The standout beauty trends to bank on from fashion week Fall 2021

For this mostly virtual fashion week, backstage beauty content took an extended hiatus. Even some brands that showed traditionally last fall opted to go audience-free this season, or strictly digital. Plus, with global travel restrictions being what they are, many top beauty artists were unable to work with the brands that they would normally collaborate with during fashion month. 

In this context, it was unsurprising to see many collections styled similarly to Spring 2021, with perennially popular red lips and cat eyes on display (though it's worth noting a few chic updates of both at Erdem, No. 21 and Y/Project this time around). 

A handful of labels offered new ideas to get excited about, perhaps looking forward to post-pandemic festivities. There were kaleidoscopic palettes and elaborate costume-like hairdos: Hélène Vasnier's amazing painted eyes at Giambattista Valli, and Cyndia Harvey's surreal hair sculptures for Simone Rocha were two standouts in a fairly low-key beauty season.    

Somewhere in between the status quo and the dramatic statements, there were hair and makeup looks that felt fresh and exciting and, ultimately, quite attainable. Here, five ideas to note now, for when you're ready for your beauty refresh.  

Coppery lids

Copper and brown-toned eye shadows in matte and slightly metallic formulations, brushed on above and below the eye, made a subtle but pleasing impression at Jason Wu, Ports 1961 and Tanya Taylor. To complete the look, pair with natural pink lips and bold filled-in brows.

Centre parts

Whether you're Gen Z or not, the no-volume, clean centre part is back in a big way for fall (not that it ever really left for some of us! Ahem). For both short and long locks, and even braided hair, centre parts were ubiquitous in many shows, lookbooks and films this season, including at Jil Sander, Etro and Dries Van Noten. 

Matching pouts

For the most part, pink and classic red were the main lip colours of choice this season. But there was a notable trend of makeup artists matching lip to outfits at Carolina Herrera, Nina Ricci and Salvatore Ferragamo (where silver pigments extended from lip to neck). A fun trick to try in the near future — especially if futuristic metallics are involved. 

Sticker statements

Glued-on sparkle and flowers have been in use for a number of seasons at fashion week and beyond, but after a year of face masks and Zoom calls, there's something delightful about the idea of drawing attention to the face with gems and flowers in asymmetric, individualistic designs. The Astrantia flowers under models' eyes at Bora Aksu were particularly pretty, like an Instagram filter IRL. 

Head scarves

Head coverings of all types, including balaclavas and knit headbands, are looking to be popular for fall, but head scarves in particular caught our eye at Max Mara, Christian Dior, Bally, Versace and Preen by Thorton Bregazzi. There were embellished scarves, monogrammed versions and some large enough to be tied under the chin. No need to worry over bad hair days come fall.

Truc Nguyen is a Toronto-based writer, editor and stylist. Follow her at @trucnguyen.