And there we have it. Milan’s passed us by in a flash, and Paris is bowing out. As with every fashion season, the runway transforms inexplicably, if only to be ravaged by beautiful garments—the ones the best designers in the world have imagined we’ll be wearing in time to come. This season was no different, as various brands put forth splendid propositions for spring. But the clothes were not all there was. Like its dependable companion, an entourage of spellbinding runway beauty looks came hand in hand with the spring/summer 2025 collections. Between spatterings of vibrant colour and a wonderful deliverance of complex updos, the highlights ran the gamut.
For the most part, the eyes had it. Like the otherworldly, alien-esque transformation that Diesel demanded—with contact lenses of myriad hues. Or the overextended liners spotted at both Antonio Marras and Alexander McQueen. There was no shortage of kaleidoscopic deliveries either; where Loewe opted for a swathe of shimmering gold on the lids and Dries Van Noten embraced maximalism in an array of multi-toned peepers. On the other hand, the treatment of the mane was also one to watch. Case in point? Dolce&Gabbana, that took a real life muse as the source of inspiration (read: Madonna) and had their models trotting out in retro blonde curls. Elsewhere, looks that screamed Ex Machina were also a treat for the senses; see Mugler’s razor-sharp bangs shrouding the eyes, and Junya Watanabe’s edgy metallic glamour that halted for no one.
We would be hard-pressed not to file our favourites, just so we can relive it all. Henceforth, spy our edit of the most head-turning runway beauty looks from the spring/summer 2025 season in Milan and Paris.
1 / 12
Milan: Diesel
The eyes have it. This season, Diesel keeps all focus on peepers by pairing vivid neon eyeliner flicks with matching lenses; eerie, reptilian renditions paired with otherwise simplistic make-up. Bold red and electric blue irises served as a striking complement to the brand’s rotation of statement denim.
2 / 12
Milan: Versace
“Very fresh but also very rebellious” is how Dame Pat McGrath describes the beauty agenda she created at Versace. Indeed, it was a meeting of moods: while a mahogany lip may add dramatic intensity, its boldness is offset by a dewy complexion and sleek, glossy hair.
3 / 12
Milan: Antonio Marras
Avant-garde beauty is always something to marvel at, and it’s this exact brief that Antonio Marras delivered on. Make-up artist Ricky Morandin dreamed up models’ hyper-winged eyes featuring 3D appliqués, while bouffant updos created by Eugene Souleiman competed for centre catwalk.
4 / 12
Milan: Dolce&Gabbana
She was in the front row, she was all over the runway. Madonna was the inspiration for Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana this season—and so the models were rightfully transformed. Each one sported perfectly-coiffed styles of retro curls, as if they were about to burst out into song anytime.
5 / 12
Paris: Dries Van Noten
How to pull off the ultimate look-at-me peepers? If you’re on the Dries Van Noten runway, you’ll do so by taking two-toned eye make-up to a whole new dimension. Models’ eyelashes were coated in striking neons from hot pink to highlighter yellow, against a backdrop of contrasting eyeshadow.
6 / 12
Paris: Casablanca
Ah, ’90s nostalgia at its finest. Pencil-thin arches make for a cohesive addition to rich, chocolate-brown lip liner as well as a grey-toned eyeshadow look that brings to mind the ashy make-up looks sported by celebrities from the decade of grunge. Sleek, glistening side parts fell to be the perfect modern touch.
7 / 12
Paris: Junya Watanabe
Back to the future we go. As if to reflect the array of silver foil looks that came stomping out in the first half of the show, flat pieces of metal were attached as headpieces—and models were made cyborgian. With eyes blackened and devoid of life, whilst off-shades of foundation were purposefully painted over faces like they were meant to emulate robots.
8 / 12
Paris: Ganni
Ganni’s debut on the Paris Fashion Week calendar was punctuated with intention, originality and plenty of aplomb. On the casting front, they included mature faces, as the hair brief followed a chic schoolgirl—fringe to mimic baby hairs—as coloured cat-eye liner served as an ode to youth and rebellion. Age is really just a number, really, when you’re a Ganni girl.
9 / 12
Paris: Mugler
Not for the faint-hearted. This bowl cut on the Mugler runway took a sharp turn at its end. The result was a symmetrical effect, downright satisfying and even mirrored by the house’s longstanding muse Cardi B, who went for an actual snip to reveal her razor-sharp bangs for the show.
10 / 12
Paris: Alexander McQueen
There was a stronger sense of self on the Alexander McQueen runway this time around, and this domineering sensibility continued through the beauty details, as wet tresses were tamed and slicked back to reveal an infinite liner drawn all the way to the hairline.
11 / 12
Paris: Loewe
By the hand of Pat McGrath, half-moon glitter foils adorned some of the peepers at the Loewe show. Featuring shimmery pigment from Luminous Legends: Mega Eye Shadow Palette, natural, glowy skin and fuss free hair allowed the striking set to shine on its own.
12 / 12
Paris: Saint Laurent
The androgyny at Saint Laurent was made all the more severe through bespectacled faces and solemnly coiffed manes—hairdos that could have easily sat somewhere between polished, pulled-back updos and those handsome, gentlemen cuts once popular with the stylish men of the ’60s.
