They say that hindsight is a beautiful thing, and this certainly rings true in the context of fashion week. When you’re in the thick of it, the travel, work, interviews, showings, writing, dressing, and Instagramming can feel nothing short of overwhelming. But now, suspended somewhere between a pandemic and a “new normal,” watching the spectacle unfold digitally from the couch just doesn’t really feel the same. There’s still beauty, but the energy — so frenetic its almost palpable IRL — is missing.
But that hasn’t stopped a slew of designers from creating, shining a little bit of light into an industry that’s felt relatively dark over the past year. And London Fashion Week has been a prime example, the beauty looks included. So as the week draws to a close, we’re looking at some of the best moments — from the larger-than-life hair at Molly Goddard to the tiny floral eye accoutrements at Bora Aksu.
Keep scrolling for the beauty trends sure to take hold post-pandemic.
SHE’S A LADY
Emilia Wickstead rebuffed the loungewear aesthetic of the past 18 months and instead showed a collection of sophisticated pieces, characterized by tailored separates, intricate prints and feminine silhouettes. It made sense then, that the beauty look was impossibly chic. Skin was clean and matte, brows were full but groomed, and facial contours lightly defined. It felt refined, elevated and expensive, not to mention a nice alternative from the hyper-glossy skin we see on Instagram. To emulate a similar look, try lightly powdering your skin with By Terry’s Hyaluronic Pressed Hydra-Powder Face Setting Powder.
FULL BLOOM
Over at Bora Aksu, makeup artist Janeen Witherspoon used incredible Astrantia flowers beneath each model’s eye to add a final touch of fantasy to an already whimsical, over-the-top collection. From afar, they appeared as tiny jewels—alluding to a post-pandemic world characterized by parties and extravagance. The rest of the look was wonderfully simple: glossed skin, bare lashes and the lightest touch of cheek color.
While not exactly real-world friendly, it’s refreshing to see beauty that epitomizes fashion week. It’s creative and quirky and a little bit avant-garde. In other words, it’s beauty for beauty’s sake (and we wouldn’t have it any other way).
IMAGE CREDIT: JEAN WITHERSPOON MAKEUP
RAINBOW BRIGHT
Molly Goddard is well known for her otherworldly, quirky confections, the FW2021 offering no different. Full of frothy tulle and chunky vests, it was a clash of color and print in a way that felt wonderfully chaotic. But just as loud as the clothing was the hair and makeup. Artist Miranda Joyce applied lashings of candy pink blush and took it well past the apples, instead blending it above the brows and into the eyes. Lips were painted in a deep, brick red as well for added impact.
Finally, the hair was teased into oblivion, resulting in a full, fluffy, almost weightless texture that felt somewhat aligned with the gowns themselves. Part 80s, part-post-pandemic-playfulness, it was a fitting addition to London Fashion Week.
SO SLICK
Finally 16Arlington gave us the sleek, shiny party hair of our dreams (and also dispelled the internet myth that side parts are only for olds). Models either had short, piece-y fringes or deeply-set side parts, both glossed and lacquered with abandon. The finished product was hair that had a glassy shine—a trend we’d be happy to see more of in the coming months. For a similar look, try Ouai Hair & Body Shine Mist, $32.
