Moore's Blog

We brought you all the insider information on almost every look from backstage at Australian Fashion Week this week, but now is time for a list of takeaway tips and tricks from those who created them.

Read on for your very own cheat sheet to backstage beauty. . .

Alfie Sadsad, senior artist for Bobbi Brown

“Always take care of your skin. Less is more. If skin doesn’t look like skin, makeup isn’t going to look as good.”

Alan White, ghd hair director

“Want more volume? Brush your hair! Girls don't brush their hair enough- if they did, they would have way more volume. That’s one of our biggest messages this season — it stimulates the oils and the goodness to come out of your scalp and go through your hair. The more you brush it with a real bristle brush, the bigger your hair will become. Flat hair? Just brush it."

Lauren McCowan for Cloud Nine

“Keep a mascara wand handy to clean up the hairline. If you have bumps in a sleek ponytail, or this amazing hairstyle and the front of your hair is a bit fuzzy, a mascara wand with a little bit of hairspray on it will clean up baby hairs and is a quick fix for a really polished look.”

(Image: short formal dresses)

Napoleon Perdis’ Nicola Snell

“The Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Skin Primer ($55) is our go-to. It’s like our little magic eraser. It’s really soft on skin, too, especially for models doing back-to-back shows. It soothes and rehydrates skin.”

Janelle Chaplin, O&M's creative director

“If you only have two minutes to get perfect hair, twist it in a top knot, blow-dry it for a few minutes and let it out. You’ll have the perfect undone hair and texture.”

Karon McKendrick-Taylor for OPI Australia

“Get the model’s previous nail polish off quick with OPI Expert Touch Lacquer Remover ($11.95) and dry it quick with OPI Drip Dry Drops ($23.95).”

Philip Barwick, Redken Hair Director

“To get a natural-looking, beautifully textured hair, use as much product as you can. . .and then add some more!” Not sure what to use? Think dry shampoo, volume powders and salt spray here.

Nigel Stanislaus, Maybelline New York Makeup Director

“Keep it simple and embrace the less is more philosophy. And find a favourite product that has a dual benefit. For me, this year I think it is going to be Maybelline New York’s Fit Me Shine-Free Foundation Stick ($15.95). It's not only sheer and versatile but the core of the stick offers a mattifying effect. It can be used on the run and depending on the shade, can be used to contour. Another backstage tip is using the trusty Baby Lips Lip Balm which can be applied to various areas of the face to add a little sheen and dewiness.”

Paloma Rose Garcia for Redken

“If I have a really early call time and I can’t be bothered to wash and style my hair, I only wash and blow-dry my fringe so it looks like my hair is clean, but underneath, I could really use a wash. It’s really good if you are trying to let the rest of your blow-dry last, too.”

Jayne Wild, Australasia ghd ambassador

“A lot of models — bless them — don’t always have regular hair trims, so I give them a pretend haircut by spraying ghd reflection spray in the ends and running the ghd eclipse through them, slightly bending the ends as I go. This seals the hair’s cuticles and keeps ends clean. It’s my trick to fake a haircut.”

Lancôme National Makeup Artist, Lara Srokowski

“Be sure to have a concealer and powder handy in your brush belt. They are the best quick fix for any make up look.”

Mac Cosmetics’ James Molloy

“Mac Cosmetics Lightful Softening Lotion . I begin every makeup with it, it’s loaded with vitamin C and it’s just the best way to revive fashion week skin when it starts to look a little tired.”

Jon Pulitano, Redken Hair Director

“One of my favourite backstage beauty tricks is putting your hair in a bun after a blow dry to achieve a hot, natural texture. Simply twist it up for as long as you can, then when you take it out it will have the perfect bend. It always looks great.”

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