Fashion month helps us hit reset and get inspired for a new season of clothes—and those beauty elements that make the overall look pop, of course.
New York Fashion Week has kicked things off with emerging trends running the gamut from saccharine makeup—see the sweet blush at Phillip Lim and frosted lips at Sandy Liang—to face-framing hair statements like the baby bangs at Diotima or sculpted glitter S-waves at Christian Siriano. And then, of course, there are the beauty looks that hinged on the perennial appeal of fresh-looking skin like Ulla Johnson and Prabal Gurung.
To get inspired, see eight of the biggest beauty trends below, and check back at our evolving backstage report throughout fashion month.
Pretty in Pink
Who doesn’t love a dose of confectionary sweetness come fall? Sandy Liang was thinking pink this season, all the way down to the lips, where makeup artist Romy Soleimani blended Estée Lauder’s Pure Color Whipped Matte Lip Colors in Air Kiss and Social Whirl to craft a chalky pastel pink lip for a “subtle, futuristic edge.” Also walking the line between flirty and futuristic was the blush at Phillip Lim, where pro Fara Homidi gave each model a “subtle lavender halo around the eyes” using SHEGLAM’s Insta-Ready setting powder in the new shade Taro for a modern pop of color.
Whimsical Braids
This season at Ulla Johnson, hairstylist Joey George was inspired by the vivid paintings of American artist Lee Krasner, whose prints and patterns were featured in the collection. This translated to whimsical woven fishtail updos and geometric cornrow braids, the latter woven into place with the help of Oribe Rough Luxury Soft Molding Paste. The hairstyles were nothing short of mesmerizing, both backstage and as the models came down the runway.
Goth Glamour
Tapping into the dark side of spring, Wiederhoeft drew inspiration from the 1947 film Black Narcissus and served up full-tilt goth glamour: Glossy “slept-in” hair (courtesy of Oribe Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray) and “quiet grunge” eyes and lips designed by MAC makeup artist Sharryn Hinchliffe. A similar mood could be felt at Area, with its punk lips—painted on with MAC MACximal Silky Matte lipsticks in Antique Velvet and Caviar—and raked-back, lived-in lengths enhanced with TRESemmé Extra Hold Mousse.
Statement Hair
There’s no better way to accent the face than with details that attract the eye. At Christian Siriano, hairstylist Lacy Redway molded sculptural S-waves, mixing TRESemmé Mega Control Gel with large loose glitter for a touch of shimmer and shine along the hairline. Then, at Diotima, hairstylist Joey George wove side-swept, low-slung chignons topped off with baby bangs across all textures and colors, applying Oribe Gel Sérum Radiance, Magic, and Hold to the fringe for a wet-look finish.
Fresh, Sculpted Skin
Whether setting the stage for a full face or doing all the heavy lifting for a beauty look, skin care is an essential backstage—and this season was no exception. For Ulla Johnson’s bright-and-early show, makeup artist Romy Soleimani revived skin with a face massage using Sisley Paris Ginkgo Gua Sha before working Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream to create a plump and glowing base. At Prabal Gurung, glass skin was in. “We wanted the look to exude freshness and pureness,” says makeup artist Sil Bruinsma, who combined Peach and Lily’s Wild Dew Treatment Essence and Glass Skin Refining Serum for a deluge of hydration and light-catching shine.