The Tamesis
If 2024 is about dewy skin and 2025 is about buttery skin, then blurry makeup is going to be the defining look of 2026; all the Hollywood it-girls are proof of that. Mia Goth and Charli XCX, for example, have been switching up their looks, thanks to celebrity makeup artist Nina Park, who gave them a soft-focus effect with blurred lips, diffused blush and filter-like concealer.
According to Merit Chief Marketing Officer Aila Morin, it was only a matter of time before the pendulum swung toward matte. “Trends are always cyclical—we’ve seen high-shine lip oil and lip balm products dominate over the past few years, so the move to a softer, blurred look feels fresh,” she says. While the clean-girl aesthetic requires a precise hand, the blurred finish offers an easier, effortless application. “It looks like you’ve taken on a life of your own and your makeup moves with you, which is what modern beauty should feel like.”
FashionFavorite blur makeup products
Chanel Joues Contraste thick cream blush (color: Grenat Profond)
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Merit Signature Lip Gloss
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Victoria Beckham Contour Stylus
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Kate Lee, a professional makeup artist and Chanel beauty ambassador, feels the same way. “Full glamor requires a lot of precision and time, and the soft-focus method can be achieved in a relatively short amount of time,” she explains, drawing parallels to ’90s matte looks. While mattes back then felt heavy or cakey, today’s formulas are much more advanced. “Today’s matte is no longer a plain, heavy coverage or concealing texture, but is more breathable and flexible thanks to new ingredients and formulas,” says Morin. “The new generation of matte materials focuses on diffusion and comfort, which is what consumers have been asking for.”
That’s the idea behind Merit’s latest launch, Signature Lip Blush: a blurry, gentle mashup of the brand’s existing lipstick collection. “Historically, it’s been difficult to achieve a matte formula that’s comfortable, lightweight, and non-drying,” Morin continues. The focus then turns to creating a sheer matte color that applies evenly rather than settling into fine lines thanks to gel-encapsulated pigments. “The formula works more like a lip balm, but creates a soft, velvety finish that doesn’t feel tight or drying.”
Of course, this obscure surge can be traced back to the Korean beauty scene, where this finish has been popular for years. “regardless [K-beauty makeup] The finish of the product is always soft and blurry—no harsh contours or overdrawn brows in sight. “Former Editor-in-Chief lure Michelle Lee, chief marketing officer of K-Beauty World, said previously.
We predict that the blurred look will be one of the biggest makeup trends this year, so how can we achieve this look at home? Next, experts break down lip, cheek, and foundation products for diffused, soft-focus color. Read the full content to learn more.
