Makeup trends of NYFW: Beauty is in the eye of the designer

Although the main focus of any fashion week is always the actual fashion, we sometimes forget all of the other essential components that make designers’ collections come to life. Fashion is not simply a garment. A designer’s entire vision does not come to life by simply showing a collection of clothes. Fashion, past its shallow functionality of providing comfort, warmth, or any other form of physical fulfillment, is an experience. There is an entire story and purpose behind a designer’s vision. Every single thing that you see while watching that model walk down the runway, was a conscious decision made as a form of expression. Far too often, we overlook the miniscule but vital details that can make us love a collection. 

Beauty is just as much a creative endeavor as the collection itself. Makeup or the lack of can completely change our perception of a look. With the fluctuation of the beauty industry and the evolution of products and trends, fashion and beauty continue to intermingle in new and exciting ways. Here are some of the best beauty moments from New York Fashion Week. 

Jewel Accents

Bold embellishments were the perfect touch for some designers in the place of traditional makeup. Makeup artist Sado Ito used minimal products, only three to be exact, on the models for Adeam. The bareness of the models’ faces served as the perfect canvas for the tiny pearl accents placed on the inner corners of their eyes. Nail artist Mei Kawajiri placed various size pearls onto freshly manicured nails painted with either a dreamy iridescent sheer pink or bright sapphire. 

Christian Siriano enlisted makeup artist Erin Parsons to create a glamorous Swarovski-crystal-studded look to perfectly complement his collection. “I wanted to make it look like a veil. Whenever I do stones I usually do them very organically — they almost feel like freckles or beauty marks,” she said. Hairstylist Justine Marjan wove silver chains throughout low slung ponytails to add some extra shine. 

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At Area’s show, hairstylist Jawara used crystal mesh headpieces to place over slick ponytails. Models sporting Bantu knots and braids had strands of sparkly stones woven through their hair. 

Monochromatic Magic 

Makeup artist James Kaliardo used the ’70s as inspiration for his monochromatic looks at Rodarte. Fuchsias, pinks, and reds served as the base for models’ lids and lips while a color matching glitter was pressed on top. 

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Cushnie opted for a more subdued but just as mesmerizing monochrome palette. Makeup artist Grace Lee swiped two colors of Maybelline’s Made for All Lipstick, Mauve for Me and Spice for Me, on lids, lips, and cheeks. The terra-cotta colors were accented with a simple black winged liner. 

Nice and neon

Chromat’s palette was bold and bright with their neon swimsuits being sent down the runway with eyeshadows that were just as electric. “I like to think of the look as almost an extension of the suits, so you see straps of neons, lines, and bright colors on the face,” explained lead makeup artist Fatima Thomas. Warm and cool tones were alternated, dependent on the colors of the models’ swimsuits. 

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Carolina Herrera also sent shocks of color down the runway in bright pinks, oranges, and blues. The colors were all the more vivid with the minimal makeup comprised of only sheer foundation and highlighter. “It should feel very unlabored,” explained makeup artist Romy Soleimani. “Which requires you to have restraint and not try to make a perfect shape. That’s how you get that minimal, shocking, how’d-that-happen effect.”

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