WWD decodes the top hair, makeup and nail trends for spring break 2026, according to celebrity stylists.
With spring break in clear view, hairstylists predict platinum and inky coloring will be swapped for sun-faded tones and likely styled in stitch braids and fishtails à la. Meanwhile, makeup artists think spring breakers will pack their best cushion-y, cloud lips instead of their icy alternatives.
And when it comes to nails, manicurists are looking into the eyes of the next big trend beholder: cats.Best Presidents' Day Fashion & Beauty Sales 2026: From $8 Gap Tees to Buy One, Get One LED Face MasksLike a carry-on bag, braids can be small yet functional, and according to celebrity stylist Eduardo Méndez, they’re topping the tropical hair trend forecast. “Braids and soft fishtail accents are this year’s summer hair,” Méndez said. “Think Chapell Roan fishtail braids but making them micro.”Founder and chief executive officer of Kaleidoscope Hair Jesseca Harris-Dupart agreed. “Braids remain a spring break essential,” she told WWD, noting that stitch braids and cornrows are also up there with micro braids and fishtails. Why? Because the style is low-maintenance. “ ideal for travel, heat and seasonal transitions. Braided styles offer longevity and versatility,” Harris-Dupart added.Color, Méndez said, is taking a subtle approach this spring break in the form of ginger and buttery blond hues. “Instead of bold, full transformations, think gentle washes of color at the ends — think soft pastels and sun-faded tones that feel naturally brightened by summer,” he continued. Warm blonds, specifically, are poised to be a favorite, particularly the shades that require minimum upkeep. Hairstylist Rebecca Johnston said, “Along the same lines, I don’t think toned down coppers like the cowboy copper are going anywhere — they’ll continue to be popular.” On that note, artist Cody Renegar said, “Harsh reds are transitioning to warmer tones for a more low-maintenance look with more depth.”, so far, has marked the end of bold and flashy lips, popularizing a powdery matte finish in its place. Both Jenna Ortega and Emma Stone were among the first to welcome the “cloud lip” at the 83rd annual Golden Globes in January, with faded brown and rose-taupe liners trapping a silky hue in the middle. “Soft, diffused lips feel so right for spring,” said Tamara Boyd, makeup artist and Black Radiance ambassador. “Cushion-like stains and mousses give that blurred edge, comfy wear and a pretty fade, so you get that effortless color without babysitting your lip all day.”Similar to the consistency of a cloud lip, powder foundation is replacing the reign of luminous, liquid products. TirTir, a TikTok-viral K-beauty brand, set the internet aflame in 2025 with its Mask Fit Red Cushion Foundation. Other brands like Mac Cosmetics, One/Size and Bare Minerals offer similar innovations. “Powder is coming back in a big way for spring, especially as temps warm up,” Boyd said. “The new formulas are finely milled, soft-focus and not dry or cakey, so they’re great for setting makeup and reducing shine.”Goodbye to the glazed donut; hello to the cat-eye. Perhaps one of the most prolific trendsetters in the nail category, Hailey Bieber, herself, recently strayed from her glazed obsession at the Academy Museum’s fifth annual gala, donning brown, iridescent tips. The style has since been dubbed “cat-eye nails.” “Fun cat-eye colors and effects are super popular right now and all over the feed because of how unique the finish is,” said celebrity manicurist Katie Masters. “Nails that have some sort of ‘glow’ effect are taking over, but this spring people are going to ditch the darker colors and start to experiment with a more pastel and light version of it.”Nike's New Air Max Boots Are Available Right Now, but They Won't Last LongCelebrity Style at Super Bowl 2026: Coco Jones, Blue Ivy Carter…. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the GoogleWWD and Women's Wear Daily are part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2026 Fairchild Publishing, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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