As Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia 2013 (MBFWA) comes to a close, it’s time for beauty journalists to take a moment to a) catch-up on some much-needed sleep, b) step away from the coffee machine to enable said sleep to occur, and c) reminisce on the most outstanding hair and make-up looks that took to the runways this year.
And although I still have a coffee in my hand (whoops!), I have indeed picked my top six beauty moments. Some are wearable, and some are just outrageously eye-catching, but either way, each of them had a striking finish that struck a cord with me.
So, here are my favourite hair and make-up looks from MBFWA 2013…
THE SHOW: We Are Handsome
THE LOOK: for the hair, inspiration was sourced from the 70s. Glamorous brushed-out curls took to the runway, which were created by wrapping the hair around a tong in horizontal sections at the back to help build the shape, and in vertical sections at the front for a natural finish. To add an indulgent and decadent touch, half of the models wore an emerald green sparkly eye and the other half a sparkly violet version. A bright cherry red opaque lip with a glossy finish completed the look. And to create a sporty, athletic look, faux tan was used to tone the models.
KEY PRODUCTS USED: KMS ADDVOLUME Volumizing Spray for big, bouncy hair; Maybelline NY Color Sensational Lipcolor in Very Cherry for a colourful pout; St Tropez Wash Off Instant Glow Mousse for an all-over even skin tone.
THE SHOW: Alice McCall
THE LOOK: although inspired by underwater creatures, the hair and make-up for the show stayed true to Alice McCall’s signature playful and feminine look, but with an ethereal feel. The hair had a wet-look finish, and was secured into low-slung, side-parted ponytails, which were then knotted and twisted to create a unique finish. The make-up consisted of luminescent, pearlised skin and natural glossy lips, and was teamed with aqua blue lashes for a true fresh, under-the-sea finish.
KEY PRODUCTS USED: ghd Final Shine Spray to give the hair a brilliantly glossy finish; MAC Strobe Cream to create dramatically radiant skin.
THE SHOW: White Sands
THE LOOK: think 50s and 60s styling that is soft, floral and feminine. Flowing hair is always best for swimwear showings, and the big, sexy, bouncy, brushed-out waves that took to the runway here were no exception. An intense smoky eye and nude, matte lip gave the look an on-trend edge, while creating a contrast against the feminine waves and floral swimwear.
KEY PRODUCTS USED: Redken Rootful 06 ($29.95, 1300 138 803) for big, feminine hair; Erin Bigg Cosmetics Eye Shadow Quad in Parisian Chic for a dark smoky eye ($55, erinbiggcosmetics.com.au).
THE SHOW: Kate Sylvester
THE LOOK: Marilyn Monroe – one of Hollywood’s greatest icons – inspired the complex and conflicting soft and sharp silhouettes of this beauty look. The sweeping, somewhat dirty-textured fringe was a nod to the 60s and Marilyn’s dishevelled, drunken-yet-still-effortlessly-cool state. The skin was fresh and young, and enhanced by an intense, almost-neon pink lip, which was applied slightly outside the line to create the look of a fuller lip.
KEY PRODUCTS USED: Redken Powder Grip 03 ($20.95, 1300 138 803) for gritty, textured hair; MAC Lipstick in Candy Yum Yum, for a standout pout.
THE SHOW: Easton Pearson
THE LOOK: this show was inspired by the 50s, but not the 1950s – the 2050s instead. It was all about the futuristic woman – or a modern take on the Hitchcock woman. Stylists used the classic Hitchcock French roll, but added colour to it (blue, pink, orange or yellow) to give it a modern twist. To get a hazy, soft-coloured finish, both coloured hairspray and make-up pigments were used. A strong brow added to the hyper-real, futuristic feel of the look, while also complementing the coloured hair.
KEY PRODUCTS USED: Cloud Nine O ($399 for The O Ultimate Set, 1300 437 436) to create big hair; Max Factor Colour Effect Eyeshadows (crushed and mixed with moisturiser and a little water) to get bright, bold brows.
THE SHOW: Roopa Pemmaraju
THE LOOK: inspired by the movement and appearance of artworks by indigenous women, the hair had a unique Australian look. It was undone, youthful and a little bit tribal chic. The texture side-swept ponytail was partnered with a colour-injected eye area to make the eyes pop.
KEY PRODUCTS USED: Redken Woolshake 08 ($29.95, 1300 138 803) to create a dusty, lived-in feel; Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Eye Shadow in Blue Moon for a bright, fun eye look.
Are you a fan of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia? Which designer’s hair and make-up look is your favourite? Would you recreate any of these looks?
Image credit
Roopa Pemmaraju: supplied by Bobbi Brown
We Are Handsome, Easton Pearson, Kate Sylvester, White Sands, Alice McCall: Elizabeth Giacco/beautydirectory
