“What’s your lip combo?”
If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me this, I’d be incredibly wealthy. Rather than harping on someone’s perfume or inquiring about their skin care routine, recently, all my attention has zeroed in on the lips. There are endless ways to accentuate your pucker, especially when we look at the lip trends that are set to dominate summer 2026.
Glassy lips have always been a summertime staple, but this year we’re seeing more experimentation with texture and dimension. Matte lips are also making a serious comeback, but not in the way you’d likely expect.
“Summer 2026 lips are all about balancing effortless beauty with expressive texture,” says Lori Taylor Davis, global pro makeup artist for Smashbox Cosmetics. “We’re seeing lips become softer, shinier, and more dimensional, but also a modern return to matte and longwear formulas in a much more wearable way. The overall direction feels fresh, skin-focused, and less overdone than previous years.”
Ahead, discover the five lip trends that will be everywhere this summer, along with the exact products you need to master each one.
Blurred Effect
Romance is in for summer 2026, and that includes blurred lips that look freshly kissed. “The blurred lip continues to dominate because it feels romantic, modern, and effortless,” says Davis. “Instead of sharp edges, lips look softly diffused and naturally flushed.”
Davis says this trend ties in with the watercolor makeup movement we’re seeing, which translates into soft, ethereal blush and eyeshadow that resemble a dreamy painting style. “Blurred lips give a softness while still enhancing the shape of your lips. Plus, it feels wearable, even in the heat and humidity.”
If you don’t have a summer love to smooch, don’t fret—you can replicate the look by applying a creamy lip liner or lipstick, focusing on the center of your lips and using your finger or a small brush to blend it out. Professional makeup artist Brittany Whitfield suggests topping the look with a swipe of gloss to make your pout look even more kissable.
Smashbox Be Legendary Prime & Plush Lipstick
Summer Fridays SoftLine Lip Liner Pencil
Sephora Collection PRO Lip Brush #85
Lip Liner Stains
Nothing is worse than your perfectly lined lips melting off and smudging throughout the day. To avoid reapplying and reshaping every hour, Whitfield says it’s time to swap your liner for a long-lasting lip stain. “Using a stain over a lip liner creates a henna effect that stays put all day long.”
There are some stains that come in convenient pen-like packaging, like the Huda Beauty Lip Contour Lip Stain. For those with doe-foot applicators, a lip brush works wonders for a more precise application.
Huda Beauty Lip Contour Lip Stain
Sacheu Lip Liner STAY-N Peel Off Lip Stain
Now 30% Off
Peripera Ink the Velvet Lip Tint
Frosty Lips
It was only a matter of time before the beloved Y2K frosted lips made their return. Expect to see a tinge of shimmer on everyone’s pout this summer, whether you’re at the beach, dancing at a rave, or simply enjoying the sunset with friends. Whitfield is thrilled to see this trend’s resurgence, and she recommends making your lips pop even more by finishing the look with a layer of clear gloss. “Frost underneath a clear gloss is everything!” she says.
Half Magic Magic Drip Glitter Lip Gloss
MAC Cosmetics Frost Lipstick
Isamaya Lips Metal Sheer Metallic Balm
The Modern Matte
Matte lips have returned, but in a softer, more modern way than the harsh 2016 Kylie Lip Kit style. “Instead of the ultra-flat liquid matte lips from years ago, we’re seeing blurred, velvety cloud lips that look airy and comfortable,” says Davis.
As someone who is still scarred by the cakey, drying lipsticks from a decade ago, I’ve been apprehensive about going for any matte look, but this polished version is incredibly wearable. Davis says the softer finish also adds dimension to your overall makeup look by balancing the dewy skin trend.
You can achieve the look through two techniques: 1. Use just a matte lip liner to softly shape the lips and color them in. “This creates a soft-focus stain effect, increases longevity, and gives you more control over shape and intensity,” says Davis. 2. If you want a bit more color, apply a thin layer of a matte lipstick and lightly blot with a tissue for a diffused, velvety finish.
MERIT Signature Lip Lightweight Lip Blush
Benefit Cosmetics Plushtint Moisturizing Matte Lip Tint
NYX Professional Makeup NYX Suede Matte Lip Liner
Glassy, Juicy, & Glossy
Will glossy lips ever go out of style? No, but they do evolve, and this summer’s glosses are juicier and glassier than ever before. “Gloss remains huge for summer 2026, but the finish is now more elevated and hydrated rather than glitter-heavy,” says Davis.
Today’s glosses don’t just make lips look full and fresh; they’re also packed with skin care benefits to keep your lips comfortably moisturized through the dog days of summer. Davis suggests sticking with shimmer-free sheer pinks, peaches, caramel nudes, or rosy tones for a natural no-makeup look. And instead of swiping all over, try keeping the gloss concentrated on the center of your lips for “extra dimension.”
Victoria Beckham Beauty Posh Gloss
OleHenriksen Pout Preserve Chillers Peptide Lip Treatment
Kosas Lip Pulse Glassy Lip Plumper Gloss
Meet the Experts
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE contributor Mary Honkus tapped two professional makeup artists to discover the lip trends that are set to dominate 2026, and curated the best products to achieve each look.
