As we head into 2026, the beauty world is evolving fast. Based on recent forecasts, runway looks, ingredient-science advances, and shifts in what people want from beauty services — a few clear trends are emerging. At our school, we’re already planning to bring these into our curriculum so students graduate ready to meet (and lead) what’s next.
⭐ What’s Trending in 2026
Healthy, “skin-first” beauty & wellness-driven products
Beauty is shifting away from purely decorative cosmetics toward products that boost skin health, wellness, and long-term results.
- Expect continued demand for clean, natural or sustainably formulated cosmetics.
- “Metabolic beauty” — where skincare is integrated with overall wellness (think hydration, nutrition, skin barrier, anti-aging) — is predicted to grow.
Minimalist makeup + “skinimalism” + glow skin, glossy lips, natural radiance
Rather than heavy makeup, many will favor subtle, healthy skin looks — “glass skin,” minimal makeup, and skincare-meets-makeup products. The best way to get fresh glowing skin is hydration. Our favorite moisturizer is the Circadia aquaporin facial cream. This deeply nourishing cream is good for all skin types to help you achieve a natural glow.
Lip products featuring peptides, advanced actives, plumping & firming formulas
One area of growth: lip care and lip cosmetics that go beyond color. Glossy lips and lips with skincare benefits (not just color) are expected to be a major trend as well. One of our favorite lip hydrating products is the Farmhouse Fresh lip drench sleep mask. This is a nourishing jelly lip mask to mega-drench and soothe your lips in deep, heavy-duty hydration. Packed with antioxidants like shea butter, FHF-grown spearmint extract, plus niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to restore the look of dry, cracked lips as you sleep. It also has a beautiful gloss like finish so you can even wear it throughout the day.
Statement nails: cat-eye nails, metallics, creative chrome & texture
On the nail side, trend forecasting shows that “cat-eye” nails — magnetic or gel polish that catches light with a velvet-metallic effect — are resurging. We’re also seeing a bigger focus on those toes! Beautiful nails aren’t just for hands anymore. And when showing off those beautiful toes you want to be sure your whole foot feels and looks good, so we’re recommending the Tammy Taylor love my pedi cream to keep those feet soft and callous free!
Also trending: bold metallic, chrome, textured nails, and inventive finishes that combine shimmer, gloss, and art. Ask for these amazing styles at your next manicure or pedicure.
Big Volume is Back in a Big Way
Hair with big volume is very likely to be a major trend in 2026 — and not just a passing fad. Hairstyling experts and trend-watchers are calling 2026 the year of “movement, bounce, and volume,” with emphasis on blowouts, soft waves, and fuller silhouettes rather than flat, sleek styles.
Volume is back in a big way partly because stylists predict fewer ultra-textured, choppy looks and more polished styles that still maintain fullness — think “lifted roots + smooth body.” And cuts like the Butterfly haircut — with its multiple layered lengths — are being singled out as top picks for creating that airy, voluminous effect.
One of the best ways to get that volume is to work it in during every step of your hair care process. Start straight from the shower with the Redken Volume Injection Shampoo and Conditioner. Finish off with the Redken Volume Maximizer to get that hair big and voluminous with minimal effort.
Shiny Hollywood Hair
While glass skin has been trending for years, that shine is moving to other parts of the beauty world. Specifically people are seeking shining hair. While plenty of products work to add shine to straight or smooth hair, it can be quite difficult for those with texture and curls to get that same effect. That’s why we LOVE the Mizani nourishing hair oil. It adds shine to the hair without leaving a greasy or sticky feeling that many other shine products can leave on textured hair.
Beauty as experience: sensory, sustainable, wellness-oriented services
Beauty is no longer just “look good”; it’s “feel good,” “live well,” and “express yourself.” In 2026 we expect more emphasis on sensorial beauty — products and services that respond to emotional wellness, scent, touch, and self-care rituals, all while staying kind to skin and the planet.
Body scrubs are amazing for the health and look of your skin, but they have another benefit as well. The texture of the scrub that exfoliates you can also be a great sensory experience for you. The rough texture and great scent of the Farmhouse Fresh body scrubs will have you feeling fresh, clean, and more relaxed and in touch with yourself.
There’s also been a big shift in wanting the products you love to be good for the earth, not just good for you. That’s why we love Farmhouse Fresh so much. Not only do they focus on natural ingredients grown right here in the United States, they also work hard to ensure their products are organic and cruelty free. They also use portions of each sale to rescue animals. On the bottom of every Farmhouse Fresh product you’ll find a number to track their animal rescues. Go to their website and type that number in and they will give up updates and details on how your purchase helped rescue and rehabilitate an animal in need.
Bold eyes, expressive makeup & glam revival
While “natural glow” is trending, the pendulum is swinging too — 2025–2026 beauty coverage suggests a revival of bold, expressive makeup: dramatic eyes, statements, and glam looks are returning.
