Spring Summer 2027 Runway Makeup Trends
Beauty became a central narrative force on the SS27 runways.
Beauty has become as central to the Spring/Summer 2027 runway as the clothes. This season's fashion shows delivered a decisive shift, with makeup, hair, and nail art moving from a supporting role to a starring element of thematic storytelling and bold expression.
Nail art innovations across cities
Nail artists pushed boundaries with texture and technique. At Dior, nail artist Ama Quashie executed detailed python-printed nails. In London, Quashie also created sheer, ombre nails adorned with 3D droplets for Alexander McQueen. These detailed manicures were paired with shaven eyebrows and smokey cut-crease eye looks crafted by Daniel Sällström.
Experimental eye and skin treatments
Designers embraced smudged, graphic, and ethereal treatments. Matières Fécales presented a dystopian 'Ninety Nine Percent' theme, with SFX artist Catalina Sartor and makeup artist Thibaut Marieke creating smudged eye shadow, black circle lenses, and silver skin spikes. Diesel's Milan show featured smudged lipstick by Inge Grognard, alongside fluffy brows and dewy skin. Thom Browne showed watercolor-esque eyeshadow, neon pink blush, and statement lips, a vision made possible by makeup artist Aaron de Mey and Byredo.
Thematic storytelling through makeup
Beauty looks were deeply tied to collection narratives. Di Petsa's 'Holy Milk' show, focusing on motherhood, featured blinding highlight and endless body shimmer by Emma Regan. Regan also added realistic tears and shimmery lip gloss, while manicurist Tyler Phoenix fixed gold, white, and sea-shell inspired nails. Singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock sprayed artificial milk over models' faces. At Chopova Lowena's bowling alley show, Lauren Reynolds created huge, temple-grazing wispy lashes, leafy face tattoos, and gloopy faux tears, complemented by a natural windswept flush from FACETHINGS blush sticks.
Cultural fusion and bold expression
Makeup served as a vehicle for cultural references. Luar's New York show featured a punk drag aesthetic. Makeup artist Andrew Dahling used MAC Cosmetics for bedazzled masks, graphic liner, and tons of glitter. He described the look as "Christopher Columbus 1492 meets Christopher Street 1982," referencing ballroom drag, punk aesthetics and the Tudor era. Kim Shui presented Beijing opera-inspired looks with oversized lashes and red lips, executed by Romero Jennings and MAC Cosmetics. For Yuhan Wang in London, makeup artist Bea Sweet completed the look with what she calls "lace imprints and sweaty dream cheeks makeup."
The SS27 runway beauty trends, particularly the emphasis on narrative-driven makeup and experimental nail art, are expected to influence editorial and commercial beauty directions in the coming season.
