The beauty looks from the Paris runways you can actually achieve at home
You know what they say: the higher the hair, the closer to god. The biannual Paris couture shows never disappoint in terms of pushing the boundaries on both the fashion and beauty front. The cost of the outfits on show can reach the hundreds of thousands but, fear not, there is plenty to feast on from a beauty and hair perspective that’s easily achievable at home, especially for those willing to push the boat out a little.
Hunter Schafer’s slicked-back bun highlighted her bold gilded jewellery at a recent Schiaparelli haute couture show.Credit: Getty Images
Schiaparelli began July’s Haute Couture Week with creative director Daniel Roseberry revealing his new view for the house – heavily referencing the mid-20th century – with super-sleek hair pulled tightly back from the face and not a stray strand in sight, plus the occasional bun. It was also a popular look for front-row guests, including Joséphine Japy, Gessica Kayane and Hunter Schafer, whose slick bun showed off her gilded-flower choker.
To get this look, try a good-quality hair gel such as Crown Affair’s The Finishing Gel ($73) and a good boar-bristle brush, like Drybar Flat Mate Boar Bristle Brush ($138) to tame every hair into submission.
The simplicity of the hair at Schiaparelli was a perfect foil to the intensity of the make-up: black and red lips and dewy skin, created by make-up supremo Pat McGrath. To achieve the pairing of “luminous skin” with “bold, powerful lips”, McGrath says she used her own brand’s PermaGel Eye Pencil in Xtreme Black ($50) and Legendary Lip Liner in Elson ($50).
At Georges Hobeika, there was a slightly devilish, goat-like twist to the hair, with locks that were parted down the middle and styled into prominent “horns” on each side. You would need an armoury of hairspray and a stylist to even attempt this creation. For a quirky-but-earthly interpretation, try high bunches, curl them back on themselves, and secure with bobby pins.
Meanwhile at Chanel, models sported sleek twisted ponytails with a few stray tendrils to soften the intensity of the severely scraped-back hair; this was the perfect backdrop for the glossy glass skin that was everywhere on the runways. Complementing the hair was a bronze smoky eye – achieve a similar look at home using Chanel Ombré Premiere Laque Longwear Liquid Eyeshadow in Desert ($57).
Front-row inspiration was strong at Chanel, thanks to Naomi Campbell’s teased, twisted and elevated up-do, which was a show-stopper in itself and styled by the Chanel show hairstylist, Guido Palau.
Eighties inspiration is ubiquitous this season, and a standout at the Imane Ayissi show, where models wore slicked-back, retro-inspired hair paired with pastel eyeshadow lined heavily in black, and brilliant red lipstick completely flaunting all the beauty rules by playing up eyes and lips all at once. But when it comes to couture, rules are made to be broken.
ASK STEPH
I am on the hunt for a new rose-based fragrance. Can you suggest something interesting?
I have the perfect new find, Amouage Exceptional Extraits Guidance 46 ($859 for 100ml). It’s expensive, but it’s a killer scent with beguiling notes of rosewater, pear, frankincense, hazelnut, vanilla and jasmine, and will certainly turn heads.
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