The Surprising Lipstick Trend That London Girls Will Wear Next Spring

Fashion Week makeup usually goes one of two ways: non-existent in order to let the clothing shine, or completely over-the-top, Pat McGrath-level fantasy glam. I’m happy to report that the best London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2020 makeup trends are neither. From the artsy eyeliner at Simone Rocha to the finger-painted shadow at House of Holland, these five runway looks are refreshingly wearable in real life.

“Wearable” doesn’t necessarily mean easy and understated, though. For instance, the Edie Sedgwick-inspired eye makeup at Victoria Beckham — created by London’s favorite makeup artist Pat McGrath using products from Victoria Beckham Beauty, Beckham’s newly-launched clean makeup brand — made a serious statement with one simple swipe of shadow, precisely drawn above the crease line. Will it take you a few tries (and a few Q-Tips) to execute on your own? Probably. Will it be worth it? Of course. The same can be said for the smokey eyes at Halpern (a fresh take on the winged look) and the black lip gloss at Molly Goddard (which, I have to say, is oddly alluring — and potentially perfect for Halloween?).

Ahead, the five biggest beauty trends to walk off the London Fashion Week runways, and exactly how to wear them IRL.

Artsy Eyeliner

Eyeliner showed up in many ways at LFW — but never how you’d expect (see: Beckham's ode to Sedgwick). At Simone Rocha, Gucci Global Makeup Artist Thomas de Kluyver took black pencil to models’ eyes in a way that felt very "toddler-learning-to-draw" chic. (Is that a thing? I think it’s a thing). At Matty Bovan, black liner started at the middle of the lower lash line and angled inward past the inner corner of the eyes. “I love how this liner makes the eyes look so intense,” Dominic Skinner, a Global Senior Artist at MAC Cosmetics and the man behind the Matty Bovan makeup, wrote in an Instagram caption.

Gleaming (But Not Glossy) Skin

Last season’s dewy skin trend isn’t going anywhere for SS20 — it's just getting a subtle makeover. If the fresh faces and natural highlight at Erdem, JW Anderson, and Roland Mouret are any indication, this season’s glow is gleaming, not glossy.

Purple Shadow

Bold shadow ruled the runway, but one color stood out in particular: purple. The bright berry hue made appearances at Mark Fast and House of Holland — and not once was it used sparingly. I’m talking purple as far as the eye can see, from the lower lash line to the top of the brow bone. House of Holland’s version was even topped with matching glitter for a look that “combined ‘90s rave with ‘70s disco,” according to Skinner’s Instagram.

Smokey Eyes

Don't confuse classic with basic: This season's black smokey eye is anything but. The look at Halpern was a mix between smoked-out shadow and winged-out liner. In contrast, Ashish’s take was slept-in and bottom-heavy.

Black Lipstick

OK, fine, you got me: Black lipstick might not be the most “wearable” makeup trend in existence. But the models at Marques’Almeida and Molly Goddard just made it look so easy. Even if this look isn’t one you’d wear IRL, you might as well bookmark it for Oct. 31.