Glitter Lips and Smokey Eyes Brought the Drama at Altuzarra

How do you capture a moment in time? A picture? A scent? If you’re on the Altuzarra beauty team, you prefer a series of stunning runway beauty looks. Equestrian themes blended with theatrical ballerina-esque beauty motifs to create the makeup and hair looks for the brand’s 15th anniversary fall/winter 2024 runway show.

Inspired by impactful moments in his life, Joseph Altuzarra’s latest collection was an ode to personal treasures collected over time. Incorporating themes from beloved artists and mementos that influenced his creativity, the beauty looks reflected ideals of individuality, playfulness, and theater. “This collection was really an amalgamation of personal and artistic references,” says Altuzarra. For the beauty looks, the team wanted to channel the performance aspect of getting ready and the overall experience of applying makeup. “I love the idea of putting real effort into what you look like,” Altuzarra continues.

The makeup consisted of three overall looks: several models donned natural makeup on the runway, courtesy of the cult favorite Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Foundation and matching concealer. Then, makeup artists delicately swiped the brand’s Caviar Tightline Eyeliner along the eye for a timeless and defined finish.

As no true theatrical performance is complete without a bit of drama, the remaining two beauty looks were more intense. “The more dramatic looks are used truly to punctuate the show and to bring in that idea of moving through different moments in life and adopting new looks over time,” said makeup artist Diane Kendal. The dramatic switch was evident, as a handful of models wore glittery red lips—using the Laura Mercier Longwear Lip Liner in Crimson—while others rocked an intense smokey eye using the Caviar Stick Eye Shadow Matte in Midnight Blue.

a woman with a braid

For hair, stylist Jawara went the western equestrian route, morphing the hair into a perfectly undone double-knotted ponytail. Using the Fekkai Clean Stylers Volume Lock Hairspray, models with straighter textures received a textured lift with knotted ends. As some models donned straight-back cornrows, stylists used the Fekkai Shea Butter Intense Oil to hydrate the scalp and add shine before twisting the braids into the same style.

With so much pizazz from the neck up, the nails were the one part of the look that remained simple. Using the Chanel Le Vernis Nail Laquer in the shade Ballerina, the pale-pink nails added a sophisticated and timeless finish to help complete the story of this collection.