45 Beauty Essentials Runway Models Can't Live Without
We're not going to beat around the bush: our ultimate goal in life is to have the stunning skin of a runway model (we know it's ambitious). But these ladies aren't just born looking that good . . . OK, maybe they were, but they still have to work at maintaining it. While hanging out backstage at New York Fashion Week, we got tons of model beauty tips, and the ladies also revealed their favorite skin, hair, and makeup products.
Models know all about the best beauty buys because they rub shoulders with the top hairstylists, estheticians, and makeup artists in the industry. We'd even say that the professional posers are almost as informed as beauty editors about the newest product innovations — almost. Here, you'll find a list of the best makeup removers, most efficient acne solutions, boldest brow fillers, and most moisturizing deep conditioners. You're only one click away from a catwalk-ready beauty routine. Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone
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Make Up For Ever Face & Body Liquid Makeup
Models don't only save their dewy, glowing skin for the runway, so you can bet they stock up on hydrating products. Mari Agory applies one layer of Make Up Forever Face & Body Liquid ($40) to perfect her skin.
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Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes
After hours of being dolled up backstage, Leomie loves taking off the day with Simple cleansing wipes ($10). It's ideal for those nights when you're too lazy to fully wash your face.
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The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Gel
Finding the right product to soothe your sensitive skin can be challenging. Backstage at Rodarte, Anna Cholewa recommends using soothing aloe gel ($19) to calm the skin, especially after a long day of shows. Apply it before your moisturizer or leave it on as a mask!
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Clean and Clear Morning Burst Skin Brightening Cleanser
Paige Honeycott makes sure her skin stays radiant and runway ready by rinsing her face daily with this citrusy cleanser ($8). Gentle exfoliating beads and caffeine also make makes her feel alert in the morning.
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Organic Coconut Oil
Even models are obsessed with coconut oil ($7). Lula Kenfe keeps her skin baby soft before a show by moisturizing with it after the shower.
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Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel
To avoid puffy, tired eyes on and off the runway, Iriha Kruchenko opts for a cooling eye gel ($14). Dab some on under your eyes when you need an afternoon refresh.
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Wei Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask
You'll almost always catch model Grace Simmons barefaced. And to maintain a clear makeup-free complexion she swears by clay masks ($42). When she needs an extra boost of exfoliation, she adds in grains of sand from her farm in Australia.
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Glamglow Youthmud Exfolitating Treatment
Backstage at Ohne Title, Samantha Archibald revealed that her secret to smooth, pore-less skin lies in this tingling exfoliating treatment ($69). Yes, mud is a way to clean your face!
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Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner
At her first season of NYFW, Kailey Hsu ended up with a huge pimple right before her big show at Herve Leger. Instead of panicking, she used Neutrogena Toner ($7) religiously — and it disappeared just in time.
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Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese Beauty Papers
Even models suffer from the occasional oil slick! "In NYC especially, I use blotting papers to remove shine," explained model Sija Titko backstage at Monique Lhuillier. "The weather can be disgusting." Carry these blotting papers ($12) to stay shine free on the go.
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Aesop Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream
Backstage at Milly, Iana Godnia introduced us to Australian beauty brand Aesop. Her favorite product to remedy dry Winter skin is the Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream ($49).
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Carmex Moisturizing Lip Balm
Yes, models use Carmex Moisturizing Lip Balm ($2) just like you! Nothing beats the petroleum jelly balm when it comes to soothing a chapped pout.
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Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil
Model Lily Zhi relies on a range of Asian skin care brands to keep her dry skin moisturized. Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil ($42) is her favorite daily makeup remover.
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Shiseido Revitalizing Face Mask
Not all models have time for a facial before the runway. Lily Zhi uses the Shiseido "Benefiance" Pure Retinol Intensive Revitalizing Face Mask ($63) to get a spa experience at home.
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Lucas' Papaw Ointment
Model Juana Burga doesn't just use Lucas' Papaw Ointment ($12) on her lips. She also applies the balm to her nails to soothe cracked cuticles.
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Simple Cleansing Micellar Water
While most models talk nonstop about Bioderma, Juliette Fazekas prefers Simple Cleansing Micellar Water ($8), which is an American drugstore favorite.
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Vbeaute Gentle Facial Exfoliator
Model Georgie Badiel uses the Vbeaute Gentle Facial Exfoliator ($24) to make sure her skin is close-up ready on the runway.
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L'Occitane Shea Butter Lip Balm
Not only is L'Occitane Shea Butter Lip Balm ($12) Lera Tribel's favorite lip balm, but she also uses it underneath her eyes to erase puffiness and bags.
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Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Asia Matthews may not use foundation (oh, those lucky models), but she does use Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion ($11) from head to toe to keep her skin protected against Winter's worst.
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La Roche-Posay Acne Treatment
A pimple before the runway? No way! Model Juliette Fazekas uses the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment ($37) all over her face to keep breakouts at bay.
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Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash
You probably recognize this orange Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash ($5) from your pimply teenage years, but Mari Agory still uses the classic cleanser to remove makeup after a long day of shows.
