New York Fashion Week is prime time for fashion lovers from all over to show off their sartorial best, from experimenting with outlandish trends to showing off their most coveted pieces — but it’s also the moment to explore your wildest beauty dreams. The shows always bring new levels of beauty drama for us to gawk over, from Helmut Lang’s effortless display of wet-look hair to gold 3D nails that cascaded Luar’s runway. And this season, we’re paying special attention to the beauty detail that complements an ensemble like no other: makeup. We’ve polled some of the industry’s most respected beauty experts and editors to find out which must-haves they keep on hand to achieve flawless makeup, and the list does everything but disappoint.
While it’s easy to lean into the many trends constantly pushed in our faces, whether on social media or the runways, our trusted beauty connoisseurs are sticking to products that work for them (some they’ve stuck with for years). Award-winning Journalist Kayla Greaves is honing in on her tried-and-true look involving red lipstick and her go-to Ami Colé’s Lash-Amplifying Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara. Meanwhile, The Cut’s Asia Milia Ware is never seen without her Haus Labs Blush that helps achieve glowy skin; Who What Wear’s Maya Thomas keeps oiliness at bay with the Lalais Blotting Compact; and Tasha Nicole Smith from Elle has become the queen of very demure lip combos thanks to Ami Colé’s Lip Liner in Midnight and Saie’s Lip Gloss. And of course, no makeup routine is truly complete without setting sprays like Beauty Expert Stixx Mathews’ favorite Milk Makeup Primer and Social Media Maven Alyssa Ackerman’s go-to One/Size On ‘Til Dawn Setting Spray that leaves their skin intact amidst the lingering September heat.
Below, take a deeper dive into all the products top editors love this season, their pre-NYFW routines, what they’re expecting on the runways, and the best tips for getting that perfect makeup look.
Kayla Greaves, Beauty Expert and Journalist
The beauty items in Kayla’s fashion week bag:
“Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Concealer and Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Weightless Foundation are both buildable and long-lasting. I don’t really ever have to re-apply. They’re so solid. When I’m just looking for light coverage that also incorporates SPF protection, Fenty Skin’s Hydra Vizor Huez Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum Mineral Spf 30 Sunscreen is my go-to.”
Her pre-fashion week treatment:
“It’s free: get some rest! NYFW has become so chaotic with events at every corner of the city. You have to make sure you’re getting enough sleep to keep up and really be present.”
Beauty trends she’s excited about:
“I think blush is having a huge moment right now. I’m looking forward to seeing how designers pair it with the looks and overall vibe of the shows.”
How Kayla gets the perfect makeup look:
“It’s about what makes you feel good at the end of the day, so do whatever makes you happy. Your makeup doesn’t need to be perfect and you don’t need to follow trends — just have fun with it.”
Asia Milia Ware, Fashion & Beauty Writer at The Cut
The beauty items in Asia’s fashion week bag:
“Ami Colé’s Lip Oil, Fenty Beauty Blotting Powder, Avène Soothing Spray, and Kosas Lip Liner; and Dior Le Baume which isn’t makeup, but always stays in my fashion week bag. Can’t be seen with ashy hands.”
Her pre-fashion week treatment:
“My favorite product that I turn to before any big week is Shani Darden’s triple acid peel. After one use I have brighter and smoother skin. My skin appears more glowy during fashion week and my makeup glides on even better post-peel, it’s the product I always recommend that people have on their beauty shelf.”
Beauty trends she’s excited about:
“I always love seeing hair on the runway. Whether it’s hair accessories that hairstylists incorporate into a look or avant-garde hairstyles. The process of seeing the hairstyles on the runway come together is always so fascinating to me.”
How Asia gets the perfect makeup look:
“For me, it’s always taking care of your skin, first. My most perfect makeup looks come when I’m taking care of my skin properly. Before fashion week I always schedule a facial at Rescue Spa so my skin is hydrated and moisturized and not stressed out or inflamed before days of lathering makeup on. Healthy skin equals the perfect canvas for makeup.”
Maya Thomas, Assistant Beauty Editor at Who What Wear
The beauty items in Maya’s fashion week bag:
“I always love a good setting spray to help keep my makeup in place during long days. Lately, I’ve been using both Morphe’s Continuous Setting Mist and Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir Prep, Set, Glow Face Mist for a luminous finish.”
