This year’s BAFTAs red carpet has firmly signalled a new beauty direction for 2026. Instead of sculpted contour, matte finishes and dramatic definition, celebrities embraced a softer, more natural aesthetic that celebrates real skin and understated polish.
Beauty insiders are calling it soft glam. A look defined by glowing complexions, diffused edges and fresh, romantic colour that feels effortless rather than overly styled.
“We’re seeing a move away from full transformation makeup towards enhancing what’s already there,” explains Cult Beauty’s in-house beauty expert. “Soft glam is all about skin that looks alive, blush that mimics a natural flush and definition that is gently blended rather than sharply drawn. It’s polished, but never heavy.”
1. Soft glowing skin
The key to this look is fresh, glowing skin paired with a natural flush, with the focus placed firmly on skincare-led preparation and lightweight complexion products that allow real skin to show through.
Begin with deeply hydrating skincare to create a radiant base, then opt for a sheer skin tint instead of a full coverage foundation so natural texture remains visible. This keeps the complexion breathable and mirrors the luminous finishes seen across the BAFTAs red carpet.
Reintroduce subtle dimension using a neutral contour rather than heavy bronzer, and finish with only a light dusting of powder using a fluffy brush to soften shine while maintaining luminosity.
Example products include:
MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Colour Crayon
Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Foundation
Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
2. Rosy blush
Blush is central to soft glam, delivering that healthy, just-pinched colour that brings life back to the skin.
Apply a cream blush to the fullest part of the cheek and gently diffuse it outward so the flush appears to rise naturally to the surface. Choose tones close to your own colouring, then softly layer a brighter pink with a deeper raspberry shade to build depth while keeping the finish airy.
Blend the edges with a clean brush, add a whisper of loose powder to set without dulling, and tap a pink-toned cream highlighter onto the high points of the cheeks before finishing with a fine mist of setting spray to melt everything seamlessly together.
Example products:
Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm
Gucci Beauty Glow Powder Blush
Saie SuperSuede Radiant Blush Powder
3. Diffused, barely there eyes
Eyes are subtly sculpted rather than obviously defined, with the aim of gently contouring the shape to add depth without visible makeup.
Keep brows soft and natural with just enough pencil to enhance their shape, then use the same contour shade from the complexion to lightly define the crease and lash line for cohesion. Add a sheer wash of nude across the centre of the lid, blend a touch beneath the lower lashes to mimic a natural shadow, and complete the look with a single coat of mascara for delicate, hazy definition.
Example products:
Charlotte Tilbury The Super Nudes Duo Liner
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow Shimmer & RoseGlow
Sweed Cloud Mascara
3. Hydrated softly blurred lips
Lips should feel plush and softly blurred rather than sharply outlined.
Choose a liner close to the natural lip tone and sketch the shape before blending it inward with fingers to avoid harsh edges. Apply a matte lipstick to build a velvety base, then layer a slightly warmer gloss on top to create dimension and softness so the lips appear inviting and effortless.
Example products:
Westman Atelier Lip Suede Matte Lipstick
Charlotte Tilbury Look Of Love K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick Nude Romance
Gucci Beauty Rouge à Lèvres Voile Sheer Lipstick
Photo by Yogendra Singh: https://www.pexels.com/photo/two-woman-3089849/