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Trader Joe's Vitamin E Oil
If you think models only use expensive products to stay looking gorgeous, think again! Mari Agory shops for her skin care essentials at the grocery store. Her antiaging treatment is Trader Joe's Vitamin E Oil ($25).
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Caudalíe Beauty Elixir
When Anastasia Ivanova is feeling extradry, she spritzes her face with Caudalíe Beauty Elixir ($49).
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Nivea Cream
Russian model Anastasia Ivanova has been using Nivea Creme ($11) since she was a young girl to moisturize wind-worn cheeks. Apparently the white cream in the blue jar is a skin staple all around the world.
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Chanel Hydra Beauty Mask
Model Kem Jaspers treats her skin to the Chanel Hydra Beauty Mask ($50) to moisturize her dry skin before Fashion Week.
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Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate
More than one model suggested the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate ($56) as a skin care essential. But it was Anne Peck backstage at Alice + Olivia who recommended using it as a moisturizer before makeup.
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Avène Clean-AC Hydrating Cream
German catwalker Anne Peck uses Avène Clean-AC Hydrating Cream ($16) to keep her skin moisturized during the day. The good news: you can buy this product at your local drugstore.
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Homeoplasmine
Karlie Kloss packs Homeoplasmine ($26) in her Fashion Week handbag to moisturize and remove makeup between shows. This cream is a well-known makeup artist favorite to hydrate dry skin before applying foundation.
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Uka Nail Oil
We'd never even heard of Uka nail oil ($39) until Chiharu Okunugi opened up her bag backstage. This oil comes in many different scents, but 24:45 is a relaxing mix of lavender and orange, which is the perfect remedy for a model who has a hectic Fashion Week schedule.
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Bioderma
You can't go backstage anywhere during Fashion Week without hearing about Bioderma Créaline H2O ($33). The models love it, and the makeup artists can't live without it. Literally, it's at every station. This supergentle French pharmacy staple lives up to all the hype: it takes off all eye, face, and lip makeup without irritating skin or leaving an oily residue.
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Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré ($28) is a favorite of makeup artists and many of the models (like Chiharu Okunugi) use it at home to moisturize skin after a long day of getting primped and prodded.
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Dermalogica Daily Microexfoliant
Model Frida Munting relies on a full Dermalogica skin care regimen to keep her dry complexion in check. Nightly she uses Dermalogica Daily Microexfoliant ($52) to keep her sensitive skin smooth.
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Tom Ford Beauty Brow Sculptor
Catwalkers aren't allowed to wear much makeup during casting calls, but Sarah Jade counts this Tom Ford Brow Sculptor in Taupe ($44) as her one must have.
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Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
You might expect the beautiful skin of a runway model to be the result of a superexpensive skin care regimen. But Lina Sandberg rinses her face with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser ($8) every night.
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Proactiv Toner
What, you thought Proactiv was just for pimply preteens? Wrong! A few models mentioned the acne-fighting brand as their go-to once breakouts pop up. The Revitalizing Toner ($16) dries everything up in time for a next-day photo shoot.
Klorane Eye Makeup Remover
There isn't much time when you're running from show to show, but catwalker Svea Berlie takes off any excess makeup with Klorane Eye Makeup Remover ($16).
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Nuxe Teint Éclat Prodigieux
Of course with amazing skin like Cindy Bruna, foundation is optional. But she uses Nuxe Teint Éclat Prodigieux ($28), a tinted moisturizer, to cover imperfections before a big casting call. It's the one French beauty find that she stocks up on before her world travels.
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Chanel Hydra Beauty Crème
Model Lina Sandberg uses Chanel Hydra Beauty Crème ($87) each evening to keep her skin moisturized even when she's traveling from New York to London to Milan and Paris.
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Kérastase Oléo-Relax
Kérastase Oléo-Relax Masque ($63) is a favorite for curly-haired model Cindy Bruna. She keeps it on overnight to moisturize her hair after getting blow-dried and curled constantly.
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Lancôme Makeup Remover
In one day models can wear several different makeup looks ranging from barely-there to bold. Manuela Basilio told us that Lancôme makeup remover ($28) stays on her vanity from city to city.
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Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo
Models aren't just wearing bold brows on the runway; Manuela Basilio fills in her arches with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo ($23) before hitting the streets during NYFW.
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Ling Ginseng Collagen Infusion Mask
Backstage at Naeem Khan, Ajak Deng introduced us to Ling Skin Care. She wears the Ginseng Collagen Infusion Mask ($18) during her twice-a-week at-home facial.
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La Mer Eye Concentrate
For Lina Sandberg, being a model is an all-day job from 6 a.m. call times to afterparties at midnight. She applies La Mer Eye Concentrate ($190) to disguise any under-eye circles during the long days of Fashion Month.
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Frederic Fekkai Blowout Hair Refresher Dry Shampoo
Margaux Brooke often has the hottest stylists doing her hair. However, when it comes to her at-home routine, she is low maintenance. She spritzes Frederic Fekkai dry shampoo ($20) on her bob before every casting call.
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Dermalogica Spot Treatment
Yes, models get pimples, too (they do wear tons of makeup for work). Lina Sandberg recommended the Dermalogica Spot Treatment ($26) for rapid zit relief.