaze. Current formulas focus on curved or silicone brushes to separate each lash without clumping. A good mascara applied in two coats is often enough to structure the look without resorting to eyeshadow.
Cream blush and multi-use products: simplifying the makeup routine
Cream blush has established itself as a basic. Its texture can be applied with fingers in seconds and blends into the skin without visible demarcation. A well-chosen cream blush can replace powder blush, highlighter, and sometimes eyeshadow.
It is this multi-use logic that appeals: one product for cheeks, eyelids, and lips. Fewer products in the kit, less time in front of the mirror, and a cohesive result because the same shade unifies the face.
To identify a good multi-use product, we check three things:
- The pigmentation should be buildable (one swipe for a natural effect, two for more intensity)
- The wear without setting powder should exceed four hours on prepared skin
- The formula should not contain coarse glitter that gives an artificial look on the lips
The makeup trends of this period can be summarized as a demand for coherence: formulas that care as much as they color, packaging designed to meet new European regulatory constraints, and products conceived to simplify the daily routine rather than burden it. Makeup that lasts is the one that adapts to the skin and lifestyle, not the one that piles on promises on the label.
