As London gets geared up for fashion show season, we’ve found the top 10 weird and wonderful backstage beauty secrets from the people in the know.
SUNKISSED YOUTH
One of the easiest ways to cheat a youthful look is to draw on freckles. Makeup artist, Lynsey Alexander says that Kate Moss always asks for a smattering of freckles, “It gives you that youthful freshness and glow, the trick is to use your brow pencil and dot randomly before smudging it with your finger, so it looks like skin rather than make-up”.
BEE STUNG LIPS
To create an enviably full pout, Creative Makeup Director at Estée Lauder, Tom Pecheux, says: “Outline them with a pale gloss, then colour in with a darker gloss. Over time, the deeper shade will fade into the paler one, making lips look full and sensual.”
60S LASHS
Celebrity makeup artist Hannah Murray is the master of Twiggy lashes that are making a comeback. She recommends: “Curl first, then immediately apply waterproof mascara as it holds lashes up much better than a regular formula. Follow with 2-3 coats of black mascara, wiggling the brush through.” She sometimes dries out the mascara: “I leave the lid off for a day or two to get the right texture – it makes all the difference.
HOMEMADE FACELIFT
A pain-free facelift? Yes please! Niki Metz, Director of Artistry for Jouer says: “As a little girl, I would watch my mother apply egg whites to her face (especially around her eyes) about an hour or two before going out to a special event. She would take one egg, separate it, whisk it until it was frothy, and apply the egg white all over her face and leave it on for 20 minutes. After, she would wash it off with lukewarm water and immediately apply her makeup. The egg white tightens the skin and wrinkles to give you a temporary facelift.”
THICKER BROWS
Eyebrows are in for the foreseeable future. If you haven’t been blessed with Delevingne eyebrows, Terry de Gunzburg, founder of ByTerry says: “Apply a nourishing balm to your eyebrows before going to bed. This will guarantee extra strength and growth—thicker eyebrows in two weeks.”
DARK CIRCLES
We’re always looking for the latest remedy to get rid of the dark circles under our eyes. Brazilian beauty, Victoria Brito, loves her home remedies: “For example, to get rid of dark circles, take a potato, cut it into slices like a pepperoni, and put one slice over each eye for about 15 to 20 minutes once a week. I swear, after doing it about five times, you’ll start to see a drastic reduction of dark circles. The potato literally starts to get dark and shrivel up while you use it—it’s crazy!”
MIX AND MATCH
Matte foundations can settle on the skin and often exaggerate pores and wrinkles. Joanna Czech, Uma Thurman’s facialist, says: “Skin looks younger and fresher when you can see it through your foundation, unlike water-based versions, they won’t highlight enlarged pores and fine lines.”
Czech also says: “Make your own by mixing your favourite serum or facial oil in with your regular foundation.”
Mixing serum into your foundation is a great way to ensure your skin stays hydrated all day. Skincare expert at What Skin Needs, Sonja Dymalovski, recommends using a serum that includes natural oils as they reduce the chance of breakouts.
Sonja says: “Hydration is the key to young looking skin, and adding a serum to your foundation is a great way to get that youthful dewy look. I would go for a serum with oils that have anti-inflammatory and soothing properties like Jojoba oil and Plantolin. Try Hydrating Facial Serum by What Skin Needs (www.whatskinneeds.co.uk, £17.99)
HYDRATE YOUR HAIR
Who knew that you could find a great conditioner tucked away in your fridge! Blake Lively told Brydie: “My mom taught me this really great beauty tip. She used to put oil or mayonnaise on the bottom half of her hair before she would shower. That way, when she would shampoo, the soap wouldn’t strip the bottom of the hair and dry it out making it brittle.”
CHEEKY GLOW
British icon, Kate Moss, always looks fresh-faced despite being a party girl, she says: “Dick Page taught me this: After applying your lipstick, blot your lips with your fingers and then pat the remaining colour on your cheeks for an instant glow.”
HOMEMADE MASKS
Michelle Peck, skincare expert whose past clients include, Australia beauty, Miranda Kerr: “We use various different homemade masks to prep her skin, from a delicious Pineapple Enzyme Peel to a Papaya Mask. We also use an avocado and olive oil mask for hydration and a coconut cream mask that we whip up to use for dehydrated skin.”
