Bare Lips, Brown Smokey Eyes, and 5 More Beauty Trends from the Golden Globes
Golden Globes Beauty Trends: A Masterclass in Elegance
If you think stars shine on the red carpet solely due to their couture gowns and perfectly chosen accessories, think again. Behind every flawless look is a team of assistants, stylists, hairdressers, and, of course, makeup artists. These beauty magicians transform celebrities’ appearances just hours before the ceremony, sometimes beyond recognition. Often, they use similar techniques, adapting them to each client. We’ve closely examined all the looks from the Golden Globes 2026 red carpet and compiled seven major trends set to define beauty standards this year. Here’s what to focus on to look stylish and contemporary.
Subtle Brown Smokey Eyes
Dark, smokey eyes remain in vogue, but this year they’ve taken a softer turn. Graphic black eyeliner and heavy mascara have given way to a more delicate technique: brown smokey eyes. The key difference is that this isn’t a dense, heavy smokey effect, but rather a light, barely noticeable hint. Makeup artists create this look using shades of brown eyeshadow, carefully blending them along the lash line and into the crease of the eyelid. This makeup, as seen on Jenna Ortega and Mia Goth, makes the eyes appear deeper and more expressive while maintaining a weightless, natural look. It’s the perfect choice for those wanting an evening makeup look without being overly dramatic or bold.
Clean Makeup: The Fresh-Faced Look
This trend has topped beauty lists for several years and has firmly established itself even on the world’s most prestigious red carpets. The essence of clean makeup is creating the effect of perfect, yet entirely natural skin. It’s as if the face has just been washed, moisturized, and is glowing with health. Makeup artists avoid heavy foundations, harsh contours, and bright blushers. Instead, they focus on skincare, using light serums, skin-like tinted moisturizers, and delicate highlighters. Pamela Anderson, who has recently ditched makeup altogether, and Elle Fanning, whose flawless beauty was accentuated with just a touch of blush and peach lipstick, are perfect examples.
Black Lips: A Bold Statement
If last year black lipstick seemed like a daring experiment, at the Golden Globes 2026, it solidified as a full-fledged beauty trend. Stars demonstrated that this bold color can be worn not just at Halloween parties, but as part of an elegant evening look. The secret to success lies in balancing the dark accent. A classic example is Audra Nuna from the K-Pop group Demon Hunters. She paired matte black lips with a soft pinkish blush on her cheekbones and a complex, sculptural hairstyle. This contrast softens the overall impression and makes the look harmonious. The main rule is to let the lips be the focal point while keeping the rest of the makeup subdued and light.
Burgundy Lips: Hollywood Glamour
For those seeking a bright accent but finding black too radical, burgundy or deep ruby lips are the perfect solution. This timeless classic is associated with the luxury and glamour of old Hollywood. At the awards ceremony, Selena Gomez brilliantly showcased this trend. Her makeup revolved around a rich ruby lipstick shade from her own brand, Rare Beauty, applied by makeup artist Hung Vanngo. This color is self-sufficient, instantly drawing attention and completing the look. To avoid overloading it, stylists complemented Selena’s makeup with a flawless hairstyle featuring soft waves and elegant earrings. The result was powerful, feminine, and very elegant.
Messy Waves: Effortless Mermaid Hair
Hairstyles are embracing relaxed, natural beauty. Perfectly smooth updos and tight, flawless curls have given way to light, airy waves. Stylists create these as if they’re not the result of hours of work, but a happy accident—like hair simply braided overnight. These soft, mermaid-like waves add romance, lightness, and that coveted effortless chic to the look. They pair beautifully with the clean makeup trend, creating an overall impression of natural, tender beauty. You can easily recreate this hairstyle at home using a triple barrel curling iron or by braiding your hair overnight.
Hollywood Chignon: Updated Classic with a Side Part
The classic low chignon is a timeless red carpet savior. But this year, its interpretation has changed. The ultra-sleek, almost severe chignon à la Bella Hadid, which we all achieved with gel, has given way to a softer, more voluminous version. The key detail is a deep side part and an elegant wave framing the face. This technique instantly adds Hollywood chic and femininity to the hairstyle. The chignon no longer looks like simply gathered hair but becomes a complex and stylish detail of the look. It doesn’t require perfect smoothness; in fact, a light texture and slight messiness are welcomed. This is the ideal choice for creating a simultaneously elegant and modern look.
Bare Lips: The Season’s Top Trend
Finally, the most subtle yet crucial trend—bare or nude lips. It’s important to note that this doesn’t mean the absence of lipstick. Rather, it’s a conscious choice of a specific color palette. This year, the focus is on lip shades that closely match the natural skin tone but are more saturated and well-groomed. Think warm browns, beiges, caramels, and peaches. This choice creates the illusion of natural, yet flawless beauty. The lips appear full, moisturized, and expressive, while the overall makeup looks very light and refined. This is the perfect finishing touch to clean makeup and messy waves, completing the circle of the year’s major beauty trends.
As you can see, the beauty industry’s main message this year is moving away from excessive theatricality towards conscious, refined naturalness. Stars are choosing complex shades over brightness, and light texture over perfect smoothness. The modern beauty ideal lies in the ability to emphasize one’s natural beauty using masterful, yet almost invisible techniques.
Photo: Getty Images
