NYFW Said: More Is More
New York Fashion Week didn’t whisper when it came to beauty. It blinked, it smudged, it teased, it parted dramatically to the side. From rebellious liner to theatrical hair, this month’s runways felt expressive, slightly chaotic in the best way, and very anti-clean-girl. Here’s what actually stuck.
Bottom eyeliner is back: Designers like Proenza Schouler (Rachel Scott’s debut), Pamella Roland, Christian Cowan, Tory Burch, ASHLYN, and Sergio Hudson all leaned into under-eye definition. The effect ranged from soft and smoky to sharp and graphic, but the message was clear: We’re done pretending the lower lash line doesn’t exist. It adds instant attitude and makes even bare skin feel intentional. Expect a resurgence of kohl pencils living at the bottom of every makeup bag again.
Loud hair is the main character: If “quiet luxury hair” was sleek buns and barely-there waves, consider this its rebellious cousin. At Alice + Olivia, we saw fluffy, exaggerated braids. Anna Sui gave us half-up, half-down beehives with serious height. Cult Gaia leaned into romantic braided halos. Volume, texture, silhouette. Hair wasn’t just styled, it was styled styled. After seasons of hyper-minimal glam, designers seem ready for hair that photographs, performs, and takes up space.
Sleepy girl makeup wins: The “I stayed out too late but still look cool” aesthetic lives on. At Collina Strada and Bronx & Banco, eyes were slightly hollowed, diffused, and intentionally imperfect. Sandy Liang described her version as tired yet fresh, which somehow makes sense when you see it. It feels like a direct response to ultra-snatched glam.
Something blue: Blue became the accent of the week. At Marc Jacobs, lids were washed in statement blue shadow, Proenza Schouler paired looks with blue nails, and Eckhaus Latta echoed the eyeshadow moment. It’s not pastel, and it’s not icy. Think saturated cobalt and inky tones. It felt bold but wearable, especially when the rest of the face stayed pared back.
The side part is back: Gen Z might still be emotionally attached to the middle part, but NYFW made a case for drama. We spotted deep side parts at Khaite, Sandy Liang, Sergio Hudson, and Bronx & Banco. The side part changes the entire energy of a look. It’s structured, a little nostalgic, and undeniably glamorous. Paired with bold liner or loud hair, it felt less like a trend and more like a reset.
