When alice + olivia brings the Gilded Age back to life, you feel it. At the brand’s Fall/Winter 2026 presentation during New York Fashion Week last Saturday (February 14), Stacey Bendet’s romantic-meets-regal vision wasn’t just about corsetry, gold brocade and Victorian silhouettes — it was about the glow. The gloss. The pearls tucked into braids like whispered secrets.
The theme could’ve felt costume-y. Instead, it felt authoritative — thanks in part to Tacori’s California-crafted 18k gold and diamond pieces. Stacked eternity bands, sculptural emeralds, pavé-set link necklaces, the jewelry added weight, shimmer and permanence to the airy silhouettes. And because hair was pulled back, every earring, collarbone and ring stack had room to shine
Backstage, beauty was soft but powerful. Ethereal but structured. Think: luminous skin that looked lit from within, braids woven like heirloom tapestries, and lips that felt both vintage and vinyl.
Keep scrolling to see some of the best beauty looks from alice + olivia’s Fall/Winter NYFW show along with deets on how to recreate them using the same products. Don’t forget to let us know if you’re loving these new styles by leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post, or share your best beauty looks by tagging us in your posts on Instagram at @celebsecrets.
SKIN: The Dewy, Acne-Safe Flow That Stole Backstage
Before the first brush of bronzer or swipe of mascara, skin was the priority. Enter: Personal Day, the dermatologist-developed skincare brand founded by actress Lili Reinhart, which served as the official skincare sponsor backstage.
The hero? Soft-Slip Priming Milk, a milky toner launching February 26 exclusively at Ulta.
Why It Mattered
This wasn’t just glow for glow’s sake. The Gilded Age theme required radiance that looked healthy — never heavy.
Personal Day Soft-Slip Priming Milk ($32) delivered instant hydration without greasiness; a silky, cushiony slip under makeup; barrier-supporting panthenol (pro-vitamin B5); probiotic extract complex to visibly calm and balance; and lightweight humectants for plump, revived skin
Clinically tested, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free and safe for breakout-prone skin, it created that “lit-from-within” sheen models wore down the runway.
How to Copy It: Pat a generous amount into skin after cleansing. Let it sink in before applying moisturizer and SPF. For fall, this is your secret weapon against dull, dry seasonal skin.
Trend takeaway? Skin-first glam is here to stay.
MAKEUP: Romantic Skin + Opulent Lips
Makeup for FW26 was led by Flynn Pyykkonen using Westmore Beauty, delivering what Stacey Bendet described as “soft glowing skin paired with an opulent lip.”
And honestly? Mission accomplished.
The Base: Warm, Sculpted Radiance
To enhance (not mask) the glow, Supreme Creme Sweep ($49) and Supreme Balm in Sunlit Bronze ($20.40) was swept along cheekbones, temples and hairline for warmth. 3-in-1 Finishing Powder ($29) was then used strategically on the T-zone to reduce shine while keeping skin luminous.
The Eyes: Wide-Awake Victorian Romance
The eye look was clean but intentional. Pyykkonen used the brand’s 60-Second Brow Effects ($27) to keep brows shaped and lifted and the Lasting Effect Soft Glide Eyeliner in Beige ($24) to line the waterline for a bright-eyed effect. The eyes were topped with the 60-Second Lash Effects Mascara ($27), adding definition without heaviness.
The Lips: Vinyl or Berry Royalty
Two lip moments emerged. For Look 1, Pyykkonen used the Pout Perfector in Ultraclear ($24) for a glassy, vinyl shine. For Look 2, the brand’s Lasting Effect Soft Glide Eyeliner in Rich Brown ($24) was used to define while the Pout Perfector in Raspberry ($24) was used for a jewel-toned, high-shine finish.
Body Glow (Yes, Really)
Since Westmore is known for their amazing body makeup, it made sense for the models’ décolletage and exposed skin to be perfected with the brand’s Beauty Body Coverage Perfector ($49) and Blend & Blur Body Brush ($49). Because in the Gilded Age? Glow doesn’t stop at the jawline.
HAIR: Pearl-Woven Braids & Ethereal Structure
Celebrity stylist Lacy Redway designed the hair for the presentation, using The Kacey Welch Method hair extensions and amika hair products — including the amika’s NEW Soulstruck Nourishing Dry Hair Mask ($32).
Her inspiration? The Gilded Age and Victorian era — soft, romantic, and richly embellished.
“Between the textured, loose braid and the woven braided updo, my goal was to pull the hair back to highlight and complement the collection,” Redway shared.
The Foundation: Moisture = Power
After adding The Kacey Welch Method hair extensions but before braiding began, hair was prepped with amika’s Supernova Moisture & Shine Cream ($30); Soulstruck Nourishing Dry Hair Mask ($32); The Shield Anti-Humidity Spray ($32); Fluxus Touchable Hairspray ($26); Un.Done Texture Spray ($30) and Superfruit Star Styling Oil ($32).
Hydration was non-negotiable, especially for textured hair. The Soulstruck Mask delivered softness and shine without weighing down braids — crucial for a look that required movement.
Get The Look: Cross-Braided Updo
To copy this look all season long, here’s what you’ll have to do.
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Prep hair with Supernova + Soulstruck Mask ($32)
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Curl with a 3/8-inch iron for texture
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Split hair loosely into two sections (no hard part)
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Dutch braid both sections toward the nape
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Secure and crisscross braids into an “X”
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Pin into a woven basket effect
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Mist Un.Done Texture Spray ($30) for airy dimension
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Finish with Soulstruck Mask ($32) for shine
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Add pearls, crystals or gold accents at an angle for light-catching magic
Get The Look: Loose, Romantic Braid
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Follow the same prep steps
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Loosely braid down the back
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Gently pull apart for softness
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Wrap a strand around the elastic
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Set with Curl Corps Enhancing Gel ($30)
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Finish with Fluxus Hairspray ($26) and Soulstruck Mask ($32)
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Add pearls and crystals
For more coverage from NYFW, click here.
