Wuthering Heights hit cinemas last Friday and is currently taking the world by storm, and we all seem to be obsessed with Margot Robbie’s effortless, youthful look. Instead of glass skin and high-glam precision, a softer, moodier aesthetic is emerging and set to be the biggest beauty trend of 2026.
Beauty insiders are calling it ‘windswept romance’, a look defined by flushed cheeks, diffused texture, and an almost elemental, just effortlessly stepped in from the moors look.
Search data is already signalling the shift. Over the past 7 days, Google searches for “Margot Robbie style” have surged by +830%, alongside a +240% rise in “simple makeup” and a +190% increase in “flushed blush”*, pointing to a growing appetite for understated beauty rather than highly constructed looks.
With the simple make-up trend growing in popularity, Cult Beauty’s in-house beauty expert Rina Teslica reveals how to recreate the ‘windswept romance’ look.
“We’re seeing a move towards soft, romantic, almost undone beauty,” she explains. “Think naturally flushed skin, blurred edges and real texture. It’s less about looking polished and more about looking lived-in as if the elements themselves have shaped the makeup. That rawness is what makes it feel modern.”
The look has been further propelled by Margot Robbie’s on-screen aesthetic, created by renowned makeup artist Pati Dubroff, who described the complexion as “windswept”, with blush deliberately taking centre stage to replicate the kind of rosy flush usually earned from cold air rather than just makeup.
Soft, flushed skin
The key to this look is fresh, glowing skin paired with a natural flush, with the focus placed firmly on skincare-led preparation and lightweight complexion products that allow real skin to show through. Begin with deeply hydrating skincare to create a radiant base, then opt for a sheer skin tint instead of a full coverage foundation, so natural texture remains visible.
Reintroduce subtle dimension using a neutral contour rather than heavy bronzer, and finish with only a light dusting of powder using a fluffy brush to soften shine while maintaining luminosity.
Example products include:
MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Colour Crayon
Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Foundation
Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
Brontë blush
Placement is essential to achieving that windswept, romantic colour. Apply a cream blush to the fullest part of the cheek and gently diffuse it outward so the flush appears to rise naturally to the skin.
Choose tones close to your own natural colouring, then softly layer a brighter pink with a deeper raspberry shade to build depth while keeping the finish airy.
Blend the edges with a clean brush, add a whisper of loose powder to set without dulling, and tap a pink-toned cream highlighter onto the high points of the cheeks before finishing with a fine mist of setting spray to melt everything seamlessly together.
Example products:
Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm
Gucci Beauty Glow Powder Blush
Saie SuperSuede Radiant Blush Powder
Diffused, barely there eyes
Eyes are subtly sculpted rather than obviously defined, with the aim of gently contouring the shape of the eye to add depth without visible makeup.
Keep brows soft and natural with just enough pencil to enhance their shape, then use the same contour shade from the complexion to lightly define the crease and lash line for cohesion.
Add a sheer wash of nude across the centre of the lid, blend a touch beneath the lower lashes to mimic a natural shadow, and complete the look with a single coat of mascara on the top and bottom lashes for delicate, hazy definition.
Example products:
Charlotte Tilbury The Super Nudes Duo Liner
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow Shimmer & RoseGlow
Luscious, kissable lips
Lips should feel plush and softly blurred rather than sharply outlined.
Choose a liner close to the natural lip tone and sketch the shape before blending it inward with fingers to avoid harsh edges.
Apply a matte lipstick to build a velvety base, then layer a slightly warmer gloss on top to create dimension and softness so the lips appear inviting and effortless rather than overly drawn.
Example products:
Westman Atelier Lip Suede Matte Lipstick
Charlotte Tilbury Look Of Love K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick – Nude Romance
Gucci Beauty Rouge a Levres Voile Sheer Lipstick
Undone romantic hair
The aesthetic extends beyond makeup into hair that feels effortless, touchable and slightly windswept. Work with natural texture by using heat styling sparingly and focusing on enhancing movement rather than creating structure. Think loose waves and soft texture, finishing with a texturising spray or lightweight oil to add separation, softness and a lived-in feel.
Example products:
Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray
