New York Fashion Week was energetic as ever for its Spring/Summer 2026 shows. Not only were the clothes and celebrity front rows high energy, but the beauty looks this season were full of inspiration.
At any given runway show, it’s easy to find models wearing their hair slicked back or flowing loosely because these are, simply put, easy and often work with the clothes. When beauty looks on the runway is intentional and inspiring; however, there was an artist backstage making magic happen. This season, creatively plastered hair, architecturally intricate manicures, and intense makeup made shows all the more fun to watch. They complemented the clothes and brought sartorial stories to life.
Here’s the best beauty moments at NYFW’s Spring/Summer 2026 shows, from decked-out nails at Grace Ling to shimmering skin and smokey eyes at LaQuan Smith.
Give the perfect pink lipstick another go
In fashion, there always seems to be a fair bit of nostalgia, and that’s been trickling heavily into the beauty side lately. Beyond vintage-inspired hair looks we saw (more on that later), makeup also hopped into a time machine. On runways like Anna Sui’s, models rocked a rather ‘80s look, complete with Pat McGrath’s blue eyeshadow and pink lipsticks, ranging from almost-nude to a few shades brighter. To get the look, avoid reaching for a color so bright it washes you out. Instead, grab one that’s noticeably pink but complements your undertone.
Ditch the brown mascara trend for white mascara
The hot new shade of mascara to try? White. Over the past few years, beauty trend cycles have lauded blue and then brown mascaras as non-traditional shades worth wearing, but things are getting more experimental now. As seen on the runway at Jane Wade (where Karla Hirkaler led makeup) and at the Eckhaus Latta show (with MUA Isamaya French), these add a delicate and almost otherworldly touch to a full makeup look.
Bring fashion’s polka dot trend to your next manicure
Polka dots have been taking over fashion trends in recent months, and they’re officially coming for beauty, too. To incorporate the look into the perfect fall manicure, get inspired by how models at Tanner Fletcher’s Spring/Summer 2026 show rocked their spots, done by lead manicurist Erica De Los Santos. Start off with a neutral-hued base layer (like Essie’s High Maintenance Hue) and add small polka dots in a white or high-contrast color.
Victory rolls for a vintage vibe
Across a few shows this season, there was an unmissable vintage flair, which manifests in a playful way when it comes to hair. Despite having their heyday about seven decades ago, 1950s victory rolls might be making a comeback thanks to Monaé Everett, lead hairstylist for House of Aama’s Spring/Summer 2026 show. Learning how to do the style may take some time and skill to perfect, but it’ll be worth it for the bold and glamorous final result.
Turn up the heat with smokey eyes and a glowing body
For LaQuan Smith, a designer who is known to make clothes that boast a sexy confidence, it should be no surprise that models at the Spring/Summer 2026 runway show boasted this same energy through the full package: edgy hairstyling, bold makeup, and glowing skin. Achieving this off the runway is about attending to every detail. Artfully place hair onto your face, whether that’s baby hairs or little sections, and then smoke out eyeshadow. Top it off with a shimmery body oil, like the Vaseline shimmery gel oils, which models rocked on the catwalk.
Spice up your lower lash line
Among all the ways to play with lashes, whether that’s extensions or colorful mascara, attention is usually focused on the upper lash, but there’s a lot of room to explore the lower set. Models at Alexis Bittar’s presentation all had memorable and inspirational makeup looks, thanks to MUA Marieke Thibaut, and Miss Alabama’s (portrayed by Dylan Miller) took the cake thanks to her playful lashes. To get the look, achieve a statement lower lash by evenly spacing out a few clumps. Make sure to add extensions up top so as not to overwhelm the area… unless, of course, that’s the look you’re going for.
Embellish your talons beyond function
The most eye-catching manicures in recent seasons have been extremely maximal. These aren’t just talons or junk nails (as glamorously worn by Cynthia Erivo), but the runway’s coolest looks are so decorated that they even have items hanging off of them. These may not be the most practical, whether for typing or running hands through your hair, but they sure look good. Inspired by nail artist and OPI global ambassador Coca Michelle’s work for Grace Ling’s Spring/Summer 2026 runway show, ask your manicurist for chrome nails. (It also works to mix an onyx hue, like this OPI gel polish, with a top coat for a similar effect.) Then, add a hole in acrylic or Gel X nails and hook something light, like a small chain.
