While the 2020 Oscar red carpet was a great source of beauty inspo, the makeup, hair and nail art at New York Fashion Week Fall 2020 are giving us all the feels. After all, if there’s one fashion week where beauty pros and designers are willing to mix things up, it’s New York. And there was a surprising amount of New York Fashion Week Fall 2020 beauty looks that will actually work IRL.
Take all the low and high ponytails with some even coming with a delightful twist. We’re even willing to try dyeing a few strands pink and teal a la Christian Siriano. But the baby bangs and sculpted baby hairs may be harder to pull off. Not to mention the wrapped strands at Area.
On the makeup front, red lips ruled. But the application techniques varied from blurred to negative space. The eye makeup was a bit more extreme. We’re talking gold leaf accents, colorful wings, dripping liner and separated lashes. And one makeup artist even opted to add some bling to models’ brows.
The nail art was just as eye-catching. We especially loved the heavily embellished digits at Alice + Olivia, the bright blue bases at Chromat and the wine-colored manis at Oscar de la Renta. And the gold foil stiletto nails at The Blonds were a sight to behold.
In case you missed any of the action, we’ve rounded up the best New York Fashion Week Fall 2020 beauty looks you simply have to see. Feel free to take a more piecemeal approach when experimenting with these looks because negative space liner, slick strands and flashy nails may be a little much to rock all at once, even on the weekends.

Best Beauty From NYFW Fall 2020
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Adeam Fall 2020
NARS Global Artistry Director Sada Ito skipped traditional eyeliner and used gold leaf to complement all the gold in the collection.
Image: Imaxtree
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Brock Collection Fall 2020
Models’ faces were covered with a tulle fabric courtesy of Oribe Global Ambassador James Pecis. Then they were treated to sleek chignons. While makeup artist Gucci Westman used the lip brush and the Bright Tomato shade from the Lip Suede palette from her own line, Westman Atelier, to create those statement lips.
Image: Imaxtree
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Jonathan Simkhai Fall 2020
Hairstylist Odile Gilbert created double-twisted braids for a rope-like effect. After gathering strands into a low ponytail, they were separated into two sections, then twisted. TRESemmé Compressed Micro Mist Level 1: Texture Hair Spray was used to help hold everything in place.
Image: Imaxtree
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Ulla Johnson Fall 2020
Here’s how you do colored mascara the runway way. Aqua mascara was accented by a matching shadow on models’ lids. The inner corners were left bare to enhance the effect.
Image: Imaxtree
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Jason Wu Fall 2020
The models at Jason Wu boasted glass skin and ruby lips. Lead Artist for Maybelline New York Diane Kendal achieved the glassy effect by highlighting cheekbones, brow bones, the bridge of the nose, Cupid’s bow and chin with Maybelline’s Facestudio Master Strobing Stick in Light Iridescent. Then the brand’s Baby Lips in Quenched was layered on top for added sheen. The red hot lips came courtesy of Maybelline’s SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Pioneer.
Image: Imaxtree
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LaQuan Smith Fall 2020
Blunt baby bangs were combined with braided high ponies.
Image: Imaxtree
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The Blonds Fall 2020
Negative space liner and sparkling gold shadow were used to draw attention to models’ eyes. The gold foil manis only added to the drama.
Image: Imaxtree
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Rodarte Fall 2020
While the separated lashes were pretty cool, the deep aubergine lips at Rodarte really made the look.
Image: Imaxtree
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Alice + Olivia Fall 2020
Lead manicurist for KISS Products Inc. Gina Edwards was inspired by the glamorous 70s when she created the blinged-out nails for the presentation.
Image: Courtesy
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Rag & Bone Fall 2020
Black liner was used to create wide wings on the outer corners and sharp lines falling like tears from the inner corners of models’ eyes.
Image: Imaxtree
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Area Fall 2020
Long locks were wrapped around models’ necks to draw even more attention to their almost-bare faces.
Image: Imaxtree
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Jonathan Cohen Fall 2020
Eyes really shined at Jonathan Cohen with hot pink glitter shadow brushed on almost up to models’ arches.
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Oscar de la Renta Fall 2020
Ruby red lips were paired with wine-colored nails courtesy of Miss Pop.
Image: Imaxtree
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Nicole Miller Fall 2020
Smoky eyes were taken up a notch with the addition of some strategic golden sparkle.
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Christopher John Rogers Fall 2020
Sparkling eyebrows were all the rage with rhinestones decorating models’ sculpted arches.
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Proenza Schouler Fall 2020
The wet look was amplified by strategically-placed baby hairs.
Image: Imaxtree
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Chromat Fall 2020
Leave it to Chromat to bring a lot of bright color to New York Fashion Week. Models’ eyes were lit thanks to a trio of colors and thick wings. The colorful nail art was also a winner.
Image: Imaxtree
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Concept Korea Fall 2020
The lip liner at Concept Korea wasn’t blended into the lipstick resulting in a cool diffused effect.
Image: Imaxtree
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Eckhaus Latta Fall 2020
White liner was applied in the center of both the top and bottom of models’ eyes.
Image: Imaxtree
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Carolina Herrera Fall 2020
Models’ hair was parted down the middle and secured into a simple yet refined low ponytail.
Image: Imaxtree
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Zadig & Voltaire Fall 2020
Silver shadow was applied across lids with shiny splotches accenting the outer corners.
Image: Imaxtree
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Christian Siriano Fall 2020
The tails really stood out at Christian Siriano thanks to select pink and teal strands.
Image: Imaxtree
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Prabal Gurung Fall 2020
Winged liner not enough for you? Try swiping some sky blue shadow on top.
Image: Imaxtree