Gen Z Says is a bimonthly column chronicling the latest trends in the fashion-and-beauty space through the lens of Who What Wear’s own Gen Z editors. Expect a download on the upcoming class of tastemakers, emerging designers, and shopping and style choices straight from the generation setting the trends.
At the beginning of every year, Pinterest lovers like myself are greeted by fresh trend coverage and predictions for what we’ll be seeing over the next twelve months based on consumer practices and brand intel. While I have a finger to the pulse of the beauty industry as an editor who spends half of my work days scrolling for inspiration, and the other half writing about it, I’m extremely interested in what the popular platform (which is driven by a steady source of inspiration from users), has to say about the colors that will be everywhere. After taking a closer look at the five colors Pinterest foresees populating our beauty cabinets this year—blue, orange, green, and purple—I quickly realized that there are various shades that fall into each category worth keeping tabs on as 2026 progresses.
My biggest takeaway? This year’s color palettes will be derived from the natural world, but with unexpected twists ties to wellness, nostalgia, and travel in ways we haven’t seen since the ’90s. Gen Z beauty loves are becoming increasingly enthralled with products that are multipurpose ad easy-to-use with dependable results. Drugstore favorites we all know and love that flew under the radar in the last decade are ending up on vanities right next to luxury finds that can be spotted on the runways. Enter this year’s color palette: Grounded, playful, and fashion-forward. So, what does that mean for the beauty space going forward? Well, if we’re taking notes from Pinterest, 2026 is shaping up to be a year will be a celebration of the vibrant shades that can be found in the branches heavy with citrus, the blue frost of winter, and centuries of stone talismans carves from the earth.
Keep scrolling for a beauty breakdown of the colors that, along with Pantone’s Color of the Year (Cloud Dancer), will transform the look of our shopping baskets and makeup collections. In true beauty editor fashion, I scoured the farthest corners of the internet to find the 30 of the best makeup, fragrance, and manicure must-haves needed to master 2026’s top colors.
Frost: Chilled Blue
Nyx Professional Makeup
Epic Wear Liner Stick in Chill Blue
The frigid, effortlessly cool shade is captured in this creamy eyeliner. High-impact and waterproof, this Nyx Professional Makeup favorite comes in 33 matte and metallic shades and delivers long-lasting pigments that refuse to smudge or fade. This specific shade is a metallic, powder blue that can be gently blended out to a sheer shadow.
Clinique
All About Shadow Single Eyeshadow in Lagoon
Clinique’s classic powder eye shadow offers rich, buildable pigment and buildable color with a long-wearing formula. Resistant to creasing and fading, this glides on to the skin without any fall-out. Its mirrored compact features a sponge-tip applicator, but I love the way this shimmering blue shade looks when diffused with my finger.
OPI
Nail Lacquer in Blue Jean Baby
Of all the vintage blue nail polish shades I’ve gotten my hands on over the years, OPI’s Baggy Jean Baby captures the worn-in feel of your best, worn-in blue jeans with a rich blue shade. The salon favorite polish is a must for achieving a smooth, glossy finish thanks to an extra-wide brush and fast-drying formula.
Manucurist
Green Nail Polish in Bubble
Looking for a wintery blue shade with grey undertones that complement all skin? Bubble is a cool, light blue color with opaque coverage and quick-drying formula inspired by sea air. This polish is nontoxic, clean, and green using 84% bio-sourced ingredients like potato, corn, yuca and cotton for healthy nails with every swipe.
Jo Malone London
Wild Bluebell Cologne
Scent Type: Floral green
Notes: Bluebell, lily-of-the-valley, eglantine, persimmon, white musk
While it’s not the most photorealistic bluebell fragrance in my collection, it’s certainly the the most crisp and floral. Delicate, sweet notes of bluebell and lily-of-the-valley and eglantine for blooming floral bouquet warmed by luscious persimmon and powdery white musk that envelopes the skin. It’s my top pick for a fresh take on a late winter-early spring scent.
Penhaligon’s
Bluebell Eau de Toilette
Scent Type: Floral green
Notes: Citrus accord, hyacinth, clove
A woodsy fragrance that captures the nostalgia of a bright, blue sky on a winter day is this option. Reminiscent of a dewy spring day and childhood escapades, this fragrance balances vibrant citrus and soft hyacinth with warm clove that develops beautifully as its worn throughout the day. Its bottle, topped with a delicate blue bow, is beyond darling.
Persimmon: Spiced Orange
Clinique
Pop Longwear Lipstick in Flame Pop
The crowd-favorite Clinique Pop Longwear Lipstick has an updated, clean look but it’s still home to saturated color with a built-in primer for smooth application. It’s now offered in a wide range of shades and finishes, which includes Flame Pop—a gorgeous persimmon shade that coats the lips with long-lasting shine (we’re talking up to eight hours without fading).
