From Ulta Beauty shelves to Sephora events, the beauty industry is moving fast—and consumer search behavior is telling us exactly where it’s headed. From viral launches like NYX Duck Plump and Maybelline Diamond Mascara to rising interest in ingredient transparency and professional-grade performance, today’s makeup buyers are more informed, selective, and trend-driven than ever.
At Radical Cosmetics, we closely track search trends across makeup, cosmetics, and beauty retail to help brands stay ahead of what’s next. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest movements shaping the market—and how emerging and established brands can respond strategically.
Where Consumers Are Shopping (and Why It Matters)
Search interest around Ulta, Ulta Beauty, and Sephora continues to dominate, alongside growing buzz for large-scale industry events like Sephoria, Sephoria 2026, and Ulta Beauty World 2026. Searches for Sephoria tickets have surged dramatically, reinforcing how experiential beauty events influence product discovery and brand loyalty.
Even secondary terms like parking and rewards Ulta highlight how deeply consumers plan their beauty shopping experiences—both online and in-store.
What this means for brands: Visibility at major retailers and alignment with trend cycles tied to events like Ulta Beauty World can significantly impact demand forecasting and product timing.
Makeup Categories Driving the Most Interest
Core makeup staples remain the backbone of consumer demand:
Lipstick, lip gloss, and lip liner continue to perform as evergreen essentials
Mascara, lashes, and eyeliner are seeing innovation spikes—especially with tools like the heated eyelash curler
Foundation, concealer, and blush searches signal continued focus on skin-forward makeup
Notably, rising searches for Natasha Denona concealer and Victoria Beckham eyeliner show sustained appetite for premium-performance formulas that balance luxury with wearability.
Viral Products & Brand Momentum
Mass and prestige brands alike are shaping search behavior:
Maybelline, NYX, e.l.f., L’Oréal, MAC, Dior, and Bobbi Brown remain top-of-mind
Product-specific spikes like NYX Duck Plump and Maybelline Diamond Mascara show how a single launch can dominate search traffic
Celebrity-driven interest—including names like Millie Bobby Brown—continues to influence discovery
Meanwhile, whimsical and editorial trends such as deer makeup demonstrate how social media aesthetics still play a role in inspiring experimental looks.
Ingredients, Performance & Skin Awareness
Consumers are asking smarter questions—not just what to buy, but what’s inside.
Searches for dimethicone, Neutrogena makeup wipes, and how to remove makeup properly reflect a growing emphasis on skin health, comfort, and safe removal practices. Today’s buyers want makeup that performs without compromising their skin barrier.
For brands, this means: Transparent formulations, clear ingredient communication, and gentle yet effective performance are no longer optional—they’re expected.
Tools, Accessories & Everyday Beauty Habits
Beyond products themselves, shoppers are rounding out their routines with essentials like a well-curated makeup bag, innovative tools, and smarter application techniques. These supporting categories offer strong opportunities for line extensions and bundled offerings.
What This Means for Private Label & Custom Brands
As consumer demand becomes more trend-aware and ingredient-conscious, brands must move faster—without sacrificing quality or compliance.
At Radical Cosmetics, we help brands translate trends into scalable, market-ready solutions across:
Lip products, mascaras, foundations, concealers, blushes, and eyeliners
Clean, performance-driven formulations aligned with current consumer expectations
Made-in-the-USA manufacturing with flexibility for both private label and custom development
Whether your goal is to compete alongside household names at Ulta Beauty and Sephora, or to launch a niche product inspired by rising trends, staying informed is the first step.
Final Thoughts
Search data tells a clear story: beauty consumers want innovation, transparency, and products that fit seamlessly into their daily lives. By understanding where interest is rising—and why—brands can make smarter decisions about product development, launch timing, and retail strategy.
If you’re ready to turn today’s beauty trends into tomorrow’s bestsellers, Radical Cosmetics is here to help you build with confidence.
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