Couture shows are meant to transmit a sense of fantasy. It's a chance for designers to exercise their talent in a new, refreshing way, and the clothes often fall into the dramatic and dreamy categories. The same goes for the beauty looks — hair and makeup artists often save their most out-there inspiration for these shows.
And what we saw come down the runway in Paris this season definitely represented the magical approach. Whether your vibe is demure, no-makeup makeup or you'd be the one to adorn your face with star appliqués doesn't matter; you can still appreciate the following looks and their influences. From breakfast-food hair to Bowie makeup, click through to check out some of our favorites.
Models at the Chanel couture show, like our friend Kendall Jenner, were given double-lined eyes, which gave the impression that they just landed from a (very chic!) galaxy far, far, away.
Photo: MCV Photo.
Makeup artist extraordinaire Tom Pecheux gives us a close-up of his work on Instagram.
To create the look: The complexion was first prepped with Chanel's La Solution 10. To even out the skin, he used a combination of Les Beiges foundation (out in June), Eclat Lumiere, and the Correcteur Perfection Concealer. Then, he used Chanel's Style Yeux Waterproof eyeliner along with eyeshadow in Midnight and Moonlight to give the double-liner an added smoky feel. The brand's colour stick in No. 20 on the cheeks and lip color in Pensive finished off the look.
Photo: Via @tompecheux.
The hair at Chanel was a whole different dish to be served up — breakfast style. Hairstylist Sam McKnight created what he referred to as "Chanel croissants" for the show, which were almost pretty enough to eat.
Photo: Via @sammcnight1.
Over at Valentino, the models had fresh, minimal makeup, so as to not distract from their gold snake hair accessories created by Harumi Klossowska, we assume.
Photo: Via @maisonvalentino.
A handful of models at the Maison Margiela show got hair and makeup makeovers that appeared to be inspired by the late David Bowie. Some models sported the mullet treatment along with one-eyed star makeup reminiscent of Ziggy Stardust.
Photo: MCV Photo.
While others (well really, just this one model) got a splattering of red-lip appliqués in unusual places, courtesy of makeup artist Pat McGrath.
Photo: MCV Photo.
Model Lineisy Montero, on the other hand, got a different kind of '70s treatment: a larger-than-life Afro paired with a more modern blue sparkly lip. One thing both Margiela designer John Galliano and David Bowie shared was a willingness to push societal (and sartorial) boundaries.
Photo: MCV Photo.
Another beauty trend reincarnation came in the form of '90s crimped hair at Schiaparelli. The brows were either filled in with a pitch-black color or...
Photo: MCV Photo.
...given a white-out, bleached effect.
Photo: Via @elsaschiaparelli.
Giorgio Armani Privé's beauty look included Snow White and pin-up inspired wigs and graphic eyeliner drawn along the crease.
Photo: MCV Photo.
And here's a row of the black-haired Stepford wives that may or may not haunt you in your sleep tonight.
Photo: Via @nytimesfashion.
“Donatella [Versace] just really wanted a simple black eye — not layer upon layer upon layer,” Pat McGrath explained to WWD about the beauty look at this season's Atelier Versace show. “She wanted sexy black eyes.” And that's exactly what she got.
Photo: MCV Photo.
McGrath used the gel liner from her new Phantom 002 makeup collection around the eyes, black eye gloss, and a healthy dose of mascara on models. This close-up from CR Fashion Book makes us truly appreciate the smoky eye in all of its magical glory.
Our favorite part? McGrath says it's easily a look you can recreate on yourself. "It is not the black eye of amazing, amazing skill,” she told WWD. “It’s a much easier, fresh approach to glamour."
Photo: Via @crfashionbook.
Blue-sky eyes were the beauty focus for Antonio Ortega's models. The look took the aquamarine eye trend and turned it on its gorgeous head. Full hair, bright eyes, can't lose.
Photo: Via @lim_g_le2.
On a more somber note, the eyeliner at Dice Kayek's show had us feeling kind of emo. It's the only time we've ever found teardrops even remotely wearable.
Photo: MCV Photo.
Last, but not least, Viktor & Rolf found a pretty ingenious solution for those days when you just can't be bothered to put on your makeup.
Photo: Via @tmagazine.
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