There's always that one trend that announces itself before it fully shows up on your social media feeds, and I fully believe that for 2026, that trend is chrome. Whether it's shimmer, glitter, or metallic, beautiful silver reflective enough to catch the light across a room is going to suddenly be everywhere, from celebrity lids to influencer hauls to on the runway.
It's been quietly building momentum all year, whether it was in a beautiful editorial spread, a rogue TikTok tutorial, or a makeup artist pulling out a pan of silver. Trust me, by this time next year, we'll all be stepping out in full mirror-finish lids and hyper-glossed chrome lips.
After years of neutrals, and makeup that pretended not to be makeup, chrome is the loud friend dragging us back to actual fun. It's futuristic but somehow nostalgic, minimal effort, and shockingly wearable once you stop trying to talk yourself out of it.
And because the beauty cycle waits for no one, the smartest move is to get ahead of it. Below, we list the 12 best products to nail the look early, from Isamaya Beauty's LipLacq to Prada's Pradalines Waterproof Eyeliner. Keep scrolling!
This is the kind of product makeup artists hoard in every shade. The formula grips without feeling heavy, dries down to a beautiful finish, and delivers intense color payoff. Use it on eyes, lips, or cheeks.
If chrome had a soft-focus filter, it would feel like "Nebulous" from R.E.M. Beauty. It's both smoky and celestial, gliding on with complete ease. The liquid formula glides on like silk and locks in place. I like to use it as both an eye shadow shade and liner (the brush makes it simple to do both).
Black Veil is the easiest way to dip into the chrome-lip trend without going full metal. The gloss leaves a cool-toned, lacquered finish with just enough plumping ability to make lips look smoother and a touch more dramatic. It's edgy but glamorous, yet surprisingly wearable.
The Ethereal Eyes palette is the best of both worlds—one gorgeous chrome shade and eight beautiful celestial colors that all work in harmony. The other shades are subtle, flattering, and blend out beautifully. It's the rare "statement" palette that still feels incredibly wearable.
Argento gives you a cool-toned, reflective silver line that instantly pushes any eye look into 2026 territory. The formula glides on like liquid metal and adds just enough light to make chrome lids feel intentional and not overwhelming.
If you want chrome energy but still need something you can wear to, say, brunch, this Haus Labs highlighter is ideal to reach for. The formula blends like a dream and gives that almost wet-looking kind of glow.
This liner is all precision and commitment. The tip is fine enough to trace the smallest flick, and the formula dries down instantly to a crisp, saturated line that refuses to smudge.
Lavender Sky is chrome with a twist—soft, lilac-toned, and flattering on every eye color. The formula goes on like molten metal, then settles into a smooth, reflective sheen that reads futuristic without feeling heavy.
Stellar Glow is chrome done the Guerlain way—refined, luminous, and dramatic in a good way. The metallic shade delivers a beautiful sheen, while the other shades deliver everything you need to shape, soften, or deepen the look.
Come Thru Coconut contains that bright, pearly glow that instantly opens the eyes. The formula feels weightless, layers well with deeper metallics, and holds its shine throughout the day.
Celestial Grey looks like a simple gray in the pan, but once it's on, the lid the dimension shows up fast. The finish has a soft chrome glow—bright, cool, and incredibly smooth.