Beauty’s biggest blockbusters are getting a 2026 upgrade but are you ready to embrace the change? Nothing strikes fear into the heart of a self-respecting beauty devotee quite like the word ‘discontinued’ unless, of course, we’re talking about ‘reformulated’. And no, that’s not over-dramatic. There’s bone fide psychology at play. Humans feel losses more strongly than equivalent gains – a phenomenon known as loss aversion. In other words, losing a beloved lipstick hurts more than the thrill of discovering a new one.
It hits harder in beauty because our products are woven into daily ritual. Reformulations can feel even more unsettling than discontinuations, even if the new version is objectively better because of the perceived loss of a familiar formula, coupled with expectation violation (it has the same name but it’s not quite the same product). So what happens when beauty’s most beloved superstars get a glow-up nobody asked for? Spoiler: we think you’re going to like the results.
All change!
2026 may be the year of the Fire Horse, but transformative energy is already galloping through the beauty world. Why now you might ask (while clutching your 2025 Magic Cream)? In short, technology. Many of these reformulations have been years in the making (seven in the case of the new and improved Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation). Brands report that they’re responding both to scientific breakthroughs and how we consume beauty today. Speaking of Double Wear, the number one foundation in 15 markets including the UK hasn’t been touched in almost 30 years. After 300 iterations tested on more than 3000 loyal users, the new formula promises improved performance without sacrificing its cult appeal. Still, the relaunch wasn’t without trepidation and Vice President and GM for Estee Lauder UK and Ireland Luke Evans admitted that there was real ‘angst’ before the unveiling. It’s also why the brand decided to forgo a pump as it would have pushed the price up to £40 whilst possibly pushing loyalists over the edge.
Added benefits
The skinification of, well, everything is behind many of this year’s formula upgrades. By Terry’s Brightening CC Serum, £62, long a skincare-meets-makeup hybrid favourite – now delivers 24 hour hydration alongside a four-strong vitamin complex for long-term benefits. “After ten years I wanted to push the science of the rose further,” says Global Product Development Director Tiffany Braud citing more concentrated rose biotechnology and a smarter formula.
Amplified luminosity and a raft of new skincare ingredients was the MO of makeup artist darling Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, £49, which now features glycerin, niacinamide and Mediterranean floral extracts plus an extended 44-shade range. The brand spent two and a half years consumer testing on Luminous Silk lovers; proof that winning over purists is the real benchmark.
Out With The Old?
So what happens to the original formulas? Brands are understandably coy (perhaps anticipating a TK Maxx stampede) but Estee Lauder says its hard phase in/phase out process was planned with military precision (we’re picturing ninja masks) with any remaining stock of the old formula limited to corporate stores before being recycled. There may well be a black market for die-hard purists, but from what we’ve seen, the next generation is worth the leap.
The Beauty Collective Verdict
So how do these three iconic base players compare to the originals? Our beauty collective weigh in:
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, £49 (Tested by Hello’s Office Coordinator and Beauty Collective Member Seni Crofts)
“While I’m too young to remember the launch of the original back in 2000, I’ve been a fan of the formula for a while now which the beauty team tell me is a staple on and off the red carpet. Lately I’ve been wearing more skin tints or tinted moisturisers than foundations so I was intrigued to give the re-vamped version a try. I opted for a slightly different shade to the one I normally go for thanks to the extended shade range and love how it goes on like an absolute dream. The formula is super lightweight – it’s designed to offer a ‘second skin’ feel and I really didn’t feel like I had anything on at all – but still gave me good coverage and is glowy without being too shiny. I even love the bottle (the lid is so satisfying to take on and off!) and the original frosted glass has been replaced by a clear, glossy version. If you love the ease of a skin tint but want a touch more coverage, it delivers, with more glide and longer wear than ever.”
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup, £31.60 (tested by Head of Beauty Cassie Steer)
“I’m old enough to remember when Double Wear first burst onto the beauty scene. Back then I was a cash-strapped twenty-something so Rimmel was more within my budget. But the moment I finally got my hands on Double Wear while working as a beauty assistant, it was love at first swipe. Over the years my makeup routine has evolved, and it only hit me at the re-launch a few months ago that I hadn’t worn Double Wear in ages. Full-coverage foundations are more of a ‘going out’ option these days and going out has become something of a novelty. Skin tints are now my daily go-to because they feel more flattering on my skin now that I’m in my late forties, so I was curious to see how the revamped formula would perform. I was pleasantly surprised. For me, there’s simply more to love; more skin-caring ingredients, more buildability, and a little extra playtime before it sets meaning you don’t have to buff it in immediately. Plus, it now offers up to 36 hours of oil control. Since my current makeup philosophy is all about letting skin look like skin, one layer was more than enough for me and I loved the customisable coverage but long-time fans of the original full-coverage finish may find they need an extra layer or two to achieve that same impact. Some loyalists might find the transition a little tricky, but for me, it has genuinely earned a place in my everyday makeup routine.”
By Terry Brightening CC Serum, £62 (tested by Deputy Beauty Editor Melanie Macleod)
“The beauty of By Terry’s Brightening CC Serum has always lain with its versatility. It’s a skincare-makeup hybrid that can be used as primer, mixed with your foundation or applied solo – which is how I like to wear it.
The creamy formula is loved for its colour correction powers, treating discolouration rather than simply disguising it – and the new formula works harder than ever in this department, with a blend of vitamins C, E, B3 and B5 to strengthen the skin barrier and fade dark spots. I’ve only been using it for a few weeks, so can’t comment on the long-term benefits, but it instantly peps up my skin for a polished look when I apply it.
It has a rose scent (not a subtle one, it’s an instantly noticeable fragrance), thanks to the addition of Japanese Rose Extract with Tea Rose Extract in the new formula, which promise to support collagen synthesis and ease inflammation.
While it has a more pearlescent look than I’d normally go for (I prefer something almost indetectable, such as Merit’s The Minimalist), I do feel glamorous when I wear this, and my blusher (Morphe’s Cheek Thrills, if you’re wondering) really pops when applied on top of the pearly base.”
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