By Bella Blissett

As much as we love a trend – when beauty goes in two different directions, it doesn’t half leave us spoilt for choice. And in the last couple of days, the backstage pros have led us on a merry dance around two European capital cities with looks that couldn’t have been more poles apart.

To Madrid we went with Pat McGrath and Guido for a Loewe look that oozed the fiery passion of a flamenco dancer. McGrath’s “bad ass Spanish women done in a modern way” were strong of brow, matte red of lip – and came with a tempestuous vibe inspired by Gala Dali.

Framing her immaculate face was a squeaky clean centre parting that clipped the top of her ears and was slicked back into a low, low bun using Redken’s new Duo Shield 07 gel cream.

Just over 12 hours later and the unbridled flair of Dali seemed just a distant memory as we spied the über-cool minimalism of Costume National’s woman. From the job, to the cool music collection and fulfilling her role as the yummiest mummy this side of the Champs-Élysées, in Sally Branka’s eyes this was a woman who really did “have it all.

Her skin a-glow from a slather of Embryolisse Rich Moisturising Cream, she had a hint of Charlotte Gainsbourg about her with a dash of black eye liner, (MAC’s Ebony pencil is this girl’s go-to product), a smidgen of Poised Blush – and the SS13 golden Pressed Pigment in Sunshine dappling her cheekbones.

Parted to the left, swept to the right, her hair hung in a strictly blunt, graphic sheath thanks to a combination of Tigi’s Straight Collection Sleek Mystique Haute Ironspray and some straighteners.

As stylist Paul Hanlon said, it was “minimal, pure, chic, a little bit architectural” – and it couldn’t have been more Parisian.

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