Behold: The Prettiest Makeup Looks From the Spring Runways

(Image credit: Getty)

published 5 April 2021

Spring/Summer 2021 Fashion Week (opens in new tab) looked a little different this year—but brands got creative, from the staging of their shows to the models' makeup looks. We're used to seeing Fashion Week beauty strutting down the runway, but this year it expanded to include digital shows, runways without human models, and brands releasing images without a runway at all. Even so, we were gifted some truly stellar makeup looks to drool over. Fashion Week always show off the best of the best, (opens in new tab) but this year we have the additional bonus of getting to see makeup artists being truly innovative in their presentation.

While bare-faced models were on trend this Fashion Week, many brands delivered looks that we were so excited about. From the genius minds of makeup artists like Pat McGrath, Isamaya Ffrench, and Tom Sapin, to name a few, we got to see everything from bold lips and blue lids to smokey eyes for days. Whether you're looking to mimic some everyday makeup looks or need some dramatic-eye inspo, this Fashion Week has plenty of that.

1/25

Ashish

This two-toned lip is almost as bold as the brand's clothes. Daniel Sallstrom (opens in new tab) created this vibrant lip along with carved out eyelids, circa the '60s.

2/25

Miu Miu

Pair a classic collar with some bold red eyes. This is a new take on the cat-eye trend, paired with clean skin and arched brows. It should come as no surprise that this masterful eye is the work of Pat McGrath (opens in new tab).

3/25

Stella McCartney

Who said eyeliner needs to sit on the lash line? This floating liner look is easy to achieve even for amateurs. Keep the rest of the face bare to really make a statement.

4/25

Versace

No need for nudes, it's time for neon lips. These mood-elevating colors are must-haves and go with every color scheme.

5/25

Givenchy

Smokey eyes get a slam update with silver hints on the inner corner and lash line. Paired with fluffy brows and minimal makeup on the face, metallic hints keep the smokey eye from becoming too dark.

6/25

Alice + Olivia

Jessi Butterfield (opens in new tab) used Deck of Scarlet products to bring the drama for Alice + Olivia. These intensely matte smoked-out eyes are reminiscent of Jenny Humphrey à la Gossip Girl. Incidentally, that is exactly what they were going for. Safe to say, Butterfield absolutely nailed it.

7/25

Jason Wu

Using Jason Wu Beauty products, Diane Kendal (opens in new tab) created this simple, warm-toned eye look for Jason Wu's show. Partnered with radiant skin, courtesy of 111Skin, this look is easy to do at home for a subtle glam moment.

8/25

LBV

For some Studio 54 glam, Charlie Riddle (opens in new tab) and Stila Cosmetics brought the glitz with this purple and blue smokey eye. Using Stila's classic liquid eyeshadows, Riddle created a look that will definitely let you stand out from the crowd.

9/25

Prabal Gurung

This beautiful makeup look that stalked the Prabal Gurung runways is like a modern version of Edith Piaf's iconic beauty looks. With sculpted, almost architectural browns, and eyeliner-rimmed eyes, this look is sure to win some hearts.

10/25

Gucci

Created with Gucci Beauty product, these extravagant brows made waves on the runway. To elevate the doe-eyed look, a set of lashes are applied on the lower lash-line for an intense, wide-eyed look.

11/25

Moschino

Marie Antoinette called, and she's jealous of the Moschino runway looks. With towering wigs and elongated cat-liner, the models on the runway channeled French royalty in the best possible way.

12/25

Saint Laurent

Using YSL Beauty products, this look is all about the lips. With monochromatic outfits and barely-there face makeup, a bold red lip makes the entire look come together.

13/25

Isabel Marant

The ultimate in French-ness, this smokey eye is perfectly slept-in and messy. With clean skin, the dark eye look doesn't take away from the outfits, and instead looks perfectly undone.

14/25

Savage x Fenty

Priscilla Ono (opens in new tab), the global makeup artist for Fenty Beauty, made this look possible. Along with makeup artist Hector Espinal, they created a '90s bombshell look with bedroom eyes that made us all fall in love.

15/25

16/25

Xuly.Bët

Makeup artist Alice Ghendrih (opens in new tab) created this clean-skin, bleached-brow look for fashion week that is no-makeup makeup with an edge. While bare-face was a trend this season, Ghendrih elevated that standard with edgy brows.

17/25

Paco Rabanne

Legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath (opens in new tab) created this slightly blurred cat eye for the Paco Rabanne show. It's rocker chic in the best way possible.

18/25

Hermès

The Hermès runway showed off the brand's lipsticks in a bold, classic French-girl style. Along with the red lips, a coral pink eyeliner in the waterline tied together the look with a play on monochromatic makeup.

19/25

Christopher John Rogers

Makeup artist Marcelo Gutierrez (opens in new tab) created this sculpted eye and pale lip using MAC Cosmetics products. A play on '60s beauty, this makeup adds dimension, giving the models a doe-eyed, exaggerated look.

20/25

Vivienne Westwood x Andreas Kronthaler

Isamaya Ffrench (opens in new tab), the makeup artist who recently collaborated with Byredo for the brand's first makeup launch, created this look for Westwood and Kronthaler. The campy, exaggerated eyes is in contrast with the clean skin, for a look that's classic Westwood.

21/25

Dior

Peter Philips (opens in new tab), the Creative and Image Director for Christian Dior Makeup, created this black liner look. The edgy smokey eye contrasts with the the models' clean skin and minimal face makeup.

22/25

Balmain

Samira Pikpo (opens in new tab) created this minimal look with a pop of color using L'Oreal products. The matte red lipstick is a bold contrast from the rest of the face, but adds an interesting element that draw our eyes to it.

23/25

Lutz Huelle

Using MAC Cosmetics, makeup artist Tom Sapin (opens in new tab) created a bold, silver cat eye that adds some glitz and glamor to the look. The cat eye is pasted on, giving it a vibrant 3D vibe that we can all try to copy at home.

24/25

Chloé

Pat McGrath (opens in new tab) created this lived-in smokey eye for the Chloé show, making each model look sensual and sultry. While the face remained minimal, the eyes draw in viewers and complete the look.

25/25

Zero + Maria Cornejo

Dick Page (opens in new tab) went bold with the makeup for the Zero + Maria Cornejo shoot. This vibrant blue eye is bold enough to draw attention but also applied in a freestyle way that can be recreated at home.

Tatjana Freund is a Beauty Commerce Writer, covering makeup, skincare, and haircare products and trends. She's a fan of vodka tonics and creepy Wikipedia pages.