7 beauty ideas to steal from Paris Couture Week

In many ways, haute couture these days is more about communicating a fantasy of fashion, and showcasing its creative possibilities, than selling specific product or dictating trends. For the most part, the clothes are extravagant, the dramatic beauty looks don't necessarily have to be relatable, and designers are experimenting with ideas and techniques that simply wouldn't be practical for their ready-to-wear collections. 

Of course, there are a few lucky shoppers who will be placing orders straight from the Paris Haute Couture shows that just took place last week — but the fantastic, theatrical looks mainly serve as fashionable entertainment for the rest of us. 

Still, it's hard not to find the shows inspiring, and it is much more possible to translate the innovative beauty ideas from the Fall 2019 couture shows to your life. It's just a matter of adapting the OTT execution into an idea or styling trick that works for real-life occasions. After all, the creatives behind many showstopping couture looks—iconic names like Sam McKnight, Guido Palau and Pat McGrath—are the same ones behind some of your favourite beauty brands, fashion magazine editorials, and celebrity red carpet moments. Couture is just where they get to really play. 

Here are 7 of the most interesting and adaptable beauty looks from last week's haute couture presentations.

The show: Schiaparelli

The look: For designer Daniel Roseberry's first couture collection for the house of Schiaparelli, there were colours and sparkle aplenty. While the glitter-covered lips shown here may be uncomfortable to wear, the ombré-look crystals and glitter in model Nyarach Abouch Ayuel's hair make for a pretty magical effect. 

The show: Jean Paul Gaultier

The look: The can't-miss-them "holographic eyes" created by makeup artist Erin Parsons using multi-coloured glitter at the Jean Paul Gaultier show were all one-of-a-kind creations — each shape and colour combination varied slightly. The look is seen here on Canadian model (and model agent!) Tyg Davison. Who says you have to stick to one colour when it comes to oversized glitter?

The show: Ralph & Russo

The look: Really into pearl jewelry and hair accessories this season? Time to combine those two fashion interests in one glam combo! At Ralph & Russo, styled by Canadian stylist Leith Clark, hairstylist Larry King placed pearl hair accessories and oversized headbands on several models to create a look that's sweet but also sophisticated. The extra good news? Gorgeous pearl headbands are already easy to find online. 

The show: Chanel 

The look: The winged black eyeliner and sleek ponytails at Chanel are great for everyday, but there's something outstanding about the very bold brows created by makeup artist Lucia Pica. Who knew that a 5-second eyebrow brushing could add such drama?  

The show: Fendi

The look: For the Fendi couture show, held near the Colosseum in Rome, hairstylist Sam McKnight cut 54 wigs into matching round bobs, and then dyed every one — using colours inspired by Roman marble — to match each outfit. Could a retro-looking round bob become the next trendy haircut?

The show: Valentino

The look: Electric sequin swipes, colour-matched to each outfit, decorated eyes at Valentino. The effect, designed by makeup legend Pat McGrath, was amplified by the surrounding winged eyeliner and seriously lightened brows. For your next night out, why not match your bold shadow to your dress?

The show: Iris Van Herpen

The look: The clothes at Iris Van Herpen were spectacular; the hair and makeup was designed to match but not compete. Still, this look shows how a quick low bun updo can be elevated by maintaining a slick texture and parting the hair at sharp, interesting angles.

Truc Nguyen is a Toronto-based writer, editor and stylist. Follow her at @trucnguyen.