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How the Professionals Prepare For Fashion Week

The secret spas, treatments and regimes that makeup artists, models and editors swear by

Skin
How the Professionals Prepare For Fashion Week

Save for the absence of ice baths and, well, actually cross training, it wouldn't be that farfetched to liken prepping for Fashion Month to training for a marathon. No, seriously: from the anticipatory carbo-loading, to finding a meditative state of mind to slip into during the race itself (just breathe...) and taking the time to hydrate throughout, to taking the entire month of August off to sun yourself on a jumbo water vessel somewhere... okay, so maybe there are a few (key) differences. To-may-toe, to-mah-toe, guys.

The point remains, though. During their time off in June, July and August, the whole fashion industry (save for the actual designers toiling away before the big show) gets serious when it comes to a sort of last hurrah (well, a last hurrah that seems to consist of fancy facials and plenty of requisite rosé). With a month's worth of airport food, inevitably delayed long-haul flights, days of subsisting on freebie champagne and half-eaten Clif bars scavenged from the bottom of a Saint Laurent bag between shows and staying up until the wee hours either filing stories and making deadlines or alternately, attending impossibly glamorous parties (or, you know, somehow pulling off both), we figured there had to be something to the whole R&R and then some thing. Who better to ask, then, about exactly how to prep for the four weeks of fashion than the makeup artists, editors, models and bloggers that schlep through the whole thing? It only makes sense that they have considerable tips and tricks up their (artfully cuffed) Equipment sleeves.


On her must-get facial...

"My fashion week survival kit is mainly the Intraceuticals Infusion Facial at the Waterhouse Young Clinic in London. Lemon juice in water is essential too!"

On her extensive plane beauty routine...

"Before a long flight, I like to remove my make up and apply KORA Organics Luxurious Rosehip Oil to keep my skin well hydrated and protected throughout the flight. Just before touch down, I mist my face with KORA Organics Energising Citrus Mist to brighten my complexion, apply KORA Organics Tinted Day Cream—a lighter alternative to foundation which leaves skin with a fresh even skin tone—KORA Organics Vitamin Enhanced Lip Balm to my lips and as a highlighter on my cheekbones, curl my lashes (which helps open up the eyes) and apply two coats of mascara. This ensures I disembark [the plane] looking and feeling fresh. Also, remember to hydrate from within by drinking lots of water and herbal teas.”

On how she always appears so fresh...

"If I’m feeling tired, I like to put cool fresh organic cucumber slices on my eyes to soothe and revive them. I also sleep with organic coconut oil or olive oil in my hair once a week as a treatment—it nourishes the scalp and leaves my hair super shiny! I use my KORA Organics Vitamin Enhanced Lip Balm to highlight my brow and cheekbones—it creates a fresh luminous appearance."

On the makeup remover (and hair mask) she can't live without...

"Bioderma Crealine is the absolute best makeup remover for after a show. I always carry it in my bag. Christophe Robin hair masks help save my hair during fashion week too.”

On her in-flight advice...

"Be as comfortable as possible and always remember to keep hydrated. I like to infuse my water with Vitamin C drops or take coconut water on board, which contains naturally occurring electrolytes. In terms of skincare, I like to spritz on damask rose water and use oil-rich soothing masks and a luxurious moisturizer pumped full of peptides and hyaluronic acid, such as my Magic Cream. If you can’t get my Magic Cream, a pure oil such as rosehip with Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Cream is a good alternative. For an extra boost, try a serum, apply it to clean fingertips and massage into your skin. Blood circulation is really important, so whilst not super-flattering, in-flight socks are a must. I also like to keep massaging and patting my skin to stimulate lymphatic drainage—I call it the Tilbury Tap method!"

On the snacks that keep her going...

“[My 'fashion week survival kit' is...] Karlie’s Kookies and a coconut water! I’m constantly moving going between fittings and shows—snacks get me through!”

On her in-flight beauty routine...

“A few of my travel must-haves are Bioderma face wipes, Refresh Plus eye drops, EO lavender hand sanitizer, Rosebud Salve, Caudalie Beauty Elixir and L'Occitane hand cream. I get really dehydrated on flights, so I try to drink as much water as possible. I also use the Dior Capture Totale Serum before my flight—it keeps my face nice and supple. On long flights, I like to bring a mask and apply it 30 minutes before I touch down. My favorite at the moment is the Dior Snow Cooling Gel Mask—it brightens and tightens almost instantly."

