12 hours ago
5
It’s showtime and Milan and Paris never disappoint on the make-up and hair front. Our favourite looks from Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026 started at Sportmax, with a deliciously simple set of stained berry lips that were sexily smudged at the edges and paired with a nearly naked eye. For this look, apply the old beauty rule of playing up just one feature on the face. Try Merit Signature Lip in Vermillion ($42), applying the lipstick before using your fingers to smudge the colour at the sides.
The look was romantic at Roberto Cavalli thanks to lush, loose waves.Credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight
The focus on a single feature was also applied impeccably at Moschino, where the models’ faces were essentially left bare, allowing dazzling gold sets of curled fake eyelashes to take centre stage. At The Attico, cat eyes – a beauty staple that never goes out of fashion – reigned supreme, though the softly smudged winged eyeliner is a fresh take. As with winged anything, application is paramount so rest your elbows on a flat surface to help keep a steady hand. For a walk on the wilder side, Francesca Liberatore’s black ombré lips channelled ’90s gothic grunge, updating the look with a black centre on the upper lip and a powdery silvery border.
On the hair front in Milan, stylist Guido Palau kept it simple with slicked-back locks held in place with a row of bobby pins anchored behind the ears, a nod to the styles so prevalent in the 1990s. At Max Mara, it was all about the modern beehive, highlighted with headbands in fine black ribbon. Hair at the Giorgio Armani show featured softly ruffled up-dos, while the look was romantic at Roberto Cavalli thanks to lush, loose waves. Our favourite find to help create this style is the GHD Triple Barrel Deep Hair Waver ($290).
At the Paris Fashion Week shows, highlighting a single feature again played a central role on the runway. At Balmain, side-swept fringes framed the models’ beautifully nude faces, while at Tom Ford, make-up artist Lucy Bridge crafted red-hot lacquered lips. For a look this bold, we love Tom Ford Liquid Lip Luxe Matte ($92). Go hard or go home! At Christian Dior, the long-anticipated ready-to-wear debut of Jonathan Anderson did not disappoint and neither did the models’ ethereal looks, featuring glorious wavy hair and barely blushed cream cheeks.
When it came to hair, Stella McCartney paired glowy lips and dewy skin with delightfully undone locks, while at Dries Van Noten playful micro plaits and fringes were front and centre. The grungy bun ruled at Saint Laurent; I’m definitely going to get to work trying to perfect this tousled look at home.
ASK STEPH
How many perfume spritzes are ideal?
The recommended daily dose is a modest two to four sprays – you want to wear the fragrance, not the other way around – and the best time for application is straight out of the shower, when skin is still a little damp. Try Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 EDP ($300), with notes of jasmine, saffron and ambergris.
Send questions via Instagram, @mrssdarling.
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