Fashion Month Put 9 Major Beauty Trends in Motion for 2026 Leave a comment
Fashion month has officially wrapped. From New York to London, Paris, and Milan, it was a four-week whirlwind of long days, late nights, and hurrying from one show to the next. We were there and reporting on it all—from the A-list attendees to the backstage hubbub and otherworldly collections.
Now, it’s time to talk about the biggest beauty moments that came out of it because editors know that fashion month doesn’t predict the following fall and winter’s biggest beauty trends; it directly dictates them. In fact, fashion month is essentially a crystal ball, delivering spot-on insight into the hair and makeup looks that will soon dominate IG and TikTok. This year? Expect dreamy and dramatic looks, ranging from rich oxblood-colored lips to romantic windswept hair, blooming pink blush, and stony gray eye shadow. Yep, based on fashion month, we can tell it’s going to be a major year for beauty, and we can’t wait. Ahead, see the nine major hair and makeup trends we spotted during fashion month.
Oxblood Lips
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
Sorry, but sheer tints, clear glosses, and other minimalist lip products might be falling by the wayside. (Don’t shoot the messenger!) If fashion month taught us anything, it’s that the “clean girl” aesthetic is gathering dust, and the stylish crowd is embracing a darker, more dramatic take on makeup. It all starts with lipstick.
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Oxblood lipstick reigned on high-fashion runways, including at Elie Saab, Carven, and Saint Laurent, to name a few. The finish doesn’t matter—choose a velvety matte one or a high-shine vinyl effect—it all comes down to the color. Oxblood is a rich red with brown and purple undertones (think burgundy or maroon). In low light, it verges on black, resembling the color of dried blood (hence the name). It’s moody, mysterious, and bold. And undeniably cool.
Shop the Trend:
Westman Atelier
Lip Suede Hydrating Matte Lipstick – Lou Lou
Hourglass
Unlocked Soft Matte Lipstick – Currant 362
Sephora Collection
Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick – Plum Madness
Windswept Strands
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
Blame it on Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights, but it seems like designers aren’t ready to resist the thralls of the windswept Yorkshire moors… at least not yet. Last year’s most popular high-fashion hairstyles (namely the slicked-back bun and wet-look hairstyle) seem to have fallen out of favor for softer, more romantic, and less done ‘dos.
Windswept hair was particularly popular on the Italian runways. Giorgio Armani, Fendi, and Missoni all embraced the effortless look, whether it was an undone low ponytail or the internet-favorite “Olsen tuck.” The latter refers to keeping hair tucked into a sweater, jacket, or scarf à la Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Regardless, this is your sign to let your natural texture shine.
Shop the Trend:
JVN
Complete Hydrating Air Dry Cream
Crown Affair
The Smoothing Air Dry Cream
Dae
Fairy Blaster Dry Texturizing Spray
Inky Accents
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
The most experimental, editorial, and, at times, edgy makeup trend to come out of fashion month was what we’re coining “inky accents.” These were small, yet impactful details that designers like Harris Reed, Toga, Proenza Schouler, and Dries Van Noten incorporated into their shows and presentations. Think a thick pen stroke of onyx eyeliner edging up toward the hairline, smudgy and ink-blotted eyelashes, or a sharp, calligraphy-inspired stroke of black running through the arch of the eyebrow. Unexpected? Yes. Inexplicably chic? Absolutely.
Shop the Trend:
House of Lashes
Cruelty-Free Faux Mink Volumizing Eyelashes
Armani Beauty
Eye Tint Long-Lasting Liquid Eyeshadow
Make Up For Ever
Aqua Resist Color Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner
Petal-Pink Blush
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
Fall and winter are synonymous with deep, bold shades of blush—I’m looking at you, berry! This year, though, the fashion set will be swapping it out for cool-toned pink colors à la TWP, Missoni, Ralph Lauren, Kim Shui, and LoveShackFancy. Whether you opt for a pretty bloom of powder (like at TWP) or a high-impact, metallic one (like at Kim Shui), you’ll be right on trend.
Shop the Trend:
Patrick Ta
Major Headlines Blush Duo
Glossier
Cloud Paint Plush Blush – Puff
Toasted Eye Shadow
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
The high-fashion crowd cosigned brown, toasted eye shadow as a top trend for fall/winter 2026. It manifested as a warm, clay-colored shade seen at Missoni, chocolate-colored lids at Erdem, and whiskey-washed ones at Rabanne. Warm or cool toned? It doesn’t matter! Just do as the designers did and reach for any single pan of neutral-colored eye shadow that suits your preference. The good news is it’s a versatile trend that can suit every skin tone and match any outfit.
Shop the Trend:
Merit
Solo Shadow Cream Eyeshadow
Armani Beauty
Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow
Laura Mercier
Caviar Stick Cream Eyeshadow
Stony Gaze
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
Cool, blue-gray tones were also a hot-ticket trend. Connor Ives, Richard Quinn, and Tolu Coker sent models out wearing a single-color wash of shadow. Pack on the pigment and blend it all the way up to the brow per Connor Ives or smoke out a small amount along the lash line per Richard Quinn. Whether bold or subtle, the message is clear: Cool blue-gray is the ultra-chic color trend coming for 2026.
Shop the Trend:
Haze
Haze Mini Eyeshadow Palette
Makeup By Mario
Master Mattes® Cream Eyeshadow
Sheglam
Stone Cold Eyeshadow Palette
Pops of Vermillion
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
Fashion month’s focus on the quintessential dark, rich, and neutral tones of fall and winter was interrupted by loud pops of vermillion. Whether it was Kim Shui’s talon-like nails, Proenza Schouler’s purposely askew smear of red lipstick, or Michael Kors‘s and Jil Sander’s sculpted versions, the fiery red shade was seen again and again.
Shop the Trend:
Pat McGrath Labs
Mattetrance Lipstick
The Return of Tightliner
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
We left the tightliner trend back in the mid-2000s… or so we thought. Designers like Tory Burch, Julien Macdonald, Dior, Ashlyn, and Christian Cowan brought it into the modern era with a bevy of high-definition eye looks. The trick, of course, is to find the right smudge, fade, and transfer-resistant formula that will remain undisturbed on the waterline. Waterproof gel formulas work best.
Shop the Trend:
Stila
Stay All Day Eye Liner
Laura Mercier
Caviar Tightline Eyeliner
Urban Decay
24/7 Waterline Eyeliner
IDGAF Eye Makeup
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
Last but certainly not least, we have to talk about a trend we’ve coined “IDGAF eye makeup.” It’s messy! It’s imperfect! It’s effortless! Givenchy, Gucci, and Prada all cosigned the smudgy, slept-in vibe. You *want* to look like you stayed out too late catching a DJ set and now you’re heading straight to brunch with a hangover. You *want* to look like you don’t have a makeup brush in sight. You *want* to look like you don’t care that your eye shadow is smudging and creasing. It’s a bold and defiant reproach of precision and perfect blending.
Shop the Trend:
Sephora Collection
Colorful Eyeshadow – Black Lace
Nars
Total Seduction Eyeshadow Stick
YSL Beauty
Lash Latex Sculpting Mascara
