5 top beauty trends from Fashion Week Fall 2023
Truc Nguyen | CBC Life | Posted: March 9, 2023 10:04 PM | Last Updated: March 9, 2023
Elongated lashes, ribbons adorning skin and nails, and more must-see runway looks
There were a few theatrical, even fantastical, hair and makeup looks on the Fall 2023 runways. The shows this season that embraced a storybook narrative — Thom Browne's The Little Prince–inspired presentation and Rodarte's Gothic Fairies collection, for example — leaned into their themes, with backstage teams creating striking beauty looks.
Still, for the most part, the beauty direction aligned with the prevailing fashion messages of the Fall 2023 season, with looks that could be considered classic, understated and — occasionally — a little undone. There were very achievable hairstyles, from curly bangs to sleek buns, while more daring elements like under-eye eyeliner and statement lashes were often paired with no-makeup makeup.
Ahead, five intriguing beauty trends you'll be seeing everywhere this year.
Curly fringe
It's time to lean into texture: wavy bangs and curly fringe styles were ubiquitous on the runways this season, especially when paired with a shorter cut. Not sure if you're ready for a long-term commitment? At the Dries Van Noten show, hairstylist Sam McKnight used extensions and a curling iron to create faux fringes for models.
Extra-long lashes
Remember the surreal lashes last season at Prada? This season's models at the Milan Fashion Week highlight sported an updated version, batting long, full sets of white and pastel lashes. Similarly lengthy falsies graced other fall shows, sometimes paired with bleached or lightened eyebrows for extra impact. At Dries Van Noten, Vivetta and Marni, elongated lashes were spiky and sparse.
The key to pulling off this dramatic look — aside from investing in some very strong lash glue — is to keep the rest of your makeup simple, meaning nude lips and no eyeliner.
Sleek, low buns
There were no flyaways, and very few frills, when it came to the minimalist, low buns spotted on the runways at Tod's, Julien Macdonald, Jason Wu and more. Slightly more elaborate tied-back styles were shown at shows like Balmain and Carolina Herrera, but the look from the front was all the same: slicked back, slightly glossy and not a hair out of place.
Ribbon bows
Thinking beyond the pressed flowers and stickers of past seasons, a few hair and makeup artists attached delicate ribbon bows onto hair, faces and even nails at fashion week. This was a niche trend, with the most prominent examples appearing at Sandy Liang in New York and Simone Rocha in London, but we wouldn't be surprised to see the charming, easy-to-DIY look replicated in many beauty editorials in the months ahead.
Under-eye effects
An eye look that felt new and fun but wasn't quite everywhere yet? Sweeping eyeliner and embellishments that emphasized the under-eye area. At Valentino, black liner was extended to some models' temples, while at Victoria Beckham, makeup artist Fara Homidi drew wide, bright lines under the eyes using a crayon-like shadow stick. And makeup artist Pat McGrath fastened a row of reflective squares under the eyes of some models at the Louis Vuitton show in Paris, to dazzling effect.
Truc Nguyen is a Toronto-based writer, editor and stylist. Follow her at @trucnguyen.