5 Beauty Trends That Defined New York Fashion Week FW25
From watercolor-washed eyes to “woke up like this” hair.
When New York Fashion Week hits, we’re always inspired to refresh our wardrobes. But, this year, it’s the beauty looks that made us want to dig into our stashes of products to mirror what’s happening on the runway. Makeup, hair and nails are the paramount creative touch that add an extra layer of artistry and awe to the catwalk. From the ethereal watercolor eyes at Sandy Liang to the space-like lips at Christopher John Rogers, Fall/Winter 2025‘s beauty looks showcased a spirit of individuality and self-expression.
Below are some of the key beauty trends that we think will continue to show up all season long.
Watercolor-Washed Eyes
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Could a pop of baby blue be in your future? At Sandy Liang’s show, Fara Homidi and her team applied shades of pastels to the models’ eyes, reflecting the designer’s collection palette. At Tory Burch, a similar makeup style elevated the clothing, with washes of light indigo painted onto faces. For The Blonds, showgirl glamour felt right to pair with the brand’s over-the-top rhinestone masterpieces, with eyelids adorned in faint flamingo-pink hues that were flared out to perfection.
Rubber Lips
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The glittery lip trend shows no signs of fading anytime soon, especially after what we saw at Christopher John Rogers. Models wore sparkling glosses in a range of shades evoking the beauty of the night sky. With brands like Isamaya Beauty and Huda Beauty continuing to roll out products that make this dazzling look possible, we’re clearly in for more glitz and glam ahead. At Gabe Gordon, Half Magic Beauty crafted a lip so shiny it looked just like rubber. Sandy Liang’s concealer lips returned this season, but this time around, the added element of gloss created lips that gleamed so bright, that they mirrored plastic.
“Woke Up Like This” Hair
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Hair that just doesn’t care took center stage at both Vettese and Sandy Liang’s shows. Loose, tousled waves and soft, natural textures created a look that was both relaxed and refined — as if the models had just stepped out of bed. At Sandy Liang, a built-in headband mark added an extra touch of cool, giving the appearance of someone after a long day at the office. It seems that this season, sometimes, less really is more. To add to the “IDGAF” energy, runway goers at Fforme wore literal leaves as bangs, giving off a careful, nature-inspired vibe that felt as though a park frolic was on the agenda.
Museum-Worthy Eyeshadow
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At both Collina Strada and Christian Siriano, makeup artists turned eyelids into canvases, showcasing everything from animal prints to racing cars and beyond. Each look was a work of art, pushing the boundaries of traditional makeup to draw literal interpretations of the themes in each collection. For Thom Browne‘s National Audubon Society-inspired show, Isamaya Ffrench adorned the lashes of models with bright feathers, creating a contrast against the sleek, tailored looks from the designer — talk about drama and surrealism.
’90s Forever
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While the makeup trends of this decade continue to influence beauty today, it’s clear that ’90s beauty references are going nowhere fast. Known for defining the “it girl” look at Kim Shui, MAC’s Romero Jennings sculpted and shaped models with cool-toned eyes and ultra-matte lips, bringing this iconic aesthetic back to life. At Luar, underground club drag inspired the exaggerated eyeshadow that was supposed to feel like it was done in a rush. For Elena Velez, goth influences made a strong statement, with smudged eyeliner and deep, dark lips that felt straight out of your favorite rom-com.
While you’re here, check out our favorite beauty moments from New York Fashion Week.
