The Best Beauty Trends From the Fall 2015 Couture Runways Inline
1/7Something Blue
Makeup artist Dick Page blended three MAC Paint Sticks, in Pure White, Cyan, and Marine Ultra to create the sky shade washed over lids at Schiaparelli. Backstage at both Maison Margiela and Jean Paul Gaultier, pros employed vibrant cobalt (a hue favored by fine artist Yves Klein) to craft everything from exaggerated cat-eyes to fabric-like swatches to marinière stripes on top and bottom lash lines. The lesson learned: No matter how bold or demure you make your shape, just be sure that it's blue.
2/7Crowning Glory
Tiaras are typically reserved for pageant queens and princesses, but multiple designers offered up couture-worthy crowns. Delicate floral wreaths served as an anchor for Atelier Versace's ethereal gowns. "They look like beautiful nymphs in gorgeous dresses with headbands," said mane master Guido Palau. Elsewhere, accessories gilded with gold (Valentino and Elie Saab) and studded with sparkles (Zuhair Murad) reigned supreme. For a more budget-friendly option, look to Alberta Ferretti's Limited Edition collectsion for inspiration and weave a simple scarf through a wraparound braid.
3/7Loud Mouth
Vampy lips caught our attention on the ready-to-wear runways, but brighter hues stole the spotlight at couture. Male model John Whiles sported a matte cobalt kisser at Maison Margiela. Shocking pink was named the new red at Armani Privé. A smudgy stain (a combo of MAC Russian Red lipstick and Mixing Medium Shine) was swathed over models' mouths at Ulyana Sergeenko. And face painter Tom Pecheux reached for Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour in La Bouleversante (out in August) at Chanel.
4/7Skin Is In
A glowy complexion is always on trend, and this season's couture shows were no exception. Val Garland created Giambattista Valli's modern-day Talitha Getty by layering foundation mixed with oil over MAC's pore-blurring Mineralize Timecheck Lotion. At Bouchra Jarrar, slicked-back strands framed cheekbones glazed with MAC Cream Colour Base in Pearl, while Valentino's ethereal beauties seemed to radiate under Rome's setting sun. Meanwhile at Dior, Peter Philips juxtaposed the innocence of a Botticelli portrait with the "glow of sin," achieved by prepping models' complexions with Diorskin Star Foundation. A dab of purified glycerin added just the right amount of sheen before models took to the runway. Said Philips of the Dior woman, "She doesn't sweat, she glows."
5/7Heavy Metal
Molten metallics are equally as steamy as smoky eyes—but look so much fresher. To achieve the sultry bronze gaze at Alexandre Vauthier, MAC Fluidline in Rich Ground was applied as a shadow for dramatic effect. At Elie Saab, face painter Tom Pecheux created a "sexy glam rock" look with MAC's Technakohl liner in Twinked and Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Forever Green for a "vintage gold" finish. Striking silver lids echoed the "polished and shiny" updos crafted by Sam McKnight at Fendi. And at Atelier Versace, Pat McGrath swathed a soft, verdant shade around models' eyes in lieu of badass black. "We're keeping it sexy but giving it a much lighter feel with pale, shimmery greens, using the same tone for every girl," she explained.
6/7Plaits, Please
As if we didn't already love braids for their frizz-taming power, the couture runways served up more reasons to make the style our summer go-to. Guido Palau's beautifully adorned half-up style cascaded into a romantic loose plait at Valentino, and Alberta Ferretti's effortless updo makes getting hair off our necks infinitely more chic (even if we're not shacking up in a 19th-century Parisian town house). As for Jean Paul Gaultier's messy fishtail? We're reserving it for lazy days at the beach.
7/7Do You
Designers didn't cast armies of robotic models—instead, boys and girls with unique personalities reigned on the runway. Hair pros and makeup artists celebrated this idea with looks that were tailored to the individual or the ensemble (as seen at Maison Margiela and Jean Paul Gaultier). Alexis Mabille celebrated his 10th anniversary as a couturier with 15 of his muses—ranging from burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese to classically trained ballerina Marie-Agnès Gillot to French artist Marie Beltrami. The message we received loud and clear: Express yourself—whatever that entails.