Merit
Flush Balm in Persimmon
A persimmon makeup shade that’s as bright and spicy as its namesake is included in Merit’s line of cream blush. The easy-to-use product will melt instantly into the skin that achieves a transparent veil of color that delivers a natural-looking flush. This is one of the few blushes I have in my makeup bag that enhances my natural skin by adding luminosity and burst of hydration.
Duri
Nail Polish in Uninhibited
I dream of escaping to a citrus grove every time I ask for this juicy, orange shade by Duri. Uninhibited is a bold, smoldering blend that will give your nails opaque coverage and a glossy, long-lasting finish without chipping for days. The formula is vegan, fast-drying, and formulated without harmful toxins that can weaken your nails.
OPI
Nail Lacquer in Liquid Fire
OPI’s Nail Lacquer in Liquid Fire is a molten orange shade with a metallic finish that catches the light with specks of gold. Bold and fashion-forward, this nail polish complements all skin tones, but looks particularly stunning on deep ones with its fire-inspired tones. I’m planning on reaching for this one the second it starts to feel like summer.
Demeter
Persimmon Cologne Spray
Scent Type: Fruity floral
Notes: Persimmon
I’ve shared what a photorealistic perfume isn’t, but this budget-friendly mouthwatering pick by Demeter Fragrance smells exactly like the first few seconds after you’ve steadily peeled a persimmon. This is a fresh and fruity perfume for people who love earthy scents but also gravitate towards any grown-up citrus perfume that’s not aggressively sweet.
Calvin Klein
Euphoria Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: Chypre Floral
Notes: Pomegranate, persimmon, green accord, black orchid, lotus blossom, cream accord, mahogany wood, violet
Calvin Klein’s Euphoria is not a persimmon-forward scent, but this one opens with sticky-sweet pomegranate before it shifts into the citrus accord. The fragrance’s crisp, green heart is softened with an enchanting mixture of delicate orchid and lotus blossom before shifting into the warmth of cream, wood, and violet.
Wasabi: Dirty Green
Freck Beauty
Shadow Slide Long-Wear H20 Shadow Sticks in Algae Bae
Designed as both a cream eyeshadow and a skin soothing eye treatment, Freck’s Shadow Slide Long-Wear H20 Shadow Sticks glide onto your skin with bold pigment payoff and a hydrating, cooling sensation. Its hydrating formula features caffeine to de-puff and wake up the eyes, plus nourishing Japanese loquat leaf extract. Try Algae Bae for the perfect wasabi green shade.
Violette_Fr
Lune Liner in Coup de Foudre
Can’t get enough of the spicy green shade? Consider adding Violette Fr’s Lune Liner in Coupe de Foudre for a green-gold flash of metallic color. The long-lasting, multichrome liquid eyeliner features an ultra-fine precision tip applicator and a magnetic shade-shifting effect. Not only can you get 16 hours of smudge-free wear, but it also doesn’t flake or fade. It’s a must-have for festival season.
Morgan Taylor
Nail Polish in Flying Out Loud
When it comes to rich, green nail polish colors, I like shades that are cool-toned, and creamy. Part of Morgan Taylor’s and Gelish’s summer 2024 “Up in the Air” collection, Flying Out Loud is inspired by semi-precious stones and is infused with nourishing ingredients to support the health of your nails for a long-lasting, shiny manicure.
Essie
Nail Polish in Piece of Work
While Essie describes this striking shade as a “vivid, lime green nail polish with yellow undertones,” I would argue that the polish looks significantly more nature-inspired on the nails than it does in the bottle. The polish has salon-quality formula with vegan ingredients, and an easy-glide brush to provide effortless application in seconds.
Gallivant
Tokyo Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: Woody spices
Notes: Yuzu, bergamot, black pepper, cardamom, wasabi accord, hinoki, cedarwood, nutmeg, iris, rose, incense, sandalwood, patchouli, vetiver, musk, amber
One of my newest British fragrance house discoveries is Gallivant, and I’ve been plotting to add their Tokyo Eau de Parfum to my collection in 2026. The fragrance takes its inspiration from Tokyo, opens with a bright burst of citrus before unfurling into a luminous, woody composition against a bed of soft florals, incense, and glowing amber. It’s zingy, spicy, and woody–just like wasabi.
Olfactive Studio
Panorama Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: Aromatic Green
Notes: Wasabi accord, fig leaf accord, bamboo leaf accord, bergamot, lemon
You don’t have to like tasting the spiciness of wasabi to elevate your scent game with it, and the Panorama Eau de Parfum is one the best examples of that very sentiment. The aromatic, green fragrance has a surprising wasabi accord that, when paired with fig leaf and bamboo, feels fresh and clean. The additions of bergamot and lemon give this composition a citrus twist.
