Haute Couture SS2026 Beauty Trends
Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2026: when beauty rises to the spectacle
The Spring/Summer 2026 haute couture week brought something Paris had not seen in a while: emotion. Between highly anticipated debuts such as Jonathan Anderson at Dior and Matthieu Blazy at Chanel and visually striking presentations like Daniel Roseberry’s at Schiaparelli, it became clear that couture is experiencing a moment of creative renewal.
That same energy was reflected in beauty. Make-up and hair mirrored the level of craftsmanship seen in the garments and became an integral part of the shows’ storytelling. Pastel-toned highlights, richly textured hairstyles and references that flirted with futurism and the cosmos helped shape characters and atmospheres on the runway.
Much of this enthusiasm came from new beginnings. Alongside Anderson and Blazy, Silvana Armani presented her first collection at the helm of Giorgio Armani Privé, in a show marked by memory and sensitivity. Meanwhile, Alessandro Michele at Valentino and Roseberry at Schiaparelli explored new formats and fresh interpretations within their own visual languages.
The eight beauty trends that defined Haute Couture SS26
The delicacy of pastel highlights
Colour appeared subtly, almost like a secret. Shades of lavender, misty blue and pale pink punctuated classic hairstyles, applied with the precision of fine jewellery. Nothing loud or literal the impact lies precisely in the softness and the sense of quiet luxury.
Hairstyles as sculpture
Chignons, braids and elevated volumes took on an almost architectural quality. Texture was the protagonist: twisted, layered and deliberately visible strands created hairstyles that spoke directly to the construction of the clothes. Hair ceased to be an accessory and became part of the silhouette.
Ethereal, almost unreal skin
Complexion make-up focused on invisible perfection. Ultra-light bases, precise illumination and a translucent finish created the impression of skin that radiates light from within. It is less about product and more about technique a sophisticated effect that looks natural, but is anything but.
Graphic eyes, now softened
Eyes remained the main focal point, but in more refined versions. Graphic lines were softened with unexpected colours, diffused blending and pinpoint touches of shimmer. The result is artistic and elegant, without rigidity or excess.
A hint of cosmos and the future
Futuristic references ran through the season’s beauty looks. Metallic reflections, silvery finishes and an almost otherworldly atmosphere suggested a collective desire for escapism. A sensitive futurism that looks ahead without losing its sense of sophistication.
Even as an extremely exclusive universe, haute couture remains one of fashion’s most powerful idea laboratories. It is here that trends are born and, gradually, spread beauty included. And SS26 makes one thing clear: the spectacle goes far beyond the clothes.
Ethereal, almost unreal skin
Complexion make-up focused on invisible perfection. Ultra-light bases, precise illumination and a translucent finish created the impression of skin that radiates light from within. It is less about product and more about technique a sophisticated effect that looks natural, but is anything but.
Graphic eyes, now softened
Eyes remained the main focal point, but in more refined versions. Graphic lines were softened with unexpected colours, diffused blending and pinpoint touches of shimmer. The result is artistic and elegant, without rigidity or excess.
A hint of cosmos and the future
Futuristic references ran through the season’s beauty looks. Metallic reflections, silvery finishes and an almost otherworldly atmosphere suggested a collective desire for escapism. A sensitive futurism that looks ahead without losing its sense of sophistication.
Even as an extremely exclusive universe, haute couture remains one of fashion’s most powerful idea laboratories. It is here that trends are born and, gradually, spread beauty included. And SS26 makes one thing clear: the spectacle goes far beyond the clothes.
