This was the hero makeup product used backstage at Erdem that you probably didn't know NARS had...
London Fashion Week is always full of surprises, not only when it comes to the outfits, but the trending beauty looks too.
One show that always keeps us on our toes is Erdem, especially after the sneaky Erdem x NARS makeup collaboration that dropped backstage this time last year.
With NARS on makeup again, led by Val Garland and L'Oréal Professional on hair, led by Anthony Turner, our eyes were kept peeled amongst the 60s Tippi Hedron-inspired beauty magic being performed.
And sure enough, amid the futuristic beehive hair, and velvety graphic eye, we spotted IT.
In the far left corner, enclosed in a silver metallic bullet was the new NARS lip balm (coming Spring 2019), set to be swiped on the pout of every single model. You'd be easily fooled to think the hero of this beauty look is the eye, but really it's the subtle, juicy freshness of this balm that seals the deal.
Speaking of the lip look, Val Garland said: 'We have this fabulous lip balm called Clear Cut and it's nothing but it's everything."
We don't think anyone has ever summed up our feelings about lip balm more.
This isn't NARS first ever lip balm, as the brand has one in the Orgasm family, emulating the peachy pink of the iconic blusher for the lips. The product has a flawless 5-star rating on Cult Beauty and retails for £23, so we're expecting the same from the sister launch.
However, the new Clean Cut Afterglow is a clear balm with no tint (ideal for literally anything and anyone) and is infused with antioxidants for protection.
In fact, bright lips seem to have taken a back seat at all the AW19 shows. In terms of colour, bold shades were mostly seen on the eyes. Texture and patterns were left to the hair, and skin was skin, with concealer named king and no foundation in sight.
Want to know more about the trends we spotted backstage? Here's our round-up...
ShutterstockManish
MAC makeup artist Kabuki brought Burning Man to Paris Fashion Week with vibrant neon lashes (which we're totally copying for Coachella btw). Eyelashes were saturated in bright pops of pink, orange and green, with loose pigments of the same colour lightly blown over the models' faces for a colourful dust effect.
ShutterstockDries Van Noten
Makeup artist Peter Philips described his vision for Dries Van Noten as 'leftover makeup', with a mixture of gold, silver and multi-coloured flecks dabbed sparingly across the lids. If we ever manage to wake up like this after a night out, we won't be complaining.
ShutterstockMugler
Told you so! 80s makeup is making a comeback. Makeup artist Inge Grognard was responsible for this punchy blue eye, which was applied with rounded, soft edges to mimic clouds.
Missoni
Hair stylist Anthony Turner kept models' hair super slick, either poking out from under hats, or else split into stern center partings. Meanwhile on makeup, makeup pro Lynsey Alexandra created graphic black winged eyeliner on some models, leaving others beautifully bare.
Moschino
Big hair, don't care should have been the motto backstage at Moschino, where hair stylist Jimmy Paul constructed larger than life, sixties-esque bouffants. Meanwhile, Tom Pecheaux painted on feline flicks in bright colours, keeping lips neutral to balance the bold look.
Gucci
Makeup artist Thomas de Kluyver created crystalised tears on models cheeks for the look at Gucci to stunning effect.
Dolce & Gabbana
Dolce & Gabbana models were the height of sophistication with vivid red lips and velvet skin - and, of course, the signature floral hair accessory (note: the bigger the better).
Getty ImagesBurberry
Talk about a major skin moment backstage at Burberry. Brows were washed out by makeup artist Pat McGrath to allow the complexion to take centre stage, as well as create a blank canvas for the hair squiggle masterpiece created by maestro Guido Palau for Redken.
Getty ImagesAshish
Us: Less is more? Ashish: Nah. Big hair and a big splash of glitter, thanks. Isamaya Ffrench used three different colours of MAC Glitter on the eyes and two different shades on the lips to create this shimmery chaos – LOVE!
Getty ImagesVivienne Westwood
MAC's lead makeup artist, Isamaya Ffrench turned models into Pinocchio's with prosthetics and created masks of plastic, but our favourite backstage beauty bits from Vivienne Westwood were the airbrushed gold faces and recyclable nail art. Responsible for the latter, manicurist Marian Newman used silver strips and shapes cut from recycled metallic materials to create negative space nail art, all in the name of sustainable fashion.
Getty ImagesChristopher Kane
Bold brows took a back seat again at Christopher Kane where the focus was kept on fresh faces. Popping on a face mask ASAP.
Getty ImagesHalpern
Isamaya Ffrench was inspired by ‘old-fashioned cruise ships’ when she created the iridescent, separated gold lids at Halpern. Step one was loose strokes of MAC Chroma Paint, creating a patchwork of colours. Step 2? Cover the painted Masterpiece with gold leaf and pat until the foil starts to separate and ‘crack’ to give a glimpse of the rainbow shades beneath.
Getty ImagesHouse of Holland
Makeup artist Zoe Taylor also got the memo for bold lids; lining, painting and blending the best of MAC's teal blues backstage at House of Holland.
Getty ImagesPeter Pilotto
As for Peter Pilotto – forget winged liner, Inge Grognard replaced the traditional technique with tiny feathers on the outer corners of eyes for a softer take.
