Haute Couture Beauty: Mastering the Lebanese Aesthetic of Elie Saab

The Lebanese aesthetic prioritizes skin that looks expensive. Unlike the heavy “Instagram matte” of previous years, Saab’s runway looks focus on “glass skin” with a velvet finish.

• Strategic Hydration: The base must be intensely hydrated. Professional makeup artists often use hyaluronic acid serums followed by a primer with light-reflecting particles to mimic the “ethereal goddess” glow cited by Vogue.
• The “Shadow” Technique: Lebanese beauty often features high-contrast sculpting. Focus on deepening the hollows of the cheekbones and the jawline while keeping the center of the face bright. This creates a regal, architectural bone structure.
• Enhancing Natural Features: While the aesthetic is polished, it celebrates individuality. For example, if you have unique facial traits, our guide on how to enhance your beauty marks with makeup explains how to integrate these marks into a high-fashion look rather than concealing them.

Saab’s collections often utilize a “monochromatic” approach to color. Whether the gowns are pearl pink, water blue, or mint green, the eye makeup typically stays within a neutral, earthy palette to avoid competing with the garment’s embroidery.

1. The Base: Apply a wash of taupe or champagne shimmer across the lid.
2. The Wing: Use a dark brown or charcoal pencil to create a soft, blended wing. Avoid harsh liquid liners; the “Lebanese smolder” is about diffused edges that elongate the eye shape [2].
3. The Lashes: Individual lash clusters are preferred over “strip” lashes to maintain a lightweight, couture feel.

For the Elie Saab Fall 2025 Couture show, hair was styled in a “tousled yet divine” manner [1]. This departure from stiff bridal updos signals a shift toward more wearable, romantic hair.

• The Volume Rule: Lebanese hair is rarely flat. Use a volumizing mousse at the roots and a large-barrel curling iron (1.5 to 2 inches) to create loose, rolling waves.
• Frame the Face: The haircut itself is the foundation of this look. To ensure your waves sit correctly and enhance your features, consult our expert guide on how to choose a flattering haircut for your face shape.
• The Finish: Use a high-shine gloss spray rather than a firm-hold hairspray. The hair should move naturally as you walk.

To master the aesthetic, you must choose between the two primary moods Saab presents:

In his latest show, Saab opened with “sculpted, clingy, corseted black velvet” looks modeled by icons like Lara Stone and Isabeli Fontana [1]. This “seductively edged” look relied on minimal jewelry and presence over distraction, proving that the Lebanese aesthetic can be as much about restraint as it is about opulence.

1. Prioritize Symmetry: The Lebanese look is rooted in balance. Ensure brows are groomed and symmetrical, as they frame the rest of the face.
2. Invest in “Invisible” Foundation: Use a medium-coverage foundation only where needed, blending outward to let the skin’s natural texture show.
3. The “Saab Lip”: Line the lips with a shade one tone darker than your natural lip color, then apply a satin-finish lipstick in a rose or nude-brown hue.

• Skin is the Hero: Focus on high-hydration and strategic sculpting rather than heavy coverage.
• Neutral Smoulder: Keep eye makeup in the “earthy” family (taupe, bronze, charcoal) to maintain a timeless, regal appearance.
• Intentional Volume: Hair should have volume and movement, avoiding the stiff, over-sprayed looks of the past.
• Restraint as Luxury: Follow Saab’s lead by pairing “heavy” fabrics or intricate embroidery with “light” makeup and tousled hair to avoid a costume-like effect.

Action Plan

• Weekly: Maintain a rigorous hydration routine (hyaluronic acid and facial oils) to build the “glass skin” base.
• Before an Event: Prep hair with a volumizing blowout and use individual lashes to elongate the eyes.
• The “Final Touch”: Apply a shimmer-free highlighter to the high points of the face (cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and Cupid’s bow) for a natural, expensive glow.

Elie Saab’s success lies in his ability to make women look like “ethereal goddesses” while remaining grounded in the real world of red carpets and grand occasions [1]. By focusing on luminous skin and balanced features, anyone can master this pinnacle of haute couture beauty.