Backstage Beauty Secrets

Getting behind the scenes at a spring fashion show will uncover trends – and discover how they can work for you.

Read on for practical advice on ways to achieve a luminous complexion, lips tinged in pinks from glossy petal to sheer fuchsia, eyes enhanced by tropical-inspired hues and more.

Face / Body

Secret weapon Shue Uemura Depsea Water nourishing facial mist in Rosemary.

It makes your skin look instantly refreshed and energized. It’s a mineral-rich, tall drink of water for your skin. Since the secret to a great complexion is having a high moisture content, you should spritz water on first, and then seal in that hydration with moisturizer. You won’t need as much foundation if your skin is already plumped with moisture.

Another facial refresher I love: La Mer The Mist with seaweed extract and vitamin E.

Secret weapon Shisheido The Skincare Day Essential Moisturizer Light SPF 10

A massage helps stimulate the blood circulation. Use your ring and middle fingers to create light, gentle strokes, and massage the cream in slowly and rhythmically from the forehead down to the neck, then from the nose out to the ears. Afterward, apply makeup as usual.

Another cream I love for facial massage: The botanical-rich Clarins Super Restorative Day Cream

Secret weapon M.A.C False Lashes

Long, luscious lashes were on all the supermodels this spring. Use brown, feathery, light false lashes that look more natural and soft. For a less dramatic look, you can apply a few just at the outer corner of the eyelid.

Another way to open up your eyes: Try a volumizing mascara like DiorShow or Maybelline Sky High Curves Extreme Length & Curl Mascara – after curling your lashes with a lash curler.

Secret weapon Estee Lauder Pure Color Eyeshadow in Blue Sphere

Candy-colored eye shadows are a strong trend this spring, but don’t be put off by the vibrant hues; they come out much more translucent than they appear in the container. Tip: Use a makeup brush to apply shadow along the upper lid, close to the lashes. Then, take a clean makeup sponge and wipe the outer corner of the product lightly upward to make eyes appear more intense.

Other shades to stock up on for spring: beComing Solo Act Single Eye Color in Crushed Silk and Water Lily and Stila’s Be Feminine, Feel Pretty spring collection palettes in dramatic hues of sage, purple and blue.

Secret weapon Lancome Palette Mix Complexion Kit

A little extra concealer, strategically applied, is paramount to getting spring’s flawless complexion. Dot the concealer just on the inner corner of your eyelids by the tear duct, then pat a little lightly under your eyes and also under your nose. Suddenly, you’ll look more awake, as the concealer will mask any signs of redness.

Another concealer I can’t live without: Cover Girl Fresh Complexion Under Eye Concealer

Secret weapon La Prairie Cellular Luxe Lip Colour in Fuschia

Lips come in every shade – as long as it’s pink. Deeper, brighter pinks require a different makeup technique than barely there colors. Put away the lip brush this season. If you’re going for a shade as intense as this season’s newest lip color, fuchsia, apply it with your fingertips so it looks less saturated.

More fabulous pinks: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Strawberry Electric and L’Oreal Volume Perfect Lipcolour in Plumped Pink

Secret weapon Satin De Chanel, a limited-edition illuminating powder

Eye shadow doesn’t have to be just for eyelids. You can give your face an overall glow by dusting a light, shimmering shadow over the entire outer eye area. Smooth it from the outer corners of the eyes over the tops of the cheekbones, carefully blending into the skin until you’re left with just a hint of a translucent shimmer.

More ways to shine: Clinique touch tint for eyes in Shimmer Frost or Bobbi Brown Pink Shimmer Brick Compact.

Secret weapon Lorac Beach Bag

The perfect bronzer should be slightly pearlized to reflect light off your face – the idea is to glow, not glitter! And don’t overdo pressed or loose powders over a bronzer. Think about when you’re on the beach, skin is always a little shinier.

Another bronzer we can’t live without: Shu Uemura Glow On Pearl Brown 76 bronzer.

Secret weapon Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse dry oil with Golden Shimmer.

With shoulders and shins on display in this season’s shoulder-baring chiffon tops and wispy skirts, you’ll need to exfoliate to keep skin smooth. After dressing, rub a little body oil just along the center of your legs, knees and shinbones to catch the light. The other perfect place? Your collarbones. A woman’s collarbone never ages or puts on weight – why it’s the most seductive body part to highlight.

Another secret to gleaming skin: Apply Nivea Body Silky Shimmer Lotion all over after bathing – or before slipping into a favorite dress.

Hair

Secret weapon John Frieda Beach Blonde Gold Rush Shimmer Gel, which can be used on all hair shades

Gloriously shiny hair was a staple on all the spring runways, and lucky for you, imparting a healthy gleam is easy to do at home. You can look as if you have really glossy hair by using a shimmering gel or a glistening spray.

Another way to get seriously shiny hair: Paul Mitchell’s The Shine

Secret weapon Bumble and bumble Gloss and Prep.

Create a low, slightly messy ponytail by smoothing out the hair with a texturizer, and then using bobby pins to position and secure the ponytail flat against the neck.

Another texturizer I love: Wella Liquid Hair Hair Putty