It's not easy to get backstage at Dior. That is because there are huge models, very expensive collections, legendary hair and makeup artists and the odd Iris Apfell and Kris Jenner. ELLE were invited backstage exclusively to hang out, chat to the man behind the makeup Peter Philips, and generally form an obsession with the most beautiful take on gothic makeup thus far.
Here is everything we learned:
Mash Up Your Lashes
Make up artist Peter Philips told us his best trick for getting spidery, clumpy lashes (or lash packages as he called them): 'Use a primer first like Lash Maximiser, then apply black mascara, but use the tip of the wand in circles on the lashes to draw the together'. (We tried it, it works - see below)
Get Symmetrical
Hairstylist Guido make precision partings and cute double knots to add to the 'Controlled Chaos' of the whole beauty look.
Turn Up The Cuffs
The ear furniture was somewhat distracting backstage. If there is anything we''reh appy to learn this season it's that there is little place for minimalism
Skin Is In
There is a dark dangerous romanticism to this look, and it needs good skin to underpin it. Peter used Diorskin Nude to givea veil of cover to the skin whilst allowing it to show through.
Everybody Loves a Lumee
Peter Phiips was as enamoured with the light-up Lumee case on our phone as the models were. It begs you to take a selfie, and this one was the best of the day.
Punk Gothic is the Order of the Day
There's no getting away from it. Peter designed his latest AW16 makeup collection to appeal to the new generation of women who love playing with makeup. We tend to create different images of themselves on their various platforms, which he thinks makes woman today unafraid of experimenting with makeup. Its a strong case for no more normcore.
What Peter Says Goes
And his hero product from the collection is Rouge Dior lipstick in Poison. 'Its a good name because there is a bit of danger to this look'. He layered Poison lip liner under waterproof black kohl under a final coat of Poison lipstick before adding a slick of gloss to give it all a bit of life.
