Whether you’re a fashion fanatic or not, you’re probably aware that the AW26 shows just took place across New York, London, Milan and Paris.
With fashionistas descending from all over the world to witness the latest collections from the best and brightest, as a beauty editor I’m far more concerned with the best beauty looks that sashayed down the runway.
After keeping my eyes peeled for the very best, keep reading to find out the best beauty trends that emerged from the AW26 shows that will undoubtedly be everywhere for the rest of 2026.
Sexy smokey eye
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At Demna’s eagerly anticipated runway debut for Gucci, the designer made it clear that sexy fashion is back. Continuing that with the beauty, makeup artist Sam Visser opted for dark smokey eyes that screamed “come to bed!”. Using Gucci Beauty Stylo Contour des Yeux Eyeliner, the exaggerated smokey eye was for him, her (and them), dramatically winged out or smoked-out underneath the eye. Paired by extra long lashes and glossy lips in red, nude or black, we can’t wait for the return of seductive eyes.
Velvet lips
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Last season at Tom Ford, global makeup artist Lucy Bridge made our mouths water with her deliciously lacquered Toffee Apple lips. This season, she flipped the script and leaned into the blurred lips trend that we’ve seen bubbling up since the end of last year. At the opposite end of the spectrum, instead of high-shine finish, the freshly kissed looks had a velvet matte finish in deep purple, juicy red, denim blue and earthy brown. Want the look yourself? Add Runway Lip Stylo Matte to your basket immediately.
Ballet slipper nails
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We’ve not told you once, or even twice, but three times that pale pink nude nails – AKA ballet slipper nails – are trending nail colour for 2026. At Stella McCartney’s horse-themed AW26 show, nail brand Kure Bazaar gave all the models’ nails a healthy glow with a shiny coating of Base Intensive Hyaluronic. Think your nails, but on a really great day.
Brontë beauty
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With Wuthering Heights mania still at fever pitch, it’s not a surprise to see Brontë-esque beauty popping up at London Fashion Week. At Simone Rocha’s AW26 show, the beauty team – comprising makeup artist Thomas de Kluyver, hairstylist Anthony Turner and nail artist Ama Quashie – appeared to imagine at life running wild along the Moors. Think fresh, flushed cheeks, textured hair full of life and body and blood red nails given a kinky edge with piercings.
You can’t beat a great liner look and makeup artist Daniel Sällström created a look that we can’t stop thinking about for Vaquera’s AW26 show in Paris. Throwing it back to the 60s, the elegant cat-eye wings were embellished with graphic liner underneath the eye to mimic and accentuate the lashes. To achieve it yourself, you’ll need a steady hand and a fine-tip liner like MAC Brushstroke 24-Hour Liner. Practice makes perfect. It’s a classic look, reimagined for 2026 and we love it!
You glow girl!
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Pearl skin is the perfect glowy skin trend for spring, but what about autumn? At Victoria Beckham’s latest show, makeup artist Lucia Pica updated the trend to include pearl lids, glowy eyes that were given a swipe of Victoria Beckham Beauty Reflect Pearl highlighter stick. With the Clean Girl look taking a back seat (for now), this is a great way of adding a new dimension to your makeup look without jumping into colour with both feet. We’re sold.
Moody jellies
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For as long as jelly nails have been trending, they’ve been a summer staple, but at the recent Off-White show nail artist Ama Quashie made a strong case for autumnal jellies. Using Manucurist nail polishes in moody tones of sage green, charcoal grey and dusty pink and blue, we’re suddenly looking forward to the colder months again to take them out for a test drive.
Feeling blue
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Denim blue makeup has been popping up all over beauty since last year and the runway is no exception. Giving a masterclass in how to use the shade without it look blotchy or washed out, Fara Homidi used the Essential Eye Compact Trio No. 61 from Fara Homidi Beauty at the Eckhaus Latta show in New York. Giving the perfect wash of punchy blue, we love that it can be built up and layered for maximum impact or toned down for a more muted look.
Glass hair
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At Chet Lo’s AW26 show, hairstylist Anna Cofone reminded us why we were all obsessed with glass hair. Taking its name from the shiny reflective surface of glass, this new version of glass hair was slick and glossy thanks to Authentic Beauty Concept Glow Spray Serum – packed with ruby algae and deep sea water ferment to protect and deliver shine. Always committed to inclusivity, Anna’s Hair and Care initiative also made the show inclusive for its blind guests providing them with Philips headphones to fully immerse themselves in the experience.
