The most striking thing about Rihanna’s latest Paris Fashion Week beauty look wasn’t immediately visible. At the AWGE spring 2027 show on Wednesday, where she turned out in support of her partner A$AP Rocky, the singer and entrepreneur arrived behind a pair of dark sunglasses.
It was only when she lowered them that the full effect came into view, with a flash of scarlet red that was worked tightly into her lower waterline, and perfectly matched to her manicure.
Rihanna wore a soft leather jacket over an oversized white button-down with a crystal-encrusted collar, styled with Balenciaga leggings and a pair of as-yet-unreleased Amina Muaddi pumps finished with crystal straps. More sparkle came courtesy of Majesta pear-shape diamond studs and two rings from the maison’s Kali Collection.
Her glam met all that glitter with something equally punchy. The nails were painted a sharp, glossy red, while the same shade traced the inside of her eyes, with lashings of mascara that added to the dramatic effect.
There is something decidedly ’90s about a heavily lined lower waterline, a the technique that calls to mind the era’s smudgy kohl and tightly rimmed eyes, but swapping black or brown for an unexpected hit of color instantly brings it up to date.
She isn’t the only person experimenting with colored liner at Paris Fashion Week. Sitting front row at Dior’s spring 2027 show, actor Inde Navarrette wore a wash of cool pastel blue around the eyes by makeup artist Kayli Rachelle. The shade traveled from the lid down along the lower lash line, with plum-toned eyeliner adding extra definition and a bright highlight placed at the inner corners.
It’s a relatively low-commitment way to introduce color into an otherwise familiar makeup look. And you don’t necessarily need a bold shade of Rihanna-level scarlet to try it. For fall, oxblood, navy, bronze, or dove gray worked into the waterline can offer the same unexpected jolt. Just keep your hand steady, please!