The Glamour Renaissance: Embracing Unapologetic Beauty

The fashion world is witnessing a remarkable shift, as the grungy, undone aesthetic gives way to a renewed embrace of glamour. Backstage at London Fashion Week, make-up artist Lauren Parsons and celebrity hairstylist Sam McKnight are championing a return to a more polished and refined beauty aesthetic, signaling a departure from the messy, lived-in looks of the past.

Reclaiming the Allure of Glamour

The Rise of the "Hot Face"

Parsons describes the new beauty trend as the "hot face," where the focus is on being unapologetic in wanting to look one's best. At the 16Arlington show, the make-up artistry showcased a glamorous approach, with a smokey-toned eyeshadow palette creating a reverse crease and a shimmery, wet-look finish. Beautifully over-lined lips and a chalky pink-brown lip gloss, coupled with seriously curled lashes, completed the captivating look.

Noughties Gisele Inspires Glamorous Updos

In the hair department, the inspiration was drawn from the luxurious Gisele of the Noughties. McKnight created big, voluminous blowouts and glamorous updos, using techniques like misting Superlift into the roots and applying Save The Do through the lengths. The models were also seen backstage donning large, glamorous velcro rollers to add extra volume and movement to their tresses.

Refined Glamour at Richard Quinn and Roksanda

The return to glamour was not limited to 16Arlington; it was a prevalent theme across London Fashion Week. At Richard Quinn, the hair and makeup were described as "soft and strong, modern glamour," with sculpted finger waves, French twists, chignons, and even veils for added drama. Roksanda also embraced a more demure and mindful vibe, with the focus on creating flawless, warm, and wealthy-looking skin.

Embracing Allure, Not Unrealistic Standards

This resurgence of glamour is not a return to the problematic "clean girl aesthetic" or a trend driven by unrealistic beauty standards. Instead, it is a celebration of the alluring glamour that has often been absent from the runway, replaced by viral moments and buzzworthy trends. This new era of glamour is about embracing one's desire to look and feel their best, without the constraints of societal expectations.The fashion and beauty industries are witnessing a remarkable shift, as the grungy, undone aesthetic gives way to a renewed embrace of glamour. Backstage at London Fashion Week, make-up artists and hairstylists are championing a more polished and refined beauty aesthetic, signaling a departure from the messy, lived-in looks of the past. From the "hot face" at 16Arlington to the luxurious Gisele-inspired updos and the refined glamour at Richard Quinn and Roksanda, the runway is showcasing a resurgence of allure that is both empowering and unapologetic. This shift is not about unrealistic beauty standards, but rather a celebration of the desire to look and feel one's best, without the constraints of societal expectations. As the fashion world embraces this glamour renaissance, it's clear that the industry is ready to reclaim the allure that has often been absent from the runway.