From New York to Paris and up to Moscow, the Spring/Summer 2026 fashion weeks were bursting with fresh beauty ideas — bold, subtle, playful, and expressive all at once.
It’s been about two weeks since Paris Fashion Week SS26 wrapped up, but just because the runways have gone dark doesn’t mean the fun is over. We’ve already explored the fashion trends, but today, it’s all about beauty trends. As certified beauty enthusiasts, it’s only right that we catch up on the trends that ruled the season — and what better way to do that than by revisiting our favourite shows from the runway?. Keep reading for the trends that caught our eye, plus tips on how to incorporate them into your own beauty routine.
New York Fashion Week SS26
New York kicked off the season with a vibrant invitation to play — lashes that flutter like feathers, cheeks warmed by the sun, makeup that looks like no makeup at all, and colour on the eyes in all the unexpected places.
Feathered lashes
Feathered lashes made their way to the runways for a couple of shows. At Harris Reed, the lashes were clustered and fanned out on the upper and lower lids by Sofia Tilbury, creating a dramatic yet romantic look. Similarly, over at Guvanch, makeup by Kauv Onazh, the feathered effect was very eye-catching, with wispy extensions on the outer corners that elongated the eyes and paired perfectly with minimal skin for a bold look.
How to wear it: To achieve a wing-like effect, add lash extensions to the outer corners of your upper and lower lashes, then sweep on mascara for a look that soars.
Sun-kissed blush
NYFW nailed the sun-kissed blush with warm, rosy placements high on the cheeks for that healthy, flushed look. Ralph Lauren kept it classic with peachy tones dusted across the cheekbones. Michael Kors threw in a toasty brown blush angle soft enough for you to see it, light enough for you to wonder if it was really there. Additionally, Kim Shui went bold, with the orange blush, as well to enunciate the outfits in the best possible way.
How to wear it: Choose a blush in a warm peach-to-bronze tone. Tap it high on the cheekbones, along the temples, and just a bit on the bridge of the nose for that glow. Blend with your fingers for that soft warmth.
“No makeup” makeup look
The clean girl aesthetic remains a defining trend on the runway At shows like Coach the skin was soft, the makeup very subtle, and the feel fresh. Aknvas led with super minimal bases, just a hint of concealer and highlighter to let the natural texture shine through. However, Loewe took it to an artistic level, letting sheer coverage transform the models’ faces into canvases for their sculptural, quirky designs.
How to wear it: Use a lightweight tinted moisturiser or sheer foundation. Keep eyes simple (maybe just a touch of neutral shadow or nude liner), groom brows naturally, and finish with a sheer lip balm. The key is to keep things ultra-light, leaving people wondering, ‘Does she even have makeup on?
Coloured eyeshadow
Rather than stick to simplicity, runway brands embraced playful, coloured eyelids. At Anna Sui, for example, Pat McGrath’s makeup created a dreamy, almost Bohemian effect with ombré violet fading into ocean-blue shadows. Private Policy, as well, chose icy pastel blue on the lids, keeping it cool and edgy to match their urban designs.
How to wear it: Choose the loudest shade you can find and apply it across the lid. Keep the rest of the face fairly neutral, so the eyes have all the attention.
Paris Fashion Week SS26
In Paris, beauty went big. Lips hit maximalist levels, liner wings got darker, lashes took on colour, and hair slicked back for impact.
Bold lip colours
At Tom Ford, the lips took centre stage — glossy, lacquered and vivid. Makeup artist Lucy Bridge layered custom shades (red, orange brown) and finished with a high-shine gloss. Chloé went for bubblegum pinks by Yadim Carranza, giving a fun, feminine touch. On the otherhand, August Barron played with lip colour, showcasing pastel shades that made a statement.
How to wear it: After your base is done, choose a bold lipstick shade. Use a lip liner to define, then apply the lipstick, and top with lip gloss for that runway sheen or leave as is for a natural matte finish.
