A Sovushkas Bag model wearing an elegant updo.
Image: Supplied
While much of the focus of Moscow Fashion Week (MFW) 2026 was on the extensive range of garments which were presented on the runway, the gathering also resulted in the emergence of distinctive beauty trends.
Held from March 14 to 21 at the Central Exhibition Hall “Manege” in the heart of the city, MFW featured over 200 designers from across Russia and internationally.
Each collection featured an array of traditional motifs, timeless classics and avant-garde experimentation.
But during these shows, hair, nails and make-up also took the spotlight, becoming an essential extension of the designers’ storytelling, with models’ beauty looks carefully crafted to mirror the themes of each collection and elevate the overall runway narrative.
404 Not Found’s models sported a minimalistic make-up look during MFW 2026.
Image: Supplied
Here are the top beauty trends from MFW 2026:
This beauty look provided a blank facial canvas for the likes of 404 Not Found’s collection, which featured an array of vibrant maxi skirts, metallic fabric and a fusion between rose gold and black.
And while the garments were bright and bold, the make-up for the models was more subdued, opting for what is being referred to in the beauty world as “cloud skin”, natural glow. This is an emphasis on a fresh, barely-there base, subtle blush. and natural texture rather than heavy contouring.
A similar strategy was replicated for Ianis Chamalidy, who also leaned heavily into soft, breathable beauty looks to complement his mostly all-black range. This too was the case for Addicted Too … (my favourite range from MFW 2026), whose models also donned a “cloud skin” natural glow aesthetic.
Other MFW 2026 designers also opted for this trend to align with their airy fabrics, and the dominance of this trend during the week proved its alignment with the broader runway direction of silk, chiffon and fluid silhouettes, creating a “cloud-like” aesthetic overall.
Barely-there nails as seen on a Fashion Factory School model.
Image: Supplied
This is yet another beauty trend which allowed the collections to do the talking. The rise of ultra-minimal nails was evident at MFW 2026 as the Fashion Factory School’s models walked the runway with “barely-there nails.”
This kept all eyes on the soft and feminine neutral and chocolate brown collection. This nail trend also paired perfectly with their strong monochromatic looks, including a peplum blouse and fitted skirt outfit.
In addition, Too Match’s models also kept their nails short, sporting clean manicures in neutral tones like beige, taupe, apricot, and milky nude.
Viva Fox also reinforced the idea of understated elegance with this beauty look in the styling world’s increasing focus to move away from bold nail art toward a polished, natural finish that complements the clothing rather than competes with it.
When it came to hair during MFW 2026, many designers opted for balanced structure and softness.
This includes Big Brooch, whose silk, mostly white collection of womenswear was complemented by the models in controlled buns and sculptural updos. This once again placed focus on the clothes.
Meanwhile, Sovushkas Bag, a design house founded by a young Armenian entrepreneur and artist, Liliana Aproyan, also used this hair trend during their collection of intricate textures - some fabulously styled with denim - as well as carpet fabric garments.
For this, the models walked the catwalk with updos which were paired with deliberately loose strands, soft waves and texture contrast.
Solangel also created a modern tension between precision and effortlessness, with models flaunting this elegant hair trend.
Paired with the range’s white, cream and beige collection of relaxed silhouette garments, this echoed the runway’s mix of tailored structure and fluid movement in garments.