On her essential mask...

“I’ve recently gotten addicted to the SK-II Revival Masks (which I save for an extra moisturizing treatment after a long flight).”

On how he gets zen before and during fashion month...

“I usually spend Labor Day weekend at my beach house in Connecticut. I turn the phone off and just try to be present with my partner, since during the month of September he won't see much of me! During fashion week in NY when I don't have much time to eat during the day, I tend to juice and eat my meals in the evenings. When Paris Fashion Week rolls around, my schedule is more flexible and I have time to pamper myself then. My favorite place for a massage and facial is the Darphin Institute on rue Saint-Honoré. One of the best experiences ever!”

On his travel necessities...

“When I travel, I always carry an arsenal of products! My personal carry on go-tos (that I've proudly condensed to a one quart Ziploc baggy) are the Tatcha Deep Hydration Revitalizing Eye Masks, Dr. Hauschka Soothing Mask, Clark’s Botanicals Cellular Lifting Moisture Mist (transferred to a small spray bottle), Dr. Alkaitis Organic Nourishing Facial Oil and Honest Organic Lip Balm (that I'll even double up as an all over balm for extra dry areas).”

On how to recover after a stressful day...

“To me there’s nothing better than a long soak in a bath after a stressful day. I always travel with Dr. Hauschka Sage Purifying Bath Essence and my travel size Diptyque candles. It’s that ‘home-away-from-home’ feeling that you need when you're working out of town.

There’s a brand called Paula's Choice that I just discovered that is amazing and also affordable. Their Skin Recovery line (which is designed for sensitive skin) is perfect for models who need that attention after weeks of harsh labor to their skin. A great cleanser to remove elaborate makeup is Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil. It removes the toughest makeup while leaving your skin soft and hydrated afterwards.”

On the products you'll in her mini Céline Boston Bag...

“I love Guerlain and Elizabeth Arden creams, they are my favorite ones ever. I don’t wear a lot of makeup, but I always carry a blush, natural lipgloss and mascara with me.”

On her long-haul flight necessities...

“My in-flight essentials are Avène Spring Water Spray, which keeps my skin hydrated. I also pack Paw Paw ointment for my lips and always wear my thickest coat as it doubles as a blanket. The blankets on the planes are just too thin and never keep me warm.”

On her secret NYC must-go spas...

“My team and I live to go to Juvenex Spa in NYC for all day body beauty treatments. It’s like a mini spa castle, complete with hot mineral pools, saunas, massage, body scruba and more. A small urban getaway tucked away in Koreatown!

For facials a very modest and straightforward, but effective spot is Cici Beauty Spa. All the techs there are good, but I personally love Megumi. It’s about an hour and a half of heaven and it seriously knocks off 10 years of wear and tear that stress can leave on your face! A foot massage afterward at Fission on Mott Street completes the day.”

On her cure for "dry airplane skin"...

“I like fold out face masks after a long flight. Any beauty store in Chinatown have these available with different ingredients like shea butter mung bean. Sometimes I splurge on the ones from SK-II. For puffy eyes I always use Eyes by ToGoSpa. The original Ice Water Eyes are amazing at getting rid of bags and fine lines. They just launched a coconut version that is to die for!

Dry airplane skin is fixed with both of the above products, alongside a good facial oil like Darphin or a heavy cream left on overnight from La Mer or Sicily. Avene makes a great heavy cream called Cicalfate that I always carry and recommend for models who have irritated, sensitive skin.”

On how to remove even the toughest makeup...

“To remove heavy makeup, I rely on Lancome Definicils. If that doesn’t do the job I like the Mehron Makeup Remover Cream. It comes in a big tub and will remove every trace of makeup when your regular oil based one isn’t enough.”

On her fashion month rules...

“My fashion week survival guide is pretty easy. I try to get at least three hours of sleep a night, don’t drink too much champagne, take a health food store worth of good herbs and vitamins [with you] and remember to work and play.”

On how to look alive post-flight...

“When I travel I always bring my favorite sunscreen: Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 and Sun Bum Continuous Spray Sunscreen. Also I won't get on a plane without an SK-II mask—it's the only way to look human when you arrive.”

Above picture: Oribe Apres Beach Spray Travel Size, Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask, Le Labo Rose 31 Travel Tube, all at GEE Beauty. Lancome Effacil Gentle Eye Makeup Remove, Caudalie Beauty Elixir, Shiseido Power Brightening Mask, all at Sephora.

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