10 beauty trends defining summer 2026, from peptides to PDRN

From bare nails and blurred lips to colour analysis and peptides, Elle Gordon unpacks what beauty lovers are embracing 

The ten beauty trends to watch for this summer

Bare nails

Bare nails are having a moment

After years of nail art, BIAB appointments and endless gel manicures, bare nails are having a moment. Think healthy, glossy, well-maintained nails that look polished… without any polish.

More women are taking breaks from gels, whether to simplify routines, save time, or allow nails to recover from years of wear. In their place, cuticle oils, strengthening treatments and buff-and-shine manicures are becoming the new essentials. There is also a subtle cultural shift at play, a move away from hyper-maintained beauty towards something softer and more natural-looking, where “effortless” is the goal.

One product I keep returning to is Complete Serum by Manicurist (€17), first recommended to me by Dr Laura Lenihan via her Phare e-commerce store. It has since become a staple in my nail-care routine. Bare nails are elegant, low-maintenance and quietly confident. For long-time gel wearers, the transition can take patience as nails recover, but the end result is often stronger, healthier nails. In a beauty world that often encourages more, this is about less. And if you’re a dedicated gel wearer, don’t panic, this is a trend, not a rulebook. Do what makes you happy.

Topical peptides

CeraVe Skin Renewing Peptide Cream (€24.50)

Topical peptides are quietly becoming one of the most in-demand skincare ingredients for 2026. While they lack the hype of retinol or vitamin C, they have earned a loyal following for one key reason: They work slowly, steadily and consistently.

These amino acid chains act as messengers in the skin, helping to support collagen production, the protein responsible for firmness and elasticity. Over time, this can translate into smoother, plumper-looking skin.

Their appeal also lies in their gentleness. Unlike stronger actives, peptides are generally well tolerated, making them suitable for sensitive or compromised skin barriers. The results are not instant, but that is part of their appeal. Peptides are firmly in the “slow beauty” category, where long-term skin health matters more than overnight transformation. A standout is CeraVe Skin Renewing Peptide Cream (€24.50), an accessible, no-fuss option that slots easily into most routines. As skincare continues to move away from aggressive quick fixes, peptides are a reminder that consistency often delivers the most lasting results.

Scalp health

Calecim Hair Restoration Programme (€380)

Haircare is no longer just about shine and softness, it is increasingly being treated as an extension of skincare, with scalp health now firmly in focus. Scalp serums, exfoliating treatments and barrier-supporting formulas are becoming everyday essentials, particularly for those dealing with thinning, sensitivity or imbalance. One of the more advanced innovations is the Calecim Hair Restoration Programme (€380), often paired with at-home dermastamping to create microchannels in the scalp that help improve absorption of the active ingredients of their accompanying scalp serum. It is a more clinical, treatment-led approach to haircare.

ANNUTRI Grow It

For something more accessible, Irish trichologist Clare Fullam of TRUA Clinic is a trusted voice in this space, alongside products such as the Annutri Grow It range (from €28), which focuses on scalp balance and strength without unnecessary complexity. Hair fragrance is also growing in popularity. Lightweight hair perfumes, such as those from Rituals (€27), offer a way to refresh scent without drying the hair or overwhelming with traditional perfume. The result is a category that sits between wellness and beauty. Bring on happy, healthy, hair days.

Blurred lips

The blurred lip effect is having a big impact this summer. Instead of sharp edges and heavy lining, colour is softened and diffused for a natural, “just-worn” effect inspired by Korean and French beauty aesthetics. It is low-maintenance, forgiving and effortlessly flattering. Celebrity makeup artist Nina Park is often credited with popularising the look through clients including Emma Stone and our very own Jessie Buckley for whom she used Chanel Longwear Lip Pencil in Pivoine (€32) and Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue Ultrawear Liquid Lip Colour (€52) in Caramel Beige. Soft and smudgey, almost overlining, one to recreate this summer.

PDRN

Biodance Rejuvenating Caviar PRDN Real Deep Mask

K-beauty continues to drive global skincare innovation, and one of its most talked-about ingredients is PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide). Often referred to as “salmon DNA skincare”, PDRN is valued for its regenerative and skin-repairing properties. While injectable versions are already used in clinics, topical formats are now appearing in masks, serums, and creams.

