New York Fashion Week (NYFW) Fall 2025 was nothing short of a spectacle, serving as a crystal ball into the future of beauty trends.
Every season, top designers, hairstylists, and makeup artists come together to push the boundaries of fashion and beauty, setting the stage for what may likely dominate the months ahead. The Fall 2025 NYFW however, felt particularly groundbreaking.
These designers worked closely with hairstylists and makeup artists to craft unforgettable beauty moments that complemented their collections. Texture, movement, and unexpected twists defined the hair trends, while glossy lids, feathery lashes, and bold matte finishes ruled the makeup game.
From elevated buns with intricate designs to feathery eyelashes straight out of a fantasy novel, the Fall 2025 collections showcased an eclectic mix of avant-garde creativity, nostalgic throwbacks, and sculptural elegance.
So, what are the biggest beauty trends from NYFW Fall 2025 that you need to know? Here’s an in-depth breakdown of the most talked-about looks that will soon take over social media, red carpets, and beauty counters everywhere.
Sleek Buns
Buns have always been a go-to classic hairstyle, but at NYFW Fall 2025, this beauty trend reached new artistic heights. From structured twists to exaggerated volume, designers transformed this simple updo into a masterpiece.
Christian Siriano took inspiration from the intricate lines of a racetrack, resulting in glossy, slicked-back buns with swirling, ribbon-like strands. Lead hairstylist Lacy Redway used Tresemmé products to sculpt the hair into twisting, interwoven shapes, mimicking the curves of winding roads.
Ulla Johnson’s collection emphasized woven textures and intricate details, and the hair followed suit. Mustafa Yanaz created a mix of fishtail braids, stitch cornrows, and soft waves, adding depth without overpowering the collection’s designs.
For the boldest bun statement, The Blonds took inspiration from Blade Runner, crafting bouffant buns that framed the head with sci-fi elegance. Using Oribe products, hairstylist Kien Hoang smoothed hair into sleek ponytails before molding them into voluminous, futuristic updos.
Bedhead Hair
The “perfectly undone” aesthetic dominated the runways, proving that a little messiness goes a long way.
At Prabal Gurung, hairstylists embraced natural texture and carefree waves. Using Tresemmé’s Dry Texturizing Spray, they crafted hair that looked like you just woke up after an unforgettable night out—but in the chicest way possible.
Similarly, Monse models rocked disheveled yet sophisticated waves. Hair was prepped with Oribe’s heat protectant and dry texture spray, while small-barrel curling irons created loose, effortless curls.
Bold and Dramatic Bangs
Bangs made a bold comeback this season, appearing in sleek, structured, and sculptural forms.
At Christopher John Rogers, millennial side parts met sculptural bangs, resulting in a sharp, confident look that exuded power. Hairstylists secured side-swooped bangs using wig glue, ensuring they stayed sleek and dramatic throughout the show.
Sergio Hudson introduced a more vintage-inspired take on bangs, incorporating finger waves and sleek, structured sides. These ’20s-meets-modern looks perfectly complemented the collection’s bold suiting and rich color palette.
Feathery Eyelashes
One of the most talked-about beauty trends at the NYFW Fall 2025 came from Thom Browne, where models’ eyelashes transformed into actual feathers.
Makeup artist Isamaya Ffrench collaborated with Lashify to create custom feathered lashes, giving models an ethereal, winged look.
Drag Makeup
Luar’s runway was a powerful tribute to self-expression and unapologetic beauty, embracing the bold and theatrical elements of drag-inspired makeup. The models strutted down the runway wearing dramatic, statement-making looks that blended high fashion with artistic rebellion.
One of the standout features of the NYFW Fall 2025’s beauty trend was the powdery-white eyelids, which created a striking, almost otherworldly effect. This was paired with intensely lined eyes, emphasizing drama, and making every gaze feel powerful and commanding.
Old Hollywood Glamour
At Pamella Roland’s Fall 2025 runway show, models brought back a touch of old-school glamour to the forefront of the NYFW Fall 2025 beauty trends.
Their hair was styled into luxurious, flowing waves, reminiscent of the timeless hairstyles worn by silver-screen icons. Complementing the stunning hairstyles were bold, deep crimson lips, carefully lined and filled in to achieve a flawless, velvety finish.
Animalistic Influences
At Collina Strada’s Fall 2025 runway show, beauty took a wild and untamed turn, embracing fierce, animalistic influences that made a bold statement. Models strutted down the catwalk with cheetah-inspired markings artistically painted onto their faces, adding a sense of raw, untamed energy to the look.
Their hair was sculpted into sharp, pointed shapes reminiscent of cat ears, reinforcing the show’s playful, rebellious spirit. By incorporating these bold, animal-inspired elements, Collina Strada turned the runway into a feline fantasy.
Soft Pastel Lids
At Sandy Liang’s Fall 2025 show, delicate pastel shades stole the spotlight, bringing a dreamy, ethereal quality to the runway.
Models wore soft, watercolor-inspired eye makeup, featuring gentle washes of pink, blue, and lavender that blended seamlessly for a light, airy effect. The pastel tones created an almost fairy-tale-like charm.
To keep the focus on the eyes while maintaining a sense of balance, the makeup artists paired the colorful lids with glossy nude lips. The result was a whimsical, nostalgic beauty moment, evoking memories of childhood innocence and carefree creativity.
