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.
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.