BEAUTY

Beauty Lessons We Learnt Backstage At Fashion Week

Get that model glow

With Mercedez Benz Fashion Week Australia resort 2020 upon us, we look to local designers for the new wave of runway beauty inspiration. Brimming with cool-girl appeal – think Phoebe Tonkin and Bambi Northwood-Blyth – the Sydney shows can always be counted on to deliver a slew of edgy trends. From super dewy skin at P.E Nation to glossy cheeks at Aje and an updated take on sleek hair at Michael L’Sordo.

To bridge the gap between runway and reality, we caught up with the make-up artist and hair stylists behind the looks. Herewith, useful insider beauty knowledge — from eye makeup that’s still cool to “beach hair” tips that actually work.

Ace your base 

Neutrogena collaborated with P.E. Nation as the official skincare partner for the unveiling of the new collection at fashion week. Ahead of the show, make-up artist Ashlea Penfold ensured the models’ had all their bases covered with a rejuvenating cleanse.

“Prepping the skin is the most important part of makeup for me. If you don’t have a good base, the make-up can look flat and dull,” explains Ashlee. To get a model-worthy glow at home, Ashlee reveals the thirty-second complexion hack she uses to create a natural glow. “Always cleanse using circular motions to really stimulate and wake up the skin.

“For the beautiful models at the P.E Nation show, I use light pressure to circulate blood flow to give the skin a post-workout glow prior to foundation.” 

Make it pop 

Who doesn’t love a multi-tasking beauty product? This behind-the-scenes trick might sound unconventional at first but trust us – the final result packs a punch. 

MAC Cosmetics Make-Up Artist Carol Mackie used the same creamy lip hue to add luminosity to models’ lips and eyelids. Taking MAC Cosmetics Strip Down Lipstick in Smoked Almond, Carol applied the burnt orange shade revealing that blurred edges and an overall ‘less perfect’ effect is the goal.

“We’re using it as a stain and we’re washing it around the eye, allowing it to have movement – it’s all about movement and freedom,” Carol told BeautyCrew backstage.

Models
(Credit: Getty)

Bright hues are having a moment. Case in point? At Bec & Bridge, where models wore bold eye looks in all colours of the rainbow. 

bec and bridge
(Credit: Shot on iPhone XS in Portrait Mode)

For those who aren’t brave enough for colour, eyes were popping backstage at Alice McCall with heavy-handed eyeliner applications. 

mbfwa
Shot on iPhone XS in Portrait Mode

Turn up the shine  

The Aje collection was inspired by the ‘land and the sea’ to compliment the overall aesthetic the model’s make-up was effortless and fresh. Lancome make-up artist Lara Srokowski created a custom base by mixing foundation with Advanced Génifique serum. 

“It’s all about skin so we’re using Advanced Génifique serum underneath to hydrate the skin and then creating that glow with no so much a shimmer highlight but a wet highlight,” Lara told us backstage. 

“We’ve mixed a lipgloss with the Lancome Custom Glow Drops drops and applied that to the cheeks and the lips.”

The new beachy hair 

We’re calling it: beachy waves are out and sleek hair is in. As seen at Michael L’Sordo, Tigerlilly, and Aje.  Backstage at Michael L’Sordo ghd Creative Director Richard Kavanagh said he was inspired “to create a look that showcased the effortless glamour of Michael L’Sordo collection.

“We wanted to make it feel like the girls are in Saint Tropez – gone for a swim at night – combed their hair, put on a beautiful gown and off they go.”  To recreate this “super simple, yet luxurious and elegant look” Richard used the ghd Air Hairdryer and Soft Bristle brush to directionally blowdry the hair back and away from the face. The trick to looking chic rather than sweaty? Keep the ends polished and hydrated.

Bakstage

This article originally appeared on InStyle

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