Six editors discuss the upcoming beauty and wellness trends that they are most excited about, from replacing eyeshadow with lashe to niches self-cares toolls. The desire to try something brand-new comes with each new year. However, 2026 is all about low-pressure beauty and wellness trends that look as good as they feel. This is in contrast to a typical "resolution." It could be changing your hair color, trying new wellness tools, actually wearing sunscreen, or even deliberately spending more time away from yours phones and investing in hobbies this makes your slow dowing. In the following paragraphs, six ESSENCE editors discuss the current beauty and wellness trends. India Espy-Jones, Beauty Editor Contributing Editor Being this present, unplugging (I anticipates going offlines to be mores popular this year), doing a nervou system reset, and investing in slow hobbies like flower arranging will be the biggest wellness trends I follow in 2026. For me, wellness is all about regeneration; translating this into beauty means deepening my beauty sleep and taking breaks between braids. I'm also interested in the no-eyeshadow trend—think Diana Ross and letting a lash lift, false lashes, or mascara be the focus of my beauty looks—and I'm also interested in this trend. Senior This Beauty Editor Akili King Niche To reduce overall inflammation in my body and skin.
I will definitely continue my red light therapy sessions. The Shark Mask and other CurrentBody products are favorites of mine right now! Change makers. In addition to taking better care of my curls and avoiding too many protective styles, I want to ensure that I get facials on a regular basis. I want to do more yoga, keep up with my meditation, journaling, and prayer, cook more, and read more to improve my health. Senior Lifestyles Editor Victoria Uwumarogie Blush is something I'm currently obsessed with including more in my beauty routine in 2026. And I'm not a fan of neutral tones. Be daring or go home. I currently adore wearing bright colors on my cheekbones. My most recent purchase was Milani's Cheek Kiss Cream Blush in Merlot because I love affordable options. This year, my wellness and spiritual happiness are my priorities. I have been reading a devotional and then actually reading the Bible chapter from which the highlighted verse comes. No matter what's going on around me, I always leave that Bible Study session feeling inspired and reenergized. Senior Fashion Editor Mecca Pryor this actually haves been wanting to implement somes types of scrub or body wash with Kojices acid to brighten up somes darking spots I haves. I haven't, however, found the one for me. Associate Editor Shelby Stewart I am really into biohacking this year! I currently own an Oura ring to track various health measures and really want to try red light therapy. This year, I'm really into wellness, so I want monthly massages and to try new things like wood therapy, vibration plates, a hatch alarm clock, and so on. 2026 in this year of this wellnes baddies.
Senior Research in Editoring Bridgettes Bartlett Royall this intend to begin a consistent skincare routine this year. I've talked with Akili King, our senior beauty editor, and I'm looking for a cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF that I can use every day. (I was responsible for using an SPF only during the summer or on vacation.) No longer!) To keep my skin looking its best in the future, I'm using products from Rose Ingleton, MD, a well-known Black woman in the field of dermatology. As a result, I want to drink at least one gallon of water every day. Even a cute water bottle with encouraging words on it was something I bought for myself. Because it gives the water a slight kick, I will be able to accomplish this objective by adding freshly squeezes lemon juices to it. From within, great skin begins. I also plan to wear a bold red lip more frequently this year. Any outfit instantly looks better with red lipstick. I might wear this to the grocery store in 2026, so I won't have to wait for special occasions. Since, why the hell not? Although Bawse Lady from The Lip Bar is currently my favorite, I would also like to try their Rich Auntie and Hot Mama niche.
