If I spot you in any of these early-trend beauty styles, I'll assume you often attend NYFW.
This New York Fashion Week showcased a delightful array of earthy elegance, coastal glamour, sensual minimalism, and cool-girl sophistication, with the stunning beauty looks also deserving of attention. I was completely captivated. As I review my notes and the multitude of backstage clips on my phone, I'm still amazed by the avant-garde glam moments that left me breathless. Standout moments included gilded lashes at Ulla Johnson, pierced nails at Kim Shui, and creative interpretations of hat hair at Collina Strada. (Now, I find myself wanting a Mustafa Yanaz-inspired baseball cap wig in my wardrobe.) The inspiration from these shows will endure long past the runway events, so I encourage you to explore my NYFW trend report and get acquainted with these styles sooner rather than later. Although the collections are focused on spring/summer 2026, beauty trends shift rapidly in the spotlight. I predict these 10 trends will grace your feeds before you know it. Embrace them early, and you'll demonstrate your impeccable, influential taste.
**Colorful Lashes**
Put down that black mascara! The spring/summer 2026 runways show that lashes won't be dark and inky; instead, expect neon pink, translucent white, and aquamarine shades. Take Collina Strada, where lead artist Isamaya Ffrench utilized colorful lash clusters to create an extra-fluttery appearance. "Everyone has a beautiful little piece of colored wing at the end of their lash that complements the eye shadow combination or offers a bit of contrast," she explains backstage. At Eckhaus Latta, however, the renowned MUA favored white, semitransparent lashes for a more ethereal look. "They catch the light in a delicate and dreamlike way," Ffrench adds. Anna Sui also showcased otherworldly lashes, with swirls of eye shadow resembling watercolor paintings—more on that later—and models at Ulla Johnson had wisps coated in liquid gold. No gold mascara? No issue. "I’m crushing gold eye shadow with mixing medium to paint the lashes—top and bottom—while embracing any little imperfections along the lash line," lead makeup artist Romy Soleimani shared with me backstage.
**Boho Waves**
The phrase "undone waves" is somewhat contradictory (it often requires equal, if not more, effort to achieve that effortless look), but Cynthia Rowley, Simkhai, and Anna Sui presented a masterclass in lived-in bends. At Anna Sui, celebrity hairstylist Garren styled loose boho waves with ‘20s-inspired victory rolls at the crown—merging carefree texture with a touch of structure. Cynthia Rowley featured whimsical waves as the focal point at her outdoor show in Wagner Park, with lead stylist Justine Marjan explaining, "We’re not using any curling irons; we’re either using a diffuser or a flat iron to enhance the wave pattern." Simkhai's lead stylist Holli Smith described their “pool hair” inspiration, emphasizing, "You want to tousle it a bit without going the grungy surfer route." Mousse and texturizing spray are essential products for achieving this style—just ensure to break up any residual cast to prevent a too-polished appearance.
**Nail Jewelry**
Three-dimensional nail art remains popular, but the trend is evolving: instead of gemstones positioned directly on the nail plate, consider dangling them from the tips—think tiny piercings. These designs are sure to make a statement, whether you prefer edgy chain details as seen with Coca Michelle at Grace Ling or subtle initial charms like Sojin Oh at Kim Shui. (Don’t worry, it’s painless, assuming your nails are long enough.) You can either adorn every nail for a bold look or limit it to one or two tips for a minimalist feel.
**Watercolor Finishes**
Watercolor blush was a highlight this past spring and summer, but expect painterly techniques to dominate eye makeup in the upcoming season. Anna Sui's show, "Desert Blooms," featured layers of creamy blue-purple eye shadow, plus sky-blue mascara, thanks to Dame Pat McGrath. At Collina Strada, Ffrench selected "lovely, soft" shades in varying watercolor hues, adding a shimmer to desaturate the colors before the models took to the runway. Ulla Johnson and Sandy Liang embraced cloudy eyes and lips, aiming for a lucid, blurred, and transparent appearance—almost as if the models had just awakened from a dream. Charlie Riddle, lead artist at Sandy Liang, adhered to a "sleepy girl" theme using mauve liquid eye shadow to create a hazy, diffused effect.
**Luxe Brown**
Chocolate brown is among the year’s top color trends, and it shows no signs of fading as we approach 2026. Even the grungy eye looks at Kim Shui, Grace Ling, and Cucculelli Shaheen featured cool brown tones instead
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If I spot you in any of these early-trend beauty styles, I'll assume you often attend NYFW.
Create them now, not at a later time.