Charli XCX on Her 2026 Beauty Era and YSL Makeup Staples

Some might say that Charli XCX is advocating a rebrand. Star recently released “Rock Music” as the lead single from her upcoming eighth album (followed by “SS26,” released May 21), a noticeable pivot away from the grungier sound dance-pop beats. bratWhich became the official soundtrack of summer 2024. Her beauty has also experienced a subtle change: while she brat While the beauty era was defined by smudged eyeliner and a lived-in “party-girl” aesthetic, her current image features a softer, smoky look — sometimes without eye makeup, as depicted in “Rock Music” Music Video. As if to cement this new glamor moment, Charlie has become the latest US ambassador for YSL Beauty. Indeed, an improvement plan is clearly on the cards.

What would Charlie herself say about this development? “It’s all still internally Me,” she shares about the aesthetic direction of the campaign, her voice soft, with the intentionally distorted tones I’m accustomed to hearing through my speakers. “But I think there are some looks that I worked on Sam VisserWho did all the makeup for the campaign, she’s definitely a little more maximalist.” Think light-reflected lips, sculpted eyelids and extra glowy skin with “adrenaline flush” cheeks — a surprising choice for the star, who has typically opted for a pale-toned complexion.

“We were playing with blush in a way that I don’t often do, where it’s really too much and gets in the eyes,” she says. “In the past, I’ve done a lot of winged eyes, whereas this[look]was a little more smoky, which is definitely what I’m feeling right now.” She sees these updates not as closing a chapter but as turning a new page. She adds, “It’s about taking the essence of the things I’ve always done with beauty, but twisting them a little bit.” The “kid” isn’t gone – she’s graduated.

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When she’s not on set or performing, you might be surprised to know that Charli doesn’t always reach for eyeliner. “I’m very much a lips and brows kind of girl,” she says of her current makeup fixation. “I’m either doing my eyebrows or doing my lips. That’s my goal.” As for the latter, he is “particularly obsessed” YSL Beauty’s LoveNude Lip Blusher. “It’s matte and so pretty. You can use it on the go, honestly that’s how I like to do my makeup,” she says, pausing to pull a product out of her bag to confirm the specific shade. (Success—it’s Undressed Pink.) As for her eyebrows, she grooms them upward not with traditional gel but with a spoolie soaked in hairspray. “It helps them stay put, and I don’t have to think about it. It’s probably not as good for you, but it’s something I do,” she laughs.

As an ambassador for YSL Beauty — joining Laura Harrier, Amelia Gray Hamlin, and Lila Moss — Charlie has all the brand’s unappreciated, soon-to-be-heroes, like the Skin Affair Soft Glow Cushion Foundation, launching on May 29. (FYI: She secretly wore the shade LN10 to the Met Gala.) “It comes on a really cute key chain,” she mentions, “so you can put it on your[bag]and it looks really cute.” Another top staple from the brand couture mini clutchAn eye shadow quad that contains velvety-soft pigments that are perfect for creating a soft-grunge look (if I do say so myself). “I have one that’s dark brown, silver, and gray. That’s my favorite palette of all time,” Charlie shares.

On that note, the eye look remains the singer’s signature, even if she ditches the liner for a softer shadow. She explains, “Sometimes, I like to go really neutral by not putting anything on my eyes, and sometimes, I like to go for a completely black, oily sleek look. It really depends on my mood.” When I ask her to define her overall mood for 2026, she takes a breath—“Hey, the pressure!” She jokes—then declares: “Simple, chic, and yet a little messy.” The party girl lives on, rebrands be damned.