London Fashion Week SS27 Shows Wet-Look Skin and Glitter

London Fashion Week's SS27 season presented a range of experimental beauty looks, with a notable focus on skin texture and wet-look finishes. The shows, held in September 2026, explored themes of human vulnerability, duality, and motherhood.

At Greek designer Di Petsa's 'Holy Milk' show, the beauty of motherhood was highlighted with a striking 'milky' moment. Singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock sprayed artificial milk over her fellow models' faces. Hairstylist Efi Davies created sleek wet-look buns and twisted tendrils, while make-up artist Emma Regan added realistic-looking tears and shimmery lip gloss.

Glitter and Gothic Inspirations

Emerging designers Kai Ghattaura and Fin Forsyth showed their 'Glister' collection off-schedule. Hair and make-up artist Nicky Harrington covered some models head-to-toe in holographic silver and red body glitter. Others sported sections of sequinned hair and paper masks, creating a bird-like imagery.

The horror theme was prominent elsewhere. Chopova Lowena's 'Lucky Spirit Lost Strike' show featured playful yet bewitching beauty. Make-up artist Lauren Reynolds created huge, temple-grazing wispy lashes, leafy face tattoos, and gloopy faux tears. A natural windswept flush was achieved using FACETHINGS blush sticks.

Theatrical Make-up and Hair

Several shows employed dramatic, theatrical techniques. At Simone Rocha, make-up artist Thomas de Kluyver bedazzled models' eyebrows with beads arranged in a floral formation. He paired this with a scarlet red lip using Byredo's Marriage Matte Liquid Lipstick. "It's about couture and elegance," de Kluyver said backstage. "Something elevated and gorgeous."

Alexander McQueen's presentation evoked an otherworldly sense. Hair stylist Anthony Turner gave models towering horns of hair slicked upright and sprayed silver, suggesting an alien aesthetic. Make-up artist Daniel Sällström created a smoky, cut-crease eye look in bruised shades of purple and blue.

Accessible Fashion Initiatives

Beyond the runway looks, an accessibility initiative continued this season. Hairstylist Anna Cofone's award-winning non-profit organisation, Hair & Care, sponsored by Authentic Beauty Concept, provided services for blind and low-vision showgoers. The charity offered pre-show audio sessions, 'touch tours' to feel fabrics, and live audio descriptions at shows including Harris Reed, Susan Fang, and Roksanda.

Other notable beauty directions included Labrum's detailed braided styles, a constant theme for the brand, and Natasha Zinko's exploration of surveillance society with incredibly glossy, choppy wigs and bold tomato-coloured lipsticks by make-up artist Abbie Nourse. The season closed with a focus on texture, gloss, and thematic storytelling through hair and make-up.