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Trending at SS26 London Fashion Week!
The international fashion month always kicks off with a bang and it all begins in London. Known as the most inventive of all four fashion capitals (alongside New York, Paris, and Milan), this season did not disappoint.
Here are the top five hair and beauty trends we spotted backstage!
💫 High Octane Updos
While London is often known for its irreverence, we noticed a lot of Princess Diana moments when it came to the hair this season. At Richard Quinn, Sam McKnight created elegant updos that were a little bit Princess Di and a little bit David Bowie.
At Edeline Lee, using Schwarzkopf Professional, key hairstylist Phillip Haug went for a sleek, modern ponytail at the back with just a touch of volume at the front. We also noticed plenty of braids in play - from Kiyoko Odo’s mix of chunky and sleek styles at Chopova Lowena, to Joanna Cree Brown’s sculptural floral braids at Labrum.
Intricate, architectural, and full of personality!
👁️ Lashes Gone Wild
We’re calling it: there has never been a more inventive time in the history of lashes.
Makeup artists are getting wildly creative experimenting with colour, texture, and even handmade lash designs.
At Harris Reed, Sofia Tilbury created a wide range of lash looks all about opening up the eyes. One design featured spiked, curved lashes at the outer corners both top and bottom mimicking the delicate tail of a bird.
Meanwhile, at Dreaming Eli, MAC Cosmetics’ Carly Utting paired spiked lashes with a classic Renaissance face and flushed cheeks a perfect tension between tradition and fantasy.
💄 Flawless ’80s Foundation
The glossy skin era isn’t over, but backstage we saw a nostalgic ’80s revival think powdery, porcelain perfection.
Maybe it’s the Doja Cat effect (her new album Vie channels unapologetic ’80s glam), but the look at Richard Quinn said it all.
MAC Cosmetics’ Terry Barber told his team to “keep going back to the powder.” The result? Super soft, full matte skin paired with a red pout and contoured cheeks.
💬 Side note: We also noticed a “mannequin-skin” moment in Paris, suggesting that in 2026, clients will be chasing perfectly polished complexions.
💅 Nails Take Centre Stage
Gone are the days when nails were an afterthought at London Fashion Week, they were the main attraction.
Backstage stars included:
- Ella Vivii, known for bold, colourful, geometric nails at Chopova Lowena
- Simone Cummings, who created three unique looks for the bird-inspired Harris Reed show
- Ama Quashie, who crafted twinkly, whimsical toes for Burberry
✨ This is your sign to get creative with nail art this season!
🎨 Face as Art
The trend that stole the show? Faces as canvases decorated with flowers, butterflies, rhinestones, and even sand. At Chopova Lowena, Lauren Reynolds swapped eyeliner and lip liner for spiky gems, while at Simone Rocha, Thomas De Kluyver pressed real flowers onto lips and sealed them with gloss.
At Connor Ives, Lucy Bridge went full 2000s with metallic shimmer lips, a look we think will cross over into nail trends this festive season expect copper, bronze, and orange shimmers.
Meanwhile, Joey Choy at Labrum used coloured sand and glass beads for a more natural, earthy approach, and at Di Petsa, models were adorned with clay paint, channeling ancient goddesses and archeology.
💡 Want More Creative Inspo?
Explore more trends, backstage insights, and beauty how-tos here
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