Top 5 Beauty Trends from Fashion Month Runways for Autumn/Winter 2026
As Fashion Month concluded in Paris, the spotlight shifted not only to the clothing collections but also to the beauty looks that defined the autumn/winter 2026 runways across New York, London, Milan, and Paris. From nostalgic Nineties-inspired makeup to sleek glass hair, these trends offer a glimpse into the beauty styles set to dominate the upcoming season. Here are the five standout beauty trends you should consider investing in now.
1. Nineties Eyes and Lips
The runways drew heavily from the Nineties for eye makeup inspiration, featuring pastel eyeshadows and grunge eyeliner. At the London show for Conner Ives, MAC's director of makeup artistry, Dominic Skinner, described the look as inspired by a vintage femme fatale, with dusty grey-blue and pink shadows on the lids, pencil-thin brows, and dusty pink matte lips. Meanwhile, Gucci embraced the grunge aesthetic of the decade, showcasing intense smoky eyes and nude-lined lips, reminiscent of the supermodel era, even featuring Nineties icon Kate Moss on the runway.
2. Smooth and Shiny Straight Hair
The prevailing hair trend this season was undoubtedly sleek, straight hair, often styled to appear almost glass-like in its shine. At Saint Laurent, models wore hair parted to the side and slicked into low buns, paired with smoky eyes and sculpted cheekbones that echoed Nineties minimalism. London-based designer Chet Lo showcased pin-straight glass hair at London Fashion Week, with lead stylist Anna Cofone noting it as a natural shift after seasons dominated by volume and texture. At Victoria Beckham, hair was similarly sleek, styled into neat side parts and low ponytails, with lead hair stylist Anthony Turner recommending leave-in anti-frizz creams for a smooth, nourished finish.
3. Peach and Coral Blush
Heavy blush, popularised by figures like Sabrina Carpenter and Hailey Bieber, saw a shift from mauve and pink tones to warmer peach, apricot, and coral hues with orange undertones. At Simone Rocha, makeup artist Thomas de Kluyver created a raw, flushed effect using lipstick instead of traditional blush, while at Erdem, Fara Homidi applied a light cranberry flush inspired by the collection's pink satins and red ribbons. At Annie's Ibiza, makeup artist Becky Moore blended two Nars blush shades for a deep berry-toned glow, keeping the rest of the complexion minimal.
4. The Classic Red Lip
While many designers paired bold smoky eyes with nude lips, others leaned into the classic red lip for dramatic effect. At Saint Laurent, smoky and nude eyes were complemented by a glossy, deep-red lip created by makeup artist Pat McGrath, referencing Helmut Newton's iconic campaigns. Jean Paul Gaultier featured heavy lined eyes with opaque, wet-look lips for striking contrast. Unlike previous seasons, red lips appeared in a glossy finish rather than matte, also seen on runways at Tom Ford, Lanvin, and Dolce & Gabbana, proving its timeless appeal.
5. Doll Makeup
An unexpected trend this season was the return of doll-inspired beauty, with porcelain skin and softly exaggerated features giving models an almost ethereal finish. At Dreaming Eli, skin was kept pale and flawless, while Vivienne Westwood featured doll-like lips paired with theatrical looks. Designers such as Chopova Lowena and Bora Aksu also embraced pale complexions and delicate features, creating a romantic yet surreal aesthetic that echoed the fantasy and theatricality of the fashion on display.