Luminous Skin
Carolina Herrera’s Fall 2025 runway show was a true showcase of flawless, glowing beauty, proving that radiant, healthy-looking skin is always in style.
Models walked the runway with luminous, dewy complexions that appeared as if they were naturally lit from within, giving off a fresh, youthful glow. Their skin looked smooth and airbrushed, with a barely-there finish that enhanced their natural features rather than masking them.
To complement this soft, radiant look, lips were painted in subtle mauve tones, adding just the right amount of color.
Unexpected Shimmer
Shimmer was reimagined in unique and unexpected ways this time around at the New York Fashion Week Fall 2025.
Designers and makeup artists moved beyond traditional glitter, introducing innovative ways to incorporate light-catching accents that ranged from subtle hints of radiance to bold, eye-catching statements.
At Marc Jacobs, legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath added a playful yet elegant twist by stamping delicate metallic beauty spots onto models’ faces, giving them a whimsical, almost doll-like appearance.
Over at Eckhaus Latta, shimmer was kept understated and refined, with soft, iridescent highlights placed at the inner corners of the eyes, creating a fresh and subtly luminous effect.
Meanwhile, at Christopher John Rogers, the shimmer beauty trend was taken to the extreme, with models’ lips coated in a glossy, metallic finish that made them look almost liquid-like and futuristic.
’90s Matte Magic
The soft-focus, velvety complexion that defined ’90s beauty is making a bold comeback, dominating the NYFW Fall 2025 runways. This retro-inspired look, known for its smooth, blurred finish, was seen across multiple shows, proving that matte is anything but boring.
At Ulla Johnson, models’ skin looked flawlessly refined, thanks to Sisley’s Blur Expert 1 Beige powder, which gave their complexions a dreamy, airbrushed effect. Meanwhile, at Khaite, the approach was all about layering skincare and makeup for a perfected base, using NARS Light Reflecting Powders for a soft-matte glow that felt natural yet polished.
Backstage at Kim Shui, makeup artist Romero Jennings channeled ‘90s supermodel vibes with a sculpted, cool-toned aesthetic. Using MAC eyeshadows in White Frost and Cozy Grey, he created a frosty, matte eye look that enhanced the models’ bone structure with a modern edge.
Over at Luar, the throwback theme was taken even further with a bold fusion of late-‘80s supermodel glam and DIY club-kid drag. Makeup artist Terry Barber went for chalky cut-crease smoky eyes, paired with nude lips in MACximal Silky Matte Lipstick in Act Natural, resulting in a fierce, statement-making finish.
Sculptural Hairstyles
This season, designers elevated hair—literally—to breathtaking new heights, turning the runway into a showcase of architectural, gravity-defying hairstyles.
At Marc Jacobs, hairstylist Guido Palau brought a paper doll-inspired fantasy to life, crafting curls into dramatic, undulating waves reminiscent of old-world romance and classic fashion illustrations. Each model’s hair appeared sculpted into elegant, exaggerated shapes, making it one of the standout beauty trends of NYFW Fall 2025.
Meanwhile, at Meruert Tolegen, hairstylist Laurent Philippon took structure to the next level, designing intricate, sculptural hairstyles featuring twisting braids and piled-up shapes that defied gravity.
Finally, Thom Browne embraced hair as a statement-making accessory, molding it into elaborate, bow-like designs that doubled as avant-garde fascinators. These bold, otherworldly styles blurred the line between hair and headpiece.
Opulent Romantic Nails
Alice + Olivia has long been synonymous with flirty, feminine fashion, so it was only fitting that the brand infused that same energy into its NYFW nail looks.
Elevating the allure, NYC-based nail artist Miss Pop partnered with Salon Perfect to craft dazzling, ultra-romantic manicures. The standout “Baroque” design began with Salon Perfect’s Magnetic Silver Press On Nails as a base, adorned with an opulent mix of pearlescent and rhinestone accents framing the cuticle and perimeter.
Similarly, the “Heavy Metal Platinum Chrome” nails embraced bold embellishments, featuring Salon Perfect’s Heavy Metal Solid Chrome Press Ons decked out with a striking blend of black and silver rhinestones for a high-impact finish.
Maximalist Embellishments
Subtlety took a backseat at The Blonds, where CND designed extravagant coffin and stiletto-shaped nails dripping in gemstones and lace overlays to complement the collection’s moody jewel tones.
Two showstoppers stood out: the “Nude Veil” nails, where black lace delicately covered the extensions, crafted by nail artist Valerie Ducharme, and the mesmerizing “Jeweled Serpentine” mani by Giselle Caballero, featuring an emerald green snake-like motif. Mark these words—the lace nails and dramatic extensions beauty trends from the NYFW Fall 2025 are set to dominate the year.
Feathered Nails
Inspired by the word “pato”—Spanish for duck but also a reclaimed LGBTQ+ slur in Latin America—Laur designer Raul Lopez celebrated queerness with a collection bursting with vibrant expression. Leaning into this theme, nail artist Yasuda created striking 3-inch-long extensions adorned with feathers for a theatrical runway moment.
Using OPI’s Black Onyx, Alpine Snow, or Livin’ La Vida Mocha as a base, she layered on a mix of black feathers and gemstones, producing an unapologetically bold, avant-garde statement.
Photo: Getty Images