New York Fashion Week beauty usually goes one of two ways: either the makeup is so simple it looks like they barely have anything on, or the looks are highly conceptual. For years, the former has been ruling the runways, but this season we’re seeing a return to artistry. I know editorial looks can sometimes feel like they were specifically designed not to be attempted at home, but don’t believe the hype. Even looks that seem too audacious for real life can be translated into more wearable versions. This season, I was so happy to see more designers turn up the volume with the beauty. These three looks brought the drama – and before you start doubting yourself, you can absolutely incorporate elements of them into your daily routine.
RENÈE New York: Go Bold With Color
The first show we’ll get into is RENÈE New York, and I’m slightly biased because I created the beauty (wink!). Although I’m giving myself a shameless plug, the looks definitely ATE. Barbicide inspired the collection – yes, the bright blue disinfectant you see at salons and barbershops. The designer played with vivid color, inspired by the playful idea of what someone might see if they accidentally ingested the vibrant substance (but please don’t!). The result was bold, colorful makeup and a love letter to Black women as beauty trendsetters. This is one of the shows I am most proud of!
For the eyes, I wanted the yellow to really show up. Yellow needs to be super opaque on brown skin, so I started with yellow cream from my flash palette, then layered yellow eyeshadow over it to intensify the color. I repeated the technique along the waterline to create the illusion of yellow eyeliner. On the outer corners, I buffed a royal blue shadow into a wing, giving me contrast without making it look like a rainbow threw up. I finished the eyes with Ardell 424 lashes.
I wanted to bring in the blue shade somewhere else on the face so it didn’t feel random. I chose the lips, using a blue eyeshadow crayon as lip liner, and smudged it until it looked slightly faded. I wanted to make the ’90s lip liner trend look softer and more modern. I completed the lip look with a sheer gold lipstick in the center.
If this feels intimidating to wear all at once, pick one element and incorporate it into your beauty routine. Whether it’s the pop of color on the lid, neon eyeliner, or smudged-out lip liner. Have fun with it!
Christian Siriano: Crimping Is Back
Yes, 80s crimped hair is back, but Lacy Redway’s version at Christian Siriano was far from the crunchy crimps of decades past. It was elevated, shinier, and more intentional. I especially loved the spacing between the crimps, so you could see the texture detail and the luminous glass hair in between.
The hair was prepped with TRESemmé A-List Collection All-In-One Style Primer and Extra Hold Mousse before being blown smooth. Redway selectively added hairspray before crimping, then brushed Bonding Oil through the finished hair for a glossy effect that complemented Siriano’s ethereal collection.
If you want to give this, look a shot yourself, don’t just crimp your entire head and call it a day. That’s a recipe for Twisted Sister hair! Keep the hair sleek, choose the crimping sections strategically, and finish with a lightweight oil or serum.
Lashes Kim Shui: Lashes on Lashes
Kim Shui clearly did not get the memo about soft glam… thank God. Instead, she decided to see how strong her models’ eyelids were.
MAC Global Director of Makeup Romero Jennings stacked false lashes in varying sizes, with the longest pieces dramatically sweeping toward the hairline. MAC Kajal Excess Smoky Eyeliner in Pitch intensified the lash line and made the whole thing even more dramatic.
You don’t have to take your lashes all the way to your temple to try this trend. Try stacking two different lash styles (subtle or dramatic), concentrating the longest pieces toward the outer corners. Black liner along the lash line helps disguise the bands and makes it nobody’s business that you’re wearing falsies.
Even though these looks may seem highly editorial, you can easily translate them into something more wearable. You don’t have to recreate the entire look as is – just borrowing one element, whether it’s bright color, unexpected texture, or stacking lashes, can be enough to level up your beauty game completely.
XOXO,
Your Beauty Bestie
