Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
New York Fashion Week’s Fall-Winter 2026 season has officially come to a close. But, not before leaving behind beauty trends we’ll all be trying on for size by September. From big, effortless hair at Collina Strada and LaQuan Smith, to statement blush at Marc Jacobs and aspirational aging at Diotima, the shows were just as influential as their star-studded front rows.
Below, try out 3 of the biggest New York Fashion Week trends ESSENCE spotted throughout the week.
Aging Was Aspirational
At the start of 2026, young women were making mood boards aspiring to grow older. It’s a trend we saw spill onto the runway, where mature models reminded us how beautiful aging actually is. At Diotima, one model sported a “bedroom twist” updo, while another at Carolina Herrera wore dark eye makeup to accentuate her deep-set eyes.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 12: A model walks the runway wearing Carolina Herrera Fall 26 during New York Fashion Week on February 12, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 11: A model walks the runway at the Public School show during the New York Fashion Week February 2026 on February 11, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Estrop/Getty Images)
Hair Was Effortless (Yet Big!)
Hair was effortless, yet larger than life. At Collina Strada, hairstylist Mustafa “The more messy the better… I always like to put a bit of imperfection in,” he says backstage. He used Bumble and bumble Spray De Mode hairspray to set wigs layered on top of each other. It’s a similar volume we saw at LaQuan Smith, tapping hair artist Evanie Frausto—who presented his very own show days later for his brand Showpony—to turn True Hair Company wigs into a 1940s spectacle. “Patty Wilson was the inspiration,” he shares. “[We did] something that had a little bit of a retro vintage feel.”
Backstage at the Marc Jacobs fashion show as part of RTW Fall 2026 held at the Park Avenue Armory on February 9, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Lexie Moreland/WWD via Getty Images)
Model on the runway at the Collina Strada fashion show as part of RTW Fall 2026 on February 11, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Rodin Banica/WWD via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 14: A model walks the runway for the LaQuan Smith fashion show during New York Fashion Week on February 14, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Statement Makeup
At Marc Jacobs, the collection was more pared back than previous seasons, but makeup still packed a punch with circular blush and powder blue eyeshadow. A chocolate lip at Tory Burch was equally neutral as it was bold, meanwhile Sheika Daley leaned into jeweled red lips for Prabal Gurung.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 09: Models pose backstage during the Marc Jacobs 2026 Runway Show at Park Avenue Armory on February 09, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Marc Jacobs)
NEW YORK, USA – FEBRUARY 11: A model walks the runway during the Tory Burch Ready to Wear Fall/Winter 2026-2027 fashion show as part of the New York Fashion Week on February 11, 2026 in NY. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
