In 2026, the beauty world is set to embrace a new trend in lip makeup – the soft, pillowy, blurry lips. Renowned makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes, founder of KJH Brand, predicts that the days of crisp, hard-lined lips are over, making way for a more relaxed and effortless lip look.
Hughes first encountered this halo lip technique early in her career while working on a photoshoot. Instead of keeping the classic bold red lip sharply defined, the makeup artist opted to soften and blur the edges with a brush, creating a more natural and diffused effect. This technique, according to Hughes, exudes a cool and laid-back vibe that is perfect for everyday wear.
Describing the look as soft, pillowy, and blurry, Hughes believes it will be a major trend in the upcoming year. The key is to create a halo effect around the lips, focusing on blending and diffusing the lip liner for a more subtle and understated finish. This trend is all about embracing imperfection and celebrating individuality.
Hughes credits fellow makeup artist Nina Park as a master of the soft, blurry lip look. Park’s work often showcases this effortless and modern approach to lip makeup, inspiring beauty enthusiasts to try out the trend for themselves.
To achieve the soft, pillowy, blurry lips, Hughes recommends using a lip liner to outline the lips and then gently smudging the edges with a brush for a more lived-in effect. Pairing this lip look with minimal makeup and radiant skin will create a fresh and modern aesthetic that is perfect for any occasion.
As we look forward to the beauty trends of 2026, the soft, pillowy, blurry lips are sure to make a statement and redefine the way we approach lip makeup. Embracing imperfection and celebrating individuality, this trend is all about confidence and self-expression. So why not give it a try and join the beauty revolution with a halo lip look?
