The Fashion Week Skin Secrets You Need to Know

With time tight and space limited backstage, facialists tend to stick to a tried-and-true routine that boasts minimal steps and maximum results. Milena Naydenov, facialist and global head of esthetics at 111Skin, has five key steps she sticks to, while the Tata Harper team has whittled it down to four. Essentials include thorough cleansing, eye care, cryo massage and masking for hydrated, plump-looking skin — the ideal base for any makeup look. When it comes to the first step of the routine, Naydenov focuses on cleansing to ensure makeup artists start with a fresh canvas, and she says it should also be your starting point for replicating model skin at home. “A staple product that can be incorporated into day-to-day routines is the 111Skin Exfoliating Enzyme Cleanser,” she says. “It resurfaces without irritating, so it works for all skin types.”

Under-eye puffiness can be a big problem before a show, so Naydenov turns her attention to the eye area straight after cleansing to instantly depuff and awaken the skin. “Using 111Skin’s Eye Lift Gel NAC Y2, I do a light massage around the eyes to stimulate blood circulation, which reduces redness and puffiness and temporarily tightens the skin, too.”

If there is time, a full-face massage is excellent for transforming tired-looking skin. “I start my routine using a small steam wand, targeting under the eyes, frown lines, nasolabial folds and lines around the mouth to purify pores and leave a smoother, more revived complexion,” says Naydenov.

Next, use chilled cryo globes. “Starting from your nose, follow the contours of the face, working the tools underneath your cheeks and sweeping gently upward from underneath your cheekbones to the top of your ear,” Naydenov says. Then repeat the sweeping motion along the jawline before moving up to the eyes. “Starting from underneath the inner corner of your eye, hold the tools in place before sweeping upward toward your temples.” Ensure you have moisturized well with an eye mask or cream for good “slip,” then finish on the forehead, working the tools upward from the center toward the hairline.

Treatment masks are a huge part of the pre-show glow. “Preferably, I use 111Skin’s Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask and Rose Gold Illuminating Eye Mask, as they contain 24-karat gold, which really makes the skin look radiant,” says Naydenov. Backstage, the Tata Harper team also relies on masks for juicy-looking skin. “We let it sit for 20 minutes,” reveals Harper. “Then, instead of rinsing it off with water, we mist an essence over the mask to create a milky mix of the products that we can massage in. The effect is so good for plumping tired or dry skin.”

Essences are recommended across the board to prime the skin for a plumped, pillow-like finish. “I use 111Skin’s Antioxidant Essence NAC Y²,” says Naydenov. “It’s lightweight but enriches the skin with moisture and preps it for better absorption of the next steps in the routine.” Meanwhile, Harper champions an essence post-treatment mask to lock in hydration. “The Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence is a liquid moisturizer that works like a water magnet, with dual-weight hyaluronic acid.” Backstage, Harper’s team uses this product to remove any remnants of mask residue, too. “It supercharges the results, as you’re not rinsing off the mask,” she adds.

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The models featured in this story are not associated with NET-A-PORTER and do not endorse it or the products shown