NYFW is just 9 days away—here are 9 beauty trends that editors anticipate will be prominent on the runways.

      As beauty editors, we take pride in our ability to forecast trends—sometimes even calling ourselves trend savants. New York Fashion Week is a key venue for us to observe ongoing trends and identify new ones, and it’s just around the corner, starting on September 11. With our backstage access, we're often the first to witness the hair, makeup, and collections on the runway, getting a sneak peek at the final looks before the star-studded audiences do. While the runway shows and captivating street style are undoubtedly the highlights, the bustling backstage filled with powders, hairspray, and glitter is a visual feast that we eagerly anticipate. Before diving into a week of events, we consulted our collective resources (specifically, the beauty Slack channel) to predict which makeup, hair, and nail trends will dominate the fashion scene this September, ultimately shaping the beauty landscape for S/S 26. Here are nine beauty trends we expect to see making waves at NYFW in just over a week.

      **Grown-Up Grunge**

      “Autumn brings darker, more matte makeup looks, just as leaves fall and pumpkin spice lattes arrive. After a summer of sheer, bright, and glowy styles, we're bound to see a shift to deeper tones—espresso brown eyeshadow, burgundy nails, crimson lips...you name it. However, instead of the 'quiet luxury' looks that have characterized recent runways, I anticipate a revival of grunge makeup at NYFW. I'm referring not to the bold grunge looks of the '90s but rather a softer and more contemporary version. Envision a palette of soft grays, cool plums, and neutral browns instead of stark blacks. This 'grown-up grunge' style is perfectly encapsulated by Jenna Ortega's stunning looks during her Wednesday press tour.” — Kaitlyn McLintock, beauty editor

      **Get the Look**

      - CHANEL Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow

      - Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Cream Eyeshadow

      - MAKEUP BY MARIO Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette: the Neutrals

      **My Hair's the Outfit**

      "Hair accessories have been popular for a while, but I'm expecting a fresh spin on runway hairstyles that incorporate fashion elements. With the rise of maximalist and hyperindividualistic ready-to-wear styles, we're seeing bolder choices made with hair—like cuffs on ponytails and gold-buttoned bubble braids featured in Blazé Milano's F/W 25 show. For instance, the necklace-comb trend from The Row has made hair a focal point, and I’m quite pleased about it. I look forward to seeing embroidery thread in braids, belted ponytails, and many more 'fashion' details that transform hair into an outfit.” — Alyssa Brascia, associate beauty editor

      **Get the Look**

      - J.Crew Dimensional Oval Metallic Hair Clip

      - Ettika Noble Nugget Hair Pin

      - Free People Careless Whisper Hair Pin

      **The Return to "Real" Lipstick**

      “Thus far, 2025 has been dominated by sheer, glossy, and radiance-enhancing lip colors. I'm pondering the next step. Will we see no color at all? I firmly believe that 'real' lipstick will make a comeback, which means full-coverage formulas in matte or satin finishes (the types we largely moved on from pre-2020). This shift might prompt the fashion crowd to revisit their long-lost favorites from brands like MAC, Revlon, and Charlotte Tilbury. I feel confident about this direction, especially after Louis Vuitton’s recent launch of luxurious, pigmented lipsticks and Kylie Jenner's revival of her famed Lip Kits. I'm ready for this change, as I have a stockpile of full-coverage options on hand.” — McLintock

      **Get the Look**

      - CHANEL Rouge Allure Velvet

      - MERIT Beauty Signature Lip

      - Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick

      **Spider Lashes**

      “I anticipate a shift from barely-there 'ghost lashes' to bold, spiky, and purposely clumpy mascara looks. I can't stop reflecting on the clustered lashes presented by Cucculelli Shaheen and Thom Browne last season, and I'm expecting to see creative variations for S/S 26. Let’s bring on dramatic doe-eyed looks.” — Jamie Schneider, senior beauty editor

      **Get the Look**

      - MAC Cosmetics Macstack Mascara

      - Tower 28 Beauty Makewaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara

      - Victoria Beckham Beauty Vast Lash Mascara

      **Anti-Neutral Nails**

      “With the internet's obsession with butter yellow and limoncello this year, I predict designers will continue to explore monochromatic color schemes in their NYFW collections. I believe these colors will extend to nail trends—think non-neutral shades like mustard yellow, blood orange, and deep aubergine.