Another Fashion Week season is upon us, if you can believe it. This could be an alarming reminder of time’s passage, but the spring/summer 2025 beauty moments seen from New York and London so far have proved grounding, for it’s clear that they remain firmly rooted in today’s free-spirited beauty zeitgeist.
Somewhere between contouring and ‘clean girl’, we’ve reached a happy medium. Indeed, natural-looking complexions have been omnipresent on the runways—albeit amplified with a stand-out beauty detail. This was often via romantic, soft touches. Picture the pastel-sheened pouts at Sandy Liang, or the eye-grazing updos sported for Richard Quinn. Similarly, under-eye blush was worn in delicate lilac over at 3.1 Phillip Lim and complemented with dusty rose pouts.
Of course, several designers opted to err bolder. At Luar, clean complexions were the base for an otherwise otherworldly look, where black lacquer worn over models’ eyebrows and mouths made for intriguing drama. Christian Siriano also veered into the dark side, by way of kohl-smudged eyes paired with glitter-encrusted side parts. And that’s not to say anything of Chet Lo, who channeled futurism through cyber-chrome nails and metallic hair.
Below, behold the best spring/summer 2025 beauty looks as seen so far from New York and London.
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New York: 3.1 Phillip Lim
The words demure and mindful might be overplayed at the moment, but it is the most apt way to describe the make-up glimpsed at 3.1 Phillip Lim’s spring/summer 2025 presentation. Think Igari make-up, but with a twist—where rosy, under-eye blush is replaced instead with a frosty lilac halo that serves as a delicate contrast to the sleek, tailored silhouettes seen at the show.
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New York: Christian Cowan
You heard it here first: bobs are back. This season’s iteration stops right by the cheek, adding a precise touch of angularity to striking make-up that takes the form of pencil-thin brows and overly-lined lips. British designer, Christian Cowan, ensured that all models sported this hair look that he aptly dubbed the “contour bob.”
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New York: Christian Siriano
Fairycore gone dark. The hyper-specific aesthetic was conceived and executed by celebrity make-up artist, Vincent Oquendo; a smorgasbord of ethereal and edgy references designed to complement Siriano’s vision of twisted romance. A play of contrasts, indeed—think deep, sleek side parts except plastered in glitter, as well as kohl-smudged eyeliner paired with delicate neutral gloss.
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New York: Luar
A little ’90s tribute is always welcomed. Especially when the result is as intriguing as with Luar’s runway. Sculptural glass hair took root, courtesy of Tresemmé, as models donned appliqués atop the brows and eyes that were made from the fabric of the collection.
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New York: Sandy Liang
A little splash of pink never killed nobody. Especially when it comes to electrifying streaks of metallic pastels, à la Sandy Liang’s school going adults. Where pouts were puckered in luscious swipes of Barbie-licious hues, as if to match the occasional brights on her runway.
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London: Harris Reed
Harris Reed has always had a penchant for theatrics. This season was no exception, this time in Art Deco fashion, as models donned doll-like lashes and cupid bows executed by Charlotte Tilbury. A sheen of gloss was added for that porcelain effect, coupled with clear, dewy skin.
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London: Chet Lo
While he might have leaned into a more subdued, matured side this season, a streak of Chet Lo’s rebellion was still prevalent in the beauty cues. Cobalt blue graced the tresses of his models (some in raccoon stripes) and the brows, whereas the rest was left bare and fresh-faced. A closer look, and you’ll also find metallic inverted nail extensions, which made its own trippy impact.
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London: Paul Costelloe
Playful whimsy was in the air at Paul Costelloe—after all, Emily in Paris served as the collection’s light-hearted muse. On the mane front, volume was dialled up courtesy of ’60s-style, headband-bound blowouts. Meanwhile, miens were adorned with a wash of candy pink across the lids. Frivolous, feminine perfection.
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London: Richard Quinn
The golden age of couture might be what Richard Quinn was feeling sentimental about—and it showed as a whisper on the runway: in soft taupe shadows and a wispy chignon held in place by a netted veil, imbuing a certain mystery worthy of the Victorian era.
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London: Patrick Mcdowell
Dramatic definition are apt keywords for the make-up on Patrick Mcdowell’s runways. Tight-lining will forever be a fail-proof way of adding edge to your gaze—models’ ink-framed eyes were case in point. Additionally, chocolate brown was the lip colour of choice, lined in one shade darker to complete a bold, ’90s-esque pout.
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London: Chopova Lowena
Anarchy reigns at Chopova Lowena. Even if it means the runway is a spattering of unexpected combinations; from dual-tone lips to the addictive mania of colour adorning lids. As the ultimate act of rebellion? Every manner of kitschy hair accessory was spotted on the models, twisting and turning tight, slick manes into unorthodox deliveries.
