Beauty Trends Shine at NYFW and Valentine's Day

Vogue highlights romantic, innovative looks from celebrity makeup, hair, and nail artists

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The latest beauty trends emerging from New York Fashion Week and Valentine's Day celebrations feature a return to playful, youthful color palettes, architectural hairstyles, and culturally inspired nail art. Vogue's 'Beauty Marks' column spotlights the collaborative work of makeup artists, hairstylists, and nail artists in creating these dynamic looks, which showcase a growing sophistication in the beauty industry.

Why it matters

The beauty trends highlighted in this article reflect a broader shift in the industry towards more expressive, self-driven aesthetics. The emphasis on collaboration and cultural representation signals a growing appreciation for the artistry and diversity within the beauty space, which can influence consumer preferences and inspire creativity across various industries.

The details

Key trends include a resurgence of sugary pink blush, tousled and textured hairstyles, architectural ponytails, and intricate nail art inspired by Lunar New Year. Makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes is advocating for a generous application of pink blush, creating a youthful, flushed look. Hairstyles are moving away from overly polished finishes, with models like Alva Claire debuting effortless-looking bobs and Doja Cat experimenting with bold, statement-making spiral curls. On the runway, Tory Burch showcased sculpted, precisely arranged ponytails that elevate the classic style. Nail artist San Sung Kim is creating opulent designs themed around Lunar New Year, demonstrating the growing importance of cultural representation in beauty.

  • New York Fashion Week is currently underway.
  • Valentine's Day weekend arrives on February 14, 2026.

The players

Katie Jane Hughes

A makeup artist who is signaling a resurgence of sugary pink blush in beauty trends.

Alva Claire

A model who debuted a tousled bob hairstyle, reflecting a trend towards more effortless and sophisticated looks.

Doja Cat

A musician who is experimenting with bold, statement-making spiral curls in her hair.

Tory Burch

A fashion brand that showcased architectural ponytail hairstyles on the runway, elevating the classic style.

San Sung Kim

A nail artist who is creating opulent nail art designs themed around Lunar New Year, demonstrating the growing importance of cultural representation in beauty.

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What they’re saying

“The emphasis on blush, as seen in recent runway presentations, isn't about subtle contouring; it's about a visible, almost childlike flush, creating a sense of warmth and vitality.”

— Marcus Rodriguez, Author (newsdirectory3.com)

“These looks suggest a move away from overly polished hairstyles toward more natural, lived-in finishes.”

— Marcus Rodriguez, Author (newsdirectory3.com)

What’s next

As New York Fashion Week continues and Valentine's Day celebrations unfold, these beauty trends are likely to gain further momentum, influencing getting-ready routines and inspiring new looks for months to come.

The takeaway

The current beauty landscape is marked by a growing appreciation for artistic collaboration, cultural representation, and self-expression. The trends emerging from NYFW and Valentine's Day showcase a dynamic and sophisticated beauty industry that is responsive to evolving consumer preferences and cultural influences.