Milan’s beauty revolution: key beauty trends for Fall-Winter 2025

From gothic drama to minimalism

09 Mar 2025

By Fatima Abdieva

Milan Fashion Week has come to an end, setting the stage for the biggest beauty trends of the Fall-Winter 2025 season. This time, makeup artists and stylists were split into two camps – some embraced elegant restraint, while others leaned into bold, statement looks. Let’s break down the key makeup trends that will define the upcoming months.

Cat eye

Graphic, voluminous eyeliner took center stage as a symbol of fearless beauty. Variations ranged from softly blended shadows to sharply defined lines created with gel liners. Designers experimented not only with classic black but also with deep blues, charcoal grays, and even metallic hues. This trend is highly versatile – whether you prefer a dramatic, precise wing or a softer, smudged effect, the cat eye is here to stay.

photо: spotlight \ Giorgio Armani

photо: spotlight \ Aniye Records

Gothic revival – dark tones

Dark, moody makeup is back in the spotlight: deep black eyeshadows, inky lipsticks, and sharp contours made a strong statement. While this trend is for the bold, it can easily be adapted for everyday wear. Instead of a full-on gothic look, you can opt for subtle elements – smudging black eyeliner around the lips, darkening the outer corners of the eyes, or choosing a deep plum shade instead of jet black. Makeup artists balanced this look with luminous skin and minimal face makeup to keep it from feeling too heavy.

photо: spotlight \ Avavav

Glowing, radiant effect – effortless perfection

The “second-skin” effect is still going strong. Milan’s runways highlighted the trend of luminous, fresh, and ultra-hydrated skin. This isn’t just about skipping foundation—it’s about mastering textures: lightweight skin tints, glowing primers, and hydrating setting sprays. The key to achieving this look? Intense hydration, sheer coverage, and soft, light-reflecting finishes. Some designers even took it a step further with the "glass skin" effect, where the complexion appears flawlessly smooth and radiant.

photо: spotlight \ Fendi

photо: spotlight \ Ermanno Scervino

Cherry lips – a bold statement

Classic red lipstick is timeless, but this season, the focus is on deep cherry hues. These sultry shades add both sophistication and a touch of rebelliousness. Whether in a glossy or velvety matte finish, cherry lips make a striking statement. The Milan runways also introduced the “just-bitten” lip technique, where color is softly diffused for a romantic, effortless look. Pair it with minimal eye makeup or subtle bronze tones for a perfectly balanced effect.

photо: spotlight \ Luisa Spagnoli

The lifted face effect – sculpted elegance

Strategic placement of highlighter, bronzer, and blush creates a lifted, sculpted look. Light-reflecting textures add freshness, while diagonal application techniques subtly refine facial features. Designers showcased two approaches: soft, natural sculpting with diffused blush tones and more defined contouring with precise highlighter and bronzer placement. Particularly popular was the "draping" technique, where blush is applied higher on the cheekbones, enhancing the illusion of a lifted face.