From the effortless Suede Skin effect to messy curls and a blurred berry tint: experts from the BACKSTAGE beauty salon network share how to create a long-lasting, fresh, and trendy festival look with minimal effort.
“The main rule of the summer open-air season is maximum flexibility, durability, and speed. The look should feel fresh and natural, as if you didn’t put too much effort into it,” says Rustam Rustamov, BACKSTAGE Art Director and Stylist.
5 Beauty Trends of the 2026 Festival Season: Trending Makeup Looks and Hairstyles
Suede Skin Effect + Beach Waves
The perfect balance of velvety skin and effortless beach waves for a hot summer day.
Suede Skin Makeup
The era of heavy matte textures is in the past—in hot weather, they look unnatural and weigh down the skin. However, an overly glossy finish also risks quickly turning into unwanted shine. The focus is on velvet skin with a soft-focus effect. Instead of heavy powder, opt for a hydrating tinted SPF or a weightless fluid, and apply light accents targetedly: a drop of liquid highlighter on the upper cheekbones will give your skin a refined glow.
“Glowing skin is beautiful, but it should never look greasy. My favorite hack: apply primer only to the T-zone. To get that expensive glow, mix a drop of liquid highlighter with your foundation and apply it strictly to the cheekbones. If your skin starts getting shiny throughout the day, powder only the center of your face, leaving a soft sheen around the edges,” says Mila Sylenko, BACKSTAGE Top Makeup Artist.
Beach Waves Hairstyle
A summer classic has become even softer, with no stiff or crunchy curls. Apply a texturizing salt or sugar spray to damp hair, braid it into two loose braids or twist it into two ropes, and let it dry naturally (or lightly blow-dry with a diffuser).
“The secret to modern beach waves is ditching stiff hairspray. We want a soft texture, not a ‘woody’ one. Salt or sugar spray gives that exact effect, as if you’ve just stepped out of the ocean and your hair dried under the warm sun,” says Rustam Rustamov.
Aussie Girl Aesthetic + Low Slouchy Bun
A relaxed look with a sun-kissed vibe and a cozy low bun.
Aussie Girl Makeup
To create a relaxed look, recreate the effect of sun-kissed skin. Swap cold-toned contour for a warm bronzer—blend it across the cheekbones, eyelids, and the bridge of your nose. Add a cream blush in a peach or pink shade, brown mascara instead of intense black, and finish the look with a few subtle faux freckles applied with a soft pencil.
Low Slouchy Bun Hairstyle
Forget slick ballerina buns—effortless messiness is in trend. Gather your hair low at the nape into a loose knot using a soft silk scrunchie or a claw clip, without pulling it too tight. Be sure to pull out a few thin strands around your temples and ears so they fall freely and frame your face.
Juicy Lips (Berry Tint) + The Universal Finish
Focus on berry lips that are easy to touch up anywhere.
Makeup
Leave drying matte lipsticks for another season—festival vibes call for a stained berry or “just-kissed” look. Apply a rich berry or pink pigment to the center of your lips and blend it out to the edges, then layer with a hydrating oil or balm.
According to Mila Sylenko, a multistick is the ultimate beauty bag lifesaver. A single product easily replaces blush, eyeshadow, and lipstick. As for colors, juicy berry, warm peach, and fresh cool-pink shades are trending right now—they instantly refresh your face and give you that well-rested look.
Soft Blur + 90s Fluffy Blowout
Artistic messiness in eye makeup paired with luxurious 90s-style volume.
Makeup
Traditional precision is boldly challenged by total freedom of lines—the more effortless the eye accent looks, the more refined the result. Choose an eyeliner in shades of pistachio, lilac, or deep indigo: an imperfect line or dotted strokes along the lower lash line will give the makeup an artistic feel. Apply sheer pastel eyeshadows directly with your fingertip, keeping the edges soft and blended.
90s Fluffy Blowout Hairstyle
The main hairstyle of the season for those who love wearing their hair down with a salon-style finish without stiff hold. Blow-dry your hair to 80%, apply a weightless heat protectant spray or volumizing mousse, and style only the top strands and the face-framing sections using a large round brush (45–55 mm): lift the hair upward from the roots and curl the ends away from your face.
Delicate Decor + Sleek Wet Look
An elegant combination of jewelry accents and sophisticated evening style.
Makeup
Full-coverage glitter is giving way to clean, minimal details. The spotlight is on targeted accents: a few micro-pearls in the outer corners of the eyes or single clear rhinestones along the cheekbones that elegantly catch the stage lights.
Sleek Wet Look Hairstyle
The perfect solution when you need to get ready for an evening event or meeting in just a few minutes. Comb wet or dry hair straight back and apply a bit of wet-finish gel (or a mix of serum and oil) from the roots to mid-length, creating a stylish “just-out-of-the-shower” look without using hot tools.
“A secret that all makeup artists use: once your makeup is completely done, mist a sponge with setting spray and lightly press it all over your face. This removes any mask-like or over-powdered effect, ‘binds’ all the makeup layers together, and makes the look appear visually expensive and long-lasting,” advises Sylenko.
Olena Medvinska
Original source: Elle.ua