Dark winged eyeliner
The winged liner is back — and I’m loving every second of it. Vivienne Westwood went classic with bold, natural wings, while Martieres Fécales took it up a notch with deeper, extended lines that defined the face, often paired with white-painted skin for that sharp, artistic finish.
How to wear it: Use a black liquid or gel liner. Start thin near the inner eye, build outward into a sharp wing, and extend slightly along the lower lash line for drama.
Coloured lashes
If you thought dyed eyebrows were cool, wait till you see coloured lashes. Ottolinger featured fuchsia lashes by Isamaya Ffrench, adding a bold, futuristic edge to their looks. THOM BROWNE makeup also by Isamaya French featured different colour-tinted flutters on feathery extensions, even having bedazzled bespoke eyelashes painted chrome and glittered, creating an alien-inspired whimsy that tied into his extraterrestrial theme—playful and out-of-this-world.
How to wear it: Use a coloured mascara instead of black and apply as usual.
Slick-back hair
Slick-back hair was the go-to for that clean, powerful silhouette, keeping focus on the face and clothes. Chloé slicked it close with gel for a wet-look shine, enhancing the romantic dresses. Sacai , ZIMMERMANN and Coperni had the slick back finish that gave the models a strong, polished canvas for the makeup to shine.
How to wear it: Comb hair back from your face, smooth with a lightweight gel or cream, and finish with a low ponytail or sleek bun.
Smokey eye
Personally, a smokey eye is the universal hot-girl code — dark, smudged, and just the right amount of messy. It made major appearances with fashion brands like Nina Ricci, Victoria Beckham and Céline, serving that moody, magnetic gaze we can’t resist.
How to wear it: Choose a deep charcoal or brown shadow, blend across the eyelid and slightly into the crease. Add a touch of highlighter under the brow bone and finish with mascara.
Moscow Fashion Week SS26
Heading east, the Moscow show-stops leaned into bold and soft pieces alike.
90s looks
Very rare, but a few brands tapped into the ‘90s and ‘70s with their hair looks. At Boyari, models wore the era’s blowouts and deep lipstick, while Alena Cojocaru went high with a sculpted updo that highlighted retro feelings.
How to wear it: Keep things clean and glossy — a fresh blowout with a deep side part or soft waves for that effortless ‘90s bounce. Pair with dewy skin, nude lips, and a touch of shimmer on the lids.
Baby pink blush
Baby pink blush brought a delicate feel, with just a sliver of colour. 404 NOT FOUND used it high on cheeks for a doll-like innocence, contrasting bold outfits. Hatsibana blended it softly for a sentimental touch, while Sasha Barbakov kept it minimal for a youthful, everyday glow — adorable and effortless to wear.
How to wear it: Pick a soft baby-pink blush. Use a brush to apply to the apples of your cheeks, then sweep upward toward the hairline.
Black lips
Black lips were the ultimate statement for several looks. Les Noms had black lipsticks to pair with their dystopian aesthetic, while Alexander Arutyunov paired the black lips with bold, easy-to-wear outfits.
How to wear it: Define your lips with a black liner, fill in with matte black lipstick, and finish with gloss if desired.
Messy hair
Many intentionally messy hairdos appeared on the runway, yet the brands executing them knew precisely how to make the look work. Alexander Arutyunov had tousled hair that perfectly matched the bright designs, while Alena Akhmadullin went with a softer, romantic feel that made “bedhead” feel natural.
How to wear it: After washing your hair, apply a texturising spray or sea-salt mist. Rough-dry the hair and either leave it down or tie it into a bun
From runway to real life
Spring/Summer 2026 gave us beauty with real personality — from fluttering, feathered lashes to sleek, polished hair, from baby-pink blush to daring black lips. Whether you favour a soft, sun-kissed glow or a bold, dramatic edge, this season offered endless inspiration.
The best part? You don’t have to wait until next season to join in. These looks weren’t made to live only on runways — they’re meant to be reimagined. With a few tricks and creativity, you can recreate the spirit of SS26 right at your vanity.
Beauty this season was about expression, so play, experiment, and let your makeup speak for you. The trends may have started on the runway, but the fun truly begins when you make them your own.
