Ballet-Inspired Pastel Makeup Is the Soft-Focus Trend Defining This Season

Being nearly 42, it’s not common to like pastel pink as much as I do. Sure, I can dress chic and sophisticated in nude tones and moody brown and burgundy, but part of my soul is very Gen-Z and gravitates towards bows, pink and pretty pastels. So, you can imagine how thrilled I was when I studied the beauty looks from the SS26 runways last September. Pastel makeup is back, and this is one trend I’m fully on board with. This ballet-inspired movement is primarily about ‘ballet slipper pink’ tones, but also includes baby blue and lilac.

Before we get down to the best makeup products to get in on this trend, let me first explain what it is and how it became the look of the moment this spring 2026. If you think back to your childhood ballet classes, not all of you little ballerinas wore pink; some opted for pastel blue or lavender shades of leotards and cardigans. These are the three tones that make up this trend. Ballet-core fashion has been having a resurgence for a while, so it’s not surprising that it has made its appearance in makeup. There’s also been a social media trend of ‘romanticising the everyday’ for a couple of years now, so much so that it has become a whole aesthetic in itself.

There are a few ways you can incorporate the ballet-inspired pastel trend into your makeup look; as seen in the SS26 fashion shows in New York, London, Milan, and Paris. I always look here to identify trends, then wait for awards season to see which ones are really taking off on the red carpet.

Ballet slipper lips

This is an easy one for everyone to get on-board with, as it involves pale, pink-toned nudes giving a wash of delicate colour to your pout. Coach’s SS26 New York Fashion Week runway showed models walk with feminine pastel-toned lips by Pat McGrath. Similarly, makeup artist Lucy J Bridge created baby pink lip looks for the SS26 London Fashion Week Conner Ives show. Then jumping ahead to this spring, Elle Fanning showed how to wear it off-catwalk with her look for this year’s Academy Awards, created by makeup artist Erin Ayanian Monroe.

Soft pink and lilac blushed cheeks are the order of the day here. Over in Paris, ballet blush was seen at the Chloe SS26 show, where makeup artist Shane Kish created a custom blended Saie blush shade that left models with a delicate pink flush. Flash forward to awards season, and Kate Hudson walked the Oscars red carpet with soft pink cheeks created by makeup artist Tonya Brewer using Charlotte Tilbury. As did actress Mckenna Grace; whose whole look gave ballerina vibes. Makeup artist Allan Avendano and her stylist were in full ballet mode.