With this emphasis on bold but natural looks, we highly recommend starting a lash serum. Lash serums help improve the length and strength of your lashes without the need for makeup or false lashes. We are OBSESSED with the Borboleta lash serum here at TSPA and recommend it for anyone! From big lash lovers to those who love a natural look, lash serum can help give you longer and stronger lashes.
January Promotion
During the month of January we want to focus on having a fresh start. Helping ourselves feel beautiful, getting ready for an exciting new year, and making sure we take care of the planet that cares for us. That’s why all month we are accepting plastic donations to be recycled! Bring in your old plastic beauty product bottles to be recycled and you will be entered into a drawing to win a $100 service card. One entry per item donated. Bottles must be empty and cleaned to be accepted.
We’ve been talking a lot about trends and while it may seem arbitrary to some people, in the beauty industry it’s incredibly important to keep up to date with what’s trending. We emphasis this to our students throughout their education, and we want to pass some of that knowledge off to you! We mentioned many specific products throughout this article and if any of them piqued your interest you are in luck! For all of January we are offering 25% off of our trend prediction items!
These items are
- Redken Volume Injection Shampoo and Conditioner
- Redken Volume Maximizer
- Mizani Nourishing Hair Oil
- Tammy Taylor Love my Pedi
- Farmhouse Fresh Lip Masks
- Farmhouse Fresh Body Scrubs
- Circadia Aquaporin Facial Cream
- Borboleta Lash Serum
Book an appointment with us by calling (260) 755-3374 and take advantage of our amazing January promotions. Get ahead of the trends to start 2026 off as a trend setter!
🎓 How Our School Stays Ahead of Beauty Trends
At our academy, staying current isn’t an afterthought — it’s part of our culture. The beauty industry moves fast, and we believe our students deserve an education that moves right along with it. Here’s how we make sure you’re always learning what’s trending, what’s emerging, and how to use those trends to elevate your future career:
We constantly update our curriculum to reflect what’s happening now.
From cat-eye nail polish to peptide-powered lip products, our education team regularly refreshes lessons, demos, and service offerings so students learn with the tools, techniques, and products that clients are asking for today. If it’s trending — we’re teaching it.
We teach students how to recognize, track, and predict trends.
It’s one thing to learn what’s trending. It’s another to know how to spot what’s coming next. We train our students to:
- Study social media and influencer trends
- Follow top brands, product launches, and seasonal shifts
- Analyze consumer behavior
- Understand ingredient and skin-science innovations
- Adapt services to meet client demand
This not only builds confidence — it creates beauty pros who lead instead of follow.
We offer a wide variety of education across all disciplines.
Our students explore cosmetology, esthetics, and manicuring with hands-on lessons that range from classic foundations to advanced, modern trends. Whether it’s mastering bold glam eye looks, offering magnetic cat-eye manicures, or incorporating peptide-infused lip treatments like Circadia’s Lip Renewing Hydrator, we ensure you’re exposed to every corner of the industry.
We believe trend education = career advantage.
When you know what’s trending — and why — you’re better equipped to build a strong clientele, stay competitive, and grow with the industry long after graduation. We teach our students how to apply trends with intention, market them effectively, and customize them for every client who sits in their chair.
💡 What This Means for Students — and Why It Matters
- You’ll graduate job-ready for what’s trending now — and what will be trending in 2026. Instead of learning outdated techniques, you’ll be trained in cutting-edge skills that clients will be actively looking for.
- You’ll stand out in the market. Offering trending services that clients are frequently asking for sets your future brand apart — giving you a competitive edge.
- You’ll appeal to a broader client base. From clients who want natural, skin-focused beauty to those who want bold glam, you’ll be equipped to deliver a wide range of looks and services.
- You’ll meet demand for “beauty as wellness.” As people increasingly view beauty as part of overall self-care, your skills in wellness-oriented, skin-safe, sustainable services will be in high demand.
- You align with industry values. As the industry leans toward sustainability, transparency, science-backed products, and clean beauty — those are exactly the values you’re being taught.
✨ In Short: The Future of Beauty Is Smart, Healthy, Expressive & Intentional — And You Can Be in Front of It
2026’s beauty industry will be about more than lipstick or nail color. It will be about health, wellness, self-expression, and intelligent beauty solutions that care for skin, body, and confidence.
At our school, we believe in preparing you not just for today’s beauty world — but for tomorrow’s. Whether you dream of offering subtle “glass skin” makeup, luxe peptide lip treatments, statement nails, or wellness-based services — we’re ready to help you launch that future.
Choosing a career path is a big decision. We believe it should be built on passion and love for what you do. This industry is an amazing place for all of that. It’s creative. It’s empowering. It’s professional. And yes—it can be a smart, exciting move for your future.
Have questions? We’re here for that too.
Come visit us, chat with admissions at (260) 209-1220, and let’s talk through what your path could look like.
Your future is in your hands (literally). Let’s get to work!