As the Spring-Summer 2026 shows kicked off in New York, a fresh wave of beauty trends emerged, mirroring the invigorated energy surrounding fashion’s newest female creative directors, such as Rachel Scott at Proenza Schouler and Veronica Leoni at Calvin Klein.The runways were awash with vibrant eye makeup, showcasing pastel lids and chromatic lashes.
Models' well-cared-for skin was enhanced with soft, diffused touches of berry for a sweet, healthy glow.For those in a hurry, hair kerchiefs, a popular street style trend from Copenhagen, made their way to New York, alongside a plethora of designer-approved hair accessories, some even crafted from real hair.
The allure of quickly achieving a chic look was evident in collections featuring essential jewelry, practical coin purses, and clever hair hacks. A prime example is the updated classic Olsen tuck: simply tie your hair at the neck with a scarf for an instant upgrade.Below are the six most significant beauty trends from New York Fashion Week that are worth trying.
Pretty Pastel Eyes
Photographed by Runway Insider
New York Fashion Week’s spring-summer 2026 shows kicked off with a fresh wave of beauty trends, mirroring the excitement around new female creative directors like Rachel Scott at Proenza Schouler and Veronica Leoni at Calvin Klein. Runways featured vibrant eye makeup, from soft pastel eyeshadows to colorful lashes. Subtle berry tones added a healthy glow to models’ skin. For quick styling, hair kerchiefs, a popular Copenhagen street style, made their way to New York, alongside various designer hair accessories (some even crafted from real hair). The desire for effortlessly chic looks was evident in collections showcasing essential jewelry, practical coin purses, and simple hair hacks, such as the updated Olsen tuck—tying hair at the neck with a scarf. Here are the six most prominent beauty trends from New York Fashion Week to try:
Pastel Eye Looks
New York runways were surprised and delighted with a spectrum of colorful pastel eyelids. Orchid hues graced Maria McManus and Collina Strada, while Area featured delicate pink clouds. Mossy green tones appeared at House of Aama, lavender glitter at Zankov, and icy periwinkle lids at Private Policy. Of course, Pat McGrath’s sky-blue gazes at Anna Sui were a highlight. McGrath described her inspiration for Sui as “windswept romance,” reminiscent of a desert twilight (complete with matching pale blue lashes, another emerging trend). After seasons dominated by no-makeup makeup, McGrath declared it’s time for “unapologetic makeup maximalism for a new era.”
All Hair Accessories Welcome
Photo: Courtesy of Ralph Lauren
Accessory trends from recent runways showcased a playful mix of styles. Hair accessories, in particular, were a prominent feature. Evanie Frausto, a stylist for Sandy Liang, highlighted the return of hair scarves and rhinestone-studded plastic barrettes, evoking a “Clueless vibe.” These scarves were also seen at Calvin Klein and Christian Cowan.
Beyond the playful, other designers explored different aesthetics. Tanner Fletcher presented a regal tiara, while Who Decides War opted for romantic lace strips wrapped around hair. Area went for an over-the-top look with floating mirror headbands, and Collina Strada showcased hats made entirely of hair. More demure styles included a scarf-tied pony at Toteme and a classic beret at Ralph Lauren.
Charming Statement Nails
@ghettoyolie
Nail art took center stage at recent fashion presentations, showcasing a range of creative designs. At Batsheva’s brunch, makeup artist Francelle Daly noted the “polka-dot nails done by Pika,” an Instagram-famous artist known for his work with Rihanna. Daly aimed for a “polka-dot scenario” to complement fashion’s popular print, a motif also seen at Tanner Fletcher with Essie polish. Kim Shui featured Sojin Oh’s Kijibae tips adorned with charms, while Coca Michelle crafted “lynx-shaped” claws for Grace Ling, incorporating an industrial aesthetic with “piercings, chrome, nails, screws, studs, [and] spikes.”
Colorful (and Faux!) Lashes
Photo: Gianluca Carraro / runwayinsider.com
For those uninterested in mascara, consider wispy faux lashes for a unique look. Makeup artist Isamaya Ffrench collaborated with Lashify to create “ethereal, semi-transparent white lashes” for Eckhaus Latta, aiming for a “soft and magical” effect. Ffrench noted that these lashes “catch the light in a way that feels delicate and dreamlike,” almost disappearing to leave a “subtle whisper of shape and shimmer that gives the look an otherworldly quality.” Other designers also embraced colored faux lashes: Jane Wade featured white, chalky-looking lashes; Pat McGrath used baby blue lashes to match sky-colored lids at Anna Sui; and Ulla Johnson adorned eyes with golden faux lashes.
Everyone realizes why a new common language would be desirable: one could refuse to pay expensive translators. Their separate existence is a myth.
Blurry Berry
“Soft, diffused makeup with gentle, almost imperceptible edges is a key trend, as seen backstage at various fashion shows. Makeup artist Fara Homidi created an “ombré volumized” lip at Proenza Schouler by subtly tapping shades of red, resulting in a look where the color’s beginning and end are indistinguishable yet defined. Similarly, Charlie Riddle, at Sandy Liang, applied berry-pink cream blush all over the face, emphasizing that “everything’s diffused.” Riddle noted that clients are increasingly requesting “soft-focus edges” for cheeks, eyes, and lips. This technique perfectly complements a skin-care-forward approach to makeup, exemplified by Taylor Hill’s dewy, flushed appearance at Prabal Gurung. On Bach Mai’s runway, a delicate berry-tapped lip completed a collection that the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist described as having “a really grounded sense of glamour.””
The New Hair Tuck
Photo: Monica Feudi / Courtesy of Brandon Maxwell
This season, a fresh take on the hair tuck is emerging, moving beyond the high collars and turtlenecks of last season’s “Olsen tuck.” The new trend involves simply securing your hair to your neck with a small scarf.
This innovative style was first spotted on Alex Consani at Calvin Klein, where Guido Palau fashioned relaxed waves, then secured them with a silky white fabric around her neck. Brandon Maxwell celebrated his 10-year anniversary show by using fluffy sweater arms to secure hair, while at Maria McManus, Aveda’s SVP of global artistry, Antoinette Beenders, wrapped a model’s textured hair with a fringed satin scarf. Coach further popularized the look, demonstrating its accessibility by using silk scarves and even cut-up cotton tees, conveying an urgent message: grab whatever you have on hand, tie it up, and go.
Gigi Hadid Approves the Butter Yellow Trend: From Top to Flip-Flopped Toes