Plum Noir: Moody Purple
Revolution
Balm Glow in Deep Plum
Here’s a multiuse balm that can deliver a dewy glaze to the lips, cheeks, and eyes in eight radiant shades (including this brilliant blackened purple shade). Its formula blends into the skin with a buildable, creamy formula for a sheer flush of color. I want it in ever color, but can’t get enough of Deep Plum to complete my winter makeup looks.
e.l.f. Cosmetics
Smoky Kohl Eyeliner in Plum & Go
I don’t always love the results I get with other kohl pencils for my smokey eye looks, but the Smoky Kohl Eyeliner by e.l.f. Cosmetics is designed to help you create versatile eye makeup looks without mistakes. This trusty eye pencil uses a richly pigmented, creamy formula that applies like a dream. For the perfect deep plum color, use the shade Plum & Go.
Nailberry
L’Oxygéné Oxygenated Nail Lacquer in No Regrets
Manucurist describes this shades as a “rich, red burgundy” that’s opaque, but I definitely pick up on the elegant purple undertones that remind me of a perfectly ripe plum. The sultry polish shade seemingly takes notes from vintage glamor (with a whisper of edge) and a unique, water permeable formula powered by patented technology for a salon-worthy finish.
Orly
Nail Lacquer in Plum Noir
If you’d like to try a classic plum noir manicure this year, consider creating it with Orly’s Nail Lacquer in Plum Noir. The full coverage polish has a chic, cool undertone and shiny finish that I simply can’t get enough of. For the best results, the brand recommends applying two even layers of the polish; keeping the brush parallel to the nail to deposit color.
Malin + Goetz
Dark Rum Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: Aromatic fruits
Notes: Bergamot, anise, leather, rum, vanilla, patchouli, amber, milk
This modern take on the traditional dark, spicy aroma inspired by bay rum combines sweetened ripe plum with a refreshing bergamot and cozy notes of lather laced with rum and creamy milk on top of a glowing base of amber and patchouli. It does an amazing job of balancing warm notes with fresh ones, and lasts all day with an impressive sillage.
Penhaligon’s
Alula Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: Warm spices
Notes: Warm plum, patchouli, turmeric, incense, vanilla
If you love warm plum fragrances entwined with glowing incense, this is the option for you. Penhaligon’s Alula Eau de Parfum draws its inspiration from the incense road, with a fragrance beloved for it enveloping warmth against a sweet, vanilla backdrop. The composition also boasts notes of warm patchouli and smoky turmeric set off by turmeric and tobacco.
Jade: Translucent Green
Milk Makeup
Kush Sheer Hydrating Lip Oil in Green Dragon
The Kush Sheer Hydrating Lip Oil in the shade Green Dragon has an iconic green color and fragranced with an energizing sage and peppermint mix, but it has a clear tint once it makes contact with your lips. The non-sticky lip oil provides intense hydration and shine using a nutrient-rich blend of hemp-seed oil, soothing sunflower oil, and more.
Ilia
Eye Stylus Shadow Stick in Filigree Matte
This award-winning shadow stick by Ilia offers waterproof, crease-resistant color that blends seamlessly. Available in 20 stunning shades and two finishes (shimmer and matte), this stick can be used on the flat side for a wash of all-over color or the edge to define and brighten the eyes. I love this one in its soft jade shade: Filigree Matte.
Essie
Salon-Quality Nail Polish in Turquoise And Caicos
This Essie nail polish might be named Turquoise and Caicos, and it certainly recalls images of tropical waves. It uses an exclusive easy-glide brush for quick, easy application and a vegan formula providing even, opaque coverage. This tranquil shade is what I want as my color M.O. for spring this year.
OPI
Nail Lacquer in $elf Made
Apparently, green crème nail polishes like OPI’s $Self Made happen to be the perfect match for the jade green colors we’ll be seeing all 2026 for manicures. This elegant hue inspires me to count down the days until spring’s warmer days, when I’ll be wearing nothing but pastel nails until the end of the season for good measure.
Régime des Fleurs
Jade Vines Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: Green floral
Notes: Yuzu blossom, sparkling ginger water, green gardenia, tuberose buds, liana wood, cedar
Wearing a green fragrance named after one of the biggest colors of the year is a sure way to feel a little more elevated on a day-to-day basis. One of my favorites is Régime des Fleurs’ Jade Vines Eau de Parfum, which is an ethereal white floral that taps into jungle greenery with sparkling citrus, dewy green leaves, soft florals, and dry woods.
J-Scent
Hisui (Jade) Eau de Parfum
Scent Type: Floral musk
Notes: Lemon, bergamot, ylang-ylang, rose, violet, iris, jasmine, heliotrope, agarwood, vanilla, musk, cherry blossom leaf, peach
Jade is culturally revered as a material that promotes inner peace, wisdom, and protection as well as mental and physical balance. The Hisui (Jade) Eau de Parfum by J-Scent Global taps into this same energy with lustrous lemon, powder-fresh iris, and an blooming floral bouquet grounded by agarwood and musk.
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