Makeup is a transformative force in fashion, seamlessly bridging the gap between the artistry of the runway and the practicality of everyday wear. From the bold, avant-garde looks of New York Fashion Week to the refined elegance of Parisian catwalks, makeup brands drive trends that resonate worldwide. In 2025, the top makeup brands excel in delivering innovative, inclusive, and high-quality products that shine both in high-fashion settings and daily routines. This ranked list, ordered from 1 to 10, highlights the top 10 makeup brands shaping fashion today, based on their runway presence, product innovation, and cultural impact, with a focus on their relevance in New York City’s dynamic fashion scene.
1. Pat McGrath Labs
Launched in 2015 by legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath, Pat McGrath Labs, valued at $1 billion, reigns as the ultimate fashion makeup brand in 2025. Its Mothership Eyeshadow Palettes and vibrant blush sticks dominate runways for Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Margiela, creating ethereal, boundary-pushing looks like glitter-heavy eyes at John Galliano’s shows. With highly pigmented, inclusive products, the brand translates runway artistry into real-life wearability, making it a favorite in NYC’s avant-garde scene.
Website: https://www.patmcgrath.com/
2. Lancôme
A heritage brand since 1935, Lancôme, under L’Oréal and Creative Director Lisa Eldridge (since 2015), is a runway staple. Its Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation and Hypnôse Mascara are used in Paris and NYC fashion shows, delivering polished, long-lasting finishes. Lancôme’s inclusive shade ranges and innovative formulas, like Juicy Tubes lip gloss, make it ideal for translating high-fashion looks into everyday elegance, appealing to NYC’s diverse beauty lovers.
Website: https://www.lancome-usa.com/
3. Westman Atelier
Founded in 2018 by Gucci Westman, Westman Atelier leads clean beauty with its Vital Skin Complexion Drops and Baby Cheeks Blush Stick. Featured at NYFW and in Vogue editorials, its sustainable, skincare-infused products cater to NYC’s eco-conscious fashion crowd.Westman’s collaborations with celebrities like Jennifer Aniston bring radiant, no-makeup looks to both runways and everyday wear, making it a versatile favorite for 2025’s style set.
Website: https://www.westman-atelier.com/
4. Makeup by Mario
Launched in 2020 by celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic,Launched in 2020 by celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic, Makeup by Mario has quickly soared in popularity, with projected 2024 retail sales reaching $300 million. Its SurrealSkin Foundation and Master Mattes Palette are staples at New York Fashion Week, offering flawless, buildable coverage. Dedivanovic’s artistry, honed with clients like Kim Kardashian, ensures products that transition from runway drama to everyday minimalism, resonating with NYC’s glam and understated crowds.
Website: https://www.makeupbymario.com/
5. NARS
Founded in 1994 by François Nars, NARS is a runway powerhouse with bold colors and textures, like the iconic Laguna Bronzer and Orgasm Blush. Its high-fashion campaigns for Gucci and Calvin Klein perfectly capture the edgy, trend-driven spirit of New York City’s style scene. With a 40+ shade range and artistry-inspired products, NARS delivers blendable, long-lasting formulas that work for dramatic runway looks and everyday wear across diverse skin tones.
Website: https://www.narscosmetics.com/
6. Dior Beauty
Part of LVMH’s luxury empire, channels Parisian couture into makeup. Its Forever Foundation and Dior Addict Lip Glow, seen at Dior’s runway shows, offer luminous, buildable coverage that suits everyday elegance. In 2025, Dior’s seasonal collections and sleek packaging cement its status as a favorite among NYC’s fashion elite, blending high-end innovation with practical, chic formulas.
Website: https://www.dior.com/
7. Fenty Beauty
Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty, launched in 2017, redefined inclusivity with its 50+ shade foundation range. Fenty Beauty’s Pro Filt’r Foundation and Gloss Bomb have become runway staples at Savage X Fenty shows and NYC fashion events, celebrated for their bold payoff and inclusive appeal. Fenty’s skincare-infused products, like the Hydra Vizor moisturizer, make it a top choice for real-life application, earning it a spot among Sephora’s bestsellers and a cultural icon status.
Website: https://fentybeauty.com/
8. Charlotte Tilbury
Founded in 2012 by celebrity makeup artists. Founded in 2012 by celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury, the brand embodies red-carpet glamour with luxurious formulas and iconic, glow-enhancing products. Its Pillow Talk lipstick and Magic Cream create radiant looks for NYC galas and fashion weeks. Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter offers luxurious textures and wearable shades, transitioning effortlessly from runway to daily wear. Her 2018 MBE award highlights her influence in blending high fashion with accessible beauty.
Website: https://www.charlottetilbury.com/
9. Too Faced
Launched in 1998 by Jerrod Blandino and Jeremy Johnson, Too Faced infuses playful glamour into the beauty world, blending bold color with fashion-forward flair. Its sweetly scented Chocolate Bar palette and playful packaging resonate with New York City’s youthful, trend-driven crowd. Seen at Christian Siriano’s shimmering runway shows, Too Faced’s buildable formulas deliver both bold and subtle looks, with its $84 million in 2023 revenue underscoring its appeal on the runway and in everyday life.
Website: https://www.toofaced.com/
10. NYX Professional Makeup
Founded in 1999 by Toni Ko, NYX Professional Makeup offers affordable, high-performance products that shine on runways and in everyday looks. Known for vibrant palettes and inclusive shade ranges, NYX is a staple at NYC fashion events, with bold lipsticks and graphic eyeliners inspiring creativity. Its cruelty-free formulas, like the Butter Gloss, are favorites among makeup artists and consumers, bridging professional artistry and accessible style.
Website: https://www.nyxcosmetics.com/
Why These Brands Shape Fashion
These brands define fashion’s beauty landscape by merging runway creativity with practical, inclusive products. Pat McGrath Labs and Lancôme lead with bold, high-fashion aesthetics, while Fenty Beauty and Westman Atelier prioritize diversity and sustainability, aligning with NYC’s eclectic style. From Too Faced’s whimsical palettes to Dior’s luxurious foundations, each brand offers versatile products that empower users to recreate runway looks or craft everyday styles. Their prominence at New York Fashion Week and in global editorials solidifies their influence in 2025.
Where to Shop These Brands in NYC
NYC is a hub for these makeup brands. Sephora’s Fifth Avenue flagship stocks Pat McGrath Labs, Fenty Beauty, and NYX, while Ulta Beauty in Herald Square carries Too Faced and Lancôme. Bergdorf Goodman on Fifth Avenue caters to luxury beauty enthusiasts, offering prestige brands like Dior Beauty and Charlotte Tilbury. Saks Fifth Avenue stocks Westman Atelier and NARS, and Makeup by Mario is available at Sephora’s SoHo location. Online, Sephora.com and Nordstrom.com provide access to these brands, often with exclusive sets and limited editions.
Final Thoughts
From Pat McGrath Labs’ vibrant, runway-defining palettes to NYX’s accessible, creative formulas, the top 10 makeup brands of 2025 shape fashion’s beauty narrative. They bring innovation and inclusivity to both catwalks and daily routines, resonating with NYC’s mix of streetwear enthusiasts, high-fashion devotees, and everyday beauty lovers. Whether recreating a Margiela-inspired glitter look or a Dior-esque glow, these brands empower you to channel fashion’s transformative energy in 2025.
