In 2025, the world went crazy for lip liner.
Though we might be nearing the end of the reign of ultra-defined lip liner in favor of much more natural and less precise contours, the experts have just delivered their verdict: 2026 will be the year we experiment with new uses for lip liner. That is, according to Katie Jane Hughes, makeup artist, founder of the eponymous brand KJH Brand, and the person responsible for some of the most spectacular looks of Dua Lipa, Lily Allen, and Hailey Bieber.
Hughes' prediction for next year? “Sharp, defined lips will go out of style, and soft, plump, and blended lips will be the trend.” But Hughes isn't the only one responsible for pushing this naturally full look, as makeup artist Nina Park creates her signature version of blurred lips for nearly all her looks. Based on the location of the contour, Hughes technique has been dubbed “halo lips.” Here's everything you know about the look.
Inspired by makeup artist Nina Park, kissable semimatte lips are everywhere this season. Here's how to get the look.
What are “halo lips?”
The rule is simple: concentrate the color in the center of the lips and blend outwards, without defining the contours. The application is softened to create the illusion of volume without ever looking overdone. It's an aesthetic directly inspired by the '90s, but revisited with an undeniable modern touch.
To recreate halo lips, you'll need a basic toolkit: a matte cream bronzer, a small brush, and a lip liner. With these, you can get started. "Take a little cream bronzer with the brush, then apply and blend it around the lip contour, creating a bronzed halo," Hughes advises. The goal? To add volume without the makeup being barely noticeable.
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In her in-depth video tutorial, Hughes points out the “white halo” her “double lip line” naturally creates around her mouth, describing this as the “volume area.” She adds, "If you want your lips look fuller without filler, then you always want to play in the volume area. Ignore the part of the mouth where it's pinky or fleshy toned.”
Once you've defined the shape, the next step is to apply the lip liner. Apply it just inside the bronzer's contour to create depth, then blend it with a brush. The makeup artist adds a touch of color with another lip liner, but says you can skip directly to lipstick if you don't want the added step. Simply dab it onto the center of your lips to perfect the halo effect. And that's it!
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In one video posted to her Instagram account, the makeup artist explains that she discovered this lip makeup style early in her career, during a photoshoot. “It looked incredibly natural,” she says, referring to the softened and blended contours. Because blending is precisely the secret to the perfect halo lip technique. After several seasons dominated by ultra-defined, glossy lips , this new, freer, and more carefree trend is a breath of fresh air for our 2026 makeup looks, and why not? The perfect formula to make a statement on New Year's Eve.
A version of this article was originally published by Glamour Spain.