From innovative skincare that targets and prevents, to multitasking makeup that blurs the line between care and color, and fragrances that feel like a second skin, this season’s launches reflect a balance of performance and sensorial pleasure. Ahead, discover nine standout beauty arrivals defining Spring/Summer 2026, including three Editor’s Picks you won’t want to miss.
Editor’s Pick: Narciso Rodriguez For Him Musc Santal Eau de Parfum Intense Is Our Fragrance of the Month
With For Him Musc Santal Eau de Parfum Intense, Narciso Rodriguez adds a new chapter to its long-running men’s fragrance line. Since the launch of the original For Him in 2007, musk has been the emotional core of the series, shaping its quiet yet distinctive identity in modern perfumery. The new composition continues that story, exploring a vision of masculinity that balances confidence with vulnerability and strength with restraint.
French perfumer Florian Gallo builds the scent around the interplay of warm and cool notes. Creamy sandalwood and the brand’s signature musk form the sensual backbone, while clary sage, cardamom and juniper introduce aromatic freshness. Rather than making a bold statement, the fragrance relies on subtle contrasts, moving between softness and intensity. As Gallo notes, musk itself embodies a paradox — both clean and animalic — a duality the composition deliberately explores.
Review: Salvatore Ferragamo once remarked, “The best investment in every man’s life are a custom-tailored suit and an expensive cologne. It’s like buying a first impression.” Few things express this idea of understated elegance quite like a well-composed fragrance. One recent example that captures this spirit of modern masculinity is For Him Musc Santal Eau de Parfum Intense by Narciso Rodriguez.
The composition plays with contrast, giving the scent a quietly dynamic character. Sandalwood forms the warm foundation, bringing a smooth, creamy softness that deepens the resinous richness of benzoin and creates an immediate sense of comfort on the skin.
At the same time, brighter notes introduce a counterbalance. Juniper lends a crisp, aromatic freshness, while cardamom contributes a refined spiciness with a faintly cool edge. These cooler facets cut through the warmth, adding dimension and preventing the fragrance from feeling overly heavy.
The interplay between warmth and freshness gives the scent its distinctive personality. Elegant yet relaxed, it reflects a contemporary interpretation of masculinity — one defined less by bold statements than by nuance, balance, and quiet confidence.
The New Icon of Ease
NARS ushers in a fresh era of effortless beauty with the latest iteration of its Afterglow Lip Balm, a formula that successfully bridges the gap between high-intensity hydration and a sheer, editorial finish. Fronting the campaign is topmodel Kaia Gerber, who brings a modern vitality to the brand’s legacy of bold artistry. As the daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford, Gerber possesses that rare, “spirit of another era” quality—an effortless poise captured through the lens of founder François Nars himself for this launch.
The collection itself is a curated “candyland” of color, ranging from the bite of decadent cherry to the minimalist clarity of crystal-clear. More than just a balm, the texture is remarkably buttery, utilizing a sophisticated Moisture-Locking Blend to deliver 24-hour hydration without the weight of traditional gloss. Whether swiped on for a quiet, non-sticky shine or layered to soften a structured lip, it offers an insatiable, second-skin sheen. In an industry often defined by complexity, NARS and Gerber remind us that the greatest pleasure is found in the sheer.
Editor’s Pick: A Glow Powder with a Mondrian-Inspired Pattern
Shiseido expands its makeup lineup with the Color + Glow Enhancer for Face and Eyes, a multi-use glowing powder designed to add subtle color and luminosity in one step. The compact features nine blendable, buildable shades that can be used to illuminate, blush, or softly sculpt the cheeks, eyes, and face. The powder has a silky texture that blends easily and delivers a natural-looking wash of color with a soft glow.
Review: The case is extraordinary, featuring a rounded metal front with a Mondrian-inspired pattern. The graphic arrangement of colors recalls the iconic interplay of blocks and shades made famous by the Dutch artist Piet Mondrian — an aesthetic that fashion lovers may also associate with Yves Saint Laurent’s legendary Mondrian-inspired designs.
I like to sweep the Color + Glow Enhancer across the cheeks for a soft flush and apply a touch to the eyelids for a cohesive, luminous look. The powder blends effortlessly and creates a natural glow. Among the nine shades, 02 Beige Crystal and 06 Mauve Quartz stand out as particularly flattering options for a fresh, understated finish.
Powerful Retinol for Anti-Aging Skin Care
Shiseido has expanded its Vital Perfection range with the new Intensive Wrinkle Spot Treatment A+, a retinol-based formula designed to target visible signs of aging on the face and neck. It is aimed primarily at women aged 40 and above.
The formula focuses on improving skin resilience while addressing common age-related concerns such as deep wrinkles and dark spots. The treatment supports the skin’s structure by promoting the production of firming proteins and reinforcing its natural defenses against wrinkle formation.
The product can be applied in the evening as the final step in a skincare routine, or in the morning underneath sunscreen. With its combination of retinol and brightening ingredients, the treatment is intended to gradually smooth the skin’s texture and promote a more even-looking complexion over time.
A Multi-Purpose Skincare Oil for Face, Body and Hair
Review: Shiseido’s new Ultimune Power Infusing Oil blends skincare and wellness. Despite its water-based formula, it has the silky texture of a lightweight oil, gliding smoothly onto the skin without leaving a greasy finish. I like to apply it to my décolletage after every shower and use it twice a week in my nighttime routine before a hydrating cream.
The oil absorbs quickly, leaving a subtle, radiant glow with no sticky residue. Its signature green floral fragrance — featuring notes of lotus, rose, rosemary, cardamom, ginger, and matsurika — adds an extra touch of luxury.
Beyond the Petal: The Modern Japanese Garden
With Zen Essence, Shiseido introduces a fragrance that prioritizes internal stillness over outward performance. Developed by perfumer Florian Gallo, the scent translates the tranquility of a Japanese garden into a sensorial “reset” for a fast-paced world. The composition opens with a bright lift of bergamot and jasmine, quickly grounding into a tactile heart of velvety iris and contemporary mineral musk. Rather than a traditional floral, it settles into an enduring trail of vanilla and cedarwood, reflecting a shift toward mindful, atmospheric perfumery.
The bottle mirrors this restraint through an asymmetrical silhouette that subtly references the house’s “S” signature. By pairing clear glass with a tactile wooden cap, the design moves away from luxury tropes toward a more architectural, artisanal aesthetic.
The Perfect Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin
Get ready for your summer vacation with Shiseido’s new Expert Sun Protector Lotion Sensitive SPF50+, a high-performance sunscreen specifically designed for sensitive skin. The Japanese brand responds to the increasing demand for sun protection that is both gentle and effective. Research shows that 71% of people now identify as having sensitive skin, which is more prone to redness, irritation, and slower recovery from UV damage.
While this formula creates a smooth, second-skin-like barrier that provides reliable coverage for both face and body, I would personally recommend it primarily for the body. For the face, I would opt for a matte sunscreen instead—especially if you plan on wearing makeup.
Its WetForce technology adds an extra layer of defense, strengthening the sunscreen’s effectiveness when exposed to water or sweat, making it ideal for daily wear and outdoor activities. For optimal protection, remember to reapply every two hours and after swimming, sweating, or towel-drying.
Prismatic Scent: Issey Miyake’s New Vision of Radiance
Developed by perfumers Fabrice Pellegrin and Marie Salamagne, Lumière d’Issey treats light as both inspiration and structure. This amber floral opens with green mandarin and neroli, offering a bright, controlled freshness without the typical citrus sharpness. At its core, a blend of orange blossom and freesia dissolves into white musk, creating a sheer, second-skin effect that feels less like a fragrance and more like a continuous glow.
The dry down features sandalwood and pistachio wood, adding a creamy, nutty depth that warms the fragrance without weighing it down. The bottle echoes an architectural shift, refracting light through its softly tinted pink liquid
If you enjoyed 9 Must-Have Beauty Launches for Spring & Summer 2026, check out our full collection of articles on makeup, skincare and fragrances.