Biodance Rejuvenating Caviar PRDN Real Deep Mask (€4.80) has gone viral for its glass-skin finish, thanks to its gel-based formula, which gradually becomes transparent as it absorbs into the skin for that lit-from-within result. Bio-needling spicule facials with PRDN are also gaining momentum. Most notably from Genosys from €200 at select clinics nationwide. Dubbed “liquid microneedling”, they are a great option for someone who wants to avoid the needles associated with traditional microneedling. These treatments use microscopic marine sponge structures to gently stimulate the skin, encouraging renewal and enhancing absorption of active ingredients. A mild tingling sensation is common, but many users report brighter, smoother skin afterwards. The joys of when science, treatment level results and skincare join forces.

Blonzer

Poco Beauty Universal Cream Stick in Bare it All

“Blonzer” is exactly what it sounds like – a blend of bronzer and blush. Rather than layering products, the look combines warmth and colour in one step, swept across cheeks, temples and the bridge of the nose for a soft, sun-kissed finish. It fits neatly into the current makeup mood: less precision, more ease. Heavy contouring is giving way to skin that looks naturally flushed, lived-in and lightly sculpted. Try combining Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer Stick (€23) for warmth with Poco Beauty Cream Stick Bare It All (€23) for that diffused flush. For an all-in-one option, Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic (€46) remains a reliable favourite. The result is makeup that feels understated and glowy.

Polynucleotides

If you’ve spent any time online this year, you’ve likely heard polynucleotides referred to as the “salmon sperm facial”, an attention-grabbing nickname for one of aesthetic medicine’s most talked-about treatments. Polynucleotides are derived from purified DNA fragments, often sourced from salmon, and are designed to support the skin’s natural repair and regeneration processes. Unlike fillers, which add volume or structure, they focus on improving overall skin quality, perfect for that holiday glow we would all love to have. They are especially popular in delicate areas such as under the eyes, where concerns like crepiness, dehydration and fine lines can be difficult to treat with topical skincare alone. A typical course involves around three treatments, spaced several weeks apart, with results developing gradually over time. This slow build is part of the appeal, with improvements often appearing subtle and natural rather than obvious or “done”. Recovery time is minimal too but as with any injectable treatment, temporary swelling, redness or bruising can occur, making practitioner choice essential. Think of this summer as the summer of renewal for a natural understated result. Prices vary but as a ballpark, first appointment with consultation at Institute of Dermatologists is €380.

Elevated body care

Paula’s Choice Retinol Body Treatment (€39)

Body care is finally being treated with the same seriousness as facial skincare. Customers are increasingly reaching for body products containing actives such as niacinamide, peptides, ceramides and exfoliating acids. Body serums are particularly on the rise, targeting concerns like uneven texture, dryness and pigmentation. One of the most notable developments is the arrival of body retinoids, with products such as Paula’s Choice Retinol Body Treatment (€39) bringing proven active ingredients beyond the face. Irish brands including GROUND Wellbeing, Seabody, and Kinvara are also helping to elevate the category with more sophisticated, wellness-led formulations. The shift reflects a broader change in mindset, skincare is no longer just for the face, but for the entire body. This summer, let’s not forget the bod. There’s a reason “everything shower” routines continue to go viral.

At-home beauty devices

Omnilux Contour Face (€461)

At-home beauty devices are no longer niche, they are becoming part of everyday skincare routines. LED light therapy masks are among the most popular, used to help with concerns such as acne, redness and visible signs of ageing over time. Omnilux Contour Face (€461) has been instrumental in bringing the category into the mainstream. To mention an Irish one, Skin Krush is crushing it (ahem). Panel devices such as Solas are also growing in popularity. Inspired in part by NASA research into how light interacts with cells, these systems deliver LED light across a larger surface area, allowing for a more comprehensive at-home treatment. LED works by using gentle light wavelengths to support the skin’s natural repair processes, helping to improve tone, calm inflammation and boost overall skin quality with consistent use. It is not instant, but that gradual build is exactly why it has become so widely adopted. There are even red-light Yoga mats now. Factor some LED into your summer routine.

Colour analysis

Colour analysis (identifying which shades best suit your natural colouring) is everywhere thanks to social media and a growing interest in more intentional consumption. In a cost-of-living climate, the appeal is simple; fewer impulse buys, fewer mistakes and a more streamlined wardrobe. Based in Ireland, Ruth Murphy (positiveimage.ie) offers professional analysis, alongside emerging AI tools that make the concept more accessible than ever. It reflects a shift away from trend-driven shopping towards more confident, personal style decisions. Apparently I am a Soft Summer – excuse me while I rejig my entire summer wardrobe.