New York Fashion Week (NYFW) Fall/Winter 2025 was not only a celebration of fashion but also a stunning showcase of beauty trends that ranged from dramatic to minimal. This season, designers and makeup artists pushed boundaries, offering looks that mixed nostalgia with innovation, making for a captivating visual experience.
From towering ponytails and futuristic pouts to smoky eyes and vintage bouffants, NYFW’s beauty trends highlighted a blend of bold contrasts—vibrant yet subtle, vintage yet modern, ethereal yet edgy. Here’s a look at the most talked-about beauty trends straight from the runway:
Sky-High Ponytails
Christian Cowan’s collection brought the power pony back with a bold twist, elevating the style to new heights. Models strutted down the runway with voluminous, sculpted ponytails that exuded confidence and glamour. Strong-hold sprays and thickening products helped achieve the larger-than-life effect, signaling that this season is all about embracing big, dramatic hair.
Sleek One-Sided Bangs
Christopher John Rogers introduced a contemporary take on ‘90s minimalism with sleek, asymmetrical bangs. This modern update on the classic side-swept look featured glossy, smooth hair with a futuristic edge. Hairstylist Sonny Molina used natural hair mixed with seamless wig pieces, locking the look in place with Bumble and Bumble’s flexible-hold spray for an effortless yet polished finish.
Hyper-Glossed Rubber Lips
At Gabe Gordon’s show, lips took on a hyper-glossy, almost rubber-like appearance, taking shine to the next level. Models showcased ultra-reflective, high-shine pouts in deep berry and metallic silver tones, creating a striking, plasticized effect. This trend, inspired by the night sky, proves that metallic lips are poised to dominate the upcoming season.
Smoked-Out Gray Eyeshadow
The ‘90s are back in full force, and nowhere is that more evident than in the return of smoky eyes—this time, with a cool-toned gray palette. At Kim Shui’s show, makeup artist Romero Jennings created sultry, sculpted lids, paired with matte lips for a sophisticated nod to the past. Meanwhile, Luar embraced the trend with exaggerated, rushed-on eyeshadow inspired by underground club culture, adding an edgy twist.
Vintage Bouffants
At Anna Sui, the elegance of Old Hollywood met modern-day glamour with oversized bouffants. Teased to perfection, these voluminous hairdos recalled the high-fashion looks of the ‘60s, offering a mix of vintage charm and contemporary flair. This bold style is perfect for those looking to infuse a little retro glam into their beauty repertoire.
Dramatic Winged Liner
The Blonds brought high-drama eye makeup to the runway with bold, graphic winged liner. Drawing inspiration from the glitz and glam of Vegas showgirls, the exaggerated black liner was accented with shimmering rhinestones, adding a theatrical flair to the look. This statement-making style reaffirms that the classic cat-eye will always remain a mainstay in high-fashion beauty.
Minimal Bare-Faced Look
On the other end of the spectrum, a minimalist, dewy look emerged as the go-to for fresh-faced beauty. With glossy lids, softly curled lashes, and a subtle hint of blush, this barely-there makeup style emphasized natural beauty. For those who prefer understated elegance, this effortless aesthetic offered a striking contrast to the more dramatic looks seen on the runway.
As the Fall/Winter 2025 season unfolds, these beauty trends show that the future of beauty is diverse—ranging from bold and edgy to soft and minimal—proving that no matter your style, NYFW has something to inspire every beauty lover.
Related Topics
