All week on social media, our feeds have been full of throwbacks to 2016, a year defined by trends like the "mannequin challenge" and mom jeans. Reflecting on the biggest moments from a decade ago, our editors couldn't help but wonder: What trends will define 2026?
To give you the download on the biggest trends taking shape this year, commerce editor and producer Julie Ricevuto stopped by Studio 1A. With flurries in the forecast across the country, we're layering on cozy cashmere to keep us warm through winter. In the beauty department, there's a new nail tint out that delivers color and care with every coat. Plus, we tested out a viral hack to lower our screen time, giving us more time to focus on the "grandma hobbies" we've been enjoying in the new year.
Read on to shop all of these trends and more.
Trending products seen on TODAY
Quince is known for delivering luxury quality at consumer-friendly prices. These 100% cashmere sweaters, which won in our Gifts We Love awards, are a standout pick and are great for layering. Plus, they transition seamlessly through that in-between season before spring.
“I have seen this style of knot earrings in particular everywhere, so I bought them myself and I love them,” Ricevuto gushes. "In my experience, they don’t tarnish, they’re hypoallergenic, they’re easy to dress up or down, and they don’t feel heavy.”
This new launch is a multi-tasking lip treatment the brand claims can increase lip volume by up to two times. It's powered by a peptide complex in the formula that smooths lip lines and hyaluronic acid molecules in four different sizes to deeply hydrate chapped lips. Ricevuto notes that it tingles a bit as it works its plumping magic and also comes in clear if the tinted gloss shades aren't your style.
Ricevuto is calling it now: 2026 is the year of the natural nail. Ditch the expensive salon manicures and opt for these money-saving "nail tint" treatments you can do in minutes at home. They deliver sheer, buildable color with real nail care (think: keratin and vitamin C and E) built in, so they're good for your nails, too.
"I've interviewed a lot of dermatologists in my career and retinol is the one ingredient they all say they use in their own routines for anti-aging," Ricevuto says. "The retinol revive overnight body lotion is great if you want to minimize crepey skin along your elbows and knees, treat chest wrinkles or improve overall tone and texture... I use this every night before bed!"
Know someone — or are someone — who spends way too much time on their phone? Join the club... and consider trying out The Brick, a physical cube that blocks the time-sucking apps of your choosing temporarily when you tap your phone to it. Once you're ready to reengage with the apps you've blocked, simply tap your phone to it again and you'll regain access.
"I have mine on my fridge, and my husband and I will tap it when we get home from work so that we can be really present with each other," Ricevuto says. "But it’s great for families... you can have everyone Brick their phone during dinner or while your teen is doing homework. It has worked wonders to stop our producer from hours of doomscrolling and even helped her pick up hobbies like reading and crafting, since social media is off limits!"
The best part? We have an exclusive discount code for 20% off (making The Brick under $50!) when you use the code: TODAY
More trending products for 2026
A winner in our Beauty Awards last year, this sheet mask remains super popular among beauty aficionados. It transforms to transparent as the ingredients sink into your skin, helping you know when it's time to take it off and admire your skin's new healthy glow.
Flu season is in full swing. This smartly-formulated sanitizer-meets-serum keeps germs at bay without drying your hands out. Speaking from personal experience, it also smells amazing!
We're seeing this type of triangle-shaped scarf trending among fashion people (and anyone just trying to stay warm this season). It looks so chic draped over your shoulders, tied around your neck or wrapped over your head.
This ultra-slim rechargeable hand warmer is lightweight (according to the brand, lighter than a lipstick!) and smaller than your palm — but still powerful enough to heat up to 125 degrees quickly to help keep you warm. Whether you're commuting or going skiing, this hand warmer will easily become your new favorite purchase.
"I own this and am obsessed with it," gushes associate editor Erica Marrison. "I don't like that with the original Octobuddy it's on your phone at all times. With this one, I can keep it in my bag and only have it on my phone when needed."
"Instant coffee has a bad reputation but it’s come a long way in the last few years, with brands like Blue Bottle making high-quality versions," reports senior partnerships editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil. "I keep some at my desk so that I can whip up a quick cup of coffee in a pinch. All you have to do is add hot water for a surprisingly delicious cup of joe. It also comes in single-serve packets that are great for travel."
"This new launch has changed my hair, and once I shared it with my coworker, she loved it too," Ricevuto says, noting the impressive results associate editor Shannon Garlin saw from her first use of the leave-in treatment. "It makes my hair super shiny and frizz-free with just a few spritzes!"
This newly-launched crossbody bag is the perfect size for workouts, quick errands, walking the dog and more. We've seen crescent-shaped styles with adjustable straps like this trending for a couple years now and can't get over how deceptively spacious and versatile they are.
With a 4.5-star rating from more than 8,000 reviews, these Halara leggings landed on our radar this month. Per the brand, they're beloved by customers for their tummy control, shaping fit, comfortable fabric and most notably, their "butt-lifting" feature.
"With this screen-free fitness tracker, you don’t need an expensive subscription to coincide with it," says Garlin. Compared to other options on the market, she thinks it's "a more affordable way to track your new year fitness goals."
"While this watch is pricey, I wear it every day," swears Ricevuto. "It’s elegant but still classic, so you can dress it up or down."
Consider this your perfect everyday shoe. Made with premium water-resistant leather, a cushioned midsole for comfort and a durable outsole, they're perfect for all weather conditions while still being stylish enough to pair with your favorite outfit.
Ricevuto is a big fan of using red light for skin care, and recently started using this showerhead filter for an all-over boost. Worried about whether the distance minimizes efficacy? A representative from the brand says that distance does matter, but they figured out how to make it work: "Each HigherDOSE red light product is engineered differently depending on its intended use. The Red Light Showerhead Filter delivers 200 mW/cm² [for comparison, the red light mask uses only 50 mW/cm²], a higher level of irradiance that is designed to work effectively from a distance, allowing it to provide short, whole-body exposure for mitochondrial support while you shower." This makes it ideal for supporting circulation, improving mood and achieving that all-over glow.
Meet the experts
Our team features a range of qualified experts and contributors in our broadcast segments to reveal the latest in trends, remarkable sale events and all things shopping across a variety of categories. Products were independently chosen by members of the Shop TODAY team along with Julie Ricevuto.
- Julie Ricevuto is a commerce editor and producer and on-air expert at Shop TODAY. She has over a decade of experience covering everything from beauty to health and wellness content.
- Shop TODAY is a team of shopping editors and writers who spend hours every day finding the best new products, tried-and-true favorites and more that are worth shopping, according to our high standards.
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How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
