We say this every single season, but we have to say it again: fashion shows would be nothing without the beauty looks. They're the final touch in the storytelling—they work with the garments to make the audience feel something, achieve a distinct aesthetic, and, of course, set the tone for beauty trends to come. This season, it felt like the beauty was, overall, reminiscent of the past. Just like how fashion trends exist on a cycle with so many nods to eras past recently resurfacing, beauty is nostalgic.

This season, the hair is textured, the eye makeup is prominent, and the looks are fun and playful. Some are natural and lived-in, while others are over the top and maximal—and we love both ends of the spectrum just the same.

From crimped hair to frosted eyes, these are the beauty trends spotted on NYFW runways that we consider worth noting.

Knotted Hair

Cult Gaia SS27 // Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for TRESemmé
Christian Cowan SS27 // Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for TRESemme)

We've noticed that hair trends on runways have leaned more imperfect in recent years, and this season is no exception. This season, it's all about knots and twists suitable for, in my opinion, the girl on the go who rushes out of the house without a hair tie. For Cult Gaia's Spring/Summer 2027 show, hairstylist Karim Belghiran created the 'Infinite Knot,' inspired by dreamlike, hopelessly romantic women. This look is intentionally a bit undone.

For Christian Cowan's Spring/Summer 2027 show, hairstylist Justine Marjan created two distinct yet cohesive looks: the 'Siren Slipknot' and the 'Mermaid Messy Knot'—the first is a knot that sits low, and the latter sits high, akin to a messy bun. Both styles featured crimped strands throughout—more on crimping later.

Fully Lined Eyes

Area SS27 // Launchmetrics
Sergio Hudson SS27 // Launchmetrics

This season, instead of just lining the upper lash lines, artists chose to apply eyeliner all around the eyes to achieve a bold, defined look. For the Area show, which was intended to feel like a walk down memory lane, makeup artist Dick Page outlined the eyes in thick liner. Over at Sergio Hudson, similarly thick eyeliner culminated in a cateye.

Crimped Hair

Anna Sui SS27 // Keith Montero
Christian Siriano SS27 // Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for TRESemme

This season, beauty trends from eras past are coming up strong. Crimped hair, for example, was popular in the '80s, '90s, early '00s, and now, 2026. For Annua Sui's show, hairstylist and co-founder of R+Co, Garren crimped hair to achieve textured looks reminiscent of the '60s and '70s.

For the Christian Siriano show, hairstylist Lacy Redway created the 'Enchanted Crimp,' a sleek, glossy style with strategically placed crimped texture.

Frosted Eyes

Christian Cowan SS27 // Launchmetrics
Kim Shui SS27 // Launchmetrics

Generally speaking, eyeshadow is so back. We saw blue eyeshadow dominate runways last year, but now it's all about frosted lids. For the Kim Shui show, makeup artist Romero Jennings used MAC products to create frosty white eyes all around—lashes included. For the Christian Cown show, the frosted lids were a bit more understated and featured silver undertones.

Corner Lashes

Prabal Gurung SS27 // Launchmetrics
Kim Shui SS27 // Launchmetrics

This season, we couldn't help but notice the interesting placement of lash extensions. Artists chose to place lashes only on—or the most exaggerated cluster—on the outermost corners of the lids. For Prabal Gurung's Spring/Summer 2027 show, key makeup artist for EpicLight Beauty Carly Giglio used Ardell Winks Fluffy Lash Clusters, placing just two clusters on the corners of the model's eyelids for the sake of enhancing the eyes.

Over at Kim Shui's Spring/Summer 2027 show, the lashes were generally more prominent and dramatic. Still, though, the lashes reached their maximum height at the corner of the model's eye, creating a cat-eye effect.

Clumpy Mascara

Magda Butrym SS27 // Spotlight Launchmetrics
Altuzarra SS27 // Photo Courtesy of Bobbi Brown

In an era of messy girl makeup, artists are embracing maximal, clumpy mascara and overtly separated individual lashes. For the Altuzarra show, Bobbi Brown’s Global Artistic Director used brown clumpy mascara to achieve a deconstructed ‘60s aesthetic. Over at Magda Burtrym, clumpy lashes contributed to an equally nostalgic beauty look.

The New Nail Extensions

Kim Shui SS27 // Photo Courtesy of Dashing Diva
Showpony SS27 // Photo Courtesy of Luvme Hair

Instead of deciding between acrylic and gel x extensions, artists went a more untraditional route to add length to nails. For the Kim Shui show, nail artist Krystal Oh was inspired by the feather details present throughout the collection. For Showpony’s second-ever NYFW show, hairstylist Evanie Frausto continued working with hair in unconventional ways—including as nail extensions.