Matte skin is making a comeback as beauty leans into the make-up trend once again after years of going for glow.
While the finish is certainly not new, the matte make-up of 2026 sees the trend enter a new era, bringing next-generation soft-matte finishes to consumers that do not fall flat, subtle textural changes, and velvety visuals no longer exclusive to powders.
“2026’s matte make-up is in a league of its own,” shares make-up artist and Pure Beauty Awards judge Hannah Martin.
“Thanks to development in formulations, brands are able to create beautifully soft focus matte finishes that still keep skin looking vibrant, unlike historic matte make-up that has made skin look dry and flat.”
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The skinification of matte make-up
Much like other areas of make-up, this new era of matte launches looks to support the complexion through the inclusion of skin care ingredients.
Martin explains that: “The addition of skin care ingredients and light-reflecting pigments mean that foundations nourish and hydrate the skin without looking dewy, overly shiny or oily.”
It is not just new launches pushing this trend forwards either, with a number of major players taking their matte icons of the past and updating them with new and improved formulas to suit the wants and needs of 2026’s consumers.
“When I think of formulas that have been launched recently – like the updated Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, upgraded Estée Lauder Double Wear and new NARS Natural Matte Long Wear Foundation, they all have this in common,” says Martin
“[These products are] modern formulas that, while matte and long wearing, actually do not have that totally flat finish.”
The British Beauty Council’s CEO, Millie Kendall OBE, adds: “Also, we do not use the types of heavy mineral oils we used to, and this [has] rewired heavier
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