At Tom Ford, Lacquered Finishes Rule

This season’s showcase at Tom Ford moves beyond mere seduction — it dives headfirst into the theme of desire for spring-summer 2026. “Desire is a pivotal phrase repeated by Tom Ford’s creative director, Haider Ackermann,” shares makeup artist Lucy Bridge backstage at the show. “The mantra today is all about kissable, desirable lips. If the color isn’t inviting enough to provoke a kiss, it’s out of the running.”

So, what are the ‘kissable’ shades that Ackermann has spotlighted this season? Bridge expertly blended custom shades including neon red, peach, golden mustard, brown, and soft baby pink — all vibrant and designed to top the high-energy theme of the collection. “The show’s striking navy lacquered floor provided the primary inspiration for these captivating lip looks,” she explains.

Bringing a dramatic lip with vibrancy and shine to life is no easy feat. “Lips are my absolute favorite to work on,” says Bridge, as she meticulously perfects a model’s lips. “It’s truly an art. The secret lies in layering. Applying thinner layers and building them up allows for that truly stunning pout we aim for on the runway.” For instance, a sultry warm brown lip was achieved by alternating layers of Tom Ford’s Runway Lip Color in Velvet Cherry and Unzip (a deep plum berry). Once satisfied with the color blend, Bridge topped it off by layering Slim Lip in Atelier Red for added warmth and sealed the look with Gloss Luxe in the shade Disclosure for that coveted lacquer-like finish.

With lips taking center stage, the rest of the look was kept delightfully pure. Skin was rendered luminous with defined cheekbones, yet rigorously devoid of blush. To add just the right amount of drama, Bridge utilized individual lash extensions described as “broken lashes.” She stated, “As they begin to dry, the fingers are used to cluster them together slightly, creating a unique pointed effect.”