Getty ImagesPreen by Thornton Bregazzi
For a milder take on the frizzy, undone hair trend, GHD ambassador, Eugene Souleima teased surface fuzz and manipulated tufts out of low ponytails for an ‘air-dried and real look with imperfections’ at Preen.
Getty ImagesErdem
With the inspiration of a 60s Tippi Hedren, Erdem's hair and makeup put a futuristic twist on the old school beehive and cat eye. Val Garland kept the graphic eye velvety by layering NARS Pandora Duo Eyeshadow over eyeliner, while L'Oréal Professional's hairstylist Antony Turner created an 'anti-head shape' with plenty of teasing and hairspray.
Getty ImagesAlexa Chung
Want to nail this static hair look? All you need is a balloon, apparently. Backstage at Alexa Chung, hair stylist Alex Brownsell (for L'Oréal Professional) rubbed an inflated balloon over hairlines to charge baby hairs with static. ‘Keep movement in one direction, because… well, science’ Alex advised.
Getty ImagesMary Katrantzou
At Mary Katratzou, ‘grumpy, moody and lank’ waves were created by stylist Anthony Turner and given hand-painted, technicolour accents by Josh Wood. Make these waves by pushing hair up until it bends then clamp downwards with a curling iron. No brush, just ‘messy side part, hair dragged over and a bobby pin shoved in, like the emo girl at the party’ Anthony told us. The CND nails were inspired by the elements, with earth and fire designs adorning the fingers of each model.
Getty ImagesMichael Kors
Makeup artist Dick Page used MAC to create this show-stopping eye makeup at Michael Kors, only made all the more fabulous with the kinky, voluminous waves by hair stylist Orlando Pita.
Getty ImagesProenza Schouler
Gelled back hair was met with graphic eyeliner at Proenza Schouler, painted on a selection of models by makeup artist Dick Page.
Getty ImagesOscar de la Renta
In classic Oscar de la Renta style, Tom Pecheaux for MAC created an elegant look with blurry, berry-stained lips, fresh skin and "secret contour".
Getty ImagesMark Jacobs
Elaborate, feathered hair accessories graced the heads of models at Marc Jacobs this season and we're totally here for it.
Getty ImagesHugo Boss
Swept back to the side, with slightly textured roots was the go-to look on the runways at Hugo Boss. Makeup was kept minimal with neutral tones on the eyes.
Getty ImagesAnna Sui
Hair stylist Garren styled multicoloured wigs to compliment the bright collection at Anna Sui.
Getty ImagesZimmerman
So chic, so sexy - a deep side part by hair stylist Renya Xydis for Wella Professionals teamed with a classic eyeliner flick at Zimmerman.
Getty ImagesCarolina Herrera
Makeup artist Romy Soleimani for Bobbi Brown created a painterly look at Carolina Herrera with vivid brush strokes across the eyes.
Brandon Maxwell
Backstage at Brandon Maxwell, makeup artist Tom Pecheux for MAC created "eyes that wouldn't lie to you" (translation, mascara, falsies and a few lower lashes flicked on with eyeliner).
Brandon Maxwell
Hairstylist Bob Recine created the "Supersonic chignon" backstage at Brandon Maxwell, using the Dyson hair dryer to slick the hair back in the perfect low ponytail and then twisting sections into an intricate bun.
Brock Collection
Romantic smokey eyes took centre stage at Brock Collection, alongside a flawless complexion and soft contour. Makeup artist Gucci Westman used fingers to apply brown-hued eyeshadows for a soft-focus effect.
Brock Collection
Hair stylist Peter Gray used the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer to smooth hair before wrapping into a low, loose chignon at the nape of the neck at Brock Collection.
Jeremy Scott
Bold smokey eyes on an otherwise bare face graced the runway at Jeremy Scott, adding further impact to the striking collection.
Jeremy Scott
Backstage at Jeremy Scott, the newspaper print that adorned the fashion was continued onto the nails with slogans spelled out across each finger.
Jeremy Scott
Meanwhile, hair stylist Eugene Souleiman, for Wella Professionals, created statement white streaks in the hair, perfectly complementing the monochrome collection.
Getty ImagesPrabal Gurung
Soft smokey eyes met swept back hair backstage at Prabal Gurung, where makeup artist Diane Kendal used the MAC Autumn/Winter trend palette to apply a variety of brown hues to lids.
Getty ImagesTory Burch
Using plenty of Redken Dry Shampoo Paste for texture and hold, hair stylist Guido Palau create futuristic, horse whip braids that grazed the model's tailbones. Meanwhile on the makeup, Diane Kendal kept it simple with a diffused smokey eye.
Getty ImagesDion Lee
Wella Professionals' Global Creative Director Eugene Souleiman created tough-girl hair for Dion Lee, using plenty of Wella Root Shoot Mousse to add a dirty texture to the roots.
ShutterstockRodarte
Glitter stole the show at Rodarte, where makeup artist James Kaliardos was inspired by the glamour of old school musicals. Using NARS, he painted different shades of pinks and reds onto lids and lips, before pressing glitter on top for a dazzling finish.
Ralph Lauren
Soft and exquisite hair was the name of the game at Ralph Lauren, where Guido called upon Redken's Frizz Dismiss Oil Mist to give hair an expensive finish.
Getty ImagesTom Ford
Tom Ford served up a double dose of glamour with a autumnal smokey eye, jet-black eyeliner and slick side parts.
