Exaggerated eyeliner, imperfect pixie cuts and more beauty trends from Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2019
Fierce but feminine looks from Italy's style capital
Milan Fashion Week beauty was all about fierce but feminine looks with a creative twist for the spring/summer 2019 runway presentations. Structured graphic black eyeliner, micro-fringed pixie cuts, long braids and sharp glitter were the statement looks on the Milanese runways. Here's a closer look at the biggest beauty trends from the fashion extravaganza.
Exaggerated eyeliner
Eyeliner took center stage at several shows in Milan as make up artists offered different takes on a classic cat-eye. For the Marni show, famed makeup artist Pat McGrath drew exaggerated cat-eye shapes that extended outwards from the lids with graphic black liner.
McGrath also took the beauty reigns at Prada and Versace. For Prada, McGrath bleached brows and used a muted grey eye pencil to create a shadow backdrop of '60s-inspired faux lashes. "Lashes can be so powerful and really change the face when you exaggerate them," McGrath said backstage. At Versace, McGrath gave models sexy winged shaped eyes created with shimmery crayon-coloured eyeshadow.
The return of the pixie
Renowned hairstylist Guido Palau gave six rising models micro-fringed pixie cuts before they walked the runway for Prada. The androgynous looks were inspired by the iconic Edie Sedgwick and perfectly complemented Miuccia Prada's inventive spring collection. "This kind of cut creates a new character," Palau said backstage.
The next day, ahead of the Versace spring/summer 2019 show, Palau convinced top model Edie Campbell to channel the androgynous '60s-era model and razor off her shaggy mullet and turn it into… you guessed it… an edgy pixie cut.
Glitter, updated
Holographic makeup was seen on runways earlier this year, but Armani had a new take. Bold flakes ensured that models eyes reflected runway lights and shimmered boldly. Makeup artist Linda Cantello's specific, sparkling lids definitely stood out amidst otherwise minimalist makeup on women and men walking the Armani show — touches that perfectly married modernism with minimalism.
Towering topknots
The top knot is not new but in Milan, it reached new heights. Legendary hairstylist Sam McKnight drew from the Victorian era when he created the signature hairstyle of Fendi's Spring/Summer 2019 runway presentation. The hair was swept off of model's faces into a super high topknot. To add a touch of romanticism to the chic look, McKnight brought baby hairs to the forefront framing the face.
"These aren't big tendrils of hair just hanging there," McKnight said backstage of the whisper-light strands. "They're doll-like, but soft and brushed out for a youthful effect."
Severe braids
Top knots and androgynous pixie cuts paled compared to the serious hair statement at Max Mara. Each model hit the stage sporting sleekly woven hairstyles dreamed up by hair stylist Sam McKnight, who was inspired by Max Mara's original designer Anne Marie Beretta and her signature long twist. Models' hair was parted in the middle, slicked back and secured at the nape of the neck before extending, rope-like braids that made a dramatic statement.
Christopher Turner is a Toronto-based writer, editor and lifelong fashionisto with a passion for pop culture and sneakers. Follow him on social media at @Turnstylin.