Her pre-fashion week treatment:
“I’ve been loving dry brushing my arms and legs twice a week to prompt circulation and leave my skin looking glowy. I’m definitely planning on doubling down during NYFW when I’ll be wearing skirts and dresses nonstop. To help you depuff in the morning, try adding Gua Sha and jade rolling to your skincare routine for sculpted features.”
Beauty trends she’s excited about:
“I’m most excited about subtle cat eyes, over-blushing, metallic lids, bedhead hair, and baby bangs.”
How Maya gets the perfect makeup look:
“My biggest tip for getting the perfect makeup look is to take your time during product application. The more you rush, the more you’re bound to make little mistakes that throw off the end result. Slow down and spend a few extra minutes on your base!”
Tasha Nicole Smith, Beauty Assistant at Elle
The beauty items in Tasha’s fashion week bag:
“My favorite product to keep my makeup intact is always a powder and my lip combination. Recently, I’ve been loving the Pat McGrath Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Blurring Under Eye Powder and for my lips, I love the Ami Cole lip liner in Midnight and the Saie Lip Gloss in Dip.”
Her pre-fashion week treatment:
“Facemasks! Fashion week is a notoriously, busy and chaotic time which is the beauty of it, but it can be very very tiring for the skin. So, I always make sure to get a hydrating face mask in whenever I can. It’s great for the skin and also a way to sneak in a relaxing moment amidst the chaos.”
Beauty trends she’s excited about:
“I’m really excited to get away from minimal make up looks. I think we’re definitely seeing a resurgence of more experimental forms of beauty when it comes to makeup and we’re seeing beauty playing a much bigger role in the overall story of the fashion collections. So I’m really excited to see how designers and artists will incorporate beauty and be a bit more playful this season. More color, more excitement, just more!”
How Tasha gets the perfect makeup look:
“I know it’s something we hear all the time but the key to getting the perfect make up look is taking care of your skin! Keeping your skin hydrated and healthy is the most important step in perfecting any makeup look.”
Stixx Mathews, Beauty Writer and Expert
The beauty items in Stixx’s fashion week bag:
“During the September season when it’s still fairly summer, I rely heavily on Milk Makeup’s Grip Primer and the One Size On Til Dawn Setting Spray. Everything else is negotiable, but these two products aren’t.”
His pre-fashion week treatment:
“I swear by chilled face and eye masks to reset from those late nights and early mornings. If you can, rub a chilled depuffing tool across your face while you have on the treatments to refresh your skin.”
Beauty trends he’s excited about:
“Honestly, each major city brings out different surprises. I’m looking forward to what Paris will bring to us. Even though New York is New York, Paris always does what needs to be done when it comes to setting the standard for those universal beauty trends.”
How Stixx gets the perfect makeup look:
“Do what works for your skin and personal aesthetic. Yes, makeup trends are fun, but as you get older, you’ll find that your makeup turns out the best when you trust the power of your brush and do your glam according to what makes you most comfortable.”
Alyssa Ackerman, Senior Social Media Manager at Farmacy Beauty
The beauty items in Alyssa’s fashion week bag:
“For complexion, I swear by Milk’s Hydro Grip Primer to prep my skin paired with a few spritzes of Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray and one large, good mist of One/Size On ‘Til Dawn Setting Spray. I also love Sacheu’s Lip Liner Stay-N Peel Off Tattoo for perfectly lined lips in between champagne toasts throughout the night.”
Her pre-fashion week treatment:
“The NuFACE Trinity is great for defining and sculpting the face, leaving you with a same-day, mini “facelift” just in time for photo ops. I also like to use Dr. Dennis Gross’ Universal Daily Peel pads a week or two before events to even out my complexion and texture.”
Beauty trends she’s excited about:
“Cool toned makeup (which I’ve been obsessing over in my own makeup routine), feathery fake lashes, and the return of strobing.”
How Alyssa gets the perfect makeup look:
“Take your time. Be intentional. Make it a practice in your daily routine. Wake up early and cancel unnecessary meetings — commit to the look. It’ll all be worth it when you casually find yourself on Getty or part of a makeup deep dive on TikTok.”
Naomi Parris is a New York-based fashion & beauty writer who’s obsessed with telling stories that merge fashion, beauty, and Black culture. With bylines in PS, Bustle, Elite Daily, and Fashion Times, she enjoys interviewing industry experts, covering Fashion Week, curating shopping edits, and testing new beauty products.