Each year, the most influential cities in the fashion world come together to showcase industry talent and give a glimpse of what’s to come in the following year. We see the fashion trends that will be rolled out, silhouettes that will be popping up on our instagram feeds, and jaw-dropping looks that everyone will want to get their hands on.

But it’s not always all about the clothes, we also get to see the most interesting beauty looks. And given the current state of the world and the challenges the industry has faced due to the pandemic, hair and makeup artists are getting as creative as ever. Through traditional runway shows, to intimate displays, to the rapidly growing digital presentations, there is plenty of room to admire the beauty trends that designers are using to enhance their collections.

From stained lips to refreshing makeup techniques, here are some of the most inspiring beauty trends to come from the Fall/ Winter 2021 Men’s and Women’s Ready-To-Wear collections.

Victorian Nod

This subtle yet elegant reference to the Victorian era feels romantic and rich. The powdered aesthetic on Vivienne Westwood’s models gives a grungy take on Queen Victoria, the subtle blush at Molly Goddard left viewers speechless, and the hair at Simone Rocha felt very 19th-century-chic. With the constant renewal of trends from the past, particularly the rise of the corset, it will be no surprise if this period starts making its comeback. Photos c/o Vogue.com

Bold Blue Lids

Blue eye shadow made a splash at various shows this year. It’s not unexpected that pops of color have been very apparent throughout the fashion month, given the year we’ve all had and the need to be optimistic. While the presence of the fun makeup play could easily be justified through a need for positivity, it is also at its core, simply fun! Photos c/o Vogue.com, Instagram

Gelled Finger Waves

Paired stunningly with dewy skin, gelled curls made an appearance in a handful of shows. The grooming trend is sure to influence many as a simple way to spice up your everyday look. Whether to enhance natural curls or to try out a new look, the sleek yet textured hairdo will be sure to turn heads. Photos c/o Vogue.com, Instagram

Romantic Lips

Dark, rich, vampy lipstick created a simple yet decadent vibe for many designers. Burgundy kisses left a lasting impact at shows like Sandy Liang and Prabal Gurung. While a seemingly timeless look, the use of the lip color by makeup artists left a fresh feel on the traditional dark lip. Photos c/o Vogue.com

Bangs Bangs Bangs

Sharp bangs showed up more than a few times at various shows. Another trend potentially driven by the desire to spice up one’s look, the face-framing haircut left models looking strikingly beautiful and bold. The Anrealage show in particular created a whimsical play on bangs using wigs and sheer face coverings. Photos c/o Vogue.com

Bye Bye Brows

Bleached out brows are a thing of the now. These jarring alterations took any simple makeup look and made it cutting edge. Already seen on many this past year, this trend is guaranteed to skyrocket. Photos c/o Vogue.com

Choppy Cuts

Messy hair often makes an appearance during fashion month. But this year, it was all about the asymmetrical layers. Could this be the next variation of the mullet trend? A reference to the very present DIY haircut trend of 2020? Either way, we are absolutely here for it.
Photos c/o Vogue.com

Mutation?

Last but certainly not least, designer Collina Strada made arguably the biggest splash with the illusion of models morphing into animals. The animorphs reference was creative, refreshing, and just straight-up weird in the best possible way. Photos c/o Instagram