I may be in Paris, but I’m also beside myself because I‘m behind the scenes at Le Grande Palais.
You know what that means? When it comes to Paris Fashion Week, a Beauty Director's golden ticket is to be invited backstage at Chanel.
For the first time, Lucia Pica - global creative make-up and colour designer for Chanel Beauty - opened the doors for me, quite literally, and we had a look at the look of the season before anyone else. The good news for you is that I asked her exactly how to recreate it. And, trust me, you will want to recreate it.
As ever, the theme of the the show was strictly under wraps. But by now you will know that the SS19 motif was Chanel By The Sea. An immaculate, chic beach set-up, so Lucia’s ‘Chanel Beach Girls’ were exquisitely elegant and in her words ‘fresh and joyful’.
The look was based around her ‘absolute colour of the spring’, Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in Infra Rose. A neon coral that she layered three times over blotting powder.
'It is a much finer powder so you get this matte blurred effect,' says Pica. This is the biggest takeaway of the show and my favourite lipstick tip thus far.
'The skin should be radiant and glowing and contoured with light, but using Baume Essentiel Sculpting and Baume Essentiel Transparent (a clear glossy stick) so it doesn’t look like ‘make-up’,' Pica continues.
On the eyes she used the silvery shade from the Les 9 Ombres Edition N.2 Quintessence, with Baume essentiale transparent on top. You’ll need to wait for spring to get these products, but make space because you’ll want them badly.
Mascara is 'applied really thickly on top and bottom lashes to give the girls a wide open eye look.'
Finish with a little pink blush on the apples of the cheeks for a fresh ‘beachy glow’.
As such, Lucia’s first backstage look for Chanel was the perfect balance of sophisticated and fresh. The ultimate beach look for the new season that will suit everyone.
The hair, by Sam McKnight, was loosely tonged and texturised with his Cool Girl spray, with, as ever, a lust worthy CC accent.
This time, black ribbon finished off with a Chanel brooch.
Perfect combo for the beach, non?
Now we need to find the actual Chanel beach to wear it to.
Will send you a postcard. À bientôt.
Every High Fashion Make-Up Look From Backstage At Fashion Week SS19
