NYFW Spring 2016: The 10 beauty moments we’re still talking about

Date September 18, 2015

new york fashion week spring 2016 beauty — Photography by Peter Stigter

New York can be a tough city for beauty. After all, it was the birthplace of the moisturizer-only movement (see: Marc Jacobs, Spring 2015). This season didn’t stray far from the usual pared-down-and-pretty script; with the exception of Givenchy and Hood by Air, there weren’t a lot of mind-bending makeup and hair looks.

Still, there were more than a few winners in our books. The hair accessories at Rodarte are always something we look forward to seeing, and Odile Gilbert didn’t disappoint, placing metallic barrettes wherever she saw fit. (No eyebrow piercings or eyeliner crystals this season, unfortunately.) Braiding seems to show no signs of waning, as evidenced at shows like Proenza Schouler and Hervé Leger. There were a few red lips thrown in for good measure at DKNY, Oscar de La Renta, Zac Posen and Jason Wu. We even applaud the zero-makeup look at Alexander Wang for its raw bravado.

Inspired by TIFF (yes, it’s still going) and Marc Jacobs’ movie premiere-themed show last night, we’ve picked our nominees for the best of beauty at the Spring 2016 shows. The envelope please…

1/10

PHOTOGRAPHER

Best supporting actress: Bella Hadid

Typically big sister Gigi steals the spotlight, but Bella Hadid made her own mark at NYFW closing Jeremy Scott and walking in Marc Jacobs.

2/10

new york fashion week spring 2016 beauty

Best short film: Alexander Wang

At Alexander Wang, a visit to the makeup chair took all of five minutes max (moisturizer only, please). In fact, Diane Kendal apologized to forlorn beauty editors, for the lack of a look.

3/10

new york fashion week spring 2016 beauty

Best foreign film: Vera Wang

A girl interning at French Vogue, was how hairstylist Eugene Souleiman described the look at Vera Wang where models wore customized black wigs.

4/10

new york fashion week spring 2016 beauty

Best documentary: Hood by Air

A statement about young people getting cosmetic surgery, the makeup slashes that looked like a contouring how-to were painted on to mimic what doctors do to patients pre op.

5/10

new york fashion week spring 2016 beauty

Best makeup and hairstyling: Marchesa

Our favourite look of week, part I: The fanned out chignon is a work of art.

6/10

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Best makeup and hairstyling: Marchesa

Our favourite look of week, part II: We’re a sucker for a matte fuchsia lip.

7/10

new york fashion week spring 2016 beauty

Best adapted screenplay: DVF

The teal shadow and soft curls at DVF were inspired by a ‘70s photograph of the designer looking gorgeous before a night out at Studio 54.

8/10

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Best original screenplay: Tommy Hilfiger

Models weren’t enlisted into a fashion army at Tommy Hilfiger. Instead the beauty look was meant to embrace each girl’s individuality, a trend that we hope continues to gain traction.

9/10

new york fashion week spring 2016 beauty

Best director: Givenchy

The James Cameron of beauty, Pat McGrath is a master of special effects. And, clearly OTT beauty isn’t out of her system yet. Taking what she did for Givenchy’s fall 2015 one step further, the face painter decorated skin with ivory lace, tulle and pearls.

10/10

new york fashion week spring 2016 beauty

Best picture: Marc Jacobs

Our FOMO for this one was major; guests were served popcorn, Junior Mints and Hot Tamales while watching the collection come down the theatre aisles. Francois Nars and Guido’s beauty contribution was just as strong as the movie snacks: clumpy lashes, abstract slashes of shadow, hyper dewy skin and updos that looked like they had been slept on, with glittery accessories hanging on for dear life.