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At NYFW, experimental beauty interacts with the breathtaking looks that glide down the runways. If you thought the end of nostalgia was near, the spring/summer 2023 displays were a glaring indication that we're only getting started. Sergio Hudson and Tia Adeola paid homage to supermodels from the 1990s by emulating their volumized updos and seductive dark eyes. At Tom Ford and Batsheva, smoky lids were reimagined, while at Puppets & Puppets, butterfly decals took the place of the once-popular Euphoria face gems. Simply put, beauty is fun again! Ahead, the best makeup looks we spotted at NYFW.
Tia Adeola's signature eerie elegance was echoed in the beauty looks. The designer recruited makeup artist T.Cooper, who maintained the models' natural complexion with super soft glam to celebrate hyperpigmentation and scarring. Taking inspo from classic catwalks of the 90s and supermodels like Naomi Campbell, each model donned exaggerated eyeshadow or liner looks and lightly-lined lips, courtesy of Italian makeup brand Espressoh.
Espressoh Hi Liner, $20; espressoh.com
Kim Shui's collection masterfully created the perfect balance of strong and soft textures. Stila's global beauty director Charlie Riddle opted for understated glam to complement the dramatic, warrior-inspired looks, utilizing Stila's Heavenly Hue highlighter to emphasize the high points on the face and the Convertible Color Dual Lip and Cheek Cream for a wash of color throughout the face.
Stila Heaven's Hue Highlighter, $34.00; ulta.com
With Elizabeth Taylor and old Hollywood serving as the inspiration for Christian Siriano spring/summer 2023 beauty, Charlotte Tilbury brought this vision to life with the most recognizable marker of that era: red lips. Charlotte kept the skin natural, using her Contour Wand and Light Wand to sculpt and highlight, then added a pop of red with the Tell Laura Lipstick and a gloss for shine.
Hot Lips Tell Laura Lipstick, $34; charlottetilbury.com
The LaQuan Smith woman is sexy, self-assured, and occupied—being the main character is a difficult job! Characters for this season strutted down the catwalk with short, sleek ponytails and natural skin, accented with thick, under-the-eyebrow winged liner devised virtually by celebrity makeup artist Sheika Daley.
(similar) Kiko Milano Ultimate Pen Eyeliner, $13; ulta.com
Charlie Riddle, Stila's global beauty director, never passes up an opportunity to make skin gleam. This look, which Riddle called "Two 2 Tango," uses Stila's Heaven's Dew All Over Glimmer to build gorgeous, sparkling lids and cheeks. For a gritty edge to PatBo's dreamy party looks, the eyes were deepened using the Smudge Pot.
Stila Heaven's Dew All Over Glimmer, $28; stila.com
Nature's the first place Isamaya Ffrench looked to for beauty inspiration for Dion Lee's spring/summer 2023 show. Ffrench's translation included intricate graphic liner and insect-inspired printed eyes using the Industrial Colour Pigments palette.
Isamaya Ffrench Industrial Colour Pigments Eyeshadow Palette Regular, $115; isamaya.com
Hot. That's the only way to describe the looks from Sergio Hudson's show. Curls piled atop the head in Brigitte Bardot updos, smudgy-smokey winged eyes, and kissable lips were paired with the clothing collection inspired by Prince.
Stila Stay All Day Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner, $22; stila.com
Makeup artist Francelle Daly has been doing Euphoria makeup since before Zendaya was born. Batsheva's turquoise glitter lids were fun and sparkly. Daly's negative space line was created by drawing the shape with eyeliner, then filling it in with glitter and using Scotch tape to clean it all up.
Lovecraft Beauty Flash, $13; lovecraft-beauty.com
The smoky eye continues to thrive at Tom Ford. Yadim Carranza created a party girl, richly sable-toned eye look, that was “a little punk.” Draw a thick line of chocolate brown eyeliner (Tom Ford Emotionproof Eyeliner in Chocolate Brown) at the lash line, and then use a fluffy brush to diffuse – it will act as a base. Adding the eyeliner provides more grip, prevents creases, and adds a depth of color to powder eyeshadow.
Tom Ford Emotionproof Eyeliner, $50; nordstrom.com
Select lucky models at Tory Burch got silvery, studded eyelids designed by Diane Kendal. The secret is using two layers of glitter. First, a fine, almost pixie-like shine, followed by a coat of eyelash glue, and then pressing thicker particle glitter on top. “It’s more multidimensional this way,” she explained.
Mehron Makeup Metallic Powder Silver, $14; amazon.com
Appliqués, which can be anything from rhinestones to pressed flowers, can be a normal part of your going-out beauty look. Allow Puppets and Puppets to inspire you to migrate butterflies from your hair to your cheeks.
ElecMotive 72 Pcs 3D Butterfly Wall Decals, $10; amazon.com
The models at Altuzarra looked glowy and naturally flushed. Diane Kendal pressed Merit Flush Balm cream blush into the skin. She also added another layer of moisturizer above the cheekbones and into the temples, followed by highlighter (her backstage trick), to make the models look extra glossy, yet not sweaty.
Merit Flush Balm, $28; sephora.com