Backstage Pass: A Make-Up Artist’s Guide to Nailing Runway-Inspired Beauty

Photo: Courtesy of City of Melbourne

Melbourne Fashion Week might be over, but summer event season is just getting started – and there are a few looks from the runway you can nail IRL, too. In partnership with T2 Iced Tea, we chat to Kaydee Kyle-Taylor – head of make-up at M/FW – for the lowdown on how to master trending looks.

We went to Melbourne Fashion Week (M/FW) for the clothes. But we stayed for the make-up.

This season, designers amped up their approach to beauty on the runway, delivering looks that served up plenty of drama.

“We’re definitely playing a lot more with colour,” says Kaydee Kyle-Taylor, a make-up artist and head of make-up for M/FW. “And working in sync [with clothes] to decide where to exaggerate or complement [with make-up]”.

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While the drama of runway looks might be too much for everyday wear, Kyle-Taylor thinks you can translate some of those trending looks into your routine this summer.

Here are the four biggest beauty trends we noticed at M/FW – and how you can recreate them for yourself, plus, the products you’ll need.

All-over glow

According to Kyle-Taylor, proper skin prep is the key to creating glowy make-up looks. “You want to focus on hydrating products – I love using the squalane serum from The Ordinary before I layer on a base,” she says. Sheet masks packed with hyaluronic acid are also a go-to.

You can replicate glow with the right illuminating and highlighting products. Kyle-Taylor likes to use clear products to keep looks as natural as possible – we’re not lit up by strobes in daily life, after all. She cites the multi-use sticks from Mecca Max, Westman Atelier and Chanel as some of her favourites that can be applied all over the face to achieve low-key luminescence.

Complementary colours

You might have been taught to choose either your eyes or your lips as a focus. But Kyle-Taylor says it’s time to throw out the rule book and bring back the drama. A bold combination of complementary colours is the secret in creating confident looks. “I love putting blue on the eyes and matching it with a blushed pink lip. There’s an ’80s feel that’s just so good,” she says. Something everyone should own? A blue mascara or eyeliner. “It will change the way you look at colour.”

On the runway, Kyle-Taylor and her team also played with mint-green and orange combos, as well as bright pinks. “You can get a lot of range from your products – lipsticks can be used on the cheeks and eyes. Blush can also be used in multiple spots. You don’t always have to buy something new to experiment,” she says.

Shining, shimmering

Glitter is back. Kyle-Taylor says to work your way up the spectrum, starting off with softer shimmers. “Urban Decay has a really fine sparkling shadow that you can build with. I also really like the liquid eyeshadows from Stilla. They’re easy to use and just amplify looks.” You don’t have to cover your whole eyelid – you can use eye shadow to create a liner effect or strategically place glitter on the outer edge of your eye.

When it comes to removing your make-up, Kyle-Taylor’s top tip is to use an oil-based cleanser to help shift glitter products. And never swipe down – use a cotton pad and always sweep it away from the eye.

Nailing the look

“Everyone knows me for my nails … I’m a press-on [nails] queen. As long as your nails are done, you’re good to go.” Kyle-Taylor’s current fixation is 3D nail art, and she doesn’t believe in matching sets. “I love aura nails and using different colours on each finger,” she says.

She keeps sets of press-on nails in her kit to create the perfect look each time. “You can pick a set that matches the mood or the look, and even wear them for just a few hours.” Make sure to use cuticle oil to help care for your nails – and never apply the glue directly to your nail bed.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with T2 Iced Tea, a major partner of Melbourne Fashion Week. Another way to look – and feel – your best off the runway? Staying hydrated with T2 Iced Tea, the new ready-to-drink range in three refreshing flavours: Peach Amore, Watermelon Fiesta and Very Berry Blossom.

Produced by Broadsheet in partnership with T2 Iced Tea.

Produced by Broadsheet in partnership with T2 Iced Tea.
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