To say this has been a New York Fashion Week unlike any other would be an understatement. But proving that challenge cultivates creativity; there was no shortage of beauty inspiration despite a decidedly thin lineup.

Acknowledging the new normal in which wearing a face mask is essential, makeup artists rose to the occasion by introducing new solutions. At Zero + Maria Cornejo, makeup artist Dick Page dreamed up a colorful, easy-to-re-create eye statement to peek out above face coverings, while at Jason Wu, pro Erin Parsons flecked on faux freckles in a tawny, bulletproof pigment that wouldnt move underneath a cloth mask. To lift spirits, there were cheery spring statements too, with Anna Sui and Collina Strada painting on feel-good face flowers and Rodarte presenting fresh bloom crowns and veils. To further make the largely digital shows and presentations an escape from reality, creatives also indulged in beauty for beautys sake. Tom Ford hearkened back to the golden days of disco with iridescent washes of eyeshadow and blush la 70s supermodel Pat Cleveland, while at Wiederhoeft, makeup artist Raisa Flowers makeup vision for rising designer Jackson Wiederhoefts freaky fairy tale included retina-burning splashes on the lids and brows, as well as colored contacts.

From graphic eyeliner to be worn above face masks to fantasy hair designed to stretch the imagination, here are five beauty trends that emerged throughout the week.

Photo: Courtesy of Maybelline

Jason Wu

Quarantine inspired a renewed emphasis on skin care. In a nod to the fruits of a dedicated routine, many of the showsincluding Rodarte, Anna Sui, and Cinq Septput forth raw skin lightly enhanced with nearly imperceptible coverage and strategic highlighting. Adding a healthy dose of vitamin D to the equation was Jason Wu with makeup artist Erin Parsons administering a smattering of trompe loeil frecklesor fleckles, as she liked to call themacross the nose and cheeks. The whole idea is that we cant really go on vacation, so Jason brought the vacation to us, explained Parsons.

Photo: Courtesy of Zero + Maria Cornejo

Zero + Maria Cornejo

In the age of face masks, the eyes have it like never before. As such, it wasnt surprising to see many designers lay the drama on thick at gaze level. It was this idea of how to further accessorize, said makeup artist Dick Page of collaborating with designer Maria Cornejo on a trio of bold, painterly lid looks in white, fuchsia, and cobalt blue. Its instant glam that doesnt really take too much thought. Youre just throwing a little bit of paint on the eyes like you would a pair of cool sunglasses. Similarly bold and bright strokes of eyeliner were seen at Chromat, with a variation of aquatic ombr eye designs, as well as Batsheva and Eckhaus Latta, where abstract, brushstroke dashes accented the eyes.

Photo: Hunter Abrams

Collina Strada

Fantasy hair took many forms this season. To help bring Jackson Wiederhoefts cast of whackadoodle-doo characters to life, hair bender Sean Bennett crafted a myriad of ceiling-bound wigs including a cloudlike platinum blonde afro for model Jazzelle Zanaughtti and a neon purple hair bow-topped bouffant for dancer and artist Leslie Andrea Williams. At Collina Strada, custom Technicolor, tie-dyed hair pieces dreamed up by Tomihiro Kono were layered on as chunky extensions and billowing finger waves. Then, for the Christian Cowan and Lil Nas X collaboration, hairstylist Evanie Frausto created an array of punkish wigs with gravity-defying mohawks and braided hair sculptures.

Photo: Jackie Kursel / Courtesy of Anna Sui

Anna Sui

Sowing seeds for a flower-filled spring, vivid blooms provided a whimsical touch for many of the collections. Using the face as a canvas, Anna Sui and Collina Strada took embellishment to another level. For the former, makeup artist Pat McGrath painted watercolored daisies along the cheeks and temples, and for the latter, pro Allie Smith traced berry, lemon, and tangerine liner in large flower shapes with negative space around the eyes. For those whod rather keep their face bare, there were flower crowns at Ulla Johnson, as well as fuzzy updos and free-flowing lengths decorated with fresh flowers and wreaths at Rodarte.

Photo: Courtesy of Tom Ford

Tom Ford

A rainbow-splashed utopia sounds like a nice respite, no? At Collina Strada, there was a parade of acid-washed, extreme beauty looks, while at Wiederhoeft, makeup artist Raisa Flowers cast lids, brows, and eyes (with help from colored contacts) in candy-colored shades to help bring psychedelically reimagined fairy-tale characters to life. Then, Tom Ford took the fantasy back to the 70s, delivering full-fledged disco beauty inspired by Antonio Lopez muses Pat Cleveland and Donna Jordan, which meant iridescent blue lids, hot pinkdraped cheeks, and bright fuchsia vinyl lips, of course. Finally, to round out the joyful ruffled confections at Tomo Koizumi, eyes, lips, and cheeks were saturated in complementary shades.

Read more:

5 Beauty Trends That Ruled New York Fashion Week - Vogue