Top Fall Beauty 2015: The 10 biggest hair and makeup trends of the season

Date August 10, 2015

We don’t mean to freak you out, but fall is basically here. The good news: there are some serious statement-making beauty trends to get excited about from the Fall 2015 runways (black lips!). If you ask us, it’s a bit of a relief considering muted mouths, natural waves and bare complexions have been on repeat the last few seasons, which was fine and dandy for the beauty minimalists among us, but torture for anyone who likes a good beauty dare. If you’re one of the latter, this is your season. In New York and London, Milan and Paris, makeup artists and hairstylists flexed their creative muscles, and offered something for everyone.

There was lived-in eye shadow for smoky eye loyalists, and decorative pieces adhered around the eyes at shows like Rodarte, where Swarovski crystals were placed in a row beneath the lower lash line. At Carolina Herrera, lashes were bedazzled to look like wee water drops had landed on them. And liner went off line, with no shape or smear too far-fetched. (Finally an unsteady hand works in our favour!) When artists weren’t dressing up eyes, lips received some attention: previously painted in flesh tones or a quick swipe of lip balm, this season mouths moved from red, to brick, to berry to…black. (See: Giles and Emanuel Ungaro).

The biggest message in hair: accessories, in all shapes and sizes, including headbands, which turned up at Fendi and Proenza Schouler. There was more wet hair, with inspo ranging from heavy metal heroes like Kiss and Marilyn Manson at Alexander Wang, to poolside strands at Stella McCartney. If you’re a ponytail person, they were swept to the side at Dior and Prada, so maybe rewatch some ‘80s teen flicks for pointers.

Click through for over 60 images of the top fall beauty trends of 2015, as well as some of our favourite products to achieve each look.

Whether softly shaped and groomed, or strengthened and squared off, brows were rarely left untouched at this season’s shows. From Jil Sander, where brows were beefed up with pencil and powder, to Rag & Bone where they were darkened and coated with sheer lip gloss for sheen, it’s clear that bold eyebrows are a serious staple this season.

Whether you’re going for a natural look, or are considering replacing your eyebrows with stick on jewels, this season is the time to step up your brow game.

Valentino Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Christopher Kane Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Vivienne Westwood Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Missoni Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Rag & Bone Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Jil Sander Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

If there was ever a time to truly step up your eyelash game, it’s Fall 2015. This season’s eyes were adorned with everything from clumpy black mascara at Jill Stuart to silver glitter (meant to emulate water droplets) at Carolina Herrera.

If those don’t suit your style, try the look from Giambattista Valli, where Val Garland brushed six coats of mascara through lashes for a spidery, morning after effect. Or try out the mascara-only look from No. 21 for a lived-in, messy vibe. Whatever look you choose, let lashes be your defining feature this fall.

Vanessa Bruno Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Mary Katrantzou Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Alexander McQueen Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Giambattista Valli Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Carolina Herrera Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Jill Stuart Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

From a full face of metal foil at Rick Owens to a subtle string of Swaorvski crystals on the lower lash line at Rodarte, face embellishments made a statement, no matter the size. Take inspiration from these extras and give your fall makeup bag an update with unexpected accessories.

For a truly daring look, borrow from Givenchy with faux facial piercings. Although this trend certainly requires more courage than others, by adding only subtle touches, the look has wings IRL, too.

Rodarte Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Jacquemus Fall 2015, shot by Victor Boyko

Gareth Pugh Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Anna Sui Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Temperley London Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Rick Owens Fall 2015, shot by Antonello Trio

Givenchy Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Eyes were the true stars of the season, with countless ways to line and define them popping up all over the fall runways. At DKNY, models sported an exaggerated cat eye shape that was crafted with black liquid liner, and at Burberry Prorsum smudged grey liner was the only makeup models wore.

From graphic comma-like shapes drawn on with cream liner at Rochas, to a lived in look created at Versace with smudged black pencil, there’s a graphic look for every style (and expertise level).

House of Holland Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Rick Owens Fall 2015, shot by Richard Bord

Versace Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

fall beauty trends 2015 graphic eyeliner — Anthony Vaccarello Fall 2015, shot by Francois Guillot

Everyone got into the accessory game this season. There were bejeweled barrettes at Prada, oversized flower and seashell combs at Gucci, and minimalist clips that looked like they were floating in models’ hair at Rochas.

Even the beauty purists over at Proenza Schouler joined the party, giving black leather headbands their blessing. There were more headbands over at Fendi, where Sam “I do love an accessory” McKnight kept it simple this time. “[When you have] a headband that is very strong, you don’t need anything else,” he says.

Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Proenza Schouler Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Everyone’s favourite summery hues are making an unexpected come back for fall. Surprisingly enough, orange has proven itself to be a great shade to transition between seasons with.

For some orange inspiration, warm up your completion with a peach toned blush, as seen on models at DSquared2.

Altuzarra Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Giorgio Armani Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Thakoon Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

DSquared2 Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Peter Pilotto Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

The classic hot summer day staple has been updated for fall, with models at Prada and Alberta Ferretti donning a simple ponytail. At Dior, a sleek, slicked back style was topped off with hair wrapped around the base of the ponytail, and at Fendi the simple ‘do was completed with a white headband and mussed up for a more casual feel.

If there’s any lesson to be learned from beauty trends this fall, it’s that the ponytail does not have to be boring. Take for example the ‘dos on display at Prada. These twisted up tresses didn’t require a single bobby pin, since hairstylist Guido Palau used a yet-to-hit-shelves gel/mousse hybrid and hairspray to lock it in place. Topped off with a larger than life hair accessory, who can resist trying this style at home?

Alberta Ferretti Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Delpozo Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Lip colours went from 0 to 60 this season. Of course, we saw the standard reds. Mouths darkened to brick at 3.1 Phillip Lim and Julien Macdonald, and into a deep berry at Marc Jacobs and Carolina Herrera.

But the drama factor was off the meter at Giles and Emanuel Ungaro, where Lucia Pieroni went dark, blending noir pencils and pigment. Try being bold with your lip colour this fall, whether it be a cherry red, a plum or – if you dare – a glossy black.

Julien David Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Emporio Armani Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Phillip Lim Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Emanuel Ungaro Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Marc Jacobs Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Taking a break from the natural look and the blowout, this season hair stylists opted instead for a more done-up approach. Hair was rolled into french twists at Oscar de la Renta and pulled high into face-lifting buns at Balenciaga.

At Marc Jacobs, the models’ hair and makeup was inspired by the elegance and beauty of swans. Hair stylist Guido Palau pulled the models’ locks into extreme topknots to accentuate the length of the their necks for a swan-like appearance.

Balenciaga Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Oscar de la Renta Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

The forecast for hair this season is rain, wind and a heavy-metal muse. Forget the blow dryer this fall and opt for a natural meets rock and roll look. At Alexander Wang, models wore Marilyn Manson and Kiss inspired hair and makeup, with damp strands of hair hanging in front of their faces on the runway. From manufactured wind-dried waves at Marni to faux swimmer’s hair at Stella McCartney, wet hair is totally the new blowout.

Nina Ricci Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Paul Smith Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Stella McCartney Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

Alexander Wang Fall 2015, shot by Peter Stigter

From graphic liner to bold lips, no matter the trends you try this fall, these runway approved products will keep your look fresh all season long.

Try out our favourite new products, for brows and lips and everything in between. We promise these fall favourites will become year-round makeup essentials.