The Top Beauty Trends From New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2025

The second we flip our calendars to September queues the start of New York Fashion Week. The city streets are full of fresh fashion, a distinct burst of energy, and of course, lots of beauty. As our team previews looks backstage, takes in the front-row glam, and surveys for trends, we rounded up the best of the best. Consider this list the ultimate preview for the beauty looks we will be seeing going into spring and summer 2025. Keep an eye out as we will be updating this list as New York Fashion Week continues.

Smoky Waterlines

Smoky, buffed-out waterlines are at the forefront of NYFW shows including, but not limited to, Area, Jonathan Cohen, and Christian Siriano. While the resurgence of eyeliner on the waterline started mid-summer, this updated version kicks the trend up a notch. At Jonathan Cohen, models were given a Cleopatra-esque winged liner with a buffed-out smoky waterline. This not only helped elongate the pointed black liner, but added a little softness to the look.

At Kim Shui, key makeup artist Romero Jennings lined each model’s waterline with MAC Smolder Eye Kohl Pencil to create a more subtle smoky effect. This technique paired well with the 90s-inspired glam seen across every model.

Subtle Berry Lips

Instead of rocking bold red lip stains and opaque hues, many models have been wearing a subtle berry tint. Every artist has a slightly different name for the look. At Ulla Johnson, lead makeup artist Romy Soleimani used Sisley Paris Lip Twist Matte in Shade Kiss and Phyto-Lèvres Perfect lip liner in Fuschia to create an almost bitten-lip effect.

At Palomo Spain, makeup artist Marcelo Gutierrez used MACximal Lipstick to create what he called a smoker’s lip. In other words, a more grunge take on a berry wine lip finish.

Hints of Pastel

Frosty violets and pinks are not new makeup shades, but this season artists are using them in unexpected ways. At Phillip Lim, lead creative makeup artist Fara Homidi placed a sheer lavender tint under the eyes. “I mixed two cream products, one being a true lavender and the other a fuchsia with iridescence,” says Homidi. “The look is almost translucent, so I am doing a soft layer of the creams and then building that starting under the eyes and taking it out to the cheekbones. Then to finish it off, I set it with the SHEGLAM Insta-Ready Face & Under Eye Setting Powder in Taro.” While this technique was used under the eye for the show, it can be transferred to the lid for a more everyday interpretation.

Similarly, at Sandy Liang, Romy Soleimani blended two shades of Estée Lauder Pure Color Whipped Lip Colors, Air Kiss and Social Whirl, to create a chalky pastel pink. The trick here was applying the tint in strategic layers and adding a light dusting of iridescent eyeshadow to create an almost metallic finish.

Embellished Buns

While some fashion weeks are full of messy buns and basic updos, this year stylists are adding a bit of flare. At Alice + Olivia celebrity hair stylist Matthew Curtis created hairstyles based on the idea of a romantic afternoon stroll. After pulling strands back, Curtis secured the look with XL satin scrunchies and tucked flyaways using the Briogeo Style & Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Sleek Stick.

Blunt Bobs

Based on these looks we might just consider opting for a drastic trim. Blunt bobs were spotted across numerous shows, all styled in slightly different ways. At Christian Siriano, TRESemmé Lead Stylist Lacy Redway used TRESemmé Extra Hold Mousse and Mega Control Gel to secure a layer of glitter to create a ‘fairy-dusted’ effect.

Christian Cowan is known for pairing extra showy beauty looks with his collections, and this season was no exception. Each model was seen sporting a blunt cut in the same dark black shade. The specific cut was called a ‘contour bob’ as the length lined up perfectly to contour the top of the cheek.