NYFW's Top Fall/Winter 2026 Beauty Trends Have Main Character Energy

This winter has felt particularly long, especially for anyone who’s experienced this season’s arctic temperatures, relentless snow dumps, and blizzard conditions. Just when you thought you were about to max out on cold, gray everything, though, fashion week arrived with its bold, colorful energy.

The stylish revelry kicked off with Marc Jacobs’ show on Feb. 9, with the designer’s signature over-the-top silhouettes in vibrant hues — paired with candy-colored makeup looks that signaled 2016’s resurgence is still going strong. After Ralph Lauren’s presentation (another brand known for its early shows), complete with big blush and even bigger hair, the beauty theme for New York Fashion Week’s Fall/Winter 2026 shows was solidified: makeup is fun again, and hair is following suit.

Take, for instance, the grunge-y eyeliner at both Marc Jacobs and Ashlyn, where dramatic black waterlines added ’90s-inspired edge. Or the voluminous hairstyles at Collina Strada and Ralph Lauren, both of which embraced the “undone” beauty movement. Many runways have also leaned into a lived-in look for hair and glam — a welcome aesthetic for cool girls and makeup novices alike.

Ahead, a peek at the standout beauty trends from New York Fashion Week’s Fall/Winter ‘26 shows.

1. Bottom Eyeliner

Eyeliner gets its main character moment. At Marc Jacobs, makeup artist Thomas de Kluyver leaned into the grunge side of the ’90s with bold black eyeliner — concentrated on the bottom of the eyes. Interestingly enough, the glam at Ashlyn’s show also featured black eyeliner — placed only along the lower lash line and inner corners. Time to sharpen those kohl pencils.

2. Fluffy & Teased Hair

Go big or don’t bother — with your hair, at least. Collina Strada’s lead hairstylist Mustafa Yanaz created four sculptural, texture-forward looks for the presentation. One, dubbed “teased texture,” featured smooth strands at the crown with brushed-out mid-lengths and ends, spritzed with Bumble and bumble’s Thickening Dryspun Texture Spray for even more body. At Ralph Lauren, models sported similarly fluffy textures, worn down and swooped over the shoulders.

3. Rom-Com Flush

Beauty’s love affair with blush is still going strong. A peachy coral pigment added warmth and dimension to models’ cheekbones and temples at Ralph Lauren, courtesy of makeup artist Diane Kendal. LoveShackFancy, meanwhile, upheld its ultra-feminine aesthetic with monochromatic glam featuring diffused flush (using Tarte’s Macaron Blush in Honey Blossom, a peachy pink).

4. Undone Hair

NYFW declared messy hair to be runway-ready and couture-appropriate. Proenza Schouler embraced effortless, lived-in ponytails that went all-in on authenticity. Oribe session stylist Holli Smith created the detailed yet perfectly messy low ponies using T3 styling tools. At Christian Siriano, stylist Lacy Redway says she was inspired by the Olsen tuck when creating the “surrealist swoops” — a sculptural updo that circled the neck and embraced natural texture, enhanced with Tresemmé’s A-List Collection Dry Texturizing Spray.