A line of neon yellow eyeliner, a lick of blue mascara or a sweep of bright green eyeshadow – signs of the rise of wearable maximalism in make-up are popping up everywhere, from a stroll down the high street on a weekend to the festival stage.
In 2026, these creative flourishes are not only a stand against the ‘clean girl’ aesthetic that has dominated in recent years, but a reflection of a desire for brightness in dark times.
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“The brighter, bolder colours used within the maximalism trend is a real reflection on the world around us,” says MAC Cosmetics' Director of Makeup Artistry, Dominic Skinner.
“It screams positivity, optimism and a sense of freedom.
“We see this all the time with make-up trends throughout history, so it does not surprise me that we are seeing it again now.”
This is a sentiment echoed by MUA Lynn Taylor, who notes that “restriction breeds rebellion”.
“Just look at punk, born out of the grey austerity of 1970s Britain,” she says.
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