Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sydney: The hair and makeup looks that work off the runway

by Stephanie Darling / Friday, 26 May 2017

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week is done and dusted.

We scoured the runway trends for hair and makeup trends that work for runway and real way.

Barely there makeup application at Dion Lee’s show for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Photo: Cole Bennetts

Most wearable

The hair and makeup at We Are Kindred was soft and pretty and oh-so-wearable; so much so that it’s inspired us to adopt the flattering peach coloured eye. The stone-fruit inspired eyeshadow (try a sweep of peach-based blush for an all-over finish) and delicate mauvy lips, teamed back with a strong natural-looking brow and a classic rendition of the half up half down hair summed up cruisy resort style beauty.

Models pose backstage ahead of the We Are Kindred show. Photo: Mark Nolan

Lip alert

The fire-engine bold, red lip was a stand-out at Bec & Bridge and Michael Lo Sordo. The beauty rule of playing up only one feature at a time was worked to perfection at both these shows. The strong dense lips were front line while the eyeshadow was background and subtley muted. Brows were the ever-important frame for the face, while hair was centre-parted and simple. Love this look. To get lips looking this dense fill in the lips first with a matching red lip liner and then apply lipstick with a brush for a precision finish. Our favourite red of the moment: M.A.C Lipstick in Lady Danger.

A model poses backstage ahead of the Bec & Bridge show. Photo: Brendon Thorne

Pushing the boundaries

The soft wash of pistachio eyeshadow at Bianca Spender was eyecatching and what made it so enticing was the delicate application: no harsh lines here. Eyes were king and lips muted. Try experimenting with soft pastel washes like lilac, pink and duck egg blue. If an all-over hue is a little daunting, try using a coloured eyeliner smudged under the lower lash line. Get experimental.

A model poses backstage ahead of the Bianca Spender show. Photo: Mark Nolan

Artfully placed lipstick

The makeup at the Steven Khalil show was flawless, featuring luminous skin and a prettily smudged berry lip. The lip focus was all about a wash of stained cherry highlighted with a bold infusion of intense colour on the cupid’s bow and the lower lip.

Models pose backstage ahead of the Steven Khalil show. Photo: Brendon Thorne

Barely there makeup

Dion Lee’s show-stopping opener at the Sydney Opera House featured beautifully executed no-makeup makeup and super “wearable” natural looking hair with defined part lines, side and centre. The palette was the focus with skin as the hero. To perfect this look, attention to detail on the foundation front is key. Tools are central to getting the base to look this good. We love the blending prowess of the Beauty Blender sponge combined with a great tinted moisturiser.