Cute Nails
2026 In’s & Out’s — The Year of “Clean Chaos
New year, new us! Well… sort of.
The New Year rebrand is taking the internet by storm. Everyone is ditching their old, tiresome habits for new and polished aesthetics, skincare routines, personal goals, and Pilates memberships. But 2025—while a rollercoaster—solidified some sparkling beauty and wellness trends that we aren’t quite ready to let go of just yet. So which trends are here to stay, and which are on their way out? We did the research for you, so you don’t need to doomscroll the day away.
Starting with the Ins…
Science-Driven, Back-to-Basics Skincare
Let’s be honest: a lot of us have fallen for overly hyped treatments and products that don’t end up holding up in skin court. I have to admit, I myself fell for the 24k gold-infused skincare movement… No surprise—my rent was late, and my complexion was still dull.
Alternatively, basic yet effective products are making a major comeback. While we all love pretty packaging, that’s no longer enough; people want lasting results. Expect to see a return to simple, more concentrated skincare products such as pure vitamin C and basic retinol serums, free from unnecessary additives. Our wallets will be so thankful!
AI- & Technology-Driven Personalization
AI continues to transform our businesses, and the beauty and wellness industry is no exception. It’s no secret that when it comes to true health and authentic beauty, there is no “one-size-fitsall” remedy. Everyone is different, and therefore everyone needs different routines and practices to feel their most confident. Not to mention, we all prefer different styles and looks to begin with. This is where our new best buddy, AI, comes in.
With AI skin mapping, smart mirrors, virtual try-ons, and personalized routines and custom blends, we practically have our very own aesthetic consultants right at our fingertips.The last time I was this excited about technology was when smartphones started implementing built -in calculators.
Global Beauty Rituals Becoming Local Practices
Many of us have noticed that Russian manicures are taking the world by storm with their slick, elegant, minimalist look. Before that, Korean skincare changed the course of skincare across the globe. 2026 will bring even more viral international beauty and wellness practices into our local neighborhoods.
For example, Middle Eastern and Turkish rituals are beginning to enter Western spa culture. Traditional Turkish baths are becoming more coveted for their deep-cleansing properties, including steam and exfoliation. Similar multi-cleansing and sensory experiences will continue to be added to our luxury wellness wish lists as the year goes on.
Indian haircare elements are also being increasingly used among popular clean and indie Western hair brands. Ayurvedic ingredients—such as herbal oils like neem and ashwagandha— are being sought after for scalp treatments. Shoutout to all our holistic, clean beauty lovers: this is your time to shine!
Moving on to the Outs…
The “Clean Girl” Makeup Look
We’ve all seen the 2016 revival that has social media buzzing with nostalgia for simpler times— before pandemics, ChatGPT, and cancel culture. After years of self-care mantras, “protect your peace,” and homebody culture, people are beginning to crave the opposite. Chill nights are out; spontaneity, fun, and social interaction are back.
People want drama, effort, authenticity, and self-expression, and this shift will translate into our overall aesthetics—especially makeup. Think smoky eyes, winged liner, colorful highlighters, and lots of bronzer. Perfection is overrated; authenticity is far more fun. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new makeup looks—express yourself without fear. Who knows? Maybe we can all throw caution to the wind and get a little inspired by those 2010’s hot pink Kylie lipsticks. It’s been a long few years. Let’s get a little whimsical and crazy for 2026.
Rigid, Time-Squeezed Workout Fads
Let’s be honest—HIIT routines and interval sprints have been on their way out for a while now. And thank God for that—I was never equipped for those brutal circuits. Many people— particularly women—have realized that these workouts can raise cortisol levels, throw the body out of alignment, and even be counterproductive, causing us to store fat rather than lose it or tone up.
While this isn’t a new discovery, lower-impact workouts have surged in popularity over the past year, and they’re not going anywhere. Pilates will continue to have us in a chokehold, and yoga paired with brisk walks is projected to become an extremely common routine. These slow, steady movements are far more supportive of our hormones and fitness goals. So don’t cancel that Pilates membership anytime soon—even if it’s burning a hole in your wallet (giveBeauty can always help with that wink, wink).
Toxic Ingredients and Additives
This one has been a long time coming. Skincare and cosmetic companies have taken advantage of our endocrine systems for far too long. Many brands claim to be “clean,” but deeper dives into their ingredient lists often expose those claims as misleading. Not to mention, many online “clean” certifications have very loose criteria.
While there have always been naturopathic champions operating entirely toxin-free, this mentality is now becoming mainstream. Consumers are doing deep dives into their products, triple-checking ingredients, and some are even following the philosophy, “Don’t put anything on your skin that you wouldn’t eat.” While that may sound extreme to some, you get the gist. Toxic is out—basic, natural formulas are in.
There you have it: a few 2026 In’s and Out’s projected for the beauty and wellness universe. It’s safe to say the overarching theme for the upcoming year is authenticity and exciting, whimsical expression—especially when it comes to makeup and hair. Welcome back, 2016!
When it comes to health and wellness, however, the simpler and lower-impact the routine, the better. Let’s officially coin 2026 the year of “Clean Chaos.” Go out there and express yourself unapologetically—and don’t forget to try out those colorful makeup looks and low-impact Pilates classes at the incredible businesses in our giveBeauty network!
