NYFW Models Share Their Beauty Routines
As NYFW comes to a close and the shows move from New York to London, we're busy surveying all the notes we took on the best beauty looks this season. And while there's no denying that we love a glitter smoky eye or neon wig (like Gigi Hadid's pink makeover at Jeremy Scott), there's also something to be said for the tips we picked up backstage.
Amid the endless applications of makeup and constant thrum of blow-dryers at New York Fashion Week, we asked models about the products that get them through every single show. After all, they’ve long since learned all the smartest ways to keep their beauty looks on point while running around to castings and shows (through wind and rain, no less). Unsurprisingly, skincare holds the number-one spot when it comes to beauty must-haves (we learned many new ways to get that glow, including infrared wraps), but we picked up some haircare and makeup gems as well.
Ahead, 12 models show us their everyday routines — from curl defining cream to creaseless concealer to a lightweight foundation that lets freckles peek through. We even spotted some tried-and-true backstage products (we're looking at you, Embryolisse and Bioderma).
Courtesy of Instagram/@alicia hbh1/12Alicia
I like the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate a lot. I also use the Embryolisse cream every morning to hydrate the skin, and at night. I use a lot of MAC makeup — I really like the lightweight foundation they make because it's not too heavy and I can still see my freckles. And for my hair, I always use Bumble And Bumble's curl line.
Courtesy of Instagram/@noelcapri2/12Noel
I use Dr. Murad for cleansing and Sunday Riley face oils for moisturizing at night. I don't cleanse my face in the morning because my skin gets dry really easily, but I'll use the oil in the morning. As far as makeup, on my days off I like to keep it really simple. I'll wear a chapstick, Giorgio Armani concealer, and brush up my eyebrows with Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel. My hair is naturally a little bit wavy, so I'll use a sea salt spray like Bumble And Bumble Surf Spray and just leave it tousled.
Courtesy of Instagram/@gracesimmons3/12Grace
My skin is pretty good, if anything, it just gets really dry. I swear by the whole Clinique Moisture Surge line — it's honestly the best stuff I've ever tried. It's moisture without oil, and your face just feels soft. I often go to Higher Dose, and they have this infrared wrap. If you're claustrophobic don't do it because you're all wrapped up with just your head out. I like to put my face moisturizer on really heavily, almost like a mask, because the wrap heats up your body so your pores are really open. I love the YSL Touche Eclat. It's the only concealer I've ever used because it doesn't get those lines under your eyes. For my hair, I literally just wash it, go to bed, and then see what I'm working with in the morning. Sometimes I might put a bit of the Bumble And Bumble Surf Spray in my hair if it needs a bit of oomph.
Courtesy of Instagram/@aqua4/12Aqua
I use the Shea Moisture African Black Soap at night because it makes your skin really clean. I love Tom Ford and YSL for makeup — I'm a burgundy girl so I really like Tom Ford Lip Color in Impassioned. And then Shea Moisture for hair because mine is naturally curly and they make great products for curly hair. I've also been using Mizani's hair oil.
Courtesy of Instagram/@roosabels5/12Roos
I just got a really good cream, Avéne, from Paris. I use a facial scrub maybe twice a week in the shower, and a strong night cream to keep my skin moisturized. I don't use that much makeup, but I use mascara from Chanel, and also their concealer. I use the powder from Benefit because it's not too much but it does cover up a bit. I never do anything to my hair. I do use the John Frieda Sheer Blonde Shampoo. I used to be really blonde, but my hair got darker because I don't go out in the sun anymore, and this makes it look blonder.
Courtesy of Instagram/@iamhyunjishin6/12HyunJi
Always double cleansing. I'm using Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil and Kiehl's foaming cleanser. I'll put on a face mist, and then La Mer moisturizer with an oil. With all of the makeup I put on for work, I like to give my skin a break from it. For hair, I don't really do anything but dry my roots after I shower.
Courtesy of Instagram/@alexiskapaun7/12Alexis
I use Weleda Skin Food Cream because I'm from North Dakota, which is very dry. It's nourishing and really feels like it's moisturizing my skin. I cleanse in the morning and night with Clarins, and I'll mix in their toner and moisturizer, too. For makeup, I really love the Glossier Birthday Balm Dotcom. I always do that, then MAC concealer, and I brush up my brows with the Maybelline clear brow gel. For hair, I just spray in some texturizer.
Courtesy of Instagram/@mileshkacortes8/12Mileshka
I'll use a cream at night, and in the morning, I use Biotherm. It's a blue gel, and I like it because your face feels really fresh the whole day. I also love masks! I'll take oats and soak them in warm water, then put that on my face and leave it for about 30 minutes. I only use makeup for work, and I don't really do anything for my hair either.
Courtesy of Instagram/@sandra martenss9/12Sandra
Especially while I'm living in New York, I do a lot of cleansing. I use Bioderma every morning and evening. I'm using a lot of Shiseido — I like their creams and oils before bed. I'm very low key when it comes to makeup. If I use something, it's MAC mascara and maybe a red lip. For hair, I'm a big fan of Moroccanoil. I love taking a shower and using their curl defining mousse with some of their oil. You can just let it air dry, and it leaves your hair with a nice shine and curl.
Courtesy of Instagram/@olivia anakwe10/12Olivia
I have a Clarisonic I use religiously at night to get off all the dirt. I'll use the Mario Badescu spray on my face at night, and then I moisturize with Kate Somervillle Nourish Moisturizer in the morning. I also like to blend just a little bit of coconut oil with my moisturizer. I really love the Hero Salve from Milk Makeup because you can use it on your lips and hands. I'm also a huge fan of Glossier, especially their Boy Brow. For my hair, I use Design Essentials for edge control, which keeps my hair nice and slick. I also always use a boar bristle brush.
Courtesy of Instagram/@daryakostenich11/12Darya
I'm from Belarus, and I use all Belarusian cosmetics — just a scrub, cream, and thermal water. I'm not wearing makeup every day, but I like MAC pencils for my eyebrows and a curler for my lashes. For my hair, I'm always using an oil like L'Oréal or Moroccanoil for my ends.
Courtesy of Instagram/@iamayajones12/12Aya
I just use micellar water and cream from La Roche Posay in the morning and night. I never wear foundation, but I always like Clinique mascara. And some red for the lips — lipstick, gloss, everything red. For my hair, I just use natural creams from a small brand in